July 17, 2007
Day 657
This morning I took a bus to Cusco. The bus originated back in Puno, and at least half the passengers were tourists. Juliaca doesn't get tourists for obvious reasons. The ride took most of the day and passed through some pretty empty high altitude territory.
It was strange walking around Cusco again. I last was there in October, 2005, about one year and nine months ago, at the beginning of my trip. I had forgotten how nice Cusco was, with buildings that actually had completed roofs and paint, colonial architecture everywhere, two huge cathedrals in the central plaza, and no garbage in the streets. The center of the city was full of upscale restaurants, jewelry shops, and friendly police officers.
On the other hand, I had also forgotten how many tourists Cusco has. In the center of the city, tourists easily outnumber the locals. Many of them walk around in large guided groups, while others take along the whole family. They bring in a lot of money to Peru, but they also drive the prices up in the city and attract a multitude of thieves. It's not even possible to sit on a park bench for five minutes without ten different people coming up to you and trying to sell you something. Walking around is even worse. People constantly attempt their sales pitches on me: "My friend, come eat at my restaurant, only fifteen soles" (never mind that you can get a meal for two soles at many places), "Painting my friend?" "Finger puppets my friend?" "Massage my friend?" "Weed my friend?" (before shaving), "Charlie my friend?" (after shaving).The sheer amount of these annoying types is greater in Cusco than anywhere I've ever been, and this is only due to get worse now that Machu Picchu has been named one of the new seven wonders of the world, and Cusco is on the radar of high-end tourists around the world. Still, for better or worse, Cusco now is the center of tourism in Peru because it once was the center of the Inca empire, a fact that the Peruvians are quite proud of and tourists come here to experience.
HÄ° dan...
Ä° was planning to go to machu picchu next month, with Lara and mom,but ur comments makes me fear: it is not a quite place anymore? Can u give a idea about the expenses there, like hotels, restaurants, go to the ruin ( there's a trek isn't? Do u think Lara can do it? )
Thanks Dear.
Saudades.
I don't know if Machu Picchu has ever been quiet. It's very touristy, but still amazing. Here's how much I spend in Cusco (keep in mind that I usually go for nearly the cheapest option):
Hotel: $4 per night
Normal restaurant meal: $0.80
Tourist meal (when I get sick of the local food): $3
Ruins (except Machu Picchu): free (photograph from afar or go before sunrise when control people arrive)
Machu Picchu: $20
Train to Machu Picchu: $35 (I didn't take it but I think that's the cheapest price.)
Walk to MP instead of taking train: free (possible from Ollantaytambo but takes all day. Also possible via a longer trek which I want to do.)
Taxi in Cusco: $1-$1.50
A liter of beer: $2
I spend $8-$10 per day in Cusco when I'm not buying souvenirs or other expensive things. Most tourists here spend much more.
There are several treks to Machu Picchu, but they're too difficult for little kids to do. You'll have to take the train if you come.
thanks dear...
dan, i forgot! and about the weather???
This time of year it's warm and sunny every day and freezing at night. December through Marh it rains almost every day. November and April it still rains but not quite as much.