Cuzco, Peru (World Heritage Site - Capital of Inca Empire)

After our time at the beach we jumped on a flight and crossed South America into Peru for a much more challenging and informative part of our trip.

We stayed at the new Marriott in Cuzco (city is at an altitude of about 3400 m, 11200 ft).  The hotel actually sits on top of old Inca and Kilke ruins which they have done their best to preserve and also leverages some of the San Agustin convent walls and arches as part of the hotel itself.  Another great example of one empire building on top of another.  The Inca on the Kilke and the Spanish on the Inca.

Bell Tower of San Cristobal

Middle of San Blas Neighborhood

Night Parade with Lit Animals

It didn't take long for us to feel the effects of being at an altitude of over two miles high (compared to our normal 400 ft).  We of course listened to all the local experts on how to keep the affects in check and they seemed to help.

San Pedro Mercado - Anything

Cuzco had a very Spanish colonial feel and even looks like some of the towns/cities you'd find in Southern Spain today.  It's right in the middle of the Andes and you can get a great bird's eye view from Barrio de San Blas or Saksaywaman which we slowly walked up to through the thin streets as we acclimated to the altitude.

I am the only one who smiled!?

Jolene quickly fell in love with all Peruvian children and all of the exquisite crafts that were hand made by the people of Cuzco.  This made shopping in the local mercados with my broken Spanish one of her favorite activities.  It always took a moment or two before she would start touching and asking questions but before you knew it she'd be in the little shop petting the fabrics and inspecting all the trinkets.

She also developed a fear of dogs (at least for a couple days) after one snuck up to bark and lunge at her.  The good news is she didn't let this impact her desire to just pick up a baby llama or alpaca without a second thought.  Every time I turn my back she's out making new friends.

Amigas!