Land of the Incas
Day Four – 2 October 2011
Weather: Sunny, 18-22
Something to be said for early wake-up calls. Even on the mornings with no wake up calls, you’re up before dawn. I couldn’t sleep past 5:30, so I got up and started typing.
I finished around 8 am and went down to breakfast. Again, a feast of maple infused French toast with buttery scrambled eggs. Since check-out is at 10 am, I had to put my over night bag down in storage and check out. At nine, I hooked up with another tour mate and we went for a walk to the market for some shopping. Lots of t-shirts and fridge magnets as well as alpaca goods. It’s hard to buy anything alpaca in the markets because you can’t be 100% sure it’s genuine. Some things it’s easy to tell by touch, some things not so easy. I focused on the genuine t-shirts and fridge magnets.
The jewelry was very nice too so I picked up a Peruvian cross and a Nazca spider charm for my sister. Only $15 each and included the chain. The stall we went to charged by weight.
We walked up to the hot springs but didn’t go in. Cesar had taken a group on a walking tour and they went inside. He said some people find it clean and some find it dirty. Those that saw it didn’t think it was bad. Some expected to see a “spring” but it’s really pools of water with a lot of minerals in it (the water was cloudy).
We took our time walking back to the hotel. I found a handmade wall hanging with cats on it. I can’t tell you how many tourmates I met in the market who came up to me and said “I saw something you’d love” and I’d pull out the wall hanging.
They know me too well.
As we walked back to the hotel, we took note of the low cloud shrouding the peaks around us. There was no sun all morning. Those that went up said the weather was okay, but nothing compared to yesterday. We really lucked out.
As we sat down to lunch, it started to pour outside.
Yeah. We *really* lucked out.
Then we sat down to lunch and Gordon Ramsey was at it again. We had chicken soup appetizer, beef tenderloin with Yuca wedges and some sort of cream dessert that I couldn’t place and didn’t like. That’s fine. I have M&Ms in my pack.
The beef tenderloins was amazing. Tender, juicy and full of flavour. Another “first class” lunch.
And I have pictures.
After lunch, Cesar told us that our bags were already down at the train station, so we hauled on our rain jackets and some borrowed umbrellas from the front desk and we walked up to the train station. Sure enough, our bags were waiting.
We boarded the same type of train we had had before and this time, our seats faced the river, so we got to see everything we missed on the way up. Even the clouds began to brighten up. They served lunch (as if we needed to eat again) which included mashed Yuca, beef strips and a piece of apple strudel.
We ate and lunch service ended and I’m sitting there enjoying the scenery when I hear this strange cawing noise behind me – like a crow. Heads begin to turn and this guy dress up in a clown-like suit with a red mask and mop-like wig jumps at me.
That got the red blood cells flowing.
He did a dance up and down the car with music dancing with a couple of passengers. Then the car crew announced they were putting on a fashion show of baby alpaca articles. With the help of Mr. Clown, they showed us jackets, sweaters and scarves.
When they were done, they rolled out the cart with their wares. I bought a basic black scarf for myself. The sun was out by then and we got a few more pictures then pulled into the station.
Cesar gave us a bathroom break and then we took our 10 minute (read 3 minute) walk to the bus. Then the driver had to navigate the same incredibly narrow streets but with Sunday traffic to hold us up. With more sun out today, the steep hills on either side of the valley were that much more lit up and for some reason, the windows on this coach doesn’t have the same problem with reflections. It might have something to do with the sun being almost directly over us for so much of the day.
Cesar said we were taking a different route to Cusco that would bring us up to 13,400 feet. That will be higher than Lake Titicaca but not the highest. We will reach 14,200 feet en route to Puno. We climbed a switchback after Urubamba town and as we climbed, you could see the snow peaked mountains come into view behind the hills.
Then Cesar told us we were going to a lookout to take pictures.
Bless his heart!!!
We pulled into the lookout and as we all went out he mentioned that we this is where were at 13,000 feet.
No one felt it. My lungs are a little congested and I didn’t feel it either. I guess it’s official.
We’re acclimated.
Woohoo!!
Lets go for a jog!
We climbed back on the bus and headed into Cusco through some beautiful farmland. Lots of corn growing. Amazing at 13,000 feet.
We drove through the outskirts and shantytown area of Cusco until we got close to the centre of town. There we had to transfer to two smaller buses because the large ones can’t navigate the narrow streets.
As I waited for the people ahead of me to get their stuff, I felt a bit winded from the altitude and felt the need to fill my lungs with a deep breath…but to the woman taking her bag down, it must have sounded like a “will you hurry up” sigh. LOL. That’s what I took from the look she gave me. I laughed and told her I just felt a bit winded. I’m not sure if she believed me.
We got on the smaller buses and a ten minute drive dropped us in front of the Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco. We gathered in a room while Cesar and Luis performed their magic. One woman was a bit more winded than I was by the altitude and asked for some free oxygen. I was breathing a bit hard, but my lungs are compromised right now with a hacking cough. Given that, I asked Luis to show me on the map where there were some drugstores and to write down “cough suppressant” in Spanish for me.
I checked out my room before I ran off to look for the drugstore.
Let me rephrase that.
I checked out my room before I walked off to look for the drugstore.
My luggage was here, which was reassuring. The room has two beds, safe, tv, shampoo-n-stuff, robes, kettle and even a lock on the door.
Fancy!
The rooms are in blocks with entrances out onto a balcony overlooking a courtyard.
I grabbed my jacket and map and went in search of the drugstore and Plaza de Armas. The directions were a little confusing and I went a block in the wrong direction. So, I just showed the map to a local and she pointed me in the right direction.
I found a drugstore on the way and the Spanish translation worked perfectly and I could understand the list of symptoms on the box. I took a swig right away and my cough already feels a bit better. Easier to breath too even while walking at a brisk pace.
I found the Plaza de Armas and walked around. A lot of outdoor stores for people going up to the Inca trail. There’s a McDonalds and KFC there too. I found a bank open 24 hours with a guard at the door, so I used the ATM to get more cash. Then I found a small supermarket and bought some rolls for my dinner tonight. I wasn’t hungry enough for McDonalds.
I got my bearings and it took about ten minutes to find the hotel. There are two Casa Andinas here – classic and private collection but they occupy the same block. Once I got back, I ordered my box lunch for tomorrow since we only have an hour between included city tour and our departure for the FLA Optional.
Furry Little Animals.
But you knew that.
I had choices for the boxed lunch that covered chicken, beef and vegetarian. I took the chicken salad, sandwich and two desserts. Not bad for $10.
That’s something that is pretty common here. Everyone accepts the US dollar. Exchange rate isn’t great if you change it at a shop etc but in a pinch, pretty well anyone will take USD.
Found my room through the maze of courtyards and took a long hot shower. Then it was laundry time with Armageddon on Cinemax for company. The TV selections in the country can put European hotels to shame, even if A&E is in Spanish.
I’ve read so many subtitles this week, I can practically speak the language now.
Tomorrow, wake up is at 6:30, but I fully expect to be up well before that.
Go to Day Five
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