Today was a non-riding day to regroup and get everything ready for the Amazon. We got back to Cusco from Ollantaytambo in the morning and proceeded to check on the motorcycles, get laundry done, check on emails and work stuff, and roam the city's many sites, narrow streets, markets, churches, and plazas.
Cusco is a great place to meet people from all walks of life ... met Maximo who sang a Quechua song for us ... met security guards at the Cathedral and learned about the treasures inside ... met shop keepers, artisans, artists ... visited the book fair on the Plaza de San Francisco ... went to the massive San Pedro produce market to see the real action that feeds this amazing city ... and even ended up at the Mercado Paraiso for black market goods like electronics and phones.
The highlight was a visit to the Cusco Cathedral. One of the most impressive churches I have seen. Massive, full of art, paintings, gold, silver, wood work ... a testament to the center of power Cusco was back in colonial days.
Just thinking about the awe that people from around this area felt when centuries ago they entered the building and saw what was inside, gives me mixed emotions ... on the good side, faith, comfort, happiness ... on the other side, control, abuse, and exploitation.
This city is definitely a melting pot of local and international people ... lots of colors, markets, vendors, nice stores and art galleries, and very good restaurants. The day was beautiful and sunny ... and all was good with the world.
Tomorrow, we ride up to 17,000 ft. to finally get over the Andes to head back down to the Amazon basin, jungle, and river. The second phase of this journey begins tomorrow.
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