Getting closer to Willka T'ika---
CUZCO

We left Lima in the early 30th of May, Monday, making our way to Cuzco, the capital of the ancient Incan Empire- an one hour flight. We took off into the mist, making it impossible for us to see anything but whiteness. Then, with no warning, we burst into sunshine, making it hard to believe we just left misty Lima. We were on board a tiny Peruvian plane, with 20 rows. The plane was half empty, so i got my own row at the very end. It was a very comfortable plane, and soon afterwards we were served drinks and surprisingly food. As soon as we got to the sunshine the Andes were only dominating object visible. Beautiful peaks, tiny towns, lakes, snow-topped peaks and different colours of rock made the view unforgettable. As we continued lakes and forests became visible.  Finally Cuzco came into view, being introduced to us by huge writing on the mountain- VIVE CUZCO. 
We landed, I completely forgot about the altitude- 3,400 meters. I did not feel it until we climbed the stairs in the hotel, but my dad felt it right away. Head ache and exhaustion followed soon after.
To get some energy and fluids, arrives are immediately given coca-leaf tea. The coca leaves are sacred Inca leaves found around 400-800 BC in the jungles of Peru. The leaves can only grow in the jungle due to the cold weather up in the mountains. Back and then, only royalty received coca-leaf products, blessing Pachamama- mother earth and other scared things. The coca leaves contain 14 different types of vitamins such as alkaloids and laudanum, minerals and also the 'good things' in fish and spinach. Nowadays, the coca  leaves are used to make coka cola, some still give blessings, coca readings, incan medicine, tea, for chewing and the new invention of cocaine. Due to this 'new invention', the exporting of coca leaves in illegal and the handling of big amounts too.

 Street view of Plaza de Armas from the entrance of our hotel.

 A lot of blue is visible in Cuzco. Many terraces are both private and in restaurants overlooking the street.

                   A blue door.

 Central Cuzco being looked over by the mountains.

 A local man and three children.

 A Cuzcenian woman.

 The top of the church at Plaza de Armas peaks over the houses.

                                   Plaza de Armas.

          A street view from a restaurant's blue terrace.

 Many different coloured terraces are lined up all around Plaza de Armas. Another terrace.

            Plaza de Armas- the mountains are visible in the horizon.

 It was fun to sit on the terrace and see the city slowly get ready for the night.

The next day we went to Incan ruins at Tambomachay.

 A lady and a llama.

 traditional ladies with decorated llamas.

It is unbelievable  how perfectly the Incas places the stones on top of each other.

 Over looking market/ ruins.

 Only done by the royals with the priest in sight, an Incan ritual was done with infront of their temples, using three coca leaves, each smaller than the other. The largest one represents the mountains. The middle one mother earth- Pachamama, and the the smallest one- oneself.
The four windows on the right represent the four parts of the Incan Empire: north- Chinchansuyu, east Antisuyu, south Collasuyu and west Cuntinsuyu.  The windows were also built for astronomy and the telling of the time- by the shadows and light. The two larger ones on the right represent  mother Pachamama and father moon. There are stairs in the middle, representing earth. The  Incans believed in great stability, and so built the temple that way. Three streams were built in the temple too.

 

 More ruins are visible on the left. In the center- the Cuzco valley. In the horizon- snow- peaked mountains.

 Overlooking Cuzco, two mountains with writing are visible. On the left-         VIVE CUZCO . On the right- Cuzco's official sign.

Two ladies and two llamas returning to Cuzco.

Surprisingly, there is a HUGE amount of Israelis in Cuzco. Street directions and especially advertisement are often seen.