Cusco - Sat 8th March

Trip Start Feb 11, 2008
1
23
87
Trip End Ongoing


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow
Where I stayed
Llipimpac Hostel
(Cusco hotels)

Flag of Peru  ,
Sunday, March 9, 2008

On thursday, we left Salvador and Brazil. Three flights and 24 hours later, we arrived in Cusco, Peru. We didn't have any accommodation booked and so we got a cab into the centre of Cusco and after walking up lots of steep cobbled steps, we arrived at a hostel, which we found in the guide book, called El Grial. We were exhausted and suffering the effects of altitude sickness so we spent the whole day sleeping, just waking for some food and then back to sleep again until Saturday morning.
When we awoke yesterday morning, we felt much better, although still a little tired. We checked out of the hostel and went to a hostel, which my friend's relatives run. It's a lovely hostel close to the main plaza and the people are very welcoming and friendly. It has free internet and even a dvd player in the room!
After we unpacked, we went out for a walk to the centre. We needed to visit the Inca trail tourist office to pay the final balance. We did a bit of shopping and I bought some warm clothes as it has been freezing here! I wasn't expecting it to be so cold and if I'd known, I would have packed some warmer things. We stumbled across a small market off one of the main roads, which is full of Alpaca clothing. I bought a pair of gloves, hat and a jumper, all for 60 soles, which is about £15! It's so cheap here - much cheaper than Brazil!
Cusco is a beautiful place and the locals are so friendly. It has a main plaza called Plaza de Armas and there are lots of cobbled streets running off the plaza and up into the hills.
For altitude sickness, the local remedy is coca tea. Everywhere in Cusco seems to offer it and they recommend you have three cups a day. I wasn't keen on the smell but with some sugar added, it was nice and does help relieve some of the symptons. Mike and I have both been feeling achey, like a flu achey in our backs and legs but the tea does help.
Feeling tired from walking around all day and still suffering from altitude sickness, we found a restaurant for dinner and then went back to the hostel for an early night.
Print this entry