1/15/2010 – Get In The Hole!

I finally met up with Megan and Paul at the airport this morning. I was surprised at how well I fared on my own for a day, but it was nice to see some friendly faces. After a quick breakfast and exchange of stories, we boarded our plane to Cusco, Peru (if you’re like me, you’re probably thinking about the Emperor’s New Groove and Cronk sneaking down the steps while singing his own sleuth theme song. And yes there are llamas in Peru).

*Paul and Megan told me that many other travelers think it’s funny how Americans get “pumped up” and give high hives. Also, they apparently mock us by shouting “GET IN THE HOLE!” as an exclamation for everything…haha.



Upon arriving in Peru, we caught a taxi and headed to the Pariwanna Hostel. Driving through the streets of Cusco was quite a unique experience. Dozens of Perros Callejeros (dogs of the street) streaked through traffic and raw meat markets displayed plenty of pigs and chickens. I feel much more comfortable in Peru because the locals speak Spanish. I’m quite surprised at how much I remember and it’s been fun trying to communicate with people: Gracias Senora Gaston. Also, whereas Brazil is very comparable to the US in cost of living, Peru is a lot cheaper, with an exchange rate of about 2.8. Me gusta mucho.

The Pariwanna Hostel is also very nice, but it is much larger than Vila Madalena. There are probably close to one hundred travelers staying here. After getting situated, we decided to head out for dinner and some shopping. Cusco is an absolutely beautiful city at night, with a golden glow throughout the entire city and tiny lights sprinkled among the mountains. The city is always bustling with people, but it seems to come alive at night as people head out to shop in the local market and grab a couple drinks.

*Note to all readers. My camera is pretty cheap, so please excuse any of the blurry pictures (especially at night).

Unfortunately, I succumbed to the pressure of impulse shopping and bought my first souvenir like a good tourist should. Megan and Paul joined me in this purchase. See below…
These hats are made from alpaca fur, and they’re reversible….ooooh! Once I had my hat, I felt I had accomplished everything I needed to for the day, so I was off to bed early to ensure that I could be up and ready for our train to Machu Pichu.