The last two days have gone by in a whirl. From Rio, we stepped from a beach life (with its fair share of hedonism, complete with the Girl from Ipanema) to an ancient city once the cultural, commercial and political capital of all of South America.
Cuzco, in the local Quecha language means navel and it is from this high Andes mountain valley that the Incas built their empire. All over the city, one is reminded of this glorious heritage but at the same time sorely aware that no one remains at the peak forever. Yes, the pillage by the Spanish Conquistadors in the name of God but more for gold and glory has no parallel even until today.
The Spanish conquerors did leave behind beautiful monuments, churches in particular whichvare buily on top of old Inca temples. The existing paradigm then, and one would argue even today is to invoke celestial even divine blessings for one's right to rule, however cruelly so.
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