On the road to Cuzco

I was eager to get to the mountains and away from the Coast, and I have not been disappointed. The Andes are spectacular. On the drive from Chalhuanca to Curahuasi we practically drove through clouds, we were so high. And at one point the driver popped in a CD and out came a Spanish version of "Just Another Day" by Jon Secada. Does anyone remember that song? I used to request it on the radio when I was 10. It was absolute bliss.

Curahuasi itself was lovely too. I went to a little restaurant and was instantly accosted by a little boy who wanted me to read through his book of English for Children with him. After dinner we listened to the accompanying CD of English children's songs, as sung by someone who didn't actually know how to pronounce the lyrics. So there I was, singing Jingle Bells and Old McDonald with this little boy, who also didn't know any of the words but had memorized the sounds. It was one of those moments that you get when you're traveling that make you so happy you're there.

The next day I went on a hike up to a lookout (I can hike!) and aside from nearly being attacked by a farmer's dog and then being chased by a terrifyingly huge bee-like insect for 15 minutes it was totally awesome. From the lookout I felt like I was in Lord of the Rings - you know, the scene where they're escaping down the river and they see the huge sculptures of kings on the way....yeah. It was the majesty of the mountains that made me think of that. Here are some photos to give you an idea, plus a couple of the last mountain town, Chalhuanca, at the bottom: