I say high altitude because Cusco is situated at 11,000ft (3360m) above sea level, where the oxygen level is 25% less than typical. Teresa and I had both read about the potential effects of altitude sickness during our research, but we had both dismissed the potential impacts because we assumed we were both pretty fit and had both enjoyed many seasons of snow skiing over the years.
We were absolutely wrong (you know what happens when you assume something!)... as it turned out within hours of arriving in Cusco we had both experienced shortness of breath walking up only a few flights of stairs, and developed the classic altitude headaches (very much like a hangover headache without the fun of drinking).
All the travel books suggested to take it easy for the next couple of days and drink lots of water while our bodies acclimatized, so this time we decided to heed their advice.
After we settled in to our hotel, Teresa and I were delighted to discover that our first evening in Cusco was going to be the evening the entire town turned out to celebrate the beginning of the Easter season, and after the celebration, there was little doubt left in our minds just how religiously devoted the contemporary Peruvian culture is.
We wasted no time finding a little pub right off the town's main square and enjoyed a couple of cold beers while we watch the area directly under our little terrace seats fill with 10,000-20,000 people. Once darkness filled the air an amazing procession of religious groups shuffled through the crowds of devotees... it was a wonderful spectacle.
With our appetites well and truly wet, Teresa and I are looking forward to our on-going adventures in the Andes... once our bodies acclimatized of course.
Location:Cusco, Peru
Lightheaded I guess. I experienced some altitude sickness in the Colorado Rockies many years ago. My sympathies. How was Machu Pichu. I was surprised that you came back down the same day!?! more altotude difficulties?
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