bus to the hostel he was booked at. One night there was enough for Jake and me as it was freezing cold and a bit of a party hostel when all we needed was some good rest while Jake was acclimatizing. The next day we moved onto a hostel I
highly recommend - Mama Simona. We had a dorm to ourselves for two nights where Jake was able to get some proper rest and get used to the altitude.
first hour arriving into Cusco which was gone with a couple of panadol , it hit Jake a bit more severely with chest pains, headaches, muscle aches and it also made it hard for him to sleep properly. Apparently altitude sickness affects men
harder then women and it doesn't matter how fit you are. We aren't rushed for time so the first few days here we took it easy exploring the city allowing for us to adjust to the high altitude. The first day there was some festival which we went to check out but there were so many people in the Plaza de Armas we couldn't really see much. We did get to try some amazing kebabs on the street (minus the giant potato at the end provided to fill you up I guess).
already wearing a pair) they blow their whistle and the people scatter of into the side streets. As soon as you go to a market such as San Pedro or start exploring the back streets though you are on your own and are constantly being
waved over by locals trying to sell you trinkets, massages and food. As we aren't planning on going home anytime soon we don't really want to buy stuff to lug around and as we don't actually have a house to put them up in we haven't bought very much although there are some cool bright artwork, pottery, blankets and jerseys everywhere you go.
The effects of the altitude surprised me even though I had heard of its effects, but walking up small hills or stairs slowly
and being short of breath like I had just been jogging a few kms was something I am not used to. Made me a bit nervous for the next few days when we would walk to Machu Picchu though..
NEXT: DIY trek to Machu Picchu