October 3, 2009

Today we had a free morning in Cusco and an afternoon packed with an organized tour. Most of the folks in the group headed out to wander the town, for some of us it was the first time seeing the town in the light. I opted to stay in as I knew I would be doing a lot of walking in the afternoon and wanted to save my foot for that. In the morning I downloaded photos from mine, Chuck and Joel's cameras and updated the blog all from an open air patio within the hotel. The hotel actually has 4 of these little patios. I tried uploading photos but was not having much luck, I think the connection is too slow for the volume that I was trying to upload. Hopefully today I can get it mastered.

Our afternoon started with a tour of Sacsayhuaman, an Inca walled fortress. The ruins, cover a huge area, but they area perhaps one-quarter of the original complex. Although they are still uncovering parts of the original complex a lot of it was destroyed by the Spanish Conquistadors when they fought the Inca's. Most of the history of why and how this fortress was built was taken and destroyed. The Inca culture worships the natural world - sun, moon and Mother Earth. Without those we cannot live.

The next stop on our afternoon was Q'Enko. Q'Enko, another Inca ruin. This limestone outcrop was hollowed out into a cave like altar. Some claim the alter was used for animal sacrifices.

We then headed to Tambomachay. These ruins consist of three tiers of stone platforms that water still flows across into a sophisticated system of aqueducts and canals. It is believed this place was used for water ceremonies and worship and not as a "bath".

We headed back down to Cusco to the Cathedral in the main square (Plaza de Armas). The cathedral is actually comprised of three parts, as I refer to them the old, older and oldest. The architecture and decor is AMAZING. There was gold, silver wood carvings and paintings.

After the tour of the Cathedral we headed to our last stop at the Qoricancha. Qoricanca, also the Temple of the Sun, was dedicated to the worship of the sun. Yet another demonstration of the Inca culture and their naturalistic beliefs.

In addition to the Inca culture and architecture here fascinates me. It amazes me to think that the cathedrals and homes here have sustained several severe earthquakes. Cusco is beautiful!

The guys had their meeting with their trekking guides for the Inca Trail last night. Both Pat and I sat in and listened. It sounds like they will have a phenomenal trip. I wish I could be able to do the trek but am grateful that I can be here.