Cusco is my favourite city of the trip - the 'navel' of the Inca empire and steeped in history, cobbled streets, amazing stone buildings and always drenched in sunshine. At night there are great bars, restaurants and the stars leap out the sky. 
We arrived on an overnight bus minus the bikes which had to be sent separately by cargo and checked into Los Ninos (the kids) hostel which is a great dutch set-up where all the profit goes into running a scool and giving 600 kids 3 meals/day - plus its a superb hostel around a great courtyard. Unfortunately rather than hanging out there, we had to spend time at yet another hospital - although this clinic was set up in a private home and I was actua
lly x-rayed in the kitchen whilst lunch was being prepared - seriously! The verdict was 'making progress, but
needs re-casting and no cycling for Amanda for a couple of months'. We'd been hoping I would have the last couple of weeks in the saddle so it was really disappointing. Instead we trailed round Cusco looking for alternativ
e solutions to lugging the bike and painniers. It was only £1000 to DHL it back to the UK...think again :( Although I did manage to get the biggest holdall made from a tradional blanket so at least I can condense my 5 bags into 1 (and maybe fit in 
some shopping)!
We arrived on an overnight bus minus the bikes which had to be sent separately by cargo and checked into Los Ninos (the kids) hostel which is a great dutch set-up where all the profit goes into running a scool and giving 600 kids 3 meals/day - plus its a superb hostel around a great courtyard. Unfortunately rather than hanging out there, we had to spend time at yet another hospital - although this clinic was set up in a private home and I was actua
lly x-rayed in the kitchen whilst lunch was being prepared - seriously! The verdict was 'making progress, but
needs re-casting and no cycling for Amanda for a couple of months'. We'd been hoping I would have the last couple of weeks in the saddle so it was really disappointing. Instead we trailed round Cusco looking for alternativ
e solutions to lugging the bike and painniers. It was only £1000 to DHL it back to the UK...think again :( Although I did manage to get the biggest holdall made from a tradional blanket so at least I can condense my 5 bags into 1 (and maybe fit in 
some shopping)!Other than chores we spent time in the main square - the Plaza des armas - every city, town, village has one of these, it's like every place in England being built round a Trafalgar Sq. Anyway makes it easy for meeting up and we managed to have some very nice meals and cakes and beers and watch some World Cup.
Ax
More please, it feels like a little window into another world without pureed vegetables, nappies and sterilisers... I'm not sure I'll be able to speak to you when you get back though- you sound too super fit to me! Will miss you at the Christening on Sunday but will be thinking about you, hope the hand is ok Mand xxx
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