My friends George and Lisa have finally arrived from the USA after months of detailed planning, preparations, and hundreds of questions asked. But you can't be prepared for everything....George, at 6 foot 5", is now probably the tallest person in the country and is already hitting his head on things. Lisa is amazed that there really are alpacas and llamas in the streets and that the women carry their kids wrapped in a blanket on their backs...which I have to agree is strange but I'm so numb to it anymore I barely notice. It's refreshing to see Cusco again through a fresh perspective. To settle in the first evening, we went to see Kusikay, Peru's version of the Cirque du Soleil. The show features traditional dance including some impressive acrobatics and a stretching attempt at comedy. I learned the hard way that I may have missed my calling as a Spanish Matador as I was plucked from the crowd and forced to do silly things on stage. At least I got to be the matador...some other idiot had to play the charging bull. Fortunately, there is no video evidence of this! The next day, the shopping spree began. Blankets, stuffed animals, original paintings, silver jewelry...it can all be had at the Pisac Market. I never knew shopping for stuff could be so tiring. I'm used to hanging out with other backpackers and breezing through a market in about 15 minutes. And we live by a pretty simple rule....don't buy anything. This was the exact opposite. Fortunately, after a long day of shoppin for stuff, we all agreed to eat and drink well. We made it our mission to try Peru's national drink, the pisco sour, in as many bars and restaurants possible during their visit. I still carry the torch of this mission today as I really haven't given up the cause; even as I write this about a week after George and Lisa have gone home. After just a couple days, Cusco was history and it's time to go to Machu Picchu. I'm sending George and Lisa up on the train and I'll wait here... I can't go twice in a month and their tour is full service and mostly in English. Our next stop together is new even to me.......