Well I’ve found the place to do my writing. This is my writer’s garret. It’s a little lounge area just off my room with views across the rooftops .
From here I can see the main cathedral, another Plaza de Armas and at least two other churches. In contrast to my room in Arequipa – it is not quiet here. But I like that too. I like hearing the bustle down below, people talking and even shouting, wafts of Peruvian music, the traffic police blowing their whistles, the bells chiming every quarter of an hour, and emergency vehicle with sirens blazing going past every few minutes.
Cusco is another great place for just wandering; there are so many interesting buildings, squares and passageways to venture into and explore. That’s if you can avoid the people selling pictures, scarves and trinkets. I’d forgotten what it was like to be hassled. However that being said, usually a shake of the head and a no is enough to ensure that they move on.
I really struggle with the altitude here. Cusco is at 3300 metres above sea level. I’m breathless, my chest hurts, I take my altitude tablets and try to walk slowly. I also eat a lot of chicken noodle soup. And drink cocoa leaf tea- yuck! It’s supposed to be good for altitude! It takes me about 8 days to get used to the height.
Journeys with my pencil 