Well...the last 72 hours has been a little insane but we finally arrived in Cusco, Peru. This is where we will base most of our Peru travels out of the next month and after hearing great things from friends who have been here, it has exceeded all our expectations. Now getting here was another story but that was completely my fault. We arrived in Lima around 1am on Wednesday and took a cab to our hotel, which was a funky old mansion in the Central Lima. We slept in, but still had a few hours to explore the beautiful Plaza de Armas before heading back to the airport for our late afternoon flight to Cusco. However, when we arrived at the desk to check in they gave us a very strange look and informed us that we were actually booked on a 5am flight that morning which, of course, we had missed. Fabulous! Since we were rebooked on a 5am flight this morning (which required a 3am check-in) we decided to spend the evening at the Lima airport. Why spend the money to store our bags and get a cab back into town for a few hours of exploring the city or spend money on a few hours sleep at a hotel??? At least that is what we were thinking when we made the decision. We were able to waste a few hours people watching, checking internet, doing some trip planning and, of course, Dave found a place for a quick massage. But then it was 8pm, the airport was packed with people and we were determined to find a quiet little corner to relax in. Little did we know that the Lima airport is literally exploding with people until 2am, when the last flight finally arrives. Thanks to our camping pads and sleep sacks, we were able to take shifts and get in a few hours of sleep each but it was not pleasant. Lesson learned.
Needless to say, we arrived in Cusco this morning and were thrilled to find a place that would give us a room right away. Cusco sits high in the Andes at 11,000 feet elevation, which is a little tough on the body when you´re coming from sea level. We´re both a little out of it but are hoping to feel better by Saturday, when we begin our 4-day trek to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail. Dave has already been testing out his spanish on the children of Peru and we´ve determined that he speaks at about the 6-year old level and I´m at about 2 1/2. We´ve got a little work to do but that´s what language school is for. I will say, it´s slightly strange being in South America after leaving Asia only 10 days ago. I keep checking the street behind me to make sure I´m not about to get run over by a crazy scooter or tuk-tuk driver!
Needless to say, we arrived in Cusco this morning and were thrilled to find a place that would give us a room right away. Cusco sits high in the Andes at 11,000 feet elevation, which is a little tough on the body when you´re coming from sea level. We´re both a little out of it but are hoping to feel better by Saturday, when we begin our 4-day trek to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail. Dave has already been testing out his spanish on the children of Peru and we´ve determined that he speaks at about the 6-year old level and I´m at about 2 1/2. We´ve got a little work to do but that´s what language school is for. I will say, it´s slightly strange being in South America after leaving Asia only 10 days ago. I keep checking the street behind me to make sure I´m not about to get run over by a crazy scooter or tuk-tuk driver!
Comments