If people were to ask me what I like most about backpacking and travelling, the answer would be simple: everything. I mean, what’s there not to like? You get the amazing opportunity of seeing places you’ve never been to before, you meet different great and open-minded people every day and through that make friends all over the world, every moment is an adventure, you wake up thinking ‘so, what am I gonna do today’ – no stress, no responsibilities, no worries. The only things you actually worry about are: what & where am I going to eat, did I just pay too much for that sweater, should I do this tour or not, when’s the next cool event or party, will there be wifi, and most importantly… will my money last until the end of the trip? Besides the last question (which I guess many of us are asking ourselves on a regular basis anyway), those are pretty chill problems to worry about, don’t you think?

On my third day here in Cusco, I realised once again, how much I love the feeling of being on the road, exploring & discovering the world. I already met so many cool people and it sure doesn’t feel like it’s only been 3 days I’ve been here: Day 1: strolling around the city with Alessandra and Emily, two of my fellow volunteers from the Hostel – still in delirium from my 26 hour trip. Day 2: doing the free walking tour with Marjolein from the Netherlands, having a two-course lunch for 2,70€ (even beating German university “Mensa” prices) & getting lost in the nightly streets of Cusco. Day 3: hiking up to “Christo Blanco” & the citadel “Saqsayhuaman”, enjoying the breathtaking view and the sunset with Renata from Brazil. It’s always great to live in a hostel, being greeted by everyone, even though you don’t even know those people, but it simply feels like you’ve all been friends forever. It’s the common mindset that everyone has, the experiences you share and the stories you exchange. It’s a whole different world and I fall in love with it every time I enter.

DAY 2: WALKING TOUR IMPRESSIONS

Altitude breakfast: coca leaves & tea – luckily I haven’t had any problems at all, while some of the other backpackers got really sick & felt dizzy the first couple of days at 4000m a.s.l.

“L’atelier Café Concept” – one of the many cute vegan cafes in Cusco

Enjoying the view over Cusco – highly recommendable walking tour

—Everywhere you go in Cusco, you walk up stairs

Free walking tour through Cusco with our enthusiastic Peruvian guide Marco – the right part of the wall was made by the Inkas, the left by the Spanish

Cusco has the shape of a Puma – Our guide’s explanation as to how the Inkas accomplished that shape so many years ago: “we’re simply that awesome”

First Pisco Sour in Peru – cheers guys

Lunch on the balcony for 10 soles (2,70€)

Quinoa soup with vegetables. Since quinoa originated in the Andean region, you’ll find it all over Cusco & at every market or restaurant

DAY 3: CHRISTO BLANCO

Morning view from the balcony of my hostel. The rainbow flag here doesn’t have the exact same meaning as in other parts of the world: the 7 colour stripes represent the 7 chakras and the number 7 is therefore spiritually very important for the Peruvian people (just as it was for the Inkas)

I bought this traditional Argentinian sweet (made of oats, dulce de leche and some other ingredients) from a couple that made them and is now selling them for 1 sole (0,27€) in order to save money to travel on to Lima

Just casually waiting for the bus on Avenida El Sol in Cusco, Peru

Hands down the best chicken-avocado sandwich I’ve ever had in my life! The avocados here taste so much more intense, that you don’t even need any salt, pepper or oil with it

Making our way up to Christo Blanco – a big white Jesus Statue on a hill overlooking Cusco

Renata and I, happy we made it up the hill

—“Travel as much as you can. As far as you can. As long as you can. Life’s not meant to be lived in one place.”

Thankful for every moment and every experience

Little nightly coffee treat at “La Rabona” after an adventurous day

Sunset at 5pm during winter time