Churches in Cusco
Massive. Elaborate. Ancient. Gorgeous. Sacred. Laden with gold, silver & flowers...and Everywhere...barely steps away from each other. The churches in Cusco dominated the squares and seemed to demand my attention. So I stepped in and felt myself shrinking as I look around at the grandeur that surrounded me. Hardly an inch all the way to the domed ceilings, was without intricate paintings, wood carvings, statues with princely clothing, mirrors meant to reflect your soul, stain glass windows, altars lining both sides with a central altar that overpowered it all. The most important was the Cathedral built on the Inca palace foundation which took over 134 years to build starting in 1534 and was flanked by two more huge churches. It has survived the 1650, 1950 & 1986 earthquakes. It houses the first cross brought to S. America and many original artworks including the last supper where guinea pig & papaya are shown on a platter. Judas' face has the coloring & features of a Moor. Mary is adored and often the central figure symbolizing her many roles and involvement in the lives of the Spanish. The most idolized crass has a blackened (by smoke) Jesus and legend is this cross stopped the tremors in the 1650 earthquake. Every year, it leads the Corpus Christi procession followed by many other saints (taking the place of the Inca mummies) . Another impressive sculpture was a silver plated pelican whose breast was bloody...gauged by the pelican herself in order to feed her young...symbolizing God's devotion to us. The audio tape I listened to emphasized the fact that the Inca & Spanish art and traditions were merged in the churches to help united the people...though the Spanish & European influence was by far greatest. In spite of that, the most attended mass is the 5 a.m. Easter service entirely in Quechua. The words I hope to bury in my heart were about the massive organs...the sound of their music is the cathedral breathing. It was most certainly breathtaking!
Last day In Cusco
While I visited the churches, Bob & Elsi finished up their shopping & then Elsi laid down as she must have eaten something that didn't agree with her. Rog checked out a couple more museums and right after lunch at McDonalds, we went off to the airport. Since we were heading to warmer weather, Roger donated his fluffy, bright yellow vest to our taxi driver. He was almost as happy to get it as I was to have Rog get rid of it. While we sat waiting, we got in a little more bridge.
Lima
We had to make the most of our one night in Lima, so after checking into our hotel, we took off toward the Miraflores...nice section. The taxi ride took us between the ocean and the 100-150 ft. sandy bluff. We checked out a restaurant recommended in Lonely Planet...thought we could do better so kept walking. It was a pleasant night. After a bit, we asked a man for directions and he went out of his way to direct us to a shopping center that was built on the bluff going down toward the ocean...under a park. We lucked out again! We enjoyed delicious seafood overlooking the ocean!
Guayaquil
Sonnia and her daughter, Tatiana were smiling, waving and holding a sign when we came out of the airport! We'd made another connection!! After we got to our hotel, we visited a bit and then discussed plans for the next several days. I had been a bit nervous about this whole part of our trip as so many things were not clear...but God directed us to the right place and had a plan. Next we went out for dinner & Sonnia & Tatiana went home & we all hopped in the hotel pool!!! First pool we'd seen. AAAhhhh! It's much hotter here so it felt wonderful. Sonnia had given material to cut out 40 sheep mask to use in telling the story of the last lamb on Saturday at a local church...so we got started tracing & cutting. Felt like old times to me. Around 9, we quit and walked down to a food court. All is well.
Tour of Guayaquil
Tatiana (who speaks great English) took us on a tour of the city. First to the market...much like the ones in Peru...and then up 444 steps along side newly restored houses which led to a chapel & great view of the city. We all were so hot...on the way Jane, Elsi & Rog asked a man who was watering his plants to run water over our heads. Gotta love my short hairdo! When we got down, we recovered in an air conditioned restaurant --diet coke & fries never tasted better. Then we walked the Malecon--wide sidewalk along the ocean that was had parks & gardens meticulously manicured. It only seemed right to be licking an ice cream cone.
Dinner at Sonnia's
The table was set in fine china and dinner ready when we arrived at Sonnia's home. We had a delicious meal of rice, beef like swiss steak, a cold pea, potatoes & carrot salad...and juice they called tomatoes but was thick & sweet. Next we worked out plans for tomorrow's lesson...practicing the song...learning the Spanish words we'd need. Sonnia showed us the felt board story she'll be doing. With plans all set, we went back to the hotel...Rog, Jane & Bob jumped in the pool and Elsi fell into bed. Yesterday, we'd told Sonnia we'd paint at the church after our tour but this a.m. she said we couldn't since something was going on there. Can't say any us were disappointed. We did come to work--but we are already at S. American pace. The heat & humidity here demand it.
