Our day started early with a visit to the local markets. We saw a huge, warehouse-like place with dozens of stands selling everything from fresh-squeezed juices to whole dressed pigs to hallucinogenic plants. There were people selling fresh, hot chicken soup, coffee beans, and all manner of vegetables including some packaged in pre-sliced portions.
Flowers, fruit and craft items seemed to be typical market fare, in marked contrast to the hallucinogenic items.
Once we left the market, we headed for another Incan sacred area, Sacsquahuaman, (pronounced "sexy woman") situated in the hills above the city. There were huge walls of huge rocks, carefully set in a zigzag pattern for increased strength.
Everything is aligned to the sun and the solstices. On a facing hill, there were two square, east-facing thrones for their royalty.
Our guide made it pretty clear that the invading forces were so different in their perspectives. These temples were created in the shape of the puma (mountain lion) as an offering to the gods for protection of the city of Cusco. The Spaniards presumed they were fortresses instead of temples.
Afterwards, we went to see a former Temple of the Sun that was later converted into a cathedral. Much of the original stonework remains; however, the Spaniards added arches as they remade the temple into the cathedral.
Our guide told us how the Andeans adapted the Catholic religion to their own beliefs. Inside the cathedral we viewed a painting of the Last Supper where Judas was portrayed as Pizarro. Interesting how the Andean artists managed to outwit the Spaniards! In addition, the guide told us that today all the telephone companies in South America are owned by Spain -- now a kind of economic invasion.
After the tour, we were on our own for the afternoon and evening. We walked around the square, shopped, ate and people-watched.
We took some quick shots of the palace/monastery/hotel before we packed up and packed it in for the night.
Our room, replete with art.
Stone steps lead to the second floor. Above is the beautifully manicured courtyard.
Tomorrow: Lake Titicaca!
1 comment:
No wonder you called it the trip of a lifetime!- Kathy
Post a Comment