I knew this was going to be an emotional day for me for it was my last day at the dog rescue centre.

I feel as though I had gained the trust of some of the dogs especially wee old Cindy and her equally old kennel companion Princess.

I shall remember many of these dogs and the struggle they have gone through in their short lives with many scars and disabilities they will have for ever.

Negro, had been so badly beaten that his jaw had been broken and now fused shut. The only way for him to feed/drink was suck in through the side of his mouth and he had developed the technique of blowing out of his nose while sucking in.

Many many dogs needed complicated surgery but there was just no money. Then there were some dogs who were fortunate to have no serious injuries and were waiting in the centre to be re-homed but this was a difficult decision to make not knowing if they would end up on the street once again

I can honestly say I have never seen so many stray dogs in the streets as I have seen here in Cusco – there are literally many thousands lying around the pavements and wandering along the roads with no particular destination other than searching for food in overflowing rubbish bins. Someone has to start a neutering programme – it makes perfect sense!!

I said my goodbyes to Mayti and Angelo, walk out the big metal door and didn’t look back. I had this dreadful feeling of guilt and I had stifled my emotions so much that my head was pounding. Thank goodness no-one asked me if I was ok because I would have lost it and bawled my eyes out.

I usually take a taxi back down the road but today I walked – I needed the time and space to be alone with my thoughts. Last night I actually looked on the net for companies that would transport both Princess and Cindy back to my home in Scotland. I don’t understand the culture here, some of these dogs are so gentle and have the sweetest of nature, they don’t demand anything…….just a little love and attention now and again. How can the people be so cruel.

Moving swiftly on……..as I walked down the road I took time to photograph some of the houses on the way.

I decided to head straight to the hostel without stopping for lunch. It was an exhausting walk as it was all up hill and I peched the whole way. Said hello to the three mutts in the courtyard and sat with them for a while then straight up the stairs and in for a shower. It was luke warm and not the pleasurable experience I was hoping for so I quickly hoped out, wrapped myself up in a towel and shivered on my bed as I dried and applied moisturiser to my dried skin.

My glasses broke again – Well I did buy them for £1 back home 🤓, and I needed to fix them with the superglue. I hate that stuff , it leaked when I tried to open it resulting in my fingers sticking to the tube and it smearing all over the lens ….arggggh! I hope I don’t need to use my fingerprint as ID on my phone for I have none left!

My laundry needs done, I need to go to the ATM and I have to go find somewhere to eat late lunch so I headed in the direction of the Lan Blas square – down some beautiful little alleyways passing many wonderful shops full of quality merchandise. I looked at a few things, paintings, pottery as well as clothing made from alpaca wool but I didn’t buy.

I visited a quant wee museum

And eventually settled on a bistro for a spot of early dinner – ham & cheese omelette with chips ( haven’t been able to face any more rice since the jungle). There was a coze wee fire blazing in the corner and I could have stayed longer but I had loads to do back at my hostel. I was going to Machu Picchu in the morning for 2 days

So, back to my freezing cold room to pack and hibernate under my duvet.

As I was walking back, I noticed there was a storm brewing over the Andes I guess it was going to be another night of torrential rain.

Nite 🥶