After our lovely idyll with Inkaterra (we wrestled with spending another night, but decided we couldn't justify it), we took the vistadome train back to Cusco. We hadn't really paid a lot of attention to the train trip, leaving it in Wayki Trek's hands. So we were disappointed to discover that the train didn't leave until 5:30, which is right around sunset here, meaning that the vistadome was essentially useless. still, a train ride is always fun.
Back in Cusco, the arrival of the weekend brought multiple parades and celebrations involving colorful costumes and dancing. It's all a run-up to the festival of the summer solstice that will bring even greater throngs of people to the city.
And, of course, no celebration would be complete without savory snacks on a stick--like these roasted guinea pigs. Little stands advertising "cuy al palo," guinea pig on a stick are everywhere in Peru.
We were working ourselves up to try some, but then I got sick. I had been pretty literally off my feed for a few days. In fact as far back as our last days on the Inka trail I hadn't felt very hungry, in spite of how much energy I was expending. When I did eat, I felt ill afterwards, bloated and nauseous. Because I wasn't eating much, my energy took a nosedive. I could barely walk a block before having to sit down and rest. And yet the thought of food made me ill.
Finally, we decided it was time for me to see a doctor. Our landlady kindly called a local clinic, and they sent a doctor around about an hour later. She diagnosed gastritis, and inflammation of the stomach lining caused by bacteria, which confirmed what I suspected from googling my symptoms. She prescribed the Peruvian equivalent of Pepto Bismol, a variety of antacids, a bland diet, and no alcohol. The house call cost us $30.
And within two days I was 100% better. I'm still taking the meds just to be safe, but I did sneak a pisco sour last night. It settled well.
P.
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