Before BackpackMr and I hiked the Inca Trail, we spent some time in the city of Cusco, Peru, as we allowed our bodies to acclimatize to the elevation. I recently came across these photos I took while there, and realized I had not shared any of them.
Cusco is a truly stunning city, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I hope you’ll take some time today to walk the streets of Cusco with me.
A festival, with food and music, in Cusco. Photo by Charish Badzinski.I happened upon this festival by chance. It was in an enclosed courtyard. A local held the door open and welcomed me in. Photo by Charish Badzinski.The winding cobblestone streets of Cusco are a great place to get used to the altitude before the hike to Machu Picchu. One woman, huffing and puffing up the hills said to me with amazement, “I go to spin class!” Photo by Charish Badzinski.Locals in traditional dress take photos with visitors in exchange for tips. Photo by BackpackMr, Joel Badzinski.A busker plays for spare change on the streets of Cusco. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Doorways and archways in Cusco. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Store owners hang wares outside. You can commonly find sweaters, ponchos and local art. Photo by Charish Badzinski.A local shop in Cusco. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Closeup of a rooftop in Cusco. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.The rooftops of Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Cuy is a popular tourist food choice. To this day I regret ordering it, partly because this poor thing didn’t have to die for us to survive, and partly because it wasn’t very tasty.Closeup of the cuy, or guinea pig. Photo by Charish Badzinski. The main square in Cusco, Peru. Beautiful. We took a tour bus to see the area. Photo by Charish Badzinski.At the Pisco Museum in Cusco. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Exotic meats at the Pisco Museum in Cusco. Photo by Charish Badzinski. Pisco sour at the Pisco Museum in Cusco. Pisco Sour, made at the Pisco Museum in Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.BackpackMr takes an impromptu course in making a proper pisco sour, at the Pisco Museum in Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Vendors sell fresh fruits and veggies on the sidewalks of Cusco. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Courtyard of the Museo Casa Concha in Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.A shop owner in Cusco. Photo by Charish Badzinski.A shop owner and the instruments he has made, in Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Balcony in Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.The free walking tour of Cusco features tasting of a tiny pisco sour at the end. It’s interesting, and you can thank your guide by tipping them at the end of the tour. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Ancient stonework in Cusco includes this snake. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Door in Cusco, Peru. The hilly streets of Cusco will test your mettle. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Fresh fruit for sale on the rainy streets of Cusco, Photo by Charish Badzinski.Fresh eggs for sale in Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.Fresh meat for sale in Cusco, Peru. Photo by Charish Badzinski.
Thanks for joining me on this stroll through Cusco. As a thank you, I’m including this recipe for a classic pisco sour.
Pisco Sour
Ice, to fill shaker
3 oz. Pisco
1 oz. Simple Syrup
1 oz. Key Lime Juice
1 oz. Raw Egg White
2-3 Drops of Bitters
Place all ingredients except the bitters into a shaker and shake vigorously for several minutes, until the drink is foamy. Your arms will get tired and your hands will likely get cold! Strain the drink into a glass, no ice, and top with drops of bitters.
BackpackMr and I both agree…two pisco sours is good…three is bad.
Charish Badzinski is an explorer and award-winning travel and food writer. When she isn’t working to build her blog: Rollerbag Goddess Rolls the World, she applies her worldview to her small business, providing strategic communications, media relations and writing support to her clients.
Charish Badzinski is an explorer and award-winning travel and food writer. When she isn’t working to build her blog: Rollerbag Goddess Rolls the World, she applies her worldview to her small business, providing strategic communications, media relations and writing support to her clients.
Rollerbag Goddess Global Communications 