Cuzco: Day One

Up at 6:10, bus at 7:45, flight at 10 and in Cuzco by 11!  As soon as we got off the plane I loved it: the small houses, traditionally dressed people, colorful flags, and beautiful mountains surrounding the valley.

However, the altitude change is definitely apparent and I have felt a little out of breath since I got here. Walking up hills is especially hard and we all have to stop and take a breather.  To avoid the dreaded altitude sickness we are drinking tons of water, eating small, light meals, and trying to take it easy.


After landing we went straight to our school, a cute little open-air building with tons of free activities and even gratis laundry!  Our families were already waiting so Rachel, Kat and I went home with our host mom, Katy.  Despite being a little out in a barrio our house is a cute 2 story with the ability for a 3rd story, although it is beautiful as a roof deck for now!


Coca Tea and lunch followed, a so-so meal of hard rice and an omelet with peanuts.  Gotta say, I miss my Lima host mom's cooking already!


After the shocking news that our house doesn't have wifi or internet the 3 of us set off for the Plaza Mayor in hopes of finding a cafe with free internet.  Instead we wandered into some giant market where juices, foods, fruits, vegetables, meats, ceviche, etc. was all sold.  Making sure to keep the advice of eating lots of fruit I bought a kiwi which was so delicious I bought another.

We wandered around a bit more and before leaving I got 3 more kiwis and a bunch of small bananas.  Then we wandered back towards the Plaza de Armas to continue the wifi search, and after McDonald's let us down we made the extremely tiring trek up the hill to the school to use their wifi.


And that's where I am now!


Lessons Learned:

1. The rainbow flags all over Cuzco represent the Incan empire rather than the usual meaning in the States.
2. Cuzco is freezing at night!!  I will be buying a toasty alpaca sweater or Lima sweatshirt pronto.  Maybe a blanket as well...and some wool socks.
3. Kiwis = yum yum yum yum....todos los dias from now on!