Cusco, or spelt Cuzco, attracts a lot of tourists because it was the capital of the former Inca Empire. My tour had only one full day for this city. Being confused if I should be brave enough to roam around all by myself, I joined an a.m. optional tour to see a famous indoors market and a cemetery (Ha??), followed by a p.m. optional tour to see the archaeological museum, the cathedral (sorry, no photos of the interior because it was not allowed) plus a too brief walk through Saksaywaman, the ruin of an interesting walled complex in the outskirt of Cusco, and the tour ended with a shopping stop.

During the a.m. tour, I asked the guide when I would get to see the main square (Plaza de Armas). He said the tour would not stop there. In between the two optional tours, we had lunch at a restaurant located about two blocks from the square. I said I could skip lunch to take some photos of that place. He was kind to give me 20 minutes to do that, then hurry back to join the group.... I grabbed the smaller camera and dashed out of the restaurant and hastily walked from one end to the other of the big square. It was high noon which many professional photographers would avoid. I had no choice. I just snapped the shutter without thinking. I managed to photograph the stunning historical architecture built around the square (photos #20 - 28) and returned to the restaurant in 18 minutes. When some people in my group prayed before they started to eat, I thank God for the 18 minutes.

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