The hotel we stayed at last night was a former monastery. The grounds are beautiful and the buildings look authentic, but have been updated for the hotel . While we were eating breakfast, we watched one of the local women setting up her outdoor shop selling blankets, hats, and other handicrafts. Before she opened for business, she took branches, dipped them in water and tapped them on all the things she was selling. It looked like a way of blessing her sales. E...

We flew non-stop to Cusco in the morning and were met at the plane by our guide and driver, Edwin and Edison. We checked into the Monasterio Hotel which was a monastery at one time. The guide did all the work of checking in and delivering the bags. I could get used to this personal service that has been available at every point in the trip. The guides and drivers have been taking good care of us. When we were driving to the hotel, the guide and driver discussed...