Day108

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DECEMBER 17, 2019

CUSCO, PERU

We are on our way to Machu Picchu, of course, but it is deemed wise to acclimatize for a day or two in Cusco (pop 600,000).  Cusco is at 11,000 feet while Machu Picchu is at only 8,000 feet. And yes, most of our 70 sightseers did get light-headed at Cusco. But, Karen had brought pills for that. Cusco:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXDGt97eNxA

 We stayed at the Palacio del Inka - room rates begin at USD $998 per night (surely Viking got a hefty discount). Easy to get lost in this palacio, it is that large.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZXIiAb9iyQ

First stop is the Temple of the Sun, just across the street.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5btdreEAtnA

Then it was around the corner to the Catholic Cathedral where we had to pay USD $9.00 to enter and promised not to take any photos or videos (some religions aren't free). The ultra impressive cathedral which took a total 104 years of labour to build and decorate. If you want to witness ostentation, come here - you have to see it to believe it - the gold, the silver, the opulence, 14 altars. It is much bigger than it appears from the front entrance. Learn more on the internet. The value of today's structure and contents must be worth over a billion dollars. I left angry knowing how much better off the Cusco populace would be today if they had put all that energy to their own personal uses. BTW you can purchase postcards of the cathedral's interior at the exit.













A city tour included a stop at Sacsayhuaman (pronounced sexy-woman.... honest!). You've likely seen this place on TV documentaries by National Geographic or the BBC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk9TCkIHaFo














The dreamcatcher that we find among native peoples in North America seems to be a universal item.  Hear CUSCO's "Dream Catcher":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5evSJlNhWA

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