At the market, we were told that we had to try the empanadas - which everyone agreed were really good - fresh cooked and only $1 Sol (equals about 30 cents). We then had time to practice some more of our bargaining skills at the market where you could find just about any souvenir you could have wanted from bracelets to leather work to blankets, sweaters, t-shirts etc.
After the shopping fix, we headed to the Pisaq Archaeological site where there are some Incan ruins. We learned about how they built terraces in the mountain to use for farming, as well as to protect them against erosion. Some of us made the additional walk to the top so we could take in the view, which was amazing. We have saw one of the largest Incan burial grounds. The highest ranking Incans were buried near the top of the mountain with silver and gold and other treasures, while more common Incans were buried lower with pots and the like. When the Spaniards came to Peru and discovered these ruins, they started looting them for their treasures and destroying them. Then about 20 years ago when Peru wanted more tourism, they were giving away relics from the graves to tourists . Now they are trying to preserve the site, but most of the damage has been done. Still magnificent to see.
On the way back down the mountain we learned how the local in this area dry potatoes by lying them out in the fields in cloth for about 3 days and then they can store them for quite some time and re-hydrate them when ready to use. This is the time of the year when they do most of the drying and even used the local soccer field for that purposes, upsetting the local soccer players.
After settling in the hotel, we headed to dinner where we were entertained by some local dancers who performed traditional dances for us. We are now back at the hotel getting rested for another full day in Cusco with a city tour.
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