Ten!?!?! They Paid Two!!

After an incredible experience at Machu Picchu the team is very relaxed. Our plan is to set off a bit later than normal as it’s short mileage day. Breakfast is relaxed and the morning looks promising. The air is fresh as low cloud slip below the hill tops. Raul points up the hill in the distance behind our hotel as he notices a rock tumbling down. From our safe distance it looked huge as it accelerated down and broke apart. There were several to follow and we were thankful for the fact that we weren’t in the way.

Some of the team began the process of removing Larry’s bike from the trailer where it had spend the previous day after being dragged in. Other’s cleaned windscreen and checked over their bikes. Suddenly we could hear people yelling at us from above. We’d turn to see Gian Franco, Aldo and Piero a few hundred feet up the side of another hill exploring ruins. Fortunately this was not the same hill with the miniature avalanche.

When it was time to ride, we all agreed to head to the town square for a team photo. It was a very short distance and we were all there...except for Larry. Once again the bike was defiant. Busloads of tourists all stared at the bikes and some gave us the thumbs up. It was unusual for our group not to turn heads. People seem genuinely curious about the bikes. Before long we were on the road headed for Cusco.

Once again with the aid of a local taxi driver we were being herded towards our hotel. Cusco is a very old town with very well polished cobble stones on the roads. To add to matters some of the descents rivalled the best of roller coasters. Once again here I am on a road I wouldn’t dare ride...riding it.

The Cusco town square is mad with activity. We stop and are immediately swarmed by local shoe shine kids trying to earn our business. I’m reluctant while the others seem to dive in. A fight breaks out between two boys leaving one in tears and Aldo telling the other to bugger off. I spot the little guy whose just been punched and motion for him to come over. As a Canadian, we are peace keeps right? I hire the boy and introduce myself...his name is Daniel. His tears dry as he feverishly works on my boots and I’m feeling like I’ve made his day. That all changed when he tried to tell me “...ten soles for each boot”. Everyone else was paying two. I gave him five soles and a stern look as I fooled myself into thinking I’d helped him and taught him a lesson.

Cusco was very much alive. Everyone had something to sell and you couldn’t walk five feet without a new offer in your face. Someone had the bright idea to make shirts that say “NO GRACIAS” on them. I’m not sure how effective they were.