Skip to main content

Cuzco, Peru - photo blog

Cuzco was once the seat of the Inca Empire.  Spain sent explorers in the early 16th century and one Mr. Pizzaro was the first to arrive and be smitten.  By the geography, by the gold (that the Inca paraded much like a desi bahu on wedding day) and decided to beat the crap out of the Incas and take it all.

That was the basic plot.  What is left today is colonial architecture in the form of large cathedrals, fountains, cobbled streets, plazas, along with a bunch of Inca themed statues, some native Inca descendant population that is relegated to hawking goods and souvenirs, and a host of tourists invading this quiet mountain top village of around 250,000 people.

Here then are some of these sights ...


Ban Darwaja Khol De (Open the closed door) - Doorway to a local church, Cuzco, Peru, April 2015

Pride in ownership - local dwelling with blue balconies, Cuzco, Lima

Inside Courtyard - common to many dwellings in Cuzco

Gali ke kutte (Street mutts)

Near Plaza de Armas (main square) in Cuzco

Street Vendor - multitasking (vending and baby standing - not sitting)

A huddle -  picture with a local (including the baby llama) for a Sole (35 cents US)

More vendors - warm wear for your head

The Cuzcoeans love their VW (power to the people)

Impressive bell tower of Cuzco Cathedral in Plaza de Armas

Llama and its owners - taking a break - after a photo shoot with gringos (and desi like me)

Calle means street and Hatunrumiyoc or Big Stone (in quechua - local language) is the name for the street with the 12 angle stone (Incas known for using complex stone pieces to assemble buildings without computers and CAD)

Corner of the street containing the 12 angle stone - notice no mortar or dry wall then

Snack time - local bakery near Plaza de Armas

I'm working on my six pack dude - local Ninos (or boys) - street in Cuzco

Intricate woodwork - enclosed balcony

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

On the go(zay masta) in Japan again

Cool cat the Japanese are Tokyo at dusk  My second visit to this land of the rising sun after almost a decade. Back then clearly I was wet behind the ears product manager and likely didn’t pay attention to all (efficient) things Japanese. But today I did and of course continue to be impressed. It is as much the obvious stuff like on time travel that is both clean and comfortable and all that which makes it possible. The impressive landmark and landscapes that these humans have put together despite their cramped (or because of it) surroundings and precarious geological conditions could amaze a novice architect among us. But it’s also the little things that someone had to think about which have a phenomenal impact on day to day lives that make the Japanese stand apart. Below are few random examples- 1. Providing a very fine machined wooden toothpick in every packet of wooden chopsticks. The said chapsticks are simply set on the To Go counter of any food vendor/ convenience store wher...

Presumptive Society

Today's world is hyper connected.  I am not so sure what it means but you hear it a lot.  It is probably hyper but not sure how connected it is.  Sugar (fermented or not) is available in many ways than before and so getting hyper is easy.  It is probably more a threat than cocaine since it is sold legally. And what is this connected stuff?  Most people I encounter seem disconnected from reality.  So going back to this assumption that we are connected there are subtle and no so subtle instances of how brands and companies and middle men try to portray someone - A linkedin profile for somebody working for X years at a place advertises to the connected network that so and so is CELEBRATING X years @ Such and Such Inc. Do we know if (s)he is celebrating or cringing?  Perhaps a better way to portray will be - So and So LASTED X years @ such & such inc. Then it exhorts the readership to go ahead and congratulate them for this lasting effe...

The Central State aka MP

Narmada river and site of Omkareshwar Indore Rajwada or palace of the Lady Holkar   Somewhat geographically centered in India is the hot landscape of MADHYA PRADESH. A region I had a faint memory of visiting as a young lad eons ago. Now in my (along with my best half) quest to get to know lands far and wide I got an opportunity to visit Indore city and surrounding areas in MP. It begins with an evening visit to a bustling old market selling native snacks both savory and sweet. It is the realm of jewelers who run night time street side restaurants once they close their primary operations at dusk. Think of it as desi style block party that I am told goes into wee hours of the morning. My impression was it is worth one visit.  The humid and hot ambience along with crush of humanity doesn’t make for a pleasant dining experience but the sheer variety of foods sort of makes up for it. From piping hot coconut filled fritters to oodles of milk based sweet confections, I gorged on item...