Cusco or Cuzco

The view of the Andes Mountains from the plane was gorgeous, unlike any mountains I've ever seen. We arrived in Cusco late afternoon. The difference between Lima and Cusco was as dramatic as the view of the mountains. Quiet, calm traffic, blueblue sky and very tiny streets. The taxi took us into the old section of town, where we had chosen a hostel listed in Lonely Planet. We hiked up a narrow, steep, cobblestone alley to the Hostel Bright. We got a room with bath, a treat! The THREE wool blankets on the be were a warning. Cusco, or Cuzco, is more than 3000 meters above sealevel, and we both have a wee head ache. Reason number 2 to move onto Urubamba tomorrow. I wanted to see the Inca story in some sort of order, and starting in the Sacred Valley not only puts the history in order, but gives us time to acclimate because most of the Sacred Valley is lower. We were lucky enough to stumble on Restaurant Marcela Batata for dinner. Wes started with my first Pisco sour drink:a grape brandy mixed with lemon juice, sugar and egg white. Delicious! The bar snack was potatoes fried crisp, served with a delicious garlic sauce. We moved onto potatoes croquantes, served with three different sauces. Yes, of course I took a photo, but photos will have to wait until i get home...too complicado to add them now. Then, we ordered papas rellenos: mashed potatoes stffed with beef and vegetables. Delicious! And, all beautifully presented. We finished our breathless evening on the rooftop, to see the lights of the city, climbing up the miuntainsides all around.

Nighty night. More Inca adventure tomorrow