Gallery: Historic Center of Cusco

Gallery: Historic Center of Cusco

Published on September 5, 2013

I stopped into a restaurant called Valentines, very touristy but clean and nice. Check out the textiles on the hostess!

Live music with lunch! Peruvian music is very heavy on the flute.

The cheese level went through the roof when they started playing “My Way” with the flute replacing vocals. But they did a good job.

I sort of spiraled around the historic center and accidentally ran bang into the Temple of the Sun, where a church has been built over the ruins of an Incan temple.

Detail of the wooden latticework at the Temple of the Sun.

These older native ladies just melt my heart. I paid her 5 soles (not quite $2) for three tiny llama keychains, knowing I could have offered her 3. But I wanted to take her picture, and I needed directions to Plaza Armas. She was super helpful and sweet.

Approaching Plaza De Armas, the fabulous main square of Cusco. I’m getting very excited now!

Shops like this are everywhere in Cusco. The women outside of town seem to be constantly either weaving or spinnning.

This blind gentleman was playing such beautiful music. Yes, I tipped him.

Another of the beautiful older women of Peru. She was spinning, as they so often are. I asked her permission and offered her 2 soles in exchange for her photo, and she was very gracious. This is typical dress for the Quechua of this region. Note the bright colors, so much red, beautiful weaving and embroidery – and the threadbare skirt.

Detail of the breathtaking Cusco Cathedral in the Plaza De Armas.

Golden figure of what I assume to be an Incan founder of the city. This tops the fountain in the Plaza De Armas.

A small section of the magnificent Plaza.

Another section of the plaza, with the Andes and the tiled rooftops of Cuzco in the background.

The streets of the historic district are lined with shops bursting with paintings, weavings and other handcrafts designed to appeal to gringas like me.

I was amazed that I remembered exactly how to find Jack’s Cafe! When I was in Cusco years ago, this English-owned restaurant was where my son and I went to find comfort food, a taste of home. I remember their pot roast and mashed potatoes. Good to know this is here when I need it.

Home again! This is my building. Oops, I left my windows open while I was gone, I’m not supposed to do that!

I thought you might want to see the tiny llama keychains. They’re made of alpaca wool, made into yarn on a spindle like the lady I photographed. Each llama has a pair of tiny woven saddlebags. Each saddlebag has a kernel of corn in it. Hokey touristy stuff, for sure, but such attention to detail!

Published by Lauren

I'm a nomadic freelance writer, out enjoying the world!

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5 Comments

CindyS
September 5, 2013 at 1:41 am

Thank you for this wonderful tour of such a colorful, historic city! Nice photographs!
Catherine
September 5, 2013 at 2:21 am

Really enjoyed these photos!!! Wish I could come to visit while you are there, sigh.
kymberlie
September 5, 2013 at 3:13 am

i love your portraits of people. the people of a place always tell a story.
Lauren
September 6, 2013 at 2:54 pm

Thank you! I don’t have the skill to capture the landscape, people are much easier. And it’s hard to take a bad picture of people who have such character & personality!
Lauren
September 6, 2013 at 2:54 pm

You are welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed it!