Calm before the challenge
Saturday 25 April
Lynne’s morning started at 4.30am, messaging Kirsten as she sent some fabulous photos from a party she and Dylan were attending. After our exertions of yesterday and a testing climb with our tour group tomorrow, we decided to take it a bit easy and not overdo it today.
We read up about the vibes and variety of goods sold at the Cusco San Pedro market, 20 minutes walk away and that sounded like an ideal place to take it easy.
The walk to the market passed by other smaller markets in side streets selling everything from dental services to iron ware, many varieties of potatoes and exotic fruit and underwear and clothing. There was cheese waiting to be wrapped up, all manner of nuts and spices and animal parts Lynne couldn’t bear to look at, let alone contemplate eating.
We wandered all round San Pedro market searching for an open entrance, but the whole market was shut for cleaning. There were still stalls on the outside streets selling food to eat and individuals painting their wooden tables and stools white, but many stalls were closed. We’ll need to come back another day.
We retreated to a lovely nearby hostel, the Black Llama, for coffee where our spirits were lifted by the calm ambiance and delightful seating area.
En-route to book a restaurant for dinner in the Plaza de Armas, Lynne and Vivien enjoyed a massage while Peter slumbered on a park bench in a nearby square.
Then to the Plaza which was buzzing with dancers and drummers, in their traditional costumes and carrying flags. A bride and groom danced along. A huge festival and a great sight to see in glorious weather.
Remarkably we found our way to a patisserie that caught our eye in the San Blas area a few days before, and substituted delicious fruit tarts and cheesecake for lunch. We enjoyed being out of earshot of the hubbub in the square.
We enjoyed some quiet time back at our hotel before heading out for dinner at Sagredo’s just off the square. The square looked pretty at night, lit up, with its colonnades and ornate wooden balconies, in Spanish style; it used to house a market on Sundays. Now it’s full of shops catering to tourists.
We had a lovely meal after we found something for Lynne without garlic.
A better night’s sleep awaited us.
Nous pensons beaucoup à vous. Nous sommes très contents que votre voyage se passe super bien. Grosses bises de La Coste. Nadette et Bernard.