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Travel day, so ½ in Cusco ½ in Lima. Got going in the morning to a lovely breakfast, and wandered into the Plaza de Armas, just in time for a parade (short video to follow later). Lots of colorful costumes and bands all heading to the Cathedral. We watched the entire procession which culminated with 2 giant palanquins with the Virgin Mary carried by 24 or 25 identically dressed men borne into the church. We had a plane to catch, so did not pursue the parade any further.

Short flight to Lima to stay at the Dazzler hotel, with a spectacular view from the roof top pool and deck (with exersize room next door). Watched the sunset over the ocean for the last time in Lima. On the Texas at midnight tonight.

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Today was a day to enlist the machines, that is to drive. We wanted to visit the Sacred Valley, which is the area surrounding Cusco, which was the capital of the Incan Empire. We visited a number of sites that represented the past, present, and future of the Amerindians that inhabit this area. We stopped at several ancient archeological sites, including Pisac and Saqsaywaman. We had to skip several more because of the rain, which our guide Clemente pointed out is very unusual in July which is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. “The weather in the mountains is changing” is the way he put it. Global warming is another way to put it. We stopped off at a living “museum” of animals and people – the Llama, the Guanaco, the Alpaca, and the Vicuña. The Vicuña is the National Animal of Peru and appears on the coat of arms. There were a number of artisans practicing spinning, dyeing, and weaving the wool from the animals as a way of preserving the culture for the future.

We stopped off in a couple of impressive archeological sites from the classic Inca period. Had a great lunch, and ended back at our apartment at the end of our final day in Cusco. Tomorrow, on to Lima