Cusco
We left the nice thick sea level air of Lima for the rarified atmosphere of Cusco; altitude 10,900 feet - 3,300 meters. With a population of about 300,000 this is a manageable city. It appears to be prosperous. There are plenty of good hotels and restaurants. People are friendly. I like this place ... but it is high. It is considered one of the world's highest cities. I took Diamox for several days to help cope with the altitude. Recommended if you can tolerate it. Our hotel had oxygen available to its guests, and several availed themselves.
Historically, Cusco was the capital of the Inca empire until Pizarro and his buddies invaded the city in the 1500s. At the time, it was a modern city with paved streets, a clean water system, and little poverty. Pizarro was drawn to the gold and silver which filled Incan temples. He stole it and returned much of it to Spain. High in the Andes, this was and is a rich agricultural region. It seems filled with independent and self reliant people.
These photos were taken in October 2006 mostly with a Nikon D200.
Read MoreHistorically, Cusco was the capital of the Inca empire until Pizarro and his buddies invaded the city in the 1500s. At the time, it was a modern city with paved streets, a clean water system, and little poverty. Pizarro was drawn to the gold and silver which filled Incan temples. He stole it and returned much of it to Spain. High in the Andes, this was and is a rich agricultural region. It seems filled with independent and self reliant people.
These photos were taken in October 2006 mostly with a Nikon D200.