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Cusco, the "Old" (Incan) Capital   1 | 2 

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Note: For more information about these pictures, read about our Cusco city tour.

Mate de Coca — The most important beverage staple in Peru: coca tea. Coca leaves — not to be confused with cocoa — act as a stimulant (yes, it's where cocaine comes from) that increases your metabolism, and allows your body to more efficiently process the reduced amount of oxygen present in the air at high altitudes. Hotels frequently give it out to arriving guests to help them acclimatize and, the truth is, it works quite well.
Plaza de Armas — The Plaza de Armas on a calm morning. In the background, behind the haze, a giant "VIVE EL PERU" is etched into the hillside. Better it didn't come out.
Wooden Balconies — Some of the elaborate Spanish architecture remains in Cusco, as noted in the fancy balconies that adorned the upper levels of the residences.
Fine Incan Stonework — To one side of Callejón Loreto are the walls of the Acllahuasi, or House of the Chosen Women, with its perfectly flat and bevelled stones, fit together without any kind of mortar — all the things for which Incan architecture is famous. On the other side, this ancient Wheel of Fortune board, as Erin illustrates Vanna-style, which few people realize the Incans invented. (The used letter board came later, however.)
"Famous" Stone of 12 Angles — The stone of 12 angles...or so we think. Our guidebook told us about this "famous" landmark, but failed to say anything about it. For being famous, it was also surprisingly unnoticable: we only found it after counting the number of sides on every stone we passed on this street.
Cuesta San Blas — The narrow, stairway-lined street of Cuesta San Blas, leading up to the cathedral of the same name.
San Blas Plazito — The tiny plaza of San Blas located next to the cathedral. Its cozy water fountain seems oddly out of place amidst all the Incan and Spanish construction.
Cuesta San Blas — Looking down the ankle-wrenching San Blas street toward the rest of Cusco, framed between the tall buildings.