It’s difficult to describe Peru without slipping into cliché. So I am going to try to keep these blog posts brief and hopefully let the pictures speak for themselves.

We spent the first two days in Lima, a perpetually cloudy coastal city surrounded by desert that has an average annual rainfall of about 3 cubic centimeters. Despite Lima’s reputation for being uninspiring, I had an interesting time exploring the Indian markets, restaurants, bars and stores. But the adventure really began on day 3, when we flew to the ancient Inca capital Cuzco, about 350 miles southwest of Lima and about 11,500 ft above sea level.

Above is the view across Cuzco’s central square, the Plaza de Armas, towards the town’s main cathedral. In true Conquistador style, the Spanish built this complex of three churches on top of an Inca temple.

The Compania de Jesus Church, another outstanding building in Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas. The entire city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Although Cuzco has a population of over 300,000 people, the surrounding mountains can make the city appear deceptively small. Here’s a view from a side street about 30 seconds walk from the city center.

Peeking through a wooden fence across Cuzco.

Although the buildings in Cuzco were impressive, it was the people who really made the city interesting for me. So many different features and fashions that I had never seen before.

Cuzco women shooting the breeze on the steps of the Plaza de Armas.

And a shy little girl peeking out from behind an Alpaca rug.

More soon.