Whats It Like in Peru?
Ancient Peru was the center of several prominent Andean civilizations, including the Incas. Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and is now a popular tourist attraction. Native Cusqueños spell Cusco with an “s” while some in Peru spell it with a “z.” The use of the “z” is considered derogatory by Cusqueños because it is like referring to Cusco as a dog. The Quechua word for Cusco is Qosqo and means belly button. This goes back to the history of Cusco being the center of the Inca Empire. Machu Picchu, also called the “Lost City of the Incas,” is a preserved ruin located on a mountain ridge approximately 50 miles from Cusco. Machu Picchu is probably the most familiar symbol of the Inca Empire and is also one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. During peak season (May–July), approximately 1,500 people a day pass through Cusco on their way to visit the ruins. Incan trinity consists of the condor (national bird), the puma, and the serpent. According to local beliefs, the condor has d
