we made it....
the flights were absolutly horendos, but we are in Peru!! yesterday we arrived very late into Lima. it was midnight by the time we got out of the airport and got our first view of the city. dark, dirty and slightly dodgy. it looked like we arrived a few years too late. the buildings were all a rather interesting art deco, with a sea of colours... all covered with a layer of grime. in the dark doorways hoods leaned against the shadows. we arrived at our hotel after midnight to see a armed guard helping people with their lugage... we went to bed and fell asleep instatly.
today started very early, catching a shuttle back to the airport at 6.30 am. still groggy we wound our way through the foggy streets to return to the only familier landmark in town, the airport. we were flying to Cusco to start the main portion of the trip. leaving Lima wasn{t that hard. i didn{t much like the place, but it was important to see. this is a facinating country that isn{t a glossy tourest brochure, the people are poor and doing what they can to survive.
Cusco was a breathe of fresh air, if only i could take a deep breathe! we took off from Lima at sea level and landed in Cusco at 3500m above sea leval. thats the sae as going from the sea to the summit of mount cook in one hour! i always assumed that i{d be a pro at altitude, but it really knocked the wind out of my sails. we went for a walk around town and up to some ancient Incan ruens and i was perpetually out of breathe... soph is also having a hard time too but we are rapidly aclimitizing and getting better.
Cusco is a beauiful place, full of culture and beautiful people and buildings. it is the real Peru we had waited so long to see. the Incan ruens were amazing, just a taste of what is to come... there is much poverty here too, but the people are proud, doing their best to carve a niche...
off to dinner now, we{ve already had giny pig for lunch (well not me...yet) so who knows whats in store!
tomorrow more ruens, hiking and some mountain biking! can{t wait!
later
Scott
