We slept well and woke to the rustic scent of eucalyptus wood fires burning throughout Cusco. It is very sweet and pleasant and welcoming, not unlike the mesquite we burn in Arizona.

After breakfast we walked to nearby Plaza de Armas, where we discovered that we were in for a treat. Today is the twelfth anniversary of a Cusco market that the natives love, so there is a parade around the square. For the next three hours we were treated to local groups in colorful native costumes dancing in the streets – a photographer’s dream. We took a break to savor delicious quinoa soup at one of the second-floor restaurants surrounding the Square and sat at one of the outdoor wooden colonial balconies and were able to continue to view and photograph the festivities.

As the celebration wound down, we jumped on an open-air double-decker Cusco tour bus with several young Israeli boys and girls fresh from their army service. It is traditional for young Israelis to travel after IDF service, and they love South America.

The tour was wonderful and worth the 20 soles per person. The day is sunny, cool and breezy and the view of Cusco from above the city was spectacular.

The tour bus dropped us off back at bustling Plaza de Armas, and we walked several blocks east, snapping photos of colorfully-dressed women and young children with llamas. We had to buy tickets at the Ministerio de Cultura for our upcoming excursion to Machu Picchu.

We paid our tickets and then caught a cab to the San Blas area where we window-shopped for a while and then headed back to Plaza de Armas, passing beautiful massive Incan stone walls along the way. The Incas placed the stones perfectly without using mortar and they have lasted for centuries.

Sat at the magnificent plaza (terrific vibe, sights and scents) people-watching, and then selected Plus Restaurant Grill for a dinner of trout and sopa de quinoa. Again, we sat on the charming wooden colonial balcony enjoying our delicious dinner as we watched people and dogs mill about the Plaza. Cusco has a charm unlike any place we’ve been and we know we will miss it.

After our tasty dinner we slowly strolled around the plaza, wandering in and out of the shops, checking out the alpaca sweaters and scarves and Peruvian art.

Back at the hotel by 8 pm, we sat outside with cups of hot coca-leaf tea as we sat under the stars (I captured a photo of the Southern Cross) and enjoyed the cool night air and the sweet scene of eucalyptus fires wafting on the breezes.

By 10 pm we were fast asleep after another amazing day of adventure.

Next Day