What could be more fun than 13,000 used car salesmen in one room?

Thus far, Cuzco is one of my favorite places I have visited along my travels. I am too lazy to explain why, but just be confident it involves a picturesque mountain city, old Incan architecture and a television station that broadcasts RED SOX games.. YES, that is correct.. For the first time in 2006, I saw a Boston Red Sox game, and besides not knowing who the hell half of the players are, I was like a Hurley (fat kid from "Lost") stuck in a cake when watching it. SO HAPPY. They beat the Mets, Ortiz hit a homerun, Papelbon saved the game and I felt as though I was watching the game from the 66th floor of the Prudential Building while watching it on the 9 inch mostly color TV in the hotel room.

In other news, Cuzco is filled with street merchants who are merciless when it comes to making a sale. They will not quit until you start running away from them yelling NO GRACIAS. "Buy my voodoo doll that sits on your index finger and has two eyes, no nose and a piece of yarn representing its mouth!!", "have this sweater with a donkey on it", "enjoy my wool socks that are too big to serve any practical use", "want to smoke drugs", etc. they plead.

For the first few days, I was stalwart in my no purchase stance, however yesterday I cracked when my friend, Christy, and I were in the outskirts of the city and we saw a friendly, yet desperate street vendor huddled in a corner with some gloves, hats, sweaters and wool dolls. I decided to try on a hat. The lady flattered me by saying it looked really "fantastico". I didn't want to buy it, but she kept pushing more and more hats in my face to try on. At this point, it would have been more of a hastle to walk away than pay the $1.67 for the hat, so I bought it and went on my way feeling weak and defeated by the merchant.

On this note, in hopes of avoiding the future street vendors' harrassement, I intend on buying one of everything (Stockings, Sweaters, Wool Pants, Hat, Gloves, wooden shoes, a voodoo doll for every finger, a water bottle holder, wierd jewelry, postcards (taping them too my chest), etc) and wear it at all times so they know that I am not a potential buyer of their low grade product.. Who's the sucker now??

On this note's note, the hat that I was roped into buying was decidedly girly. So Mom, or sis, I hope you like your future homecoming gift.. It was VERY expensive.