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| Goodbye Lima! |
Hi! After being exhausted and finally getting to lay down last night, I could not fall asleep! First it was because the room was too hot and humid, so I opened the window and removed my nightshirt. Finally fell asleep around 3 or 4 o'clock, only to wake up several times until my alarm went off at 6. Glad to have a warm shower, I took care of that, but it was too hot to put my wool socks and hiking boots back on, so I dug out my sandals from my suitcase and squished my boots and socks in instead. Strong zippers!
Then breakfast on the rooftop patio, the door to which was 4 feet from my room, so that was convenient! I was served some type of fruit juice, added water to a tea bag, and was given a plate with scrambled eggs and two large buns. I ate all of the eggs, bread, and juice, but the tea was awful. Also, I wasn't sure if they boiled the water (there was warm water in a thermos on the table). Everything online says do NOT drink Peruvian tap water if you want to avoid GI problems. It must be boiled, filtered, or bottled. So, I just chose not to see if I could grow to like the rest of the cup of tea.
I was all packed up, so I went down to the lobby to turn in my keys. They said that Arturo would be there in three minutes, and he was! Right on time. Got to the airport and checked in. They were strictly measuring bags--so glad mine fit in the boxes! I had even weighed them before I left home, they were close to the 10 kg limit, but definitely not over.
Waited in the very crowded waiting area for the boarding call. They did not have a boarding group system, thank goodness. Just priority (elderly, disabled, small children), then everyone. I had been assigned a window seat and I embraced that to see the mountains as we approached. We had to wait awhile to be airborne. Tried to sleep, but couldn't. Then we were on our way and the mountains did not disappoint.
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| Mountaintops through the clouds |
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| A mountain valley |
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| approaching the Cusco airport |
Lima is gigantic. Cusco is a medium-sized city. I was met outside the door by my driver (free taxi courtesy of Booking.com whom I used to book the hotel) . It took almost 20 minutes to get to the hotel and I was amazed by how clean Cusco is! Lots of little shops and the only thing on the sidewalks was some dog doo (and lots of dogs--taken care of, but not leashed). My hotel is a little pricier than some of the other choices. But I didn't want to sleep in a dorm hostel room with 20 plus bunkbeds (they usually have both male and female sharing rooms). My hotel is on the edge of the historic center, the desk staff speak very understandable English, and it is very clean. I chose it based on the online photos of a picturesque patio and lounge and its location. I was hoping for a bit more character than what I got. The room is spotless and very sterile. I have an en suite, also very clean and forgettable. Double bed, desk, and wardrobe with mini-fridge. Very much like numerous hotels in the US (though a tad nicer than many I've stayed in at a lower price). Sad, but better than a room full of bunk beds with snoring John in the bed above me (or me having to climb into the top bunk like in DC last spring). The windows of my 2nd floor room look over the patio that is filled with trees and vines (not sure if they are all real, though). The B&B I stayed at in Lima had a lot of personality and interest, it's okay that this one does not.
I had to take a short nap after two nights of very little sleep, so I slept for about an hour, then went out to find food and bottled water (very thirsty!). I was offered coca tea when I checked in but didn't accept. I'm not sure if the pressure in my head is altitude-related or sleep deprivation. Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and is 11,152 feet above sea level.
After my short nap, I walked around the area. It is hilly and I found myself getting very tired and out of breath, which is related to the altitude. Finally found a small cafe to eat, the Restaurant el Bambù. The man running it did not speak English, so I pointed to what I wanted on the menu. I chose fish and chips (pescado y frites, I believe) and limonada. The limonada was sort of like whipped lemonade, pretty tasty, though expensive (2.70 for a pitcher). I was hoping they used filtered water, but didn't know how to ask in spanish. While I was waiting, I was going through a guide book to try to plan what to see in the next few days. An older man (60s maybe?) came over and chatted me up. He asked if I was married, complimented me, etc. Basically hitting on me. He left, but kept coming back. He did not know much English and I do not know much Spanish. After writing some words down and struggling, I pulled out Google Translate on my phone and figured out how to use the voice translation. He made a toast that he said later meant I love you, so I stopped toasting with him (he had something other than limonada). When he finally left, he kissed my cheek twice and wanted to kiss me on the lips, but I said no, my husband (in Spanish). He was harmless, but it was still slightly uncomfortable. But instead of blowing him off when he first hit on me, I figured that this is part of traveling, interacting with the people that actually live here. I was proud of my duolingo time that I could tell the man running the place that I wanted to pay. Yo quiero pagar, por favor.
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| Today's mid-afternoon meal |
Then I walked more and stopped to pick up a gigantic bottle of water--2 1/2 liters (for less than a dollar) and stopped at a square to rest and figure out the best streets to get back to my hotel. I decided to fill my water bottle and bring it down to the patio area to work on my blog post. Turns out the patio is actually in an atrium. There was a local woman with a few blankets full of things that she had made, trying to sell them. She was in traditional costume. Another person was eating a meal at one of the tables. So I took over a table and am typing as it grows dark. There are no lights out here except for the lights in the adjoining breakfast room on one side, and lounge and entry two of the other sides. Others are at other tables talking and using their phones in the dusk.
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| Part of Cusco with the mountains in the background |
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| Surrounded by mountains |
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| More mountains |
It's only about 7:30, but I am going to stay in tonight, drink water and try to get to bed earlier. And ask when the complimentary breakfast is served. The guide book suggested seeing the Plaza de Armas both at daylight and at night, but it will have to be a different night. I need to get more cash tomorrow and go to the tour office to check in and pay my balance for my Tuesday-Wednesday tours of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Much of Peru runs on cash instead of credit cards and electronic payment forms. I got some cash at the airport this morning so that I could tip in Sols instead of dollar bills and eat a meal and buy water. I read an article about what should be tipped and how much in Peru. It's not much, but would be better in the local currency (though they've been appreciative of my dollar bills). I've been embarrassed in the past by either not tipping when I should have or tipping too much, so I'm glad I read the guide and put it in my notes on my phone to refer to. Well, to add a few pictures, then off to bed. Good night readers and good night Cusco!
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