The Meandering Melanders

Deep within the city of Cuzco is an old convent which was built over Incan ruins. Both aspects are interesting as well as is the manner in which they were integrated.

Looks like Stan is guarding the door.

Note the stone work over the door. The stones are curved as are the ones on top of them.

Looks like something one might want to lie on unless they want to be sacrificed.

Note how the windows in these several room walls have been aligned.

It was time for lunch. Our group was broken into two smaller gourps (less some who did not accompany us or soon to be understood reasons) and we went to eat with a “typical Cuzco family”. This family had four kids and one on the way. The father (red sweater and waving) is an engineer. The lunch we were served was typical, even typical of the ancient days. The entre was something called cuy. Cuy is guinea pig which has been a staple of these people, along with potatoes, since the days of the Inca. It’s not like eating someone’s pet, they are raised for food only. It was interesting meeting and visiting with this very nice family.

This is the main cathedral in Cuzco. Since Cuzco is the state seat, it is a major cathedral with two towers. Unfortunately picture taking was not permitted inside and we have probably seen enough cathedrals during these BLOG sessions.

There is one major item in this cathedral which we found interesting enough to buy the postcard. This is a painting of The Last Supper which was done by a local artist who took some artistic liberties. First, the man closest to us on the right looks an awful lot like Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conqueror of the Inca Empire. Second, look at the platter on the table. Could that be a cuy? Yes it is.

The Plaza de Armas (main plaza) of Cuzco.

This concludes our visit to Cuzso and to the Incan Andes. This is an area we cannot recommend highly enough to visit. It is just plain AWESOME. Next time. on to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. The islands of Charles Darwin fame.