Cuzco is a small town 10,000 ft up in the Peruvian Andes. In spite of the tourist based economy the Peruvian culture is genuine and the native customs and dress are still very much in evidence. Ancient Inca temples dating back 500 years made out of huge stone blocks that are perfectly fitted together are both in and around the town.

One sees the native women walking around in their colorful dresses and long socks made out of lama and alpaca hair. Their hats are either flat with wide brims or bowler type. They always seem to have a shaw wrapped around them. Life is on the streets. There are blocks and blocks of open air markets consisting of 8ft x 8ft stalls where you can buy everything imaginable. The markets are organized by commodity. For example, there will be a street of nothing but shoe vendors, another street full of fresh vegetables, or fish.

Sometimes the odors are pretty pungent, especially in the meat market area. You see people crying, laughing, eating, nursing babies and just plain sitting around. The street merchants are pretty creative. Some of the people walk around with alpacas or lamas (I can't tell the difference). If you take their picture, as Sherry found out, it will cost you one sol (the Peruvian money equal to about 40 cents). There are money changers with fists full of money standing on every corner.

There's one street where dozens of men have little stands with typewriters on them. For a few sols they will type up any document you want. But the guy that gets my award for entrepreneurial creativeness, is the one I saw with a bathroom scale. For a few sols you can weigh yourself. He wasn't getting a lot of business. I guess the locals aren't as concerned about their weight as us Americans. The streets are safe, even late at night.

Next stop Machu Picchu.

- Ken, Sherry, Piper and Skyler

              
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