Sacsayhuamán

This was my big cultural day in Cuzco. The morning was all the usual, but I then went to see Sacsayhuamán (pronounced "sexy woman") which is an ancient shrine, mostly destroyed by Spaniards, who used the stones for their houses; however a good part of it was also destroyed during a very furios battle between the Cuechua people and the Spaniards. But as the place lay unsued for many years, it is slowly being excavated, and of what is seen now, 60% has been excavated, and what is seen now is only 20% of what was originally there. After a while walking around, taking pictures and all that I normally do, I went back to the hostel I am staying at (Loki).

I wanted to see alot more (there is a lot more), so I went to the company I am going to Machu Picchu with (and went to Sacred Valley with) and booked a city tour later in the day. Later in the day I was picked up by the tourbus, with a tour led by a very good (and funny) guide, who was very good at explaining, unfortunately most places in the city, taking pictures wasn't allowed, flash or no flash, although pictures from the outside was okay. After having seen the main cathedral in Cuzco, we went to see... Sacsayhuamán. But seeing Sacsayhuamán with a guide was completely different, and I learned a lot more about the place, so it wasn't bad at all. Afterwards we went to the fountain of youth and twins.

I was then back in Cuzco by 18.30, and hung around a bit around the hostel bar, sat down and talked for quite some time with Johno (from New Zealand), but later that evening I ran into none other than Mike Gasson, my great mate from Puerto Natales, Calafate, El Chalten and Santiago. We had the fun that Mike and I always do, right up until I went out to a club called Mama Africa together with James, Steve, 2 Danish girls I had met, Maria and Charlotte as well as a German/Irish girl that I am going on the Inca Trail with and her American friend. However it wasn't nearly as fun as the first time, overcrowded and actually quite dull; so I wasn't back that late, and had time for some good sleep.