Today we meet up with the Photography Excursion group at 1:00 so we have the morning free. We have been wanting to check out a couple of things we saw on our way into town so we head out walking. (By the way, we walked 12,994 steps today! Thanks for the FitBit, Kris.)
We head out of the old historic downtown, toward the newer section of the town. As we head down Tulumayo Avenue there are a number of signs and monuments that pay tribute to the history of the area as well as the more modern developments.
This modern monument is titled Ilustre Colegio de Abogades del Cusco. Erected in 1992 as the entry to the College. It is interesting and unique because of the beautiful colorful design on one side and the fountain on the other. It is also topped by the symbol of the Incan era.
As we head further we pass through a covered walkway heading toward the Monumento Pachacuteq.
Pachacuteq was the most important leader of the Incans. He came to power at the age of 22, under his leadership the Incan empire stretched from Chile and Peru to Ecuador and Columbia. They developed a complex society and magnificent structures that seem impossible without the aid of modern tools and technology. He ruled for 103 years and died at the age of 125. As you ascend the tower of the monument the history of the Incas is chronicled. Though they had a powerful and lasting impact on Peru and are still very much apart of the culture and fabric of Peru, the Incan era was relatively very short. Peru is the second oldest civilization in the world, with continuous occupation since 4500 BC, older than the pyramids. The Incas represent less than 200 years of this, from 1400 AD to mid 1500, when the Spanish arrived.
The streets of Cusco from atop the Monumento.
As we head back toward our hotel we pass one of the main cathedrals and squares where the local Incan people in their traditional costumes look to have their photos taken for a few coins. Often they have baby lambs or goats or llamas.
It is colorful culture with very strong roots in their historic past. About 90% of the people in Peru are of mixed race and very proud of their Incan ancestry.
After a brief orientation with our group, we head to our first activity, a visit to Choco Museo where we will learn how to make chocolates and truffles. Our instructor, Gladys, leads us through the process.
First we crush and prepare the coatings for the truffles.
The moulds are coated with the chocolate to prepare shells for the ganache we have prepared.
Our finished truffles.
We finish by packaging our gourmet chocolates to take with us for gifts, if they make it back home. It was a fun way to start our excursion.
Tomorrow our action packed agenda begins..... Come With Me.....
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