Facts About Peru and Cusco

Below are a few random facts about Peru and the city of Cusco:

1. The Peruvian currency is the Sole. One U.S. dollar is equal to about three Peruvian Soles. 
2. The time in Peru is two hours ahead of California time. 
3. My program (IVHQ) partners with a local NGO called Maximo Nivel. The organization assists local Peruvian communities to develop through the establishment of programs nationwide that benefit the most number of people.
4. Lonely Planet fact: Cusco was once the foremost city of the Inca empire and is now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, as well as the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city.
5. Temperatures in Cusco will be mild, with the lows in the 30s and the highs in the 60s. May-October is the dry season. 
6. The altitude in Cusco is at 11,000 feet. People often get altitude sickness when they come here. Mate de coca (coca -leaf tea) is said to help curb the syptoms of altitude sickness. No, you do not get high from it. I have altitude sickness pills on hand in case I get sick. 
7. I’ll be in Peru for three of their holidays:

• June 29: St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Day
• July 28-29: Independence Day Celebrations
• August 30: St. Rosa of Lima Day

Map of Peru (taken from Lonely Planet)