40) An Englishman, a Spaniard, a Mexican and a Columbian walk into a bar...

I've recovered with the help of some coca tea and the effects of the 'Pisco party' from the other day have worn off. Andy told me he'd be in Cusco and that I'd more than likely find him in 'Paddy O'Flaherty's Irish Pub'. Sounds good to me – after all those exotic Latino cocktails, a decent pint of Guinness sounds good to me.

Paddy's Pub is just down the street from my hostel – that's handy, Andy – thought Woz. It calls itself the highest Irish pub in the world and at 3300m – nearly 11,000 feet, I don't have the breath to argue.

It's on the corner of my street and 'Plaza de Armas' which is the main – and incredibly beautiful main square in Cusco. As Irish pubs go, this is pretty good, in fact very good. Even better, they have Kilkenny and 'Old Speckled Hen'. Blimey, this is going to be a good stay.

So tucking into a decent pint of Kilkenny bitter and having the 'craic' with Andy – I notice someone who was on the 'Titicaca' trip the other day. Well, Judith recognises me straight away. She's on holiday, lives in Barcelona. She introduces her friend Sergio, he's from Mexico. Her English is very limited – Sergio is fluent – they're both very good company. Andy thinks he's my brother – I have to say, I don't disagree that we have similar looks – and build.

We head out into the main Plaza – it's quite late now. As I mentioned, the plaza is lovely – the buildings and cathedral are stunning. Being illuminated at night gives it even more effect. We meet up with another of their friends – Juan. He's Columbian, excellent English and a personality to match. We've seen a poster for a bar with live music – this'll do me!

We're upstairs in this really quite weird bar – low seats, a few people hanging out. It's a locals bar, not many tourists here. No sign of a band either. “Band be on soon” says our young waitress - “you can have two for one happy hour all night”. Maybe not a bad place after all.

Well, that's an understatement – all of a sudden the place just sort of fills up, the band get ready. There's like seven or eight of them with all sorts of instruments, they start playing – local folk / rock / ragaton, just about everything they play is amazing. The also have a guy dancing – he lights a small fire and creates all sorts of coloured smoke. What an amazing place – it's packed now, and everyone's rocking.

So my two for one cocktails are going down very well, can't hear myself think for the band, can't always see because of the smoke and darkness – we're on the top floor and it's a tiny stairway. I can feel another newspaper headline appearing “British tourist among hundreds dead in Cusco club fire”. Actually, it doesn't seem a bad way to go, certainly warmer than freezing to death on the Salt Flats! And being just about full of all sorts of 'two for ones' – I don't have the sense to stand nearer the doorway!

We get out of there alive, and end up making a complete nuisance of ourselves back in the main square. Even the police in Cusco are very restrained – still, I don't think us four cared really. Nor did the copper.

Time to head back – I have an early start again. I'm off to visit Maccu Piccu – 'The Lost City of the Incas'

It can't be that hard to find – can it?

Comments

[Steve]

running out of superlatives - love it wozzer
Steve

[Africancrab]

Incredible, LOL!