Cusco Return, Gifts, and Early Flight

Morning: Breakfast & Goodbyes at Monesanco

On the morning of October 25th, I had a last breakfast with the group at Munay Sonqo. We took a group photo and we got to take individual photos with Maestro Hamilton. And somebody started a WhatsApp group and we all joined. And then it was time to leave. The Blue Morpho group, the people heading back to, Iquitos had like 2 sprinter vans. And I had arranged a private taxi back to Cuzco and some other people also had taxis. The staff at Munay Sonqo brought our bags down and I was a little bit behind the big group because I was just giving them space. Luckily, it took them a while to kind of finish checking out and leave. Because when my taxi arrived and I went to greet him, I couldn’t find my suitcase and I was like, oh, where is my suitcase? And it had gotten loaded into the sprinter vans. Maestro Hamilton was like translating to the drivers of the vans to look for my turquoise suitcase with the red bow. Luckily, we found it, but that would have been a little bit complicated if my suitcase had gone with them, and they were also heading back to Cuzco, but that would have meant that I would have had to meet up with them. So I’m glad I got my bag.

The Drive: Valley, Mountains, and into Cusco

The drive from the retreat center back to Cuzco was so beautiful. We were driving for a long time through the valley, and then we started to climb up the mountains and then kind of go up and over the top, into Cuzco, and then come back down, and it was just so gorgeous. Really beautiful drive. Surprising, there were constant small towns and villages the whole way, and a lot of farming, and then some bigger towns.

Arrival: Back Ways, Cobblestones, and Check-In Delay

When we got to Cusco, my driver knew the back way to the place that I was staying, and he was able to help me with my bag. And it was again down a cobblestone road where cars couldn’t go. Luckily not too far. And once I got in, there were some stairs, then this little entryway where I had to like lift my bag up and over. The place I was staying was still being cleaned. I was able to drop my bag off, but then I had to like head out for another like 2 to 3 hours. They said they would let me know when it was done being cleaned. The 2nd place I stayed in Cuzco was just like half a block from the 1st place. I stayed, so I kind of knew where I was.

Afternoon: Plaza de Armas & Lunch

And I went back to the Plaza de Armas, and I was going to go back to Ofrenda and have lunch, but they were closed. They’re only open for dinner. So I ended up eating at this place called the Inca Grill, which was right on the square, and it was good. It was it was totally fine.

Shopping: Overwhelm, Textiles, and Choosing Carefully

I thought that I would get some gifts and buy some things, but it was so overwhelming to me. All the little stores and all the street vendors and trying to negotiate pricing and things were pretty pricey. I eventually decided to go to a museum-like cultural center that features weavings made by traditional women. It’s a nonprofit, and I felt confident everything was authentic. Prices were high—worth it, but still a lot for me—so I bought two textiles. I’d hoped to find more gifts, but many things didn’t feel special, and the items that did were expensive. I didn’t get many gifts, though I felt good about what I chose.

Evening: Narrow Stairs, Rain, and Rest

I headed back to my place, got in, and took a shower. The stairs were extremely narrow, and I couldn’t carry my bag up, so I opened my suitcase in the living room and brought what I needed upstairs. I was pretty tired, so I watched some TV on my laptop and rested. It rained a little in the afternoon.

Dinner Mix-Up & Early Wake-Up

Later I went out for dinner and to get cash and water. I’d researched a nearby spot, but when I arrived a man standing in a small courtyard seated me, and I realized it wasn’t the restaurant I’d planned on—there were two places in the courtyard. It wasn’t the best meal of the trip, but he was very kind. They had heat lamps and blankets, and it was cozy. I ordered too much food, took it to go, and left it in the fridge because I went to bed early. My taxi was picking me up at 4 AM so I could get to the airport early for my international flight.

---

Travel Details

Arin to Cusco

Leave Munay Sonqo – 9:00am

Taxi to Cusco – 1:20 min.

AirBnb #2 in Cusco

Ahuacpinta 149 Cusco, Cuzco 08000 – Calle Ahuacpinta 149 (also written as Awaqpinta)

Here is a youtube video to show you how to arrive https://youtu.be/uFg2l2V_zl8

Address: Calle Ahuacpinta 149 (also written as Awaqpinta). This is a walkway only. We are just behind the temple of the sun called QORICANCHA or Santo Domingo church. ARRIVING WITH A TAXI: Tell the taxi driver to go in direction to Qoricancha also known as “Iglesia de Santo Domingo”. If they leave you near the entrance of the church, you are only 3 meters away from our street corner. Ahuacpinta is the small walkway on the right side. It shows an amazing Inka wall that belongs to the ancient Qoricancha temple. Walk down the street 20 meters and you will see on your left two wooden doors, one is an arched door topped with beautiful green vegetation (the photo is shown in the views of the house in the system). Look for number 149 There is a bell on the right upper side of the door. Some taxi drivers try to reach Ahuacpinta Street by the opposite road called “Inticahuarina”. If they do so, it is okay, but you have to follow the directions the other side around (walk up the street and look for number 149 on your right) Here is the google locator for our home https://goo.gl/maps/bNnCoDGXuT42

PRE-ARRANGED TRANSPORTATION: Ronald from the Travel Agency can reserve a safe transfer for you. Please, do not wait last minute to organize your transfer in or out and most specially consider Saturday and Sunday are holidays in Peru. It is highly recommended to book any service in advance.