Day 10 in Custco

 Today the rest of the crew was up at 4 am to start their tour of rainbow mountain.  I stayed back to take in a yoga class, catch up on work and do a bit more exploring around our new neighbor hood..

Exhale Yoga studio is on the 4th floor of the beautiful Antigua Boutique Hotel.  The concierge there was especially sweet and I arrived early so he ushered me to their beautiful restaurant for a lovely breakfast before my class.  

Everything about this hotel was so cozy and warm and the calm energy in this room and from the instructor was such a treat and just what I needed.  All for just 15 Soles.

On leaving the yoga class the lady in front of me and I struck up a conversation. It turns out she is from Manchester and has lived in Custco for 3 years and has her own business here.  She is a clothing designer and hires local ladies to knit her designs.  So of course

her store was right around the corner and she lead me there.  Here is a photo of it.  She ships her garments all over the world.  I bought Stetley the cutest little trendy sweater from her. I then told her about how much I loved the Concept Riaz store up the street and she said that the owner of that store was our yoga instructor and there is a real community of young women designers working with and encouraging young local designers as well.  She said they all have formed quite a network and social circle.

I then carried on with my stroll and stopped at this shop and met Flo, a young entrepreneur.  I was looking at a makeup bag and she wrote on her hand 15 Soles

… I was thinking about it when she put a llama key chain on top of the makeup bag as a throw in - so right there she had me.  She motioned me to stay right there and ran 3 stores up to bring me change.  I took her photo and wanted to send it to her but with my Spanish and her English we were having a tough go.  Pretty soon there were 5 ladies circled around us trying to help- finally I got her what’s app # to send her the photo.

Of course two of the ladies that came to help Flo and I were these Llama ladies one of whom I had met last week - so of course they wanted me in another Llama photo for the 5 soles change that Flo had given me.

I had left my good sunglasses at a nearby store the week before while buying llama pens for Lux and Stetley.  I couldn’t go back right away as I was headed out early on the trek.  The shop keeper remembered me after 6 days and had put the glasses away for me as he said he was sure I would be back for them.  So grateful I was and that is the way the people are here- so kind honest, fun loving and always wanting to help.

I then had lunch at this cafe where the crew had dinner the night before - I was not hungry from snacking on the train so I wasn’t going to let their amazing food pass me by.  I highly recommend - beautiful handmade pastas - bakery- lovely selection of wines and great expresso.  You can also buy free range eggs here which are all sitting out on display in a huge basket.

After lunch I returned to the flat to catch up on some grading.  It was a sunny day so I tried sitting on our small patio but the sun was not hitting the area so after an hour of working in my sweater I decided to take my computer and find a sunnier spot.  Well I found it at this place Pappa somethings on the second floor beside the Irish pub.  What a great way to catch up on work with this view and the sun shining warm on your skin.  I started with a local beer and finished w a Pisco Sour and the best onion rings I ever tasted - quite spicy and very yummy.  

I then headed back to drop my computer off at the flat and meet up with Andrea, Steve and Kayla for dinner.

That’s all for day 10!