From Cape to cape. Expeditions by land and sea.

[drron]

Finally arrived at Pisac.Seemed that there may be some old hippies around.You have to go down a few alleys to get to the market proper.Very colourful-

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[drron]

As always it pays to shop around.Mrsdrron wanted to buy a Panama hat when we were in Ecuador but the prices were high starting at $US250.Here at this stall "Panama"hats were $US55.Later on at another store she found her hat with an honest shopkeeper who called the exact same hat a Peruvian hat handwoven with Peruvian straw for $US30.She showed us the cheap plastic Chinese version at a third the price.

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We came across a local bakery with this incredibly deep oven.Right at the back meat and potatoes were cooked.In front of that bread and empanadas.Forward of that pizzas and at the very front things being kept warm.

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[drron]

More of the markets-

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Then we arrived at the main square.The festival was in full swing with local dances.Awaiting their turn-

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Although there seemed to be a story to each dance virtually every dancer added their own little bit.You didn't have to know what it was all about to enjoy it-

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[drron]

So this dance was a dance with sheep.Though to be honest the sheep were hardly willing participants-

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The Peruvian "fanatics" stand-

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She is complaing about something but the judges are not impressed.Probably 2mm outside the leg stump.

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Something happening in the middle of the pitch-

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Looks like the cpmplainer is being removed from the field of play.

 

[drron]

The official photographer-

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And in my best John Arlott voice-and in the distance the terraces appear to be slowly climbing the mountain-

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But back to midfield-

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Someone is down.

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[drron]

Oh the embarrassment.She's dressing him in a skirt-

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Now he's being taken out of the game-

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The next dance begins before the groundsman has finished his work-

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The crowds are glued to their seats-

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[drron]

In the stand the third umpire is intently watching the replay while the dance goes on-

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I left the dancing at this stage.It was standing room only which leads to a warning.Obviously petty crime does occur here.Whilst I was watching separately 2 small boys pushed past me but left as soon as they got to the front.A couple of minutes later a girl of possibly9-10 pushed past me on my right side.Stood at the fence for 30 seconds then came back pushing on my left side.I thought something was happening and I caught her wrist just as her hand was going in my pocket.Gave her a smile and let her go.
Whilst I was watching the dancing mrsdrron walked around the sqare.Many eating places an s stalls-

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[Oscarq]

The clothing colours are brilliant. Did you try the ginea pig?

 

[OATEK]

What an amazing spectacle to happen upon. Reminds me of when by chance I found a bunch of Morris dancers doing their thing at the Barbican in London back in the day! No, not really equivalent, but one of the great things about travel is when you come upon something unplanned that is entrancing.

 

[irv]

We now left the park to go and have lunch.It was at the Belmond but only their buffet restaurant.Definitely tourist class though I did like their trout cerviche.It started to rain as we left the park and became very heavy as we were eating so myself and Carlos delayed our start for the afternoon exploration for a while but eventually set out when the rain became lighter.M<rsdrron stayed at the hotel as we were doing the upper levels.It turned out to be a good idea as the rain continued for a while and the climb was quite slippery.
We did walk a little way up the Inca trail towards the sun gate but it disappeared into the clouds so turned back.Then disaster struck.We were holding up a German group who were making their displeasure known.Coming around a corner I noticed a clearing to the side of the path.Instead of keeping my eyes on the stairs I kept them on the clearing so misjudged a step and stumbled.As I was recovering the leading German decide to pass and gave me a shove in the back so down I went.Fortunately I was already close to the ground so could use my hands so I didn't hit the ground.Just a few minor abrasions which healed the next day.Certainly no apology was forthcoming.So to the pics-

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After the stumble I took it easier.My sight became even more acute spotting the smallest of orchids so having an excuse to stop-

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As you neared the top the views improved-

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Spectacular view

 

[drron]

Answers-yes I did eat cuy but at the hotel.No need to try again.
These festivals are always on the weekend(fri,sat and sunday) 6 weeks before Easter so can be planned.

 

[drron]

Views from the square-

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The road to Cusco-

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My store!Even here drinking alcohol to excess is dangerous.And some of the foodin the sqare-

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[drron]

Peru has similar powere distribution to Asia-

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One of the activities at Fiesta time is water fights.Kids of all ages join in.We nearly got caught up in this one-

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Then we went to a little café which advertised American coffee.I don't think the Americans would recognise it.I also had a traditional empanada-tomato,onion and cheese-

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We did find out what fountains are useful for.Then back out to the market-

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[RooFlyer]

Friends of mine visited MP a couple of days after you - they stayed at Aguas Calientes and did as I did - had an afternoon visit on arrival (fine weather) and a second dollop the next morning (rain).

Like you I found cuy to be dry and unappealing.

 

[drron]

People of Pisac-

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[drron]

The fruit and veggie market-

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[amaroo]

I thought Pisac ruins was on par with MP.... stunning!

 

[drron]

The last of the market-

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Now the drive back to the hotel.In these parts most restaurants that had large roadside signs had scantily dressed women as part of the ad-dessert restaurants maybe?

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[drron]

Our drive continues back through Guinea Pig town.Nearly every town is celebrating festival time-

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This restaurant had a strange figure above it.Why the horns?

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Some valley views-

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[drron]

More views-

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The balloons are now in the tree-

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I now dropped mrsdrron back at the hotel and I continued on to the Ollyantambo ruins.Now the water part of the festival was celebrated with gust in Urumbamba.A sort of Peruvian Songkran-

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The car in front of us was an open jeep.The passengers were drenched.Spectacular approaching Olly-

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The streets here are cobblestone and still have the Incan water distribution system in evidence-

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Now at the ruins-

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