Page VI- Saborear la Vida- Raqchi and Juliaca

 August 8, 2013-Day 6

We spent this day on a bus. It was a 7-8 hour trip from Cusco to Puno via bus. However, Gate 1 has decided to give us a bus ride instead of booking a 45 minute plane ticket because, this way, we get to see the highlands in the car.

It was a winding road. I remember sleeping for a part of it and being awake for the other half. We had stops along the way, of course, and that was the reason why we took the bus trip. If we did the plane, we would lose about 6 hours (1 hour to the Cusco airport, 1.5 hours in the airport, 1 hour in the plane, 1.5 hours in the airport, 1 more hour to Puno from the Juiliaca airport).

Our first stop was in Oropesa to get this bread called Pan Chuta. Elvis bought it fresh off the oven. It was a circular bread as big as your face. When he shared it with us, it was warm and soft. Just how bread should be. 

We drove a while and Elvis said little legends and stories about Peru. My favorite was when he told the story of the Coca leaf. As bad of a reputation it gets because of people who process the leaf to produce cocain, the Peruvians view the plant itself as sacred. It was a product of tears of reconciliation between men and women which cured them of their sadness and emptiness.

We stopped for at Raqchi. It's another archeological site of what used to be a temple. The photos I took there, however, are one of my favorite sets. Perhaps because there's not a lot of people and the sky was cooperating.

We left and continued driving. Not much has happened during the drive but the "explorer" mode has finally hit when we entered Juliaca.

Juliaca was such a contrast to what we have visited so far. It was grungy and dark. It seemed as if a dark cloud was over it and the clear, blue Peruvian skies are being blocked by it. Elvis did say that it was one of the rougher parts of Peru but since a University was just built close by, it's on its way to improvement.

We finally got to Puno and it's probably one of my favorite hotels (although, it's functionality is a bit questionable). Angele and I took a walk at their main street. Puno was a bit rough, as well. I definitely felt my city instincts kick in. I had to bring my DC girl out. It wasn't dangerous but I really should not do anything stupid.

We had dinner at this nice little restaurant. I really can't remember the name but we had a fairly good dinner and drinks before heading back to the hotel.

We got to the hotel and saw a bunch of people by the bar. We joined them after we decided to talk to Carlos, the bar tender, and get a straight shot of pisco. However, Carlos, was nice enough to have us all try about 1/4 of a shot of 4 different bottles of Pisco which Angele and I shared. When we finally settled at which one, we each got a glass but we can't shot it. We sipped it.

As you can tell, this is when the night became blurry. Nonetheless, Angele, Matt, Freddy and I ended up trying the night life. We went to a discoteca but since it was still too early for it to be enjoyable, we went karaoke. We then went back to the discoteca before calling it a night.

Let's just say I haven't "partied" that much in forever (even if it was a 4 people party).

For more photos:My Flickr