Pisco Helps Soroche

For the last 3 days I've been getting acquainted with Cusco, Peru. The culture is fairly different from that in Ecuador. I love Ecuador, and I plan on returning there someday in the near future. But the new culture is refreshing. What's even more refreshing is that I'm living in the cradle of Incan civilization. there are still walls in the city center that were built before the arrival of Franciso Pizarro. You can tell Incan stonework apart by the fact that they didn't use mortar. Every individual stone is cut to fit the wall. Additionally, archeological discoveries didn't end one hundred years ago. Marla, our new instructor, told us that a temple was found beneath the foundations of an office building less than ten years ago. For any history nut, this is the place to be.

Before leaving Quito, we had to get one last look at the city we dearly love. So we took the teleferico, a cable car that climbs the volcano Pichincha to an overall height of 4100 meters. On the way up we met several colombians, a Canadian and a missionary from Arkansas, living in Lima. It took roughly ten minutes to reach the top. The view and the altitude were breathtaking. Walking a path following the crest of the hills, we were literally walking in the heavens. Lenay decided to take full advantage of this.

Getting to Cusco was a little rough. By the time Lenay and I left Quito, our entire host family was battling a bug. Struggling with a cold, coupled with the pollution of a capital city such as Quito, made things a little complicated on the plane. Let's just say that I'm only now getting my hearing back. Getting oneself accustomed to the altitude (3400 meters-or 11000 feet) takes some time. Soroche, or altitude sickness is what we've been coping wiht. This means less running, less drinking (dreadful) and less eating. Because gravity's hold is weaker here, digestion takes longer, and late meals should generally be avoided. Fortunately, Cusceños tell me that a Pisco Sour takes care of that problem nicely.

In Peru, their national currency is the Nuevo Sol. Actually having to exchange our money and judge the rates has been taking a little time to adjust to. Now, one dollar equals 2.86 soles, so I'm paying seven smacks for dinner again. And Mom and Dad, I want you two to know I'm developing a healthy addiction to to Coca! No, not cocaine, but it is the plant! Lacking the chemicals, coca leaves have been used here since before the time of the Incas. Peruvians usually put it in their tea, for energy. It's no different from coffee, but mate de coca does help sorroche!

Lenay and I met our new host family Sunday. Patricia, our host mom is a lawyer, her brother, Juan Antonio owns his own bakery and is a professor of Chinese cuisine. He told me a story about how all his friends beg him to make a ginger and garlic soup. Both being strong aphrodesiacs, it's become a cult favorite among that circle. I'm at an internet cafe with Renato, one of Patricia's sons. He's 19 years old, and attends the university in Lima. We've been pressuring Lenay to watch The Ring all day (unfairly). I opted not to go to the black market with her today....next time.