Cusco Peru, December 9, 2014

Mexico Airport December 8, 2014

Two hour floor sleepover in Lima airport!

Flying over the Andes Mountains

Getting close to Cusco

Bird's eye of Cusco

Of course, Starbucks Cusco!  yeah wifi! read the message of peace from the people ...

La Catedral de Cusco

Right now, from December 9 - January 26, Yours Truly is only one of the almost two million annual visitors to Cusco a city which is touted as 'a major tourist destination'.  Apparently Cusco has been designated as the Historical Capital of Peru by the Constitution of Peru.^[1]    As many know, Cusco was the site of the historic capital of the Inca Empire and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO. 

Meantime, I am staying at the $6.00 a night Pakari Hostel near to La Catedral de Cusco!  the cost may suggest that the accommodation is, shall I say, basic!  The owners are Spanish speaking, only, but friendly and helpful.  The hostel is only 7 minutes from La Catedral and the Plaza De Armas.  Go down the steps and another 2 minutes to the Museo de Arte y Monasterio de Santa Catalina.  Go around this ancient building and up the stairs and here am I in Starbucks with me Wi Fi and looking out through the bars to La Catedra de Cusco!

Today I plan to go walking up the nearby hills behind the city to increase my five days of acclimatising before I join 5 or 6 other trekkers to walk the Inca Trail and we will also visit the Sacred Valley, and, of course, Machu Pichu.

Keep posted!