May 21st, 2018 - Brandon Sosa


Today we returned from our Puno excursion and slept half the day to rejuvenate. After the wonderful lecture on Self-Efficacy, I stayed at Don Estaban Café where I was able to have nice conversations with Cayla, Braden, Dante, Ariel, Jakob, Bri, and Lauren. After the café, we embarked on our trips back to our homestays. The walk home is something I learned to appreciate.



Car horns blaring every 3 seconds, having to dodge cars speeding toward you left and right, crowded sidewalks filled with everything from street vendors to sleeping strays. This is the average 37-minute walk home for me down Avenida de la Cultura from the ISA office to my homestay in San Sebastian. Taking this stroll every day, you will see something new every time. It is a nice walk mainly because it is away from all the touristy areas, this allows me to experience the real Cusco. Walking down the street, I can see the interactions between the locals either be it at a meat shop or just honking their way through a four-way intersection with no lights or signs. The streets are lively the whole day and exploding with unique things that can be only found on the streets of Cusco. Bags the size of love seats are full of sweet popcorn, dogs strategically waiting outside the butchers for scraps and people jumping in and out of moving buses at a moment’s notice.



At first, this was a new and bizarre world to me, however, after seeing it all for the past two weeks, I am now able to reflect upon what I observe. What initially seemed odd to me, I know can see many similarities to my own observation in the states. Kids walking in groups homes from school may stop at a candy stand, just as I took trips with my buddies to the ice cream truck after middle school. While there does exists similarities, it is important to understand the differences and appreciate them. The people of Cusco are truly one of a kind and being able to walk among them is another way to dive deeper into their culture. Cusco as beautiful as it is, does have a dark side. Many streets and canals are filled with garbage, which isn’t great for cleanliness, however, does give the stays a source of possible leftovers.



To say my walk home is an example of Peruvian culture would be too broad, rather it is a glimpse into the culture of the busy city of Cusco.

Four way intersection of organized chaos.

Avenida de la Cusco.

Somos Peru: Politcal Slogan ft. Jakob Kerr.

The canal filled with garbage.

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