Today I
flew from Manaus to Cuzco. The flights were a nightmare.
Because my plane left Manaus at 4am, I had to be at the
airport at 2am (no sleep that night). The flight went to
Santa Cruz in Bolivia. I changed planes to catch another
flight to La Paz (Bolivia), and eventually caught another
flight to Cuzco. I arrived in Cuzco at 10:30am local time
(one hour behind Manaus).
The arrival at La Paz was the most interesting. The
altitude is about 13,000 ft, and although there wasn't
any snow in La Paz a few nearby peaks were covered with
snow. The temperature was 22░C – but it was such a
change from the 35░C of Manaus that I had to wear a
jersey, and was still shivering!
On my arrival at the airport in Cuzco, I asked about
hotels and was recommended one that cost $US13 per night,
and guided to a taxi that would take me there for $US2.
The hotel (actually called a hostel) was pretty basic
– but it gave me a room to myself, was very central,
and had hot (luke warm) water. I have since found that
there are cheaper hotels nearby at $US5 per night, but I
honestly can't be bothered moving – and I think they
lack the luke warm water. At least where I am feels safe
and I've made friends with several of the other people
staying here.
The taxi
ride to the hotel was also quite interesting. We passed a
big statue of Pachacuti Inca – the ninth Inca, who
was responsible for rebuilding Cuzco as a major centre.
In another street, I saw several llama grazing on
someone's lawn. The cars in Peru are generally quite old.
My taxi cab was a 1975 Toyota Corona, with dents and
fading red paint. The cars are basically similar to those
that you would have seen parked around a student campus
five years ago.
After arriving in at the hotel, I decided to take a
walk around the central city. The hotel was next to Plaza
de Armas – the historic centre of Cuzco. The area
was the centre of the city under the Incas, but is now
surounded by Spanish colonial buildings and baroque
churches dating back to the late 16th century. The walk
was interesting – I spotted many old Inca walls used
as the foundations for newer buildings, and also had a
look at the people. Most of the people in Cuzco are
Peruvian Indian, and many are still wearing traditional
costume. Unfortunately, the high altitude and lack of
oxygen took its toll. I wasn't yet used to the
environment, so the walk left me feeling breathless and
with a sore chest. I also had the beginnings of a slight
headache.
Back at the hotel, the cold (now 13░C) really started
getting to me. I had to put on my jersey, a thick jacket,
and then climbed into bed so that I could catch up on
sleep. There I shivered for about two hours.
Afterwards,
I started talking with people in the room next to me.
Their names were Janice and Karen, both from the UK
– and Janice was busy heating up water and noodles
on a small camping stove that she'd set up on the small
porch in front of our rooms. Janice and Karen were
spending a few weeks in Peru and planned to walk the Inca
Trail. Although Karen was feeling quite sick, due partly
to the altitude and to something else that she'd caught.
It was wonderful just being able to talk in English for a
while. Afterwards, while Karen rested, Janice and I found
a small Irish Pub. We entered it on the basis that an
Irish Pub in Peru would be interesting. Just to make it an
multi-cultural event, we were served inside by an
American. I was disappointed to find there wasn't any
Guiness, so had to drink a Peruvian lager instead.
I returned to the hotel, and promptly fell asleep
thanks to the long night before, aided by the influence
of the alcohol. Janice had warned me that the altitude
and lack of oxygen makes for vivid dreams. I don't
remember what mine were – just that they were a
little strange.
Today I
flew from Manaus to Cuzco. The flights were a nightmare.
Because my plane left Manaus at 4am, I had to be at the
airport at 2am (no sleep that night). The flight went to
Santa Cruz in Bolivia. I changed planes to catch another
flight to La Paz (Bolivia), and eventually caught another
flight to Cuzco. I arrived in Cuzco at 10:30am local time
(one hour behind Manaus).
The taxi
ride to the hotel was also quite interesting. We passed a
big statue of Pachacuti Inca – the ninth Inca, who
was responsible for rebuilding Cuzco as a major centre.
In another street, I saw several llama grazing on
someone's lawn. The cars in Peru are generally quite old.
My taxi cab was a 1975 Toyota Corona, with dents and
fading red paint. The cars are basically similar to those
that you would have seen parked around a student campus
five years ago.
Afterwards,
I started talking with people in the room next to me.
Their names were Janice and Karen, both from the UK
– and Janice was busy heating up water and noodles
on a small camping stove that she'd set up on the small
porch in front of our rooms. Janice and Karen were
spending a few weeks in Peru and planned to walk the Inca
Trail. Although Karen was feeling quite sick, due partly
to the altitude and to something else that she'd caught.
It was wonderful just being able to talk in English for a
while. Afterwards, while Karen rested, Janice and I found
a small Irish Pub. We entered it on the basis that an
Irish Pub in Peru
would be interesting. Just to make it an
multi-cultural event, we were served inside by an
American. I was disappointed to find there wasn't any
Guiness, so had to drink a Peruvian lager instead.
