Horseback riding through Incan ruins...check. Fútbol game in South America...check.

Saturday morning I climbed about 1,000 steps...not even an exaggeration...to the top of the city of Cusco. The view was no doubt amazing, but I wished there were less llamas and more oxygen tanks at the top. There are four ruins in that area, the most famous being Saqsaywaman (pronounced “sexy women”). Quick history lesson: In 1536, an Incan rebellion led by Manco Inca was successful in retaking this fort from Francisco Pizarro and his Spanish troops, but then a last minute attempt at revenge by the Spanish recaptured the fort and put an end to the rebellion, leaving thousands of Incans dead. Condors surrounded the site and fed off the victims, which led Peru to add eight condors to Cusco's coat of arms, memorializing the tragedy.  This is one of the many ruins in the 'Arquitectual Capital of the World.'

One of the girls living in the same home stay and I rented horses for two hours and went with a tour guide up even further into the mountains to check out Salapunco, or the Temple of the Moon, and Saqsaywaman. I'm not that big into history, but these ruins are still pretty impressive, especially when you think about them being around for almost 500 years...that makes America's history look like that of a newborn baby. The view from the top was truly breathtaking, never have I witnessed such incredible scenery...the mountains looked fake they were so perfect. 

 

That night I went out with a couple people from my home stay and my host mom. This whole week there have been dances and parades every day in the Plaza de Armas...each day a different grade of kids perform as part of their school curriculum. These daily fiestas are all leading up to the mamacita of fiestas on June 24, when there is a 24 hour celebration of Cusco. It's a holiday, so I get a day off from changing diapers and get to go drink some pisco sours with the Peruvians :-) Last night, there were tons and tons of people gathered in the Plaza to watch live, free concerts and fireworks..it was very similar to our July 4th. Afterward, we went to drink some cafe and listen to the rest of the music from a balcony overlooking all the celebrations.

Sunday afternoon I went to the Lima vs Cusco futbol game...and even though Lima was ranked way higher than us, we won 2-0! I felt pretty accomplished in that I actually watched the whole game...definitely a first. The fans were real into it, so much so that there had to be police in full out uniform with helmets and shields protecting the Lima players whenever they were throwing the ball in close to the fans. I also witnessed today for the first time this trip, rain during the 'dry' season...but it was only a few drops. Blacksburg should take a hint from Cusco and implement the 'only a few drops' policy...