People keep wondering what the meaning of going far away is. With every such a long trip, we travel all the way to distant lands and one more time we come all the way home. For what? In the end, the whole point isn't for setting foot in strange countries, getting to know exotic cultures, but for comprehending our ability, finding out ourselves and bringing new eyes with extra colors.
Wouldn't most of us be like this, we travel, spend a night in the strange place then we wake up and see ourselves suddenly getting more mature?
--Cusco, March 2018--
Arriving Cusco after 18 hours on the bus, I was totally exhausted and told myself that I would take 2 days for rest before really get into the journey of exploring Inca ruins. My body started feeling tired due to such a long trip from Ica to Cusco, my back's so sore from carrying a heavy backpack day by day, plus suffering from a headache caused by altitude sickness. All of it made me decided to delay the plan of Machu Picchu and spend more time for enjoying and relaxing in Cusco.
It's travel. What's the rush?
The red-brick city
That is really hard to describe Cusco within few sentences, but if I have to call this city with a certain name, I'd like to call it "The red-brick city". The reddish-brown color is the thing that reminds me of Cusco memories vividly while I'm typing this post.
The picture made from the color of the roofs which are close together mixes with the color of the red soil. This color coordination seems the main factor that causes the city looks really ancient and attractive. It also evokes the form of a brilliant civilization which is known as an old capital of mighty Inca empire.
The city is a historical vestige of the mixture between Inca civilization and the Spanish colonial culture.
The small and deep alleys along stone walls which have existed since Inca empire surround the city which is full of old religious buildings built in the colonial times. Cusco is just charming and fascinating itself, by something special, mixed but can't be defined.
The quiet city
Maybe the quiet charm of this mountainous city is the main reason make tourist from all over the world converge on here. Cusco isn't just simply a rest stop for travelers but also the place that people can genuinely enjoy the weirdly quiet beauty in this crowded city.
My Cusco memory is sometimes scrolling on the cobblestone streets around the crowded plaza, sneaking through the crowd in the small alley. No matter how crowded it is, no matter they are local or tourist, the city always keeps being quiet. People make their own way to go quietly through the crowd, the transportations move slowly without tooting and revving. It feels like Cusco is too deep, to peaceful as much as no one wants to make any noise.
Stay in Cusco, suddenly feel slowing down.
The richness of a mountainous city
Arrived Cusco after wandering many days in Lima and Huacachina, I realized that Peruvian culture became bold and clear in this mountainous city. The cultural identity comes from every corner of Cusco, from the cobblestone street, old stone walls, historical buildings to the Andean colorful costumes,... All bring a feeling of a deep and distinct culture which is really hard to find out in somewhere else.
Cusco is really fascinating when walking around the alley twisted and turned, immersed in the yellow light from the small bulbs attached to the wall. Among the crowd was huddling around, I felt like I was lost in the scene of the movie about witch and wizard, when the character was finding a miraculous stuff from some magic store which has an old wooden door. Maybe because Cusco was a place where Inca empire used for offering sacrifices, so that is why it has a feeling of spirit and sacredness
Cusco attracts tourist from all over the world by extremely salty food as a cure for altitude sickness; by the image of Andean woman carrying the kid on back, one hand leading a Llama and another hand selling souvenirs; by the rich flavor of Chicha; by the questions of Peruvian history and Inca empire ruins which people haven't explored and explained completely. That's Cusco keeps attracting people by its own attractions.
Chicha: a kind of drink made from purple corn. it is a typical drink of peruvian people
Some related posts you may want to read:
The New World: One day in Huacachina!
The New World: Tips for traveling Lima, Peru!
The New World: Where to go in Lima, Peru?!
