Cusco

On the way to Cusco we stopped to see some pre-Inca ruins which was an example of advanced architecture and brickwork. The burial ground was a good place to practice our human pyramid and we managed a 4 level pyramid without breaking any bones.

We arrived at Cusco and Mac told us to look out for pickpockets when we went out for a couple of drinks that night. In the centre of Cusco were a lot of people begging, selling and trying to get us to go to their restaurant/club. We weren't pickpocketed, but the next day we found out that John and Nina got lost on the way back to the hotel and ended up in a dead end alleyway where they were mugged by a couple of guys with rocks in their hands.

The following day we walked around the Inca capital looking for a fancy dress costume for 'D-Bitch' - Dee's alter ego. The city has lots of old buildings and the main square is cobbled, a bit like Bath. The restaurants are touristy but nice and not too expensive. There was a carnival on which was a protest against the government raising the price of coca leaves. The costumes looked cool and by the end of the parade, we could see the dancers absolutely knackered and sweating. We ate at a Mexican that night and Tania ordered the local delicacy, roast guinea pig, and was surprised to get it posing on the plate with its teeth bared and one front paw raised.

We were starting the Inca trail the next day so we packed our essentials and went to bed early. We wouldn't see the truck for the next few days and we were given a list of things to pack in our supplied duffle bags, like warm clothes, sleeping bag, sun cream, chocolate, pain killers etc.