Cuzco’s whirling rainbows

Cuzco is the kind of place that needs no introduction. For me it was like an Andean Disneyland full of magic and history. I was worried the hoards of international tourists may have spoiled things, but Cuzco really is that special its charm manages to shine through.

— The city receives 2 million visitors every year!

— Cuzco (also spelt Cusco) was the capital of the Inca Empire.

— Convent of Santo Domingo, built on top of an important Incan temple.

— The rainbow flag is the official flag of Cuzco. You see them flying all over the city, representing Inca territory (not gay pride!).

— The stunning Plaza de Armas. Behind me are the Cathedral and the Church of la Compañía de Jesus.

Whenever we arrive in a new city, we always begin our sightseeing at the main square. And what a glorious sight it was! Plaza de Armas was filled with hundreds of whirling rainbows. The Plaza was playing host to a traditional dance festival with hundreds of dancers dressed in the most colourful costumes entertaining a most mesmerized crowd. Oh how I love parades. The spectacle and happy energy they create sends tears rolling down my cheeks.

We stayed up around Plaza San Blas, which is full of charm and atmosphere. Here you’ll find dozens of cute little hole in the wall restaurants, galleries and bars. It’s wonderful to wander around the area’s narrow cobblestone streets that haven’t changed in hundreds of years. You may just meet some interesting people, like these two ladies…

— Cuzco has lots of these great alleyways.

After the Inca trail and Machu Picchu (blog to come) we continued to soak up the city with Mum and Dad. We saw the ornate interior of the city’s cathedral and visited the small but perfectly formed Museum of Pre-Colombian art. Mum and I licked our lips at the commercial but oh so delicious chocolate museum and the four of us enjoyed many of the Cuzco’s restaurants and markets. The city offers so much. Eventually it came time to say my final goodbyes to Mum and Dad. I waved them off as they left for the airport and returned to the hotel feeling heavy hearted.

But then!

Magical Cuzco decided to cheer me up by throwing another parade more spectacular than the first! As I watched the whirling rainbows my melancholy disappeared and my camera’s memory card copped a flogging. Be sure to check out the little movie I made.

Next stop Lake Titicaca, which is said to be just as interesting as the name is fun to say.

Stay posted.