Thursday, June 29, 2006

Two weeks in Cusco, Peru. 6/19 - day 8. Rest.
Watched an endless parade by little kids at the plaza. Very cute. Dumped dirty laundry (s/3/kg) from the hike. Checked into Hostal Machu Picchu (s/70 no breakfast) on Q'era to be closer to food, and slightly further from the tourist center. It turned out to be an okay move, quiet, not freezing, good mattress, windows can be locked with single pane shutters. Hot water was not 100% reliable in the morning. There seemed to have some bugs in blanket, even though I didn't get a single bite.
Visited Convent of Santa Catalina (part of the Boleto Turistico). Boring religious paintings of the Cusco School. The tiny Museo de Arte Popular is not bad.
Checked out the market. Bustling, dazzling. Drank a pitcher of freshly squeezed juice.
When we returned to the old hotel to pick up the luggage (battery and charger were gone) and the laundry (missing a hat) next door, we ran into another parade on the plaza. This time by adults.
After an early dinner, a concert at Teatro Municipal, titled "Homenaje Al Cusco". Presented by faculty and students of Instituto Superior de Música Público. Show started 30 minutes late. Other than the squeaky violins, it was nice. I liked the flutes and the guitars.