I coudn’t think of a better way to start 2020 then by traveling! Usually, people jump right into the grind on New Year’s and start exercising or insert another resolution here. Since, my schedule is pretty flexible these days and I had not seen my family in over twenty years, it was time to hop on a plane to my motherland, Peru.

On January 6th, my husband and I arrived at LAX for an eight-hour redeye flight to Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru. We were visiting three different areas of Peru and first on our list was Cuzco (ever heard of Machu Picchu? That’s where we were headed.) After the flight, we arrived at my godfather’s where we had less than two hours to have a delicious peruvian breakfast, unload our luggage, freshen up a bit and brace ourselves for traffic back to the airport for our next flight.  Lima traffic is the absolute worst! You think L.A and New York are intense? You ain’t seen nothing.

We were only in Cuzco for four days, but honestly it felt like we were there longer. Josh and I were go-go-going and touring all over the town. Since we saw so much, not all fits in one post so I’m dedicating my first post to the beautiful village of Pisac, because sincerely Pisac deserves it! Pisac is that ruin! It’s not listed as one of the Eight Wonders of the World, but it’s definitely something to marvel at! It’ll take your breath away, figuratively and literally. I didn’t realize my carby-barbie diet would have me wishing I’d hit the gym before the trip.

The day after we arrived to Cuzco, we set off to the ruins of Pisac. The drive is about an hour drive. The weather could not have been more perfect! January is rainy season in Cuzco but we we’re blessed with nothing but blue skies. We arrived at around 10am safely thanks to our amazing driver, shoutout to Don Jose. Pisac is so exquisite, when I sent my dad a picture he thought we had already made it to Machu Picchu.

The village is located in the famous Sacred Valley and boasts ruins and farm terraces created by the Inkas. The Inkas (natives of Peru) built these terraces in the 1500s and used them to grow corn, quinoa, potatoes, and other grains. The most amazing factoid about the Inkas, and the main reason why I admire my ancestors is that they farmed with the land not against it. They didn’t destroy the Earth for greedy purposes. the Inkas didn’t possess an ounce of greed in ther veins, they loved their Pachamama (Earth) and did everything in their power to protect it. Until the greedy Spanish came (more on that later, but I think we all know that story, insert eyeroll here.)

Anyway back to our main protagonists, the Inkas we’re extemely smart. I’m not just saying this because the Inka blood runs in my veins. The Inka architects thought of everything! They even built a natural “fridge” to store their food. The “fridge” was built in a cool area where the wind would help keep their harvest cool for a season or two. Talk about being resoursceful!

Remember how I said the spanish were greedy little trolls? (actually, they we’re tall and bearded and from what I hear handsome) Well listen, I was not overreacting about the greed part, lol. The picture below is an Inkan cementary. The Inkas buried their peeps on the mountain (resourceful) in the fetal position and like the Egyptians, they buried them with all their riches. There we’re over 3,000 tombs just in this mountain and the Spanish raided all of them! All of them! Every single tomb was robbed empty! Like dang, what are you gonna do with all that gold? It’s only the 1500’s. 

Besides the impressive ruins and natural “fridge”, Pisac is home to my favorite place in all the land: THE PISAC MARKET (can’t let go of the shopaholic in me.) I wish I would have brought bigger luggage because I seriously wanted to go home with everything. Baby Alpaca soft blankets, yes please, give me twenty! Just kidding, we only took home five (insert Teresa’s maldita pobreza meme here). The market has the cutest souveniers, sweaters, and art to take home, it’s the best market in all of Peru (do not skip it!).

Did you know that I’m a “Chola”? No seriously, traditionally woman in Peru are reffered to as “Cholas” or “Cholitas”. Throughout Cuzco, you’ll see native women dressed up in traditional outifts with their pet alpaca also decked out in fun colors. Since Cuzco is a tourist town, most folks make their money by being tour guides (many people “habla ingles”) , selling artisinal crafts or bottled water for the gringos, or dressing up for pictures. I love babies off all sorts so of course, I had to snap a pic with these cholitas and their baby alpaca. 🙂

Alright folks, that’s all for now! In my next post, I’ll chat more about the Sacred Valley and Cuzco. Stay tuned!