Mother H

Cuzco is like the disneyland of South America - more tourists than natives. But the place deserves the visitors - it is absolutely beautiful. The city is set within beautiful hills with a dozen old churches and cathedrals. This was the premier city of the Incan empire for many years that, at its' peak, stretched from Quito, Ecuador to northern, Argentina/Chile. When the Spanish arrived here in the early 1500's they, of course, killed the Incan Emperor (not before demanding a ransom of gold) and tried to assume power of the empire. It took awhile, but they succeeded, even though the Quechua language of the Incas survives with some 5 million speakers. Cuzco reflects the struggle of the empires. Spanish churches are built on the foundations of Incan sites and colonial buildings are set within the confines of the narrow streets that Incans only made large enough for load-bearing llamas.
I bumped into the Argentineans and Brit/Aussie I met in Argentina - they all succeeded in getting jobs here in various restaurants. I was to catch up with them at some bars but, evidently, my food poisoning was actually a parasite. Apparently, while the amoeba is chowing down on my hard-earned food (within my gut) it emits a gas. So my abdomen swelled just a bit. But I eliminated that little fucker with some strong anti-parasitics. I blame the trout in Copacabana.
After some recovery time, it was the day of Pilar´s arrival. It was ill-timed because the entire country of Peru was on strike for various economic reasons. When I exited the hostel to go to the airport the streets were COMPLETELY blocked with crowds and there were no cars, taxis, colectivos - nothing. I asked a police officer how I could get to the airport and he flagged down his friend on a motorscooter. He agreed to take me there for free. As I clutched to his midriff, the crowd threw a few rocks at us because it was disrespectful to be driving during the protests.
Pilar arrived and we were both completely shocked to see one another after nearly 4 months. We didn't know how to greet one another, but we quickly caught up.

The next day we visited the ruins of the Incan fortress saqsaywaman (yes, it sounds like 'sexy woman' if you can't, like me, pronounce quechua). Unbelievable place, we just mulled about the massive rock walls for a few hours and remarked at the unbelievable masonry skills of the Incas. They had only bronze tools and had nothing stronger than a llama to move 200 ton blocks that fit together without any bonding-agent.
We head to some smaller towns in the next few days to soak in some hot springs and visit more ruins including Macchu Picchu.