Cusco, Peru

It is raining in Cusco. It is the rainy season. It may rain most every day or it may rain most of every day. It is unpredictable. Cusco is unpredictable. I did not trust this city at first sight. We were told that it was beautiful. It is. The parks are beautiful, the buildings are beautiful, the cobbled streets are beautiful but they are not predictable. There are streets that should not be there and streets that should be but are not. Some streets have been renamed from Spanish to the Inca language of Quencha. Some maps were not informed of these changes. Some maps only care if you go on the tours they advertise.

The biggest city in Peru with 600-700 years of established history. History is built into this city. History is not predictable, it does not build in blocks. Neither does it adapt for or accommodate humanity. Every space of this city is in use. Every nook holds a shop and every corner holds a secret. But even the secrets here are unpredictable. Once discovered they remain secret. Some secrets were looted long ago along with the city's wealth. The European explorers looted Cusco's riches. Now European explorers bring riches back.

There is a market in Cusco. It is in a covered area that takes up an entire city block. There are locals that buy there. There are also tourists. Tourists buy freshly made juice. Locals buy meat, vegetables, grains, cheese, legumes, fruit, nuts, bread and sauces. Tourists buy alpaca wool sweaters, toques, gloves, and socks. Locals have their clothes mended. Tourists haggle for the best price. Locals make purchases.Apparently there is also an abundant need for bovine snout, tongue, stomach, hooves and testicles in Cusco.