The highlight of walking up past the Temple of the Moon is this view of Ausangate. My favorite peak in the Peruvian Andes and one of the most sacred Apus in Quechua and Inca culture.
Today, like the past nine Sundays, nobody is allowed to leave their home, except for emergency medical care. Friday President Vizcarra announced that there would be some modifications starting Monday, with more businesses allowed to open. But lets be clear, Peru is still under a State of Emergency, with mandatory quarantine, restricted movement and curfew.
Tomorrow the rules of the game will change yet again and I am so very happy about the allowance for people to go outside for something other than food and pharmacy. Businesses like veterinarians and dentists will be allowed to open, as well as plumbing and hardware stores. People will now be allowed to drive their own cars to the grocery store. From what I hear, all of these are allowed in the US, even in states where people were under strict orders to stay home. I have no need for a veterinarian or dentist, but I will use any relaxation of the rules to find a way to go hiking in the hills above town.
This is part of the trail leading east from the Temple of the Moon. There is just no mistaking the ancient road system build during Inca times. The way they lead out of Cusco reminds me of the roads leaving from Pueblo Bonito in New Mexico.
been restricted to my roof. It should be ten weeks, but I was cheating the first two weeks by sneaking out of the house so early in the morning that it was still dark. My plan was always to go for a hike and get back home so early that nobody noticed. That worked for two weeks, until the police noticed me. Heres hoping that tomorrow I can go for a walk after work, and that if the police see me, they wont care.
I havent been this anxious for 1pm to roll around in a very long time. All morning, while working, sitting on my couch as I have been the past ten weeks, I keep checking the time. It reminds me of every Calvin & Hobbes when Calvin is at school, watching the clock, waiting for the day to be over.
Leaving the house, I cant help feeling that Im doing something scandalous, dangerous even. However, only a few minutes from home Im already seeing more people than usual. Apparently Im not the only one who has had it with quarantine. I still take the back stairs and hidden paths behind
These three dogs, napping in the shade, were often my on my 6am hikes back in March. The black dog on the far right is in the previous photo, hiking with me on the previous day. They are the reason that I usually carry a small bag of dog food with me on my hikes around Cusco.
peoples homes, avoiding the roads. I am still only exposed to any passing vehicles of police or military at one road crossing, and I still cant help standing behind a tree, listening to be sure that no vehicles before I cross the road.
I soon realize that I really dont have to be that cautious. The higher I climb into the hills, the more people I see. Some of them arent even wearing the required masks. (gasp!) I didnt even consider inviting anybody to go hiking with me, assuming that being alone I would attract less attention. Only 20 minutes out of town, I see whole families picnicking and groups of teenagers walking with their dogs. I finally let my guard down and relax a bit.
Except for the families picnicking with small children, everybody is pretty spread out. The hills are probably the safest place I could be. It is very easy to be not only ten feet from the next person, its easy to be over a hundred feet from them. The ancient Inca road that I follow is at least ten feet wide and everybody automatically walks as far as possible from anybody
These are some of the foundations of ancient buildings that Ive walked by dozens of times, usually intent in getting somewhere. One of the benefits of the quarantine freezing normal life is that I dont really have anywhere else to do or anything else to do.
they pass.
