The Ancient Inca Capital

Ending up three days in the ancient capital city of the Incas.  Did not intend to get here so soon but some political problems in Bolivia (the town I wanted to see was closed because of strikes) got me here sooner.  There was no place interesting between places ao I landed here.

There are many huge and well attended churches in Cusco.  They are all built on the foundations of Incan buildings.  My hotel is even on an old Incan building. The wall in the reception room is Incan.  The blocks of stone are huge, perfectly alligned and no mortar.  They were incredible architects.  Too bad the Spainish used the blocks and thereby destroying the splendor to build their stuff.

The city was layed out by the Incas to be in the shape of a pumma (a sacred animal for them).  There is a large mountain that overlooks the city and at top of the mountain was the "head" of the pumma.  Took a hike up there and the views are spectacular of the valley that is Cusco.  At the end of the valley you can see snow covered mountains. Much of the "head" has been removed for the stones but the area is still spectacular in size and scope.  Only the largest of the stones remain ( 200 tones)but they are incredibly impressive.  as awe inspriring as the pyramids, I think.

The city is attractive and very easy to get around.  Everything is built of stone and the streets are clean (unlike Bolivia).  There are not that many street vendors but there are a lot of husstlers.  They spot a gringo a block away and they come for you.  Mercifully, they take a no very well.

Last night I sat on the cathedral steps and I think I saw half of the population. I was offered everything from a hat, to a shoe shine, to Che cigarettes to cocaine.  Had a nice long chat with a young man from Cusco and I was impressed by his English skills despite the fact he is just a street vendor.

It is a spectacularly beautiful area.  The weather is very pleasant and only warm if you are in the sun.  It is easy to see why the Incans made this their capital.  At their zenith they controlled an area of 1,500 miles in length and this is where they made their capital.