Days 75-80: December 15th-20th

Cuzco, Peru

Stayed at: The Healing House

Dear Obiwan,

Obi, I have now been in Cuzco for 6 days! I also changed my flight one last time…instead of going to Lima on Tuesday for two days, I will be just going STRAIGHT to Patagonia on Thursday…well not straight, it’s about 20 hours of transit, but still, changed my plans again, I love it here!

In summary, my last 5 days in Cuzco were full of Spanish lessons, relaxing, and new friends. I also got to see Margaux one last time by surprise and we ate at this beautiful restaurant!

Finally after about 6 days I was feeling better! On Saturday I was about to explore and while on mission to find some comfy cheap and warm pants I met Juan, a really nice guy from Venezuala who worked at a big store in one of the squares in Cuzco.

Obi, I walked into the store and “Ocean Avenue,” by Yellowcard was playing! You understand this is my #1 guilty pleasure band…that I usually like to tell no one! Well, after bonding over Yellowcard, we chatted for a while and before I left he invited me out tonight to meet up with him and his friends.

Above is in the store, it has a million souvenirs and trinkets, including these GUINEA PIGS or ‘cuy’ in Spanish, which was an odd choice since there are dead full-body guinea pigs all around Peru to eat! (I did NOT try this Obi, don’t worry!)

A few hours later I was out in Cuzco, for the first time since I have been here! We started in the famous square, Plaza de Armas, and then headed outside of the tourist area! (Or as some call it, “Gringoland”…Obi gringo means…as the DICTIONARY states:
“(in Spanish-speaking countries and contexts, chiefly in the Americas) a person, especially an American, who is not Hispanic or Latino.”

Anywho, so after a 15 minute cab ride to where the LOCALS hang out, we were there. We went the bar where his friend who he traveled from Venezuala to Peru with works. She was incredibly friendly and warm.

The bar was amazing Obi. It was small and cozy. Outfront they were serving hot dogs and hamburgers and inside to keep warm each table had it’s own little fire! It was a bunch of coals in a stone square pit. We decided to get a drink unique to here, “te piteado.” It is hot tea with rum and other fresh and yummy flavors. It was served in a huge jar which was perfect because I was freezing.

There was a group of Venezualeans there and everyone was so welcoming and friendly. The music playing was salsa, bachata, and local music unique to each country. One of the bar owners was drinking with us and showed us how to dance a dance unique to this area of Peru, look at the video!

Also the women from Venezuala helped me improve my salsa and bachata skills and we all danced for hours. After this we headed to a club. I was 100% the ONLY GRINGA there. It was so much fun! However, I don’t know how people party this late. It was still RAGING at 4am when I threw my towel in and went to bed Obi! They told me the next day they were there till 7am!

I also have been TRYING SO MUCH NEW FOOD OBIWAN. I think only you and a few others understand how incredible that is and… incredibly terrifying it is. But look, this was a small shop in Cuzco serving these MASSIVE sandwiches and they were so delicious! I can’t remember what was on it…ham or beef or both?, cheese, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and tons of other mystery foods that Carly 3 years ago would never dare to try!

And then finally Obiwan, after 10 unexpected days in Cuzco full of learning Spanish, yoga, massages, healing, enlightening conversations, and amazing new friends, I left! I now am on my way to PATAGONIA and I have 3 flights and layovers…totaling in 20 hours Obiwan.

So, here I go, down to the end of the world!!!

Love you lamb,
tú Madre,
Carly