Cusco

Cusco is a busy town that has experienced great growth in the past 20 years. The tourist area comprises the old colonial part of Cusco that dates from the 16th century although it has been rebuilt several times after earthquakes. The old town is beautiful, but the traffic is very scary. Cab drivers cruise the streets constantly looking for fares. Mini-busses carry local people and tourist busses add to the confusion. Drivers do not yield to pedestrians and stop signs are rare. In and around the main square one is constantly baggered by street vendors attempting to sell shoeshines, clothing, jewelry, decorated gourds, massages, oil paintings and more. Every restaurant has one or two people who step in front of you with a menu. Despite all, we enjoyed the place and found several great, inexpensive restaurants, The Two Nations, The Inca Grill and Babieca,

A woman carries fresh flowers to the market A woman carries fresh flowers to the market	The main cathedral in Cusco The main cathedral in Cusco	Many colonial homes have balconies, blue is traditional Many colonial homes have balconies, blue is traditional	Carole at a pizza parlor Carole at a pizza parlor
Women walking llamas is not an uncommon scene Women walking llamas is not an uncommon scene	One of many narrow streets unchanged from Inca times One of many narrow streets unchanged from Inca times	Roads are just barely wide enough for cars, sidewalks are 18 inches wide Roads are just barely wide enough for cars, sidewalks are 18 inches wide	This street is only wide enough for pedestrians This street is only wide enough for pedestrians
A really busy, narrow road we had to walk down to reach the main square A really busy, narrow road we had to walk down to reach the main square	A local greeter A local greeter	Notice how this street curves and goes steeply up Notice how this street curves and goes steeply up	A common entrance to a home or business A common entrance to a home or business
Even at 7 AM this street is busy with traffic, but hurray, no street vendors Even at 7 AM this street is busy with traffic, but hurray, no street vendors	The Jesuit Cathetral The Jesuit Cathetral	A morning view of the main square A morning view of the main square	Another one of the eleven cathedrals in the old part of Cusco Another one of the eleven cathedrals in the old part of Cusco
School starts early for younger children School starts early for younger children	All kids walk and some are as young as 6 or 7 All kids walk and some are as young as 6 or 7	Architectural detail of the main square Architectural detail of the main square	The second floor of most buildings house restaurants The second floor of most buildings house restaurants
Notice the narrow sidewalk Notice the narrow sidewalk	Boys on way to school Boys on way to school