The raucous bars that line the main square were all quiet and the pumping house music had been replaced by touristy shops and all and sundry wanting to sell you their wares. Whilst being an extremely cute in places, Cuzco is very touristy and also pretty pricey. You can’t walk for more than 5 minutes without someone hassling you to either go on a tour or buy something. I even had a kid try and sell me a postcard of Paris!!! Bizarre!

As with most touristy places the gap between rich and poor is far more evident and Cuzco proved this point once again. The street sellers are always far more aggressive and you just end up feeling a little bit guilty for what you have got. The people seemed less happy than the smiling ladies and mesmerised children we met on the bus to Chivay. The kids and Alpacas are used a lot more for photo opportunities and in parts it can sometimes feel a wee bit like a human

zoo, although the colourful traditionally dressed long hair plaited ladies look fantastic. There is a vast amount of money that is spent in Cuzco, due to the tourist trade and Inca trail and it doesn’t seem to get divided very well if at all between the poorer members of society - nothing new in that, but its still something which always saddens you, but the South Americans are very placid people and you never really feel intimidated or unsafe.

After a good walk the storm clouds were gathering overhead and we decided it would be a good time to head back. As we dodged the endless massage offers and everything else sellers the streets quietened down somewhat and we knew by the steepness of the hill that we were nearly back. The labyrinth of small streets really do give Cuzco a very medieval feel and if you can ignore the tourist trade then you can also feel its hi