Arrival in Cuzco

After I arrived in Lima, I just wanted to get to Cuzco so I took an afternoon flight for $90. Once I arrived, I found a hostel and booked a trek for the following morning to hike to Macchu Picchu. Since the Inca Trail is reserved months in advance, I had to take the Salcantay route, which is longer and goes through higher elevation. Cuzco is a beautiful city, and there is plenty to do. I walked around a bit, and ended up taking street artist and shoe shine kid out for dinner. Later I bought a soccer ball and we got a street game going with whoever came by. It was the street artists birthday in a few days, and I assumed he was lying so I asked for his I.D. That is the downside of being scammed, you quit trusting people.

I said I would buy him his own soccer ball, and he said he would rather I give my dollars to a local shelter we were walking by at the time. I couldnt believe it. I told him I would give the money to the shelter in his name, and that he had to go with me. I gave all the dollars in my wallet, and started crying. This isnt the first time something like this has happened, but I havent written about it in the past. He went on to say the soccer ball wasnt important, and that the ball I bought they were supposed to share anyway. I was so impressed how he wanted to earn his own money. I tried to help him sell paintings and realized how hard it was. He knew exactly where everyone was from, and could tell in advance who would blow him off. Really nice, street smart kid.