After returning to the hotel and reading a bit, we went to lunch where again we had the menu of the day. I had fish la plancha, with a broccoli cake (very yummy) and rice and french fries. Of course, I added a beer from Cusco called Cusqueña. This brand comes in different darknesses and I tried the dark one this time. Dessert was a pudding with a bit of chocolate on top all for under $7.00 with tip.
After lunch we went to our rooms to wait for our guide. Just before 2:00 p.m. he showed up with a fancy van and we were off to the Temples of the Sun and of the Moon. These are actually called Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna are located a few kilometers south of Trujillo at the foot of Cerra Blanca (White Mountain)next to a tributary of the Moche River, named after the people who built them 1700 years previously.
It is difficult to describe these two immense structures 200 yweards apart separated by a level, open plain. The more interesting structure is Huaca de la Luna, in part, because the excavation has revealed incredibly beautiful friezes in relief with many still colored vividly. It was built from 140 million adobe bricks, and while some of it has been destroyed and looted over the centuries, excavations continue to expose more beautiful artifacts.
Evidence shows the sacrifice of large numbers of individuals at thee Huaca de la Luna. At one event, most likely connected to a very destructive El Niño, at least 34 adult males were sacrificed. They seened to do a lot of decapitation, as there are many depictions of someone, part god and part human, referred to by our guide as the "Decapitater."The open space between the two temples showed evidence of a high level of manufacturing and industrial activity and a high population density.
After quite a bit of walking and the taking of a multitude of photos, we retunred to our hotel for a bit of a rest. I lay down and heard music outside. I thought it might be a parade, but I was too tired to rise for about one-half hour, so I listened in a state of half sleep. Since the music continued, I finally went to the front desk to ask aout it and was told that we were next door to a music college, and the band was practicing. Back in my room I read a bit more, and then we headed out for a bit of dinner. This time I ordered a small chorizo sandwich amd a beer for about $2.80 total. Allen and Beth split a club sandwich for about $4.00.
Afterwards they returned to the hotel and I walked to the main plaza (Plaza del Armes)hoping to find some music or other entertainment. But the plaza was quiet, so I walked back to the hotel, stopping in a couple of shops to look at the wares being sold.
Finally I wrote this blog and will now head up to pack and read a bit. I tried to add a photo or two, but I was not able to since Beth has retired and the room is quiet -- no coughing by Allen.
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