Pisac adventure

August 31 2006
(by Andrew)

Instead of going to a restaurant we wandered into a local market and tested the limits of what Leigh felt comfortable eating. We had "Loma saltando" (Jumping hill? I think is the loose translation), some tasty rice, french fries, stewed meat with vegetables, topped with a fried egg, all for 2.25 Soles per each (Breakfast total for both of us $1.60) The state of the digestive tract (now 35 hours later) is still fine.

We wandered down towards the bus station and stopped by the Koricancha museum. Some interesting examples of the kinds of trepanation http://www.perou.net/ala/fr/MusArcTrepdouble.jpg (hole in head drilling), mummification http://www.photoseek.com/peru/03PER-41-26-Mummy.jpg and skull shaping http://www.anthroarcheart.org/grfx/i6bf.JPG that the Incas did. The museum was actually below ground and as we climbed up Leigh snapped a pretty cool stairwell shot in primary colors.

At the bus station we caught a collectivo to Pisac (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisac). The Market was truly the most overwhleming collection of crafts that I have ever seen. More Alpaca than you could shake a stick at! http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/destinations/cusco/pisac.html The climb up to the ruins was INCREDIBLE! one of the most amazing valleys that I have ever seen. Certainly easily in league with Yosemite, Glacier, Zion or any of the other parks I have seen in the US. What really sets it apart are the truly unreal terraces that were built by the pre-Incan civilizations and Incas. See the pics of us on our climb and then at some of the ruins.

On the way up we ran into a couple coming down. They had taken a taxi up. Huh? say what? The last 1000 feet of stairmaster that I just did could have been avoided? Turns out there is a road up the backside. . . oh well. At the top we started briskly walking by the taxis and down the road back to town. The haggling (in spanish) went something like this.

Taxi guy #1: Hey mister you want a taxi?
Andrew: No, were going to walk down.
Taxi guy #2: But its only 15 Soles.
Andrew: no, were not in any rush
Taxi guy #1: But its almost 8 kilometers
Andrew: Then it should be 8 Soles.
Taxi guy #2: How about 10?
Andrew: No, we need the exercise, well walk. . . begin walking down the hill
Taxi guy #2: ok, ok . . . 8 soles.
Andrew and Leigh: ok.

Finally a successful haggling moment!

As we walked back through the market in Pisac ¿or Pisaq? we ran into the same couple (Katie and Tim). Turns out that she grew up in Allendale, NJ! Less than a mile from Leigh. He does some really pretty interesting music/video installation art that uses biological systems as its source of inspiration. We wound up splitting a cab with them back to Cusco and having a delightful dinner.

Hurrah!

Andrew