Raqchi and Cusco

Friday was meant to be a drive day to the remote village of Raqchi, arriving for dinner and activities in the evening, and then a guided tour of the ruins the next day. We instead decided to arrive early and do the ruins on the Friday so we could leave Raqchi early and get to Cusco for Saturday lunchtime. This meant we had a 5am start to get to Raqchi for lunchtime. With limited stops we drove primarily on off road mountain roads, with the occasional bush wee, arriving at Raqchi for a late lunch. 

Raqchi is a small village situated 100kms southeast of Cuzco, famous as being the site of the only surviving temple of the ancient Inca creator
deity Wiracocha. It is a special opportunity for me as being a dragoman sponsored community we got the opportunity to have a local homestay. We stayed here as guests of the local families in their traditional houses. When arriving we were split into groups of 4, so I with the only 4 surviving single guys on the truck and we were giving mothers and father's to look after us while staying. When arriving at our house which had a small courtyard and basic facilities, and our parents gave us lunch which was a 4 course meal! A bean course, soup, alpaca, and fruits! It was very generous portions.

After lunch we met at the village square at 3 where we looked round the market selling local handicrafts, before setting off for a tour of the nearby ruins, the Temple of Wiracocha. These inca ruins included the temple itself and various aquaduct and storage systems which we learnt in detail about. After the tour some of us went up the nearby hill to this viewpoint where we watched the sunset and got lots of funny pictures! We then met back by the square and has a few drinks before heading home to our houses for dinner. Dinner in the evening was another soup, followed by spaghetti, and then this fruit thing.

After dinner we had the opportunity to have a Quechua religious ceremony. What I didn't realise was this ceremony was taking place in my house, and everyone else from all over the village decended to our courtyard! After settling down we all collected some coco leaves and gave our respects to the pachamama, and after everyone had paid their respects we celebrated by hugging everyone. We then had a fire with live music from the locals and danced with local villagers. After a while the ceremony ended, although a few of us headed to the village square to continue the party! It was quite a late night.

Come morning we were told breakfast was at 7. What instead happened was some booming loudspeaker saying stuff at 5am, with music played every so often for like half hour, so I didn't get much sleep. Breakfast was in fact at 7, but apparently this is what the villagers have every morning to wake up. Breakfast was potatoes, eggs, corn cakes, fruits and cereal. Prior to breakfast as I was up so early I went for a walk round the village, and everyone wanted pictures with me!

After breakfast we had a pottery making demonstration which was very interesting. The villagers then brought out loads of stuff they made to try and sell it to us. I bought a bracelet to add to the collection. We then got on the truck ready for the short drive to Cusco, the former Inca capital. En route we stopped at the old gateway to Cusco used by Incas, and also this viewpoint at the top of the hill which had like a small version of Christ the redeemer at the top. It was a nice view of the city. We then checked into our hotel arriving by lunchtime.

I did lunch on my own after checking in because I really wanted a full English breakfast and the nearby irish which claims to be the highest Irish owned irush pub in the world sold them. It was a really good meal with a very western atmosphere. I then headed back to the hotel where I spent the afternoon relaxing before meeting everyone for dinner in the evening. For dinner we headed out to this gothic place where I had the chicken. It was quite disappointing though. We then went to this English bar which was very English with pool tables and dart boards, and a good range of ale. They even had the Saints Palace full replay on. We then went to a local club and it was a great night! 

In the morning I felt horrendous so after breakfast spent the morning relaxing, before heading out into Cusco at lunchtime. For lunch I went to this soup restaurant which was very filling. I then did a bit of shopping just get a couple of things for the trek. It's forecast to rain during the trek which isn't great. After shopping I went back to the hotel and relaxed, before having a meeting about the trek in the evening. For dinner I went to this burger restaurant people were raving about and it was really good, massive portions. We then just headed back to the hotel for an early night.