Lost in Paradise

Here are two perfectly wonderful examples of the people of Cusco -

One night my friends Dana and Jana and I went to a fabulous cafe (The Bondiet) and ordered cake and espressos (it's a hard life, I know). We asked the friendly and handsome (and very young) waiters for their suggestion of a dance club, and before we knew it, we had 6 amazing escorts to a nearby dance club! It was a fabulous club - full of people, good music, and a lot of dancing. Despite stereotypes, not all of our guys could dance, but most of them could and patiently danced with us and taught us some moves! I swear most Peruvians learn to dance when they learn to walk.

Two days later, Jana and I took a walk up some nearly vertical steps for about 500 feet into a forest above my house. The sky was dark with an oncoming storm, so no one else was in the park. By the time we got to the top of the stairs and entered the woods, hark! What is that we hear? But a Peruvian man yelling something at us, motioning us to come over. What we didn't realize is that we had entered the Land of Ruins. Apparently this park area is not well known because it is difficult to get to and at the end of town. Joel decided he was done studying his engineering homework and instead took me and Jana on a 3 hour private tour of the most amazing ruins I have ever seen! Old castles, caves, bridges, and aquifers... surrounded by lush green grass, trees, rivers, old farmers bent with heavy baskets on their backs, sheep, cows, etc.

Just two great examples of the generosity and care here. Speaking of which, my host mom has taken it upon herself to make me her sixth daughter - at least in regards to lecturing me about my health! I have caught a cold and have endured 4 lectures (although I will admit that I am happy that I can actually understand most of what she is saying) - it essentially comes down to the fact that she believes if I take one barefooted step anywhere in Cusco, I am tempting fate. In fact, this morning she came into the bathroom to give me my shoes so I wouldn't have to take one step from the door to the shower without protection. I am soothed by the fact that my OWN mother emailed me today saying she doesn't believe you can catch a cold by going barefoot. Thank you.