Off to Peru!

Friday March 10th couldn't arrive fast enough.  After a long night of packing we set the alarms for just after 4 am as our first flight left at 8am and we had to be there 2 hours before of course.  5am departure from the house and off to YVR.  Made it through customs and security just to stand in the line Starbucks line up for about 30 minutes.  Then at 8:20 we were off- first stop Portland, a mere one hour later and we had our first touchdown of the 20 hours of travel we had ahead of us.  Breakfast in PDX was a 3 hour afair as we awaited our next flight - 2.5 hours to LAX!  At LAX we had another 4 hour layover - we had a terminal change and to the most expensive terminal at the airport.  We sat at the food court and paid around $100 US for a dinner for 4 (which included pizza and sandwiches)- I passed on the $15 Bloody Mary.  Finally our flight to Lima was ready for take off- we were flying LATAM- the aircraft was huge and very modern- this was promising to be a good flight- one can hope when you are on a plane for over 8 hours that it is a good one. We settled in for the long haul- one movie in and we were all on the way to sleep.  Maybe we got about 4-5 hours each?  Then it was a hurried breakfast snack and the decent into Lima began.
We landed to a hot and humid city.  Made it though customs, and all our baggage arrived too.  As we exited there was Cesar from Anywhere Peru to greet us.  Thank goodness he was there to guide us through the crazy that is Lima airport - we were able to check our luggage in for the afternoon flight to Cusco and then we were off in the van.  This city is insane- there are no road rules and everyone honks all the time for no reason at all.  30 minutes later we arrived at the Lacro Museum.  Cesar and Raphael treated us to a delicious lunch under hanging trees and out on a cool lush patio.  We then took a walk around the museum - which chronicled the rise and fall of the Incas.  It was all very informative but we were so tired it didn't all register as well as it should have.  After a wonderful few hours reprieve from airports we were back at Lima international and boarding our flight to Cusco.  An hour and a half later we were landing in the high, high altitude town - our home for the next 5 days or so. Richardo was there to meet us and once again guide us though the city to our hotel. Finally we were here!! The Royal Inka 2 hotel was not to bad- we had no windows in the room which was a little  disconcerting - but we were too tired to care.  We stayed in the room for a while was could all feel the lack of oxygen having an effect on our bodies- headaches were starting and a serious shortness of breathe was making us all a little panicky. After a little rest we left to explore- and by explore I mean we went to find a light meal.  Cusco is interesting - as soon as we entered Plaza De Armas (the main square), every restaurant has someone on the street trying to get you to eat at their establishment - quite annoying as you can't get near a place to look at a menu without being accosted. Never the less we found a small place and had a light meal of pizza and salad.  Then it was off to bed- we were done and needed a good nights sleep.