Health & History

ahhh...sweet sweet life...
how i missed thee.

after three days beneath the sheets wanting to die, i finally relented and got a doctor house call. a $3o well spent in my book. plus, i got to embarrass myself by laying down on the living room couch (gaudily floral) and have the doc push and prod my belly as my host family gawked and made jokes about my sudden change in appetite. (apparently, finishing all the food on my plate--as to not be rude--translates into fat american!) now, with antibiotics, anti-parasites, peptobismol, and a whole lotta gatorade swimming around inside me, things are looking up!

Simone talked me into going on a Cusco touristy tour with her yesterday. and i figured since i haven't done much historical exploring since i've arrived, i better jump on the bandwagon! or... cushy chartered bus in this case. after strolling around a spanish-overhauled-ancient-incan -worship-temple-turned-cathedral in the middle of town (a bit overrated since i had already seen most of it), we climbed (okay, the bus climbed) up to my first incan ruin site!!!! "Sexy Woman." okay okay... "Saqsaywaman." practically the same. it was SO SWEET. and the sky (i know i talk about the sky a lot... but i think it is one of the most definitive features of Cusco) was just incredible. sharp and clear with colossal dark pouring clouds off in the distance. unfortunately, the photos really cannot do it justice. you'll all just have to visit yourself. ;)

wanna hear some lil factorials about sexxxywooooman?? sure ya do! well, it was built in about 77 years, completed in 1508. now keep in mind that the inca peeps hauled these INSANELY large stones (mostly limestone) gazillions (can't remember the exact number) of miles uphill with slats of wood and rope. totally totally mindblowing. i mean... check out me with the largest one there! over 70 tons!!!!! the stones take on a jaggedy, zigzag pattern, which looks super cool. there are two explanations: they represent lightning bolts, or they represent the teeth of a puma. take yo' pick! i personally favor the lightning, but maybe i was influenced by the ominous beauty of the approaching storm. the sad part about saqsaywaman is that from 1537-1561, the spaniards took pieces from the site to build cathedrals and homes. regardless of the destruction, this place is truly remarkable. and easily hiked-up-to and snuck-in-to for an impressive afternoon picnic date. ;)

the other three sites were smaller but still neat. Q'enqo (you gotta pronounce that name with a tongue click like an african language!) a.k.a. "labyrinth" is where they mummified high class peeps and took part in important death-y ceremonies. Pura Pukara was a military fortress, food warehouse, administrative center, and access point for travelers coming in and out of Cusco. Tambomachay, "the baths of the princess," has two aqueducts that spill forth water all year round.... yet no one is sure where the water's point of origin is! weird much??? i think so. i sprinkled a little on my face to keep me young forever, but did NOT let it get near my mouth. relapse?! noooooo thanks!!!!!

all in all, great day! but a little much for weakling, recovering kels. so sunday i've spent gchatting and browsing flights to argentina in a lovely cafe overlooking the plaza. now i'm gonna ask Flor about dinner... cuz it looks like my American appetite is back!