Day 10 and 11 – Cuzco

Stories and Experience:
What an adventure it has been. What a difference a shower, food and some good rest can do. After our very full day in Machu Picchu, we rested and try to avoid any more steps. In Cuzco that is impossible. There are steps every were you look and very narrow road that you would think a car can make it down but they do. Traffic in Cuzco is crazy. The taxi driver on the way in was say the Cuzco had grown in population but the infrastructure has not been able to keep up with the growth. We stay at a nice hotel near the main square. There is plenty of shopping to do in this town. For us we headed to the market to get more Alpaca goodies. Our legs were still tired and the higher altitude really tired us out. Getting back to the hotel, I went and got another message to help ease the cramps in my legs. I thought I was fit, but boy I was surprise on much energy and lean muscle it take to keep up with high altitude, uphill roads, stair/steps and sprinting to avoid getting ran over. I’m thinking that when I get back home, that spin class is not going to be so hard.

What To Do:
Shopping, rest, and eating. There are some historical sites to see, but this trip we didn’t get to see them.

Recommendation:
Keep your belonging secured. The town has some good pickpockets
Pay good attention to the traffic. The cars and buses move really quickly
Go outside the main square for shopping. We found just as good quality for ½ the price a few block away from the main square.

Get a massage. The help loosing those tired legs and help keep you moving. At least it did for me

Shop at the end of the day. We found some great deals around 7-9 PM. The merchants what to go home and are willing to bargain

Have a list of thing you want to get. It was easy to just get everything. I made a small list before and had a good idea of what I wanted. I still got off track

Gear and Advise:
Bring an extra bag. We found some really good buys and did not have room in our luggage. We had to buy an extra bag (for 40 s) as a second check-in bag.

Good hiking or walking shoes

Sunscreen. At 3,400 m (11,200 ft) the sun even when overcast can give you a sunburn

Keep your money in two places. Don’t show all your money. I had my walking around money and that other in a secure place. If I found something I liked, I walked away for a few minute and came back. I guess I could be just a little paranoid

Ending notes:
Cuzco is a busy fun place. Like any big city you do need to bring you common sense. If found the food wonderful and Alpaca goodies plentiful. I really got hooked on the coca candy and tea while I was there. Not only it helps with the altitude sickness, it taste good too. Next stop Lima Peru