Cuzco {Peru}

The castle house on the street I lived on.My host family’s pup.

I was lucky enough to study abroad for several months in the city of Cuzco, in Peru, well known as the stopping-off point of Macchu Picchu, as well as a UNESCO Heritage site in it’s own right, and the former capital of the Incan empire. During my time there, I traveled all around the area, but I loved just wandering around the city. As my first trip to a developing country, some of it was shocking for me–the piles of trash, the begging children, the dilapidated buildings. Even with this reality-check and the resulting homesickness, it’s a beautiful, beautiful city. It’s also full of history, ringed by the incredible Andes, full of red-and-tan buildings, skinny cobble-stoned alleys, and ancient Incan architecture around every corner. And those Spanish cathedrals! Talk about a photo opportunity. I highly recommend you give yourself a few days in Cuzco, even if you were just planning on hitting up Macchu Picchu. If you can, stay right on the Plaza de Armas, drink a Pisco Sour, and dance the night away at the many discotheques.