September 23, 2007
From SATA-Peru-2007
I’m really lucky to have my journal entry be today because it was a long and eventful day.
One of our Cusqueñan friends Alberto, the manager of a restaurant we’ve visited a couple of times offered to take us on a hike that he’s been familiar with since he was a child. The hike started about half past nine this morning at the Plaza de Armas. Alberto and his son Daniel led us to a path through the woods and up a steep slope. We continued until we reached a stream which we followed for a few hours until we reached the caves.
After a brief rest we returned to the hotel, passing through Sacsaywuaman, farms and more beautiful scenery. The entire hike took about 5 hours. Professor Lizarralde estimated that we walked about 10 miles
Although we were all tired when we returned from the hike, we didn’t have much time after lunch until we had to make it to the soccer game. We all bought tickets for the Cenciano vs. Municipal game. Cienciano is the Cusqueñan club team and the other team is from Lima. Cienciano won 4-0. It didn’t seem very evenly matched, but some of us guessed that Cusco’s team may have had the advantage at the higher altitude. One of our favorite players was Chiroque #22, scoring 1 goal and having 2 assists, despite being tripped and falling more than anyone on the field. Another dramatic highlight of the game was when the goalie for Lima’s team got a red card within the last 5 or so minutes of the game for purposely kicking one of the players on Cienciano. The crowd was equally as entertaining, setting off small fireworks and even fires in the stands.
We will probably sleep well tonight. We’ll need it since we leave at 7am tomorrow for Puno!
