Llama Land

The last two days have been comprised of walking and shopping. Yesterday we walked through some steep narrow streets where few tourists wander, up to San Cristobel, which offers some excellent views of the city.  On the large plaza surrounding the church were women selling hand crafted works and.....

......llamas with children  wanting "one sole" to have their picture taken. 

We stopped at a small market along the way but saved our shopping for today and our trip to Pisac.

Pisac is about 35 miles out of Cusco and we hired a taxi to take us there.  It was a short 30 minute drive on good paved roads with a good driver. Pisac is known for its Incan ruins, but also for its huge market, which was the draw for us today. 

 

The market was huge and very colorful. We did some shopping and bought food from the food vendors.  We had corn on the cob, stuffed peppers, empanadas.  Food always seems to taste better eaten on the street from street vendors. There were many families and children with their baby llamas wanting money for photos and we gave in. Who can resist holding these soft cuddly creatures. 

There was a restaurant in the market where the guinea pigs they cooked for you were on display in cute guinea pig houses. 

There were many tourists, mostly with tour buses and we noticed a lot of young "hippie" types, some of whom were selling their handicrafts and food in the market. Apparently this is an area that young people are drawn to in search of a Shangri-La. 

For the return trip home we thought we would take a bus for the low fee of six soles. The taxi ride had been 50 soles so this seemed like a good deal. We got on the bus to discover it was full and we would have to stand, probably the entire way.  I asked to be let off.  At that point a woman called out from a vehicle "Cusco"?  We said "si" and got into the back seat of a newer SUV with a man and woman.  We looked at each other wondering if it was a good idea but we were already in the vehicle. 

It was good.  They were friendly and chatty, the woman speaking a little English.  We gave them some chocolate and they gave us some bread. It turned out he was a police officer and she a nurse.  They made a stop along the highway and she got out and poured a bottle of Inca Cola on the ground, as some sort of tribute to Mother Earth.  We listened to Spanish music and we clapped along with the woman. They asked for 5 soles but not sure if it was each or for both, they got 10. 

It is early evening and we are ready to end the day as we have an early flight that will take us to Iquitos, and our jungle adventure.