Robbery, Salt Flats, and Tradition

Saturday was our day trip with our host mom,  Rossana. Our initial plans were to visit the ruins at Pisac, but after some discussion the night before we decided instead to visit Moray and Salineras. After a late breakfast we took a taxi to catch our minibus (thankfully, the intense seat-filling lady was not on this one! ) We took another amazing trip through the countryside, this time being treated to some incredible views of snow-capped peaks in the distance.

Arriving just outside the village of Maras, we caught a cab to take us to the ruins at Moray. However,  we ended up being quite disappointed as it appeared you could no longer buy entrance just to Moray, previously 15 soles, but had now to purchase a tourist ticket for 70 soles (about $25) that included entry to four other sites, which we would not have time to visit. Apparently, the change had just happened a month before, unbeknownst to both Rossana and our taxi driver.   Downside, no Moray. Upside, we did get to see Rossana turn it up to 10 on the staff complaining about robbery and treating tourists well. So that was fun.

So onward to Salineras! This place was fascinating. Community members dig shallow pits which form salt flats as the water evaporates. There were easily hundreds of them and we got to see many members at work. They also had many flavored and medicinal salt blends to sell.

Heading back toward Cusco,  we stopped by La Cusqueñita,  a traditional restaurant in the style of a Pikanteria. According to Rossana, Pikanterias were once common eateries run out of colonial homes. Food was cooked on wood - fire open stoves while the cuys ran around at your feet. We still didn't try cuy (have you looked it up?), but we were treated to some traditional dances.  We ordered typical dishes and different varieties of chicha, the typical drink of the area.  Some were made of quinoa,  most of corn, and two varieties were slightly fermented, tasting a little like kombucha.

After our very filling lunch we needed to burn off some calories,  so we headed down the street to a statue of Pachacuteq, one of the great Incan ruler. We were treated to a mini - museum recounting the history of his rule and then great views from the top of the tower.

We walked back home, and reality set in as we began to pack up our things to prepare for our trip home on Sunday. Amilcar, the physical therapist from the school stopped by for one last goodbye, and two special requests from the states... some Kinesiotape, and equally as important, some Jelly Bellies. We were more than happy to oblige :)

Then it was time to turn in for the night and get some rest before our marathon trip back to Seattle. 

Signing off,
Jessica