Back in Cusco, city of vibe.
Yesterday we did a lot of things. And I've just gotta put this out there- Condors are the coolest things ever.
We started our day at the animal rescue centre in Cusco. This place takes in injured and endangered animals and takes care of them; and I'm not just talking about stray dogs. (There are a LOT of stray dogs in Peru, though. I mean a LOT.)
We saw them feed a puma called Mufasa. Pumas are incredible, and man I would NOT want to be on the receiving end if Mufasa lost their temper.
I held a Macaw; prettiest bird in the world, hands down.
I got to give a llama called Blanco a big hug and its was so fluffy you would not believe.
Then we went into the Condors enclosure.
There's really no way to describe those birds aside from 'Majestic as fuck.'
Yes, that f-bomb was completely necessary. How else could I illustrate the full majesticness of their majesty?
The Andean condor is magnificent. It has a massive wingspan, it can live for 90 years, and oh my god it's huge. Like its such a big bird. The ones at the enclosure had been rescued from a festival where they were being used as entertainment- which is not only cruel and dumb but also highly illegal. Don't kidnap the Condor.
After they dragged me kicking and screaming away from the Condors, I went to basically the only other place that could make me just as happy- a jewellery store.
Esmerelda specialises in creating clothing from baby alpaca hair, none of which I could afford, and handcrafted silver jewellery; which I also couldn't afford, but like that was going to stop me.
We toured the workshop, and they explained to us the different kinds of alpaca wool, and how to tell the real from the sheep wool. You'll be happy to know that baby alpaca clothing doesn't actually hurt the alpaca- it's like shearing a sheep. I'm just putting that out there in case you were thinking it was like made from their skin. They also let us watch the jewellers making their work. I could've stayed there all day.
After we saw how it was made, we had a look around- and I fell in love.
This ring is too perfect. I spent many soles that day.
We walked up to the Cristo Blanco- and I really think I need one of these in my front yard.
'Which house is yours?'
'Just look for the giant Jesus statue dude.'
After exhausting our supply of Jesus puns, we descended back into Cusco.
Yesterday was a very special day for Cusco. Yesterday was Corpus Christi, which meant that almost everyone in Cusco crowded into the Plaza de Armas and had the biggest parade I have EVER seen. And I've been to many a Mardi gras.
It was crazy. Music, food, and people everywhere. So I did what every jaded westerner does when it gets a little too much; I went to KFC. Chilled out for a bit. Their fries are different to ours.
Through all of this, I want you to remember that we hiked down from the Cristo Blanco. And that, weirdly enough, the pain in my legs from doing the Inca Trail never really seemed to stop. Or fade.
So needless to say, I didn't stick around in the Plaza de Armas for long.
The Corpus Christi celebrations went over the whole city. At the square closest to where I'm staying, Plaza de San Blas, there was a huge band and people dancing through the streets. Sometimes Cusco feels like a non-stop party. Wherever you go, it feels like you can always hear somebody playing the flute.
Barefoot Peruvian people leaned against the walls drinking gigantic bottles of beer. There was a lot of streetside urination going on.
The area where I'm staying kinda feels like the hippie district. There's three yoga places and four vegan cafes within walking distance.
I feel right at home. If I ever move here I'll be living near San Blas square man.
Naturally, when life gives you organic, gluten free, vegan and 100% sustainably sourced lemons, you make the most of it.
And so I found myself at a crystal meditation class.
While the rest of my group went to our favourite bar for copious amounts of alcohol, I was climbing the flights of stairs into the yoga room.
Crystal meditation was actually amazing. I'm a stark raving hippie at heart, but even for me this was a really new experience.
I walked in, and it was immediately apparent that we'd run into a problem; the yoga instructor only spoke Spanish.
Luckily, the owner of the Yoga place was there to translate.
It was just the three of us; the owner, the instructor, and me.
There was incense burning, and crystals arranged on the ground.
They gave me a blindfold. Not gonna lie, I was feeling pretty confronted right there, but I decided to roll with it. Letting a stranger blindfold you? What's the worst that could happen? Don't answer that.
It was weird. It was new. We aligned our Chakra's and felt the energy of the universe. Or something.
I loved it. At the end of the hour, I left with the biggest smile on my face.
I'm really glad it did it; having a strange new experience like that in a different country, all by myself... It's something I won't forget.
I've gotten a lot better at being my myself since I've been here- partially out of necessity, but I feel like knowing how to enjoy yourself in solitude is a good skill to have.
The rest of the night involved going from bar to bar with the rest of the group. In true party girl fashion, I went home to bed around 11.30- but I hear the shenanigans lasted until the sun was up. Good job guys.
Today, I've basically shopped. All day.
Guys- I think I'm addicted to buying Peruvian jewellery.
Apparently this afternoon will involve horseback riding. Horses aren't.exactly my forte, so uh... I'll let you know how that goes.
Time is going too fast! I fly out tomorrow night.
Much love!
- G xx
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