TTR
The day started with breakfast. Eggs were normal. There was papaya juice and pineapple juice. Had this interesting cereal called Kiwicha with strawberry yogurt. Was good!
First stop was Chincero. Again, narrow streets and lots of climbing. But before I start Chinceros, on the drive there, I saw upper Cusco City, the poorer population. Their homes are up top mountains and they have to climb their way there. Long narrow steps!
Then we visited the Chinceros ruins near the church and the agricultural tables. I hate to journal about it but I needed to use the rest room so badly that I couldn't focus much on the agricultural tables although they were beautiful. I was lucky there was a rest room before heading down the street to the Chinceros market. I think it was the hypoxia and myself drinking tons of coca tea that lead me to having to use the rest room every hour! Although I did entertain the possibility that I had suddenly turned diabetic on my trip!
At the Chinceros market, they trade potatoes for vegetables. So local farmers bring their potatoes and are able to take home carrots, corn, tomatoes etc. Very neat system. Saw people drink corn beer. And the market in general was neat. Oh and don't quote me on this, but they have 100s or more varieties of potatoes in Peru. It's based on how it's grown and at what altitude. Every terrace grows a different potato, so potato is the most tradable commodity there.
They recycle everything. They make sandals out of car tires.
I think they use some parts of the car to tie their animals. But market was a neat place. The concept that nothing is wasted if at all possibly was refreshing coming from a 'disposable culture' as I call our system. I like the idea that these sandals are not brand names. They are not even branded by the tires they are made out of. Their function: provide protection for your feet while walking. Makes me realize how superficial we can be here in America.
Next stop was the circles of Moras. Saw the circles and ruins that were not completely excavated/renovated. And then we head on over to the Moras salt mines.
Here the river flows - 22% salt and they channel it into tables and over time the salt crystals start forming. White salt is for human consumption. Brown salt was for animals.
After salt mines we had lunch. Quinoa was this grain I liked. Had soup with it. Was very good. OK, don't laugh. I had quinoa for the first time, in Peru, in 2011. I've had it several times since but there's something special about eating it there.
And then we reached our hotel in Ollantaytambo. Smaller hotel, but still very cosy. Wifi signal is so low, it's next to impossible to connect from the room.
After freshening up, we visited the ruins of Ollantaytambo. The climb was steep and difficult. I was quite out of breath between each table, but it was worth it. Then on the way back drank some local tea with medicinal properties. It was very good.
Came back to the hotel, chilled. Then headed out to dinner. Soup and chicken/rice. Also I think Salman ordered some chicken pastry. Now, back to the hotel and time to sleep as there is a lot of walking again tomorrow. Did notice the lighting in the room is very poor, but I guess they use the rooms to sleep more than anything else.
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