We had a free day in Cusco to explore the city and museums, rest, wash, repack and recharge before we head off on the last phase of our trip to Puno and Lake Titicaca.
Our first stop was the Temple of the Sun museum ‘Qorikancha’. This was built in the 15th century, and consists of four buildings of Imperial Inca quality. The stone masonry is remarkable, and it was great to see the angled walls, and trapezoid windows, doors and storage up close to understand the detail of their workmanship.
When the Spanish invaded, they added traditional ornate Spanish construction which feels in conflict with the Inca style. In many ways, a physical and virtual reflection of the spiritual conflict that existed between the groups.
The museum houses both Spanish and Inca art and treasures. The most notable was the ‘Qhelqa of Qorikancha’ a symbolic representation of the cosmo-vision and religion, and their gods’ guidelines for balanced cohabitation and government.
The panel is interpreted to show two sides in balance – sun and moon, male and female, winter and summer, corn and herbs, Mother Earth and Mother Sea, rainbow and lagoon. At the head is Orion, and in the centre is the Southern Cross or ‘Chakana’ representing the link between the two sides.
One of the GradyBunch traditions on tour is to sample the local Macca’s. It’s always an interesting window into what makes a culture unique – the Maharaja Burger, and no beef in India was definitely one of the more memorable experiences! Macca’s Cusco is in the main square, and barely recognisable with black writing only, and no Golden Arches. The menu is incredibly similar, except for the Guacamole burger, Inca Cola, and an extra bit of spice in the special sauce. Done it, don’t need to do it again!
The Inca Museum was an opportunity to see some of the tools, crockery and ceremonial pieces recovered from Inca sites, and get a greater appreciation for the way the Inca people lived. It was a valuable reminder that the Incas were part of a long line of Andean cultures that worshipped and embraced this amazing area. It’s also hard to believe how many ruins still exist in the city, and are so well preserved and accessible. This stone is one of the most famous, with 12 sides and corners.
For dinner we headed to a local restaurant – again, the food, and the presentation was outstanding…
…but once again, it was the Doggos of Peru that stole the show!
Tomorrow we will bid a sad farewell to beautiful Cusco and head to Puno by bus – about 7 hours. Could be a long day!
Love M & theBunch x
PS… somehow we managed to get through the day without a GFP, so in it’s place I’ve dug out one of the first we ever took. West Coast of Tasmania Xmas 2006 – who are those tiny people?!?!
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