Cusco July 20 2007 - Page 1
Cusco July 20 2007 - Page 1
Cusco July 20 2007 - Page 1
Cusco July 20 2007 - Page 1
Cusco July 20 2007 - Page 1
August 15, 2007
Our first stop is the capital of the Incas, Cusco. and we loved this city. It is surrounded by six mountains, some more than 6,000 meters high, and it is the oldest city in the western hemisphere. In 1532, a hundred and twenty Spaniards, armed with horses and cannons conquered the Inca civilization, which had between 12 and 16 million people!!! Cusco had a number of palaces, but all of it was destroyed and churches were built of on top of it.
The city was filled with people from all over the world whom we got to meet on our tours. We got to eat the local delicacy, though we werent quite fond off.
We were lucky to make it to Cusco. The night befefore all flights were cancelled due to strikes in Peru
RS, posted 8/16/2007 7:48:00 PM
Cusco was the capital of Inca empire and this is the main square - an Inca palace that was converted into a cathedral by the Spanish
RS, posted 8/16/2007 7:49:00 PM
The historic narrow cobblestone streets of Cusco all full of small bakeries and stores. We are in the San Baas area - an artistic section of Cusco
RS, posted 8/16/2007 7:52:00 PM
Cusco is at 3,300 meters of 11,000 feet. To reduce the effects of altitude you drink tea made of cocaine leaves. Yes, actual cocaine leaves - it is NOT a good idea to bring the leaves with you back to USA
RS, posted 8/16/2007 8:31:00 PM
We had lunch at Inca grill and we tried Alpaca meat. It was "mui rica".
RS, posted 8/16/2007 7:56:00 PM
Dont ask dont tell??...Rainbow flag is the offical flag of Cusco or Inca empire.
RS, posted 8/16/2007 8:00:00 PM
Anoter Inca temple looted by the Spanish. Apparently, this whole courtyard was covered with gold
RS, posted 8/16/2007 8:01:00 PM
Inca were know for their use of stone as building material. This is a piece of an aquaduct made of stone
RS, posted 8/16/2007 8:07:00 PM
Thier stone building skills were so advanced that they fit huge pieces of stone, in a straight line, without any mortar
RS, posted 8/16/2007 8:06:00 PM
Sacsayhuamn-Some believe the walls were a form of fortification, while others believe it was only used to form the head of the Puma that Sacsayhuamn along with Cuzco form when seen from above. Like all Inca stonework there is still mystery surrounding how they were constructed. Thanks to an as yet unexplained precision in stone-cutting, the structure is built in such a way that a single piece of paper will not fit between two stones.
RS, posted 8/16/2007 8:11:00 PM
We met some interesting people on our tour bus. These people take months off from work and explore the world. We get way too few vacation days :(
RS, posted 8/16/2007 8:14:00 PM
So, the last Inca king to fight the Spanish was Tupac Amaru. Tupac Shakur, the rapper, took the Inca's name to signify resistance....
RS, posted 8/16/2007 8:42:00 PM
Like the famous Jesus statue in Rio...
RS, posted 8/16/2007 8:35:00 PM
If you look close, its say Viva La Peru on the mountain
RS, posted 8/16/2007 8:45:00 PM