The Peru SST group spent a stormy day exploring the Cusco area with the help of our guide, Abrahan Quispe Corrales.
Students listen to Abrahan Quispe Corrales, our Cusco guide.
Cusco was the center of the Inca empire when the Spaniards arrived in 1526; in fact the Quechua name Q’osqo means navel – the navel of the known world, to the people of the Andes. At that time, the Inca realm extended thousands of miles, encompassing parts of modern-day Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Inca leaders ruled over an estimated 10 million inhabitants, from 1438 to 1533. The empire fell apart due to civil war, European illnesses and the relentless attacks of the Spaniards and their indigenous allies.
Goshen College students at Saqsayhuaman.
After the conquest – or invasion, as Cusqueños call it – the Spaniards tore down many Cusco buildings and constructed their own palaces and churches on top of the Inca foundations. Examples of cultural fusion are still present – monumental Inca stonework on the bottom and colonial architecture on top. But the Spaniards could not tear down or build over all the Inca construction. Inca ruins are everywhere in the Cusco area.
Aimee rockets down the slide.
We began our tour above Cusco at Saqsayhuaman, a complex of gigantic stones, carved to fit incredibly closely. It was an administrative and religious center in the Inca times. As the high ground above Cusco, it was also the site of an important battle between the Incas and Spaniards.
Jackson emerges from a cave.
We went on to visit two other Inca ruins. Both Tambomachay and Pukapukara were places that the emperor sometimes lodged, the first a holy spring and the second a military checkpoint and administrative center. Both were located on ancient roads leading to Cusco.
A statue of an Inca leader in the Plaza de Armas.
After a stop at a textile workshop and lunch in downtown Cusco, students had a few hours to explore. Some stayed near the Plaza de Armas and walked by churches, shops and Qorikancha, the most important Inca temple, which was largely destroyed by the Spaniards to make way for the Church of Santo Domingo. They also explored the nearby artisan market.
Dancers performing La Marinera, Peru’s national dance.
In the evening, we attended a folkloric dance show at a cultural center before catching taxis back to the hotel for the night.
Goshen College students visited Saqsayhuaman.Students listen to Abrahan Quispe Corrales, our Cusco guide.A glimpse of reconstruction work at Saqsayhuaman.Jonathan, April, Natalie and Gretchen stroll through Saqsayhuaman.Goshen College students at Saqsayhuaman.Goshen College students with Peru SST Co-Directors Judy Weaver and Richard R. Aguirre.Massive stone blocks at Saqsayhuaman.Stone blocks at Saqsayhuaman. Some see the outline of a llama in these blocks.Some view the figure of a snake in these blocks.Hiking at Saqsayhuaman.Headed uphill.Massive towers once stood in this area.The base of what was once large towers.Looking out at central Cusco.The main plaza of Cusco is in the foreground of this photo.Malaina, Maria, Gina and Aimee.More hiking at Saqsayhuaman.A view of the central plaza at Saqsayhuaman.Derek slides down a natural rock formation.Jonathan tries out the slide.Maria on the slide.Neal tries to keep in control.Jake heads down.Jackson enjoys the plunge.Thomas slides down.Gretchen starts her descent.Gina on the slide.Dean enjoys the slide.April on the slide.Malaina heads down the slide.Natalie on the slide.Caleb heads down.Aimee rockets down the slide.Dean gets up close and personal with alpacas.Students are one with alpacas.A cautious alpaca.Aimee tries to make a new friend.Gretchen, Natalie and Maria at Saqsayhuaman.Jackson emerges from a cave.April moves toward the light.The water works at Tambomachay.A closer look at the beautiful stonework at Tambomachay.A closer look at the beautiful stonework at Tambomachay.Photo time at Tambomachay.Derek at Tambomachay.Students arrive at Pukapukara.April at Pukapukara.Learning at Pukapukara.The beautiful vista from Pukapukara.Maria and Malaina pause for a photo at Pukapukara.A visit to a textile store.Jackson examines beautiful products at a textile store.Lunch in Cusco.Jake enjoys a meal in Cusco.Goshen College men in front of the cathedral in Cusco.A spot of beauty in downtown Cusco.A statue of an Inca leader in the Plaza de Armas.Peru SST Co-Directors Richard R. Aguirre and Judy Weaver in Cusco.Strolling the the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.Waiting for a folkloric dance performance to begin.Folkloric dancers in Cusco.Folkloric dancers in Cusco.Folkloric dancers in Cusco.Dancers performing La Marinera, Peru’s national dance.Dancers pose after performing La Marinera at a folkloric dance show in Cusco.
