What a day! We awoke early to get our bags out to be picked up and have breakfast prior to heading back to the Lima airport. In the first 25 minutes on the bus we made it all of about 1 1/2 blocks. We could still use the hotel WiFi! The traffic was totally nuts! We sat and sat and waited and waited. There was a person supposedly directing traffic but it was only moving on the cross street. Finally we got moving with our driver smartly changing course. It continued to be chaotic on the road but eventually we reached the airport.

The airport was busy and crazy as before but at least we were staying in the domestic area so that made it somewhat easier. Got our bags checked in, through security and off to the gate, which of course ended up changing. Got more steps! Then we were pleasantly surprised when Ara told us that if we were over 60 could board in the first group! Yay for being 70!

It was an easy 1 hour flight to Cusco. But oh, was it an impressive place to fly into! Once we cleared the clouds and saw the mountains and valleys and how incredibly close the houses were to the runway I was amazed. The city is at 11,200 feet. Hoping for the best as I quit the altitude meds as they gave me heart palpitations. It was spitting rain and definitely colder. We we’re all pulling out jackets.

We were put onto two smaller vans and our luggage in a third one as the roads were to get far narrower. And boy, did they! We wound our way up crazy roads, twisting and turning looking at the houses built up all the way with mostly long staircases to reach them.

Over two hours later, passing towns and farms, growing all kinds of crops including quinoa, corn, potatoes, cabbages, etc. Many of the houses and buildings are only partially built, with rebar sticking up in the air for another story. Just as I saw it done in China. It’s an issue with the expense to build and the taxes due on completed buildings.

We eventually reached an amazing place, the Hacienda House of Orihuela family, which used to be a hacienda, but has been transformed into a wonderful restaurant and museum, housing an art collection, Incan and pre-Incan artifacts that the owners collected over many years. It also had a beautiful garden with a stunning view of the surrounding mountains. We were greeted with the choice of a Pisco Sour, the Peruvian drink or lemonade. I chose the drink, but only had a few sips as I don’t consume alcohol at elevation. A three course lunch of Peruvian specialties followed. And I tried Inkacola- yuck! Way too cloying as well as coca tea, which my daughter said would be the best thing for dealing with the altitude. Reminded me of the Yerba mate she drinks. Another yuck.

We were then driven to the Tambo Del Inka hotel where we will stay for several days. It’s phenomenal! Hard to believe there’s a place like this in this small mountain village. We were even greeted by 2 young alpacas, a 2 month old and an 11 month old. Soft and docile and quite happy to have all the guest attention.

Lizann and I decided we needed to venture out to see if we could find another pharmacy. I needed some anti-diarrhea meds and she and her husband needed several things. We walked to the front gate of the hotel and snagged a tuktuk into the shopping area and found an Inkafarma. What a hoot that was riding in the little 3 wheeler taxi that is all over the cities and towns here. Thanks to google translate we got all that we needed. Then we went in search of some outerwear for Chris, her husband. Up and down the main street we went, stepping around sleeping dogs and food carts. Dogs seem to be everywhere here. We finally found a shop selling clothing and picked out a couple of suitable things. Then we waved down another tuktuk and back went to the hotel. A successful adventure!

Tonight is dinner at the hotel and off to bed. But I’m first sipping some muna tea, which is also supposed to be good for altitude. Not too bad.