Roaming South America

Saqsaywamán, Perú: A Fortress, A Ceremony Site, or Both?

April 18, 2026

Hi, this is the third in a series of blogs written while I was visiting Cusco (Qosco), Perú. Qosqo is the traditional spelling, and it is still used throughout the city. First, in this blog, I'll be writing about my visits to some of the archaeological sites in the area, including Saqsaywamán (at the edge of the city), Huaca Pachatosa (in the city), Pacarina Mosoqllaqta (also in the city), Acueducto de Sapantiana (also in the city), Ollantaytambo, Tipón Archaeological Park, and Parque Arqueológico Pikillacta. I had hoped to visit more, but my time remaining in Perú, when my visitor entry stamp expires, is coming up fast.

Cusco, Perú: Neighborhoods, Hills, and Reality

April 15, 2026

This is the second of a series of blogs written while visiting Cusco, Perú. The previous blog was all about the history of the city. This blog will have no history.

When I arrived, I immediately walked through the city center to the area midway between the Plaza de Armas, the main city center park/plaza, and a neighborhood called Santa Ana. I chose this location because I wanted to see this particular neighborhood. I'm writing a book, and the female protagonist comes from this neighborhood. And in the book, her family continues to live there. She has relocated to the US. Anyway, I wanted to see if what I wrote properly matched the actual neighborhood, and for the most part, it did. I did discover that the main road into Santa Ana is much steeper than I expected, but there was another road, which eventually turned into an ancient Inca passageway, which worked even better in the story. And in the story, I mention a marketplace in Santa Ana, but I discovered that there isn't one. But, I was told there is one on Tuesdays. That was another adjustment that I made in my story. In walking through the streets of the neighborhood, I looked at the houses and imagined which house my protagonist and her family might have lived in. And I found one that looked like a good possibility, so that gave me a bit more depth to add to the story.

Cusco, Perú: Empire, Conquest, and Rediscovery

April 11, 2026

I'm in Cusco for 1 - 2 weeks. I'm not here to visit, take a few pics of Machu Picchu, and leave. I'm here to get a first-hand look at the city and the neighborhoods where one of my books takes place. And let me tell you - Cusco is an amazing place to visit. Not just the archeological sites outside and throughout the city, but the city itself. That's something most tourists miss - the whole of Cusco, the city. So, I'm visiting the neighborhoods, the markets, and walking the streets from the northern Santa Ana barrio to the south-central district of Wanchaq. I'll also be visiting some archeological sites in the Sacred Valley, but those are just for fun.

I'll be writing a few blogs during my stay here, as there's a lot to write about. This first blog is the history of Cusco, summarized in one blog. Be sure to check back in a few days for more about Cusco (but no more history).

Abancay, Perú: Better Than My First Impression

April 8, 2026

Abancay, Perú - a high southeastern Andes town that sits in a valley and actually has nice warm afternoons. The city has a population of around 75,000 and sits at an elevation of about 2,370 meters (7,775 ft), depending on which road you're standing on. The city is built in a narrow valley, with the Mariño River at the bottom forming its floor. So, the city is built up the side of the mountain. That means lots of steep roads, and that, for pedestrians, means extra time. Why? Because at this elevation, you don't run up the hills. If you pay attention to your surroundings, you'll see nobody is walking up those climbs quickly. In these Andes towns, you learn to move at a slower pace, and the roads are one of the reasons why.

Andahuaylas, Perú: Where the Past and Present Share the Same Streets

April 4, 2026

Andahaylas, Perú - population around 46,000 - sits in a valley in the high Andes of south-central Perú, at an elevation of around 2900 meters (9500 ft). It's in a valley but not sitting on the valley floor; it's built going up the side, so there are a lot of stairways and steep roads.