PERU 2017-Post 9. Wandering the Streets of Cusco

Friday July 7

It was time for a quiet walk through the streets of Cusco. Of corurse, we were not as colourfully dressed as this local woman. 

The street where we live. 

Plaza De Armas statue of the famous Inca Emperor, Pachacuti, the ninth ruler of the Kingdom of Cusco and later the Emperor of the Inca Empire. Pachacuti began the expansion of the Inca dominion from the valley of Cusco to encompass a huge part of western South America.  

Were he to be ressurected tomorrow,  I'm not sure how Pachacuti would feel to see his efergy standing atop a Spanish style fountain surrounded by so much Popery and all covered in what looks like the very gold that the conquistadors stole from his people. Hopefully he has a good sense of irony. 

Spanish colonial buildings surround the Plaza De Armas. 

The former Cusco city gate. 

Inca foundations. 

Many buildings in Cusco are constructed with stone base walls and adobe or mud brick upper walls with whitewashed plaster coatings. 

One simply cannot walk past these stone walls and not be impressed by the Inca design and stonemasonry. Morterless joints so tight they wouldn't fit a piece of paper between the stones. 

Heading up the hill to the suburb of San Blas.  

The San Blas produce market. 

Do you recognise that flag?  ...   

No, it's not one of those flags.  Actually it's the official Cusco flag.  Many Cuscenian's take offence when their flag is compared with the other one.  

San Blas artisan market with a glimpse of Cusco behind. 

By this time I was getting used to the altitude although going up stairs did require more effort and deeper breaths than normal. 

But for this mamita, it's business as usual. 

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Every turn in San Blas reveals another old lane. 

A view down a San Blas lane to the city of Cusco. 

That's all for that morning. 

Lloydnalex