Inca Ruins near Cusco, San Pedro Market, Day 8

Inca Ruins, 3 sites pictured...                           Market pics at the very end of this page...

On Friday, Lisa, Paul, two hostess sisters and I drove out of Cusco to visit four Incan ruins.  Lisa's host sister is a guide and very knowledgeable about Inca history.  I am blown away by the ingenuity and precision found in these sites.  The Inca architectural design philosophy was elegant:  Simple, Solid, Symmetrical.  In these concepts they built massive features meant for defense, while their creative beauty and intelligent designs give the feeling of high architecture, far ahead of its time.  Sadly, the Spanish were unable to live simultaneously with the Inca who held different beliefs.  Pizarro and his Conquistadors crushed the Inca population and destroyed and looted their wealth.  The Spanish Inquisition could not tolerate the Inca, yet the Inca did not simply give way, many gruesome battles were fought in the attempt to push the Spanish out of Peru.  Stories of bravery and cunning surround this period in the 16th century.  As we wandered around the ruins, we imagined how Cusco and the surrounding areas would have looked had the Spanish not destroyed this incredible empire.  I am reminded of historical cycles of political and religious domination.  Christianity and democracy have not been gentle on those who hold disparate beliefs.  Fear of the other is a powerful driver and it's fairly easy to overlay this cyclic template on our modern times.

Sacsayhuaman, which means "satiate falcon" or "mottling head"

 Alpacas hanging out with tourists

 Christo Blanco

Tambomachay, which means "water temple"

Puka Pukara, the town and the ruins, which means "red fortress," it was a military and administrative checkpoint

The San Pedro market is a huge open air market, with many surrounding blocks dominated by street vendors selling everything imaginable.  The smells and sights are overwhelming.  I was strained to see another northern face.  For me, it's these experiences which make being in a foreign country so powerful.  Many of the vendors are Andean mountain folk who come to the city each day with harvests and wares to sell.  I am very taken with the elder women who run most of the street vending.  They possess a fierce strength and determination, inscribed in their expressions, their dress and the deep lines on their faces.  It's very evident local folk are figuring out how to house, feed and cater to curious northerners venturing here in droves.  Imagine how Lopez would look if tourism increased 10 fold from its current state.  Exploited resources and overrun natural sites, trash, lack of systems, etc, etc.  Cusco is a fascinating place, rich in culture and a feast for the senses.  I have no doubt I will return.