Peru

After spending nearly two weeks in Peru, I feel like I’ve seen only a tiny sliver of the country. I can now check Machu Picchu off the bucket list (albeit sans the Inca Trail), but I have yet to see Nazca lines, Amazon rainforest, and a slew of other sights that Peru offers.

After Colombia, Yus and I met in Lima. I flew in, and he arrived overland via Equador through Piura. His way was much cheaper, but took more time, but that is a constant trade off in South America. Below is a list of places we saw along with some hopefully helpful logistical information.

Cusco

Nestled in the Andes a mere 11,200 feet above sea level, Cusco is the historic capital of the Inca Empire and the gateway to the Sacred Valley and world renowned Machu Picchu. The city is an amalgamation of ancient Incan and Spanish traditions–and its citizens have found ways to blend their beliefs and honor all the gods. In the many Cathedrals that are around the many many plazas, the depictions of Mary, for instance, bear striking resemblance to Pachamama, the Mother Earth. And the painting of the Last Supper at the Cathedral has cuy (guinea pig) as the main dish. The Christmas Nativity scenes around town have llamas. Duh. More on llamas later…they’re too freakin cute.