Three Cozy Weeks in Cusco

When we arrived in Cusco, we didn't know we'd fall in love with the town and end up staying three wonderful yoga and friend filled weeks. Nestled in the Andies mountains, which are very green right now, the town has enough charm, Incan ruins, and food to keep us occupied for months. Although it is very tempting to stay longer, starting tomorrow our travels will continue on to Machu Picchu for a few days and then on to Bolivia.

Top Ten Reasons We Love Cusco and Wish We Could Stay (in no particular order) :

10. Fruit Salad - we've started each morning with a massive bowl of fruit with yogurt, local granola, and maca. Que Rico!!!
9. Coca Leaf Tea - although illegal in the US, the leaf from the coca plant steeped in hot water makes a delicious tea that provides a nice pick me up, but not the let down of coffee. This is also ecommended by the US embassy to prevent altitude sickness.
8. The Yoga House - before we arrived in Cusco, we made contact with a yoga teacher, Priyanath. He recommended we stay at a non advertised hostel he currently oversees. Complete with yogis from all over the world, a spacious room for practicing yoga, beautiful yard, kitchen and hot showers, we've enjoyed calling this spot at 516 Pumacurco home.

7. The Scenery - It seems no matter where you turn in this town, there is a beautiful vista, a winding cobblestone street, or blooming flowers to gaze at.

6. The Markets - We've particularly enjoyed eating at Govinda's lunch counter in the San Blas market. For three soles (about nintey cents), a happy cheerful vegetarian Hare Krishna serves a three course meal. The larger and more hectic San Pedro market supplied us with plenty of fresh cheese, veggies and jugos throughout our stay.
5. Yoga Inbound - Our yoga teachers Chaitanya and Priyanath, and their families welcomed us to Cusco in every way. We took eight classes a week at the Cultural Center where they teach, and ended up teaching a few towards the end of our stay. Both our teachers also took us on day trips to their land, had us for lunch, and even read our Vedic astrological charts. Our practice is stronger than ever now, and we look forward to returning for a visit with other yogis. Chaitanya has started building a yoga retreat center on some beautiful land an hour from Cusco. We are tempted to stay and work to build the center!

4. Yoga Picnics - We ventured out on several picnics in the Sacred Valley to eat and practice yoga with our friends. The surrounding towns, and bus rides to get to them, are quaint and beautiful. Josh is pictured here in a crazy new favorite yoga pose!

3. Friends - We've met so many lovely people here in Cusco! We've spun fire poi in the yard, played a concert with violin and accordian at a local cafe, hiked ruins and made many bakery runs with our house mates and their freinds. Fun!

2. Cake - For some reason, perhaps it's being 11,000 feet up, we've craved carbohydrates on this leg of our journey. The tortas here are simply amazing, as are the breads and mini mango pies. A habit that would eventually begin to show, we've endulged in local baked goodies each day.
1. Day trips - The Sacred Valley has been fun to explore by bus and foot. The Temple of the Moon and Temple of the Monkey are two of our favorites. We went up to do yoga one day, the practice was easy after a strenuous forty five minute hike uphill!