It took us a few days to recover from the trauma of our trekking experience and begin to feel the sense of achievement of having completed the physical feat. By the time our laundry from the trek was done, albeit still a bit stinky as it probably needed two washes, we were telling war stories and giving strategic advice.

Two of our drinking buddies from La Paz had arrived in Cuzco and with two carefully selected new recruits, we decided to do Secret Santa. We decided on a 20 pesos (about $8) limit for the present and for a bit of competitive measure, decided that everyone would buy an additional 5 pesos prize for the best present overall. Best present would be judged on five criteria by independent judges - 1. wrapping; 2. fit for receiver; 3. value for money; 4. humour; and 5. the presenting of the gift.

The lead-up to Christmas was consumed by finding the best present and wrapping. We did manage to fit in a few other activities like a walking tour of Cuzco during which I learnt that Tupac Shakur was named after a Peruvian revolutionary by the same name who fought for independence from the Spanish but was martyred in the Plaza de Armas by horses tearing his limbs from his body as they were forced to run in opposite directions. We also did a self-directed sushi tour of the city as we had conflicting recommendations of which was the best sushi restaurant to eat at so we ate at them both, one after the other!

On Christmas Eve, thousands of vendors set up stalls in the main square selling all manner of things, including vegetation for the home-made nativity scene. It was this vegetation that I ended up selecting to use for the presentation of my Secret Santa, which although was not the final winner, I was assured won the people´s choice.

Christmas Eve was also marked by one of the most terrifying fireworks displays I have ever seen. At 11.45pm, we rounded up the troops and our rain coats and walked to the main square for the annual fireworks display. Little did I know that this was no officially-run event but every man and his dog rocking up with home-made and store bought fire cracker, firework and just plain explosive and blowing them up at will with no regard for who was standing nearby. In fact, some kids took to throwing their fire crackers and fireworks at us and laughing hysterically! We seemed to be the only ones ducking and diving and fearing for our lives and limbs.

On Christmas day, the hostel put on a massive Christmas lunch/dinner including soup for entree, turkey and ham, gravy, stuffing, roast vegies and mashed potatoes for main, and apple pie for dessert. Sitting at the long tables set-up side-by-side in the patio area, it really felt like Christmas!