Friday 12 February 2010

Cajamarca

I took an overnight bus to Cajamarca in the Andes. They are getting ready for Carnaval, so there's a lot of music and activity. Here the food of choice seems to be cheese - there are cheese and dairy product stores everywhere. Lots of handicrafts, too.
The Inca Atahualpa was captured, held and eventually (after paying the ransom) executed by the conquistadors here. I guess he really didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition. I visited the building/room where he was kept, which was kind of depressing. Also took a little bus out to bathe at the thermal springs where he was camped with his army when he heard the Spaniards were here. On the way a lady got on with 2 live turkeys in the cloth on her back. I was pretty impressed! The turkeys didn't seem that fazed.

Picture: a couple of campesinos watching the parade

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