Cusco: Corpus Christi

This time we had a 13 hour bus ride!  Thanks to some on-the-road repair work we made it but between the thrown-off-your-seat gravel roads and 2 hrs of mechanical work everyone was so glad to get off of the bus at 9am.

We returned to our previous hotel, showered and then Kris and I headed to the Artisanal Market to finish off souvenir shopping.  Next up was delicious empanadas and ice cream at a wi-fi café.

As we neared the Plaza the crowds got crazier and crazier and we switched our backpacks to be in front of us.  Braving the swarms we held onto each other and pushed forward to see the parades.  Each church held a parade with different saints which they marched with music, floats and banners into the main church where they will stay for a week.

We then went to explore the food stands located in a neighboring plaza.  Stacks of roasted cuy (guinea pig), chickens and a corn-bread looking starch filled each stand and it was intriguing to see that there was absolutely no variation in the foods being offered.  Families sat at the tables and chowed down as they shared large bottles of Peruvian beer.

Todays craziness was just an appetizer to the madness that tomorrow’s Inti Raymi celebration I’m sure!