Cusco, Peru

October 28 - November 9, 2022

Cusco is "huff," is really "huff," really f'n high! The elevation is no joke. We were over 11,000 feet. I noticed how slow even locals were walking around.  I felt fine and wondered what the fuss was all about and regretted not bringing my jogging shoes. The air was crisp, the sun was strong, so we do what we do and went out exploring. 

It wasn't half a mile when it hit me. The sidewalks turned to quicksand, my shoes became concrete and the streets inclined to the radiating sun scorching my skin. Breathing became a conscious effort. Soon, our efforts were rewarded though with, pardon the pun, breathtaking views. 

Cusco is an impossible city to explore in the days we were there. Behind every small street corner laid another world. Trying to acclimate for the hike, we pushed through and kept exploring. 

Once the adrenaline of hiking up Huanay Picchu was over this enormous elephant decided to sit right on my almost healed rib cage I broke before we left. Labored breathing kept our conversations to a grunt while walking. We had four more days before continuing to Lima. Coca tea didn't help, there were no symptoms other than how Rick Morris must have felt in Spaceballs. 

Needless to say we chilled, going out for only the necessities. There was so much more to do in Cusco, but with the changing colder weather and the aforementioned life sucking altitude it just wasn't going to happen. 

Altitude has risen to the number one spot on our destination checklist spreadsheet, beating out both weather and expenses. 

Love ya Cusco, glad I came, just wish I didn't stay so long.