Welcome to Life in Cusco, Peru

Cusco is the third largest city in Peru, although you wouldn't know it because everybody seems to know each other. Cusco sits in a valley (at an altitude of around 10,000 feet) surrounded by mountain ranges. Many streets within the old city limits were built for horse and buggy a very long time ago. Today that translates to one lane cobblestone roads and sidewalks that are one to two feet wide which creates a tight fit when passengers are trying to walk in opposite directions and the cars don't stop. Besides the many sidewalk hazards, the old part of Cusco is definitely our favorite. The name of the area of town is known as the Plaza de San Blas and it is known as the Gringoville...lots of tourists! Our favorite restuarant, Jack's Cafe, rests on a quaint corner right in the heart of this area. We go there whenever we get American-food munchies and the waiter now laughs at us due to our regular visits. They have the best brushetta with fresh tomatoes, fresh vegetable sandwiches with bread that will rival the best bakeries in the US, awesome cappuchino, and big fat american portions.

Our typical day starts off with Sarah and Mary walking to Ann's house to pick her up, usually late which forces the group to take a Daewoo Tico taxi to class, but that has been getting better recently and there has been more walking all the way to class. Granted, one day this past week we didn't have a choice because it was the day of the paro, which was an organized strike by the transportation union and the farmers. The strike started at 8 a.m. after which, no taxis were available, all stores and most schools (except ours) were closed because people couldn't get to work. The strikers even put broken glass in the middle of some intersections and some men stood there with sticks to punish any cabbies that decided to work. There were also multiple marches throughout different parts of the city. The strike was scheduled to end about 6 that night and life resumed to normal...Hmm not so effective when they plan strike for just one day!!

School is 8-1 and we are pretty darn hungry when it is over. After walking home, we eat a big lunch with our individual familes. After lunch, Mary and Sarah enjoy long naps and relaxation exercises for the next 2-3 hours. Ann comes over to Sarah and Mary's house and about jumps out of her skin eagerly waiting for them get out of bed. Finally at Ann's persuasion we go to markets, museums, churches, plazas, salsa lessons, and restuarants to have good food and a couple drinks, etc.

We have met many people here in Cusco in interesting scenarios. Remember that restaurant we told you about where Tracy had her bag stolen? We happened to run into the lady in the plaza that was volunteering in the resturant that night. She was really concerned that Tracy was still in Peru because she didn't have a passport, which wouldn't have been the worst thing, but we informed her that the story had a happy ending and Tracy was back safely in the states. Our new friend Cheri invited us to come up to her patio for lunch, which turns out to overlook the whole city of Cusco. We enjoyed fresh veggie sandwich bought fresh from the market. Another friend who helped us find a bar we were looking for last Saturday turns out to live 2 houses down from Sarah and Mary and works right across the street from their house as well for a company where Cesar's (host father) brother-in-law works.

We have almost completed adjusted to the idiosyncracies of Cusco including cars honking all the time, which we have learned could mean that a taxi or a bus are available, or that a car is simply notifying a pedestrian of it's presence. Another regular in the daily life in Cusco is a constant line outside the office of the main cellular phone carrier because the only way some people have to pay their phone is to do it in person, and if it is past due in any way, they cut the service. Where is the grace period? Kids are part of the labor force and sidewalk scenary here in Peru, selling their finger puppets and candy. In addition, vendors and restaurants employees stand in doorways and on the sidewalk begging people to come in and dine. We have three weeks down and one week to go in Cusco. We leave on Saturday and travel back to Lima from which we will travel to the final destinations of our trip. Keep guessing on the locations. More to follow!