CUSCO

Thursday 20th November ( I'm losing track of the days here - its bizarre !!!).

Sorry if this is sounding like a diary here - Im trying to keep it up to date mainly just so I can remember everywhere Ive been. Believe me, already after less than a week in its getting extremely difficult !!!

I woke up after a crap nights sleep and all I really wanted to do was stay in bed ; this whole altitude sickness thing is something ese ( maybe its just psychological but I woke up feeling really dodgey, like being semi pissed, but kept drinking the tea and the water and soldiered on ... the power of positive thinking eh ??? ( I can hardly believe Im writing this LOL - Mr Positivity himself )).

We crammed loads into today - doing a 180km round trip that took in the Scared Valley, Pisac, Urabamba and Ollytaytambo. Also blessed with sunny weather all day - surely its got to rain soon LOL.

Have to say I wasnt overely impressed when we stopped at a community project to feed Llama's and Alpaca's ( there is a difference - just dont ask me what, I wasnt paying attention). I also wasnt really in the mood to barter and buy bargains at Pisca market, but when we reached Ollytaytambo at lunchtime I was speechless. It was magnificent - the town sits right infront of the remains of an Inca fortress which totally dominates the skyline. We walked up it after lunch - so not the best of ideas, as by then the hoardes of tourist buses had arrived and my stomach was churning yet again. Found myself struggling to keep going up the steps so god only knows how I'll manage Machu Picchu. One of the group kept reminding me that I was unfit and not suffering from altitude sickness. I'll refrain from saying what I thought of that little juicy comment LOL !!!!

Was also extremely windy at the top so together with feeling a bit lightheaded anyway it wasnt the best of combinations - the views were worth it though, and I think I irritated the Aussies by constantly asking them to take my photo ( some habits die hard I guess- was just like being on holiday today at points !!!). Have to say the guide books dont do this place justice, but the scores of folk lining up infront and behind us to ascend it did take a little away from the experience.

Saw bits of the infamous Inca Trail , as near Ollytaytambo is where most people start from - so grateful Im not doing that, this way is definitely the best. Dont think Id' have coped - and thats without any rain !!!

We were at our highest today at around 3700km and as we twisted and turned our way back to Cusco in a round circle trip we got great views of the mountains and the snow covered glaciers that towered a good 2000km higher than us. Tell you, that wouldve killed me - my dizzyness kept coming and going, although it was bearable, just. I caused a great deal of hilarity on the bus by trying to unsucesfully take photos as we bumped our way through the valley. Quite a few blurred efforts I have to say, and a twisted neck/arm/shoulder from trying to get the best position.

I loved the journey back to Cuso, as the sun slowly went down. We stopped in what I thought was the middle of nowhere to take photos of Mount Veronica and I couldnt believe there were three children sitting selling woollen hats and other knitted bits by the road. Still cant fathom out how they got there !!! Anyway, couldnt refuse buying one - primarily cause I dont think they had much of a market, but also because they were the least pushiest I'd seen all day ( we were hounded in Pisac and Ollytaytambo - especially by a little boy who was trying to sell a water bottle holder !!).

So, I have what will probably be the first of many hats - which was remarkably cheap at 6 Peruvian Sol ( okay 10 really, cause I couldnt think to take the change !!). Sure it will come in handy for T in The Park 2009.

Really knackered when we finally got back to Cusco around 6.30pm - we came in through the back way, so I was able to see much more of the poverty Id' been expecting to see. Quite sobering, some of the houses were almost uninhabitable in my book.

We didnt go out as a group tonight - despite Enrique's best efforts, so I found myself out with two Australian couples, supposedly for a light snack after our fairly heavy lunch.

After a little pressure and a pisco sour to wet my appetite, I was persuaded to try the Alpaca - going for a grilled brochette. To be honest it was suprisingly good, quite a distinct taste and not in the least bit fatty. Didnt allow myself to think that 12 hours earlier we'd been happily feeding them on a Llama farm !!

Yvonne succumbed to the pressure fromone of the many local artists trying to sell their wares and bought two painted canvases - didnt have the heart to tell her that the one of his daughter 'Alicia' was exactly the same as the one on the restaurant wall !!!

Just incase you're all wondering how Im doing with the old souvenir buying, I managed to buy nothing apart from my hat today - impressive or what ??? Long may it continue.

Not having much success uploading photos - can just about manage it from my phone, but dont have a lead for doing it from the camera. Will try and take the odd one of two from the phone in future.

Tchau !!!