Dia 91 en el Imperio Inca

I´ve started to come to think of Cusco as my city. A lot of my friends here don´t share that particular sentiment. I´ve heard a lot of greivances about Cusco and while, of course, I have a few of my own, I´ve loved being here the last 3 months and think this place is charming and know that I will always think of it of fondly. What has brought on this expression of affection? Tomorrow is April, which means I only have one month left here, and part of me is freaking out a little bit with that knowledge. There´s another part of me that is really looking forward to grocery shopping in the U.S., eating American Mexican food (real tacos!) at home and seeing a long list of people who I really miss. But at this point I have no idea what the summer will bring when I go home, but I´m sure the transition back into my ¨normal life¨ will be interesting. In the vein of reflection, here are some things (some good and some bad), about my city and this country that I´ve learned in the past 3 months.
1) There are copy stores everywhere here. They literally line the blocks and I´m not really sure why.
2) Bread is an acceptable meal for breakfast and dinner. Also, carbohydrates are out of control. In one meal it is common to eat potatoes, rice, AND bread.
3) If you are sick (whether legitimately or even if you just have a headache), you will be told by everyone you meet to ¨abrigate¨ (cover up). If your throat hurts, you must wrap a scarf around it. If your stomach hurts, wrap a blanket around your body.
4) Taxi rides are commonly terrifying though not as much as in other places I´ve been (for instance Amman or Cairo). People don´t slow down for pedestrians or stray dogs in the street.
5) The pharmacist can and will give you antibiotics without a prescription from the doctor.
6) There are lots of random parades to lots of different Virgins.
7) Hot drinks are always better. Not only that, but cold drinks with ice don´t really exist.
8) Cocoa tea cures EVERYTHING.
9) Milk comes in a box and doesn´t need to be refrigerated. Same goes for yogurt, which is drinkable, and butter.
10) On a typical night out, you might get asked if you want to buy drugs 3 or more times. You will also get asked if you want a massage at least 5.
11) The weather can change from sunny and hot to rainy and cold in a matter of seconds.
12) Everywhere you look, the mountain views are incredible.
13) The sun here is intense. Cusco literally has some of the strongest UV rays in the world.
14) All of the artesans claim their goods are made of alpaca. It´s not true.
15) Compared to other Spanish speakers, Peruvians have a really clear accent. This doesn´t mean I undestand everything all the time, but it does make my life easier.
16) Anything that goes wrong can be blamed on the altitude.
17) Cusqueñas (at least my parents) think that their food is better than everywhere else. They even claim this about their pizza and Chinese food. Sorry, but also not true.
18) All food is described as ¨rico¨ (rich).
19) It rains often, but there is very little humidity. I´m very grateful.
20) Cusco is called el Umbligo del Mundo (the belly button of the world).

Over the weekend, I went to el Museo de Arte Precolumbino, which is really nicely kept up and has a really cool range of artifacts. The Humanities geek in me was really happy. Also, I´m now taking culture and civilization class and we´re learning about the Mexican and Cuban revolutions, which really makes the sociology geek in me happy as well. This coming weekend hopefully I´ll be taking a trip to the Paracas National Wildlife Reserve. I´m keeping my fingers crossed for sea turtle, sea lion, penguin, and condor sightings, all of which my travel book say are possible to see there. I also really want to go sandboarding and see the desert oasis Huacachina. 33 days left. My plan is to make the best of it. It´s already been a wonderful adventure.

Con amor de mi cuidad,
Ashley