Some time in between

Cusco, Heart of the Inca Empire

Last week I arrived in Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. The name literally means navel of the earth. oUnlike Arequipa which is a white city Cusco has earth toned stone and mud brick. When the Spanish came to Cusco they leveled all of the Incan architecture and built on top of Incan stone foundations. Much of the stone work is still visable, big and quite beautiful. No one quite knows how they were able to cut the stone with such precision.

view from Loki

I am staying at a commune. Okay so it is really a hostel but people don´´t leave. Honestly… The Loki hostel is a old colonial masion that was beautifully restored and overlooks the city of Cusco. It is the biggest hosel that I have been in. There must be 150+ people here and it is always full. People work here for free lodging. The bar and restaurant work on a tab system, there are beautiful courtyards with hammocks and there is always a party with live music and dancing. I could get used to this.