Archeological tour of Cusco

Our flight from Lima arrived in Cusco without incident, and after we checked into the hotel, I took a nap. I woke up at 2 am this morning. So much for dinner. But what a good sleep.

This morning, our tour guides took us to several Incan and pre-Incan archeological/historical sites.

1. Tambomachay: religuous water ceremonies = fertility; cleanse self before going into cusco; lower quality architect 1200 a.d., better quality = religious use 1400 a.d. Four niches for 4 regions; Two niches for up and down (as in elevation)

2. Puca Pucara: 1200 a.d., military, name = red soil & fortress, looks toward other mount and Incan trail, still did religion ceremonies with better quality architecture. Underground ceremonies in caves for underworld. Site sits on fault line. Water fountains were separate, road cut water line about 50 years ago

3. Llama, alpaca, vicuna, and guanaco camelidos semi-petting zoo and store that explained the difference between the four furs. Vigcuna is the best in the world.

4. Q'enqo: "labyrinth" , front was carved into puma but destroyed. Place for Royal mummification. Everyone mummified. Aquaduct originally built 1200 a.d.

5. Saqsaywaman: 1400 a.d. Big Jesus present from Arabian community who immigrated in early 1900s. Another building inside and still being excavated from 1200 a.d. Only 25% left, other 75% reused in other locations. Architecture for earthquake. Inclined walls.

We're at Stop 5 now (very loosely pronounced Sexy Woman, lol.).

So long [for now] and thanks for all the fish. ✌️Read more