Photos of Cusco, Peru area

Connie and I were able to make a three-day visit to Cusco, Peru.  We chose not to go to Machu Picchu since we will have that opportunity later and we wanted to explore the city of Cusco and some nearby villages and Incan archaeological sites.  The air in Cusco is much cleaner than in Lima and it was significantly cooler and refreshing.  Cusco sits at an altitude of 11,300 feet and walking up the steep streets in the San Blas neighborhood where we stayed induced some shortness of breath.  Except when walking uphill, the altitude did not bother me, but it caused Connie headache and fatigue for the first day.

I took many photos and will post others later, but here are a few images that I made of Quechua people in native costumes.  At this time of year, there are many native festivals and the people dress up for the occasions - good for photography.

This Quechua man allowed me to photograph him while he played his flute at the archaeologic site of Q'enqo.

Two Quechua women in native dress with a baby llama in an alley of Cusco.

Quechua woman at a local festival in Chinchero, Peru

Quechua woman spinning wool in her weaving shop in Chinchero, Peru