Tag Archives: Cusco

Safety In Cusco Peru

Safety In Cusco Peru

Safety In Cusco Peru

These boys are the safety patrol in Cusco. I’m not sure what the sign says, but I have the general idea. These guys were in the center median of the main street in Cusco and their job was to keep people from jay-walking. The sign is saying to cross at the light or something like that. It reminds me of my duty as a crosswalk guy in the sixth grade. I had a badge and a little outfit and got to help younger kids across the street. These guys have a sign and a whip and they threaten people who jay-walk in Cusco. I’m not sure how many deaths they prevent, but they’re entertaining.

Salinas Salt Pans Cusco Peru

Salinas Salt Pans Cusco Peru

Salinas Salt Pans Cusco Peru

One thing you need to understand immediately is that we are really high above the salt pans of Salinas and it was a little scary taking this picture. You will be able to see in the next picture just how large those tiny little squares in this picture actually are. One wrong step and someone would be picking salt out of my brain for a long, long time. It was an incredible sight, but not one I want to experience all the time. I don’t think I’m really geared for working in high altitude terrain.

Aquas Caliente Peru

Aquas Caliente Peru

Aquas Caliente Peru

The travel guides say it’s something of an armpit or worse. I disagree. Yes, it’s a tourist trap. Yes, it’s relatively expensive compared to Cusco, where most travelers to Machu Picchu spend most of their time. But it’s not as expensive as people make it out to be and bargains can be had in terms of accommodations, the biggest cost. I liked the little town. Note that there’s no traffic. Everyone walks everywhere. It seems that everything arrived by train. There was no way that I know of to get to the town other than walk (trek) one of the Inca Trails or take the train. It makes for an interesting experience

Machu Picchu Peru In the Mist

Machu Picchu Peru In the Mist

Machu Picchu Peru In the Mist

I think I was grateful for the morning fog. There was a bit of surrealism in the views in the morning. It must have been amazing to have lived there. There are more million dollar views than a person has aright to see in one day. During the 40 hour period from the time I left Cusco until I got back I snapped 165 pictures. I’m not sure how many minutes of HD video I recorded. The place was everything