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"Anyone with a bit of technical understanding will see..." -- Just curious, have you actually seen this site or just photos on social media? Have you done any research there? If so, please share the data gathered.

No, there's no reason to be concerned about safety in most of the country -- especially Cusco which is one of the safest places in South America. Petty crime like pickpocketing can happen anywhere, but Cusco has far less than most places. And the chances of a visitor wandering into a bad neighborhood in Peru is very small.

It's not that bad -- just a big canoe. I have a slight irrational fear of water even though I can swim fine, but I've never been worried. It's nothing to worry about.

@@theperuchannel Well that's good to know. Maybe I'll change my mind about it when I see it.

I've been on one of those boats in a powerful storm where we literally had to hide against the shore and wait it out because the wind was too strong to row in any direction. While wet and uncomfortable, it was never scary.

It's a nice way to spend an hour. I don't think I would get a guide as they tend to say all kinds of stuff that isn't true. (I think reading Wikipedia once qualifies anyone to be a guide in Peru.) I've also seen guides skipping really important stuff as if they are just trying to hurry through.

It's really hard to go anywhere around Cusco without encountering ruins of some type. People have settled here for several thousand years. Of course, the really old sites are extremely hard to spot, but they are around.

@@theperuchannel Can't wait to immerse myself :) Is the majority of the surrounding areas around Cusco pretty open to just walk and explore? Like I won't be making farmers mad or anything?

@@TheAdventureZombie It's surprising how open the countryside is here (and almost all of Peru). Most fences are there to keep livestock out. You won't have any problems recognizing where you can walk as fields are almost always very small thanks to the terrain which forces them to adapt to whatever reasonably flat spot is available. In other places (like the Sacred Valley) where the fields are much larger, walking along the edge is normal. There are trails on the side of just about every field that locals use and no one pays any attention to someone walking besides a field. In the countryside, people walk everywhere and have for centuries so this is just a part of life and the culture. What's cool is when you are walking along a path and realize that it's actually an Inca road. I've had that happen several times over the years. (There are little clues that usually give it away.)

@@theperuchannel that sounds amazing. Thanks for all the info as usual :)

There were serious issues back in 2010 with extremely heavy rains across the region causing some damage that took a while to repair. There's an extensive drainage system that combines Inca systems and modern drainage channels, but I don't know if it was in place before 2010. What most people don't realize is there is a foundation of stonework underneath the main stones at Sacsayhuaman. I don't know the depth, but they are clearly visible. It might even be bedrock as there's not much soil up there and a LOT of the limestone is exposed all over the surrounding mountains, but at least some of the buried stones have clearly been worked. All of the problems that I'm aware of over the past century or more has been on the top of the walls. I image that any erosion concerns right now are easily taken care of as the site is constantly monitored by archeologists and staff from all over the world. (There's an international group working up there right now led by a Polish team who've been working here for years in cooperation with the big university in Cusco. I spent some time talking to them a few weeks ago and they are amazing.)

@@theperuchannel That's exactly what I hope to do. I am in awe with all the ancient sites Peru has to offer, and if I ever get the chance to talk to the people actually studying those sights, I would have endless questions I'm sure, lol!

We actually know a lot more than most people on social media who haven't done any research like to claim. The tools can still be found sometimes in the quarries for many Inca sites. I've found a few and replaced them where they were found for someone else. (Sadly, too many people keep them for souvenirs or to sell to tourists.) Hammerstones are well-known as fact -- even those that are predominately iron that so many fake RUclips archeologists say the Inca masons didn't have. Most of the people who talk about Inca construction have zero knowledge about geology, engineering, and basic science. (I've learned a TON, but thanks to those who pointed me in the right direction instead of RUclips videos!)

@@theperuchannel You are so right! The social media people spreading the myths is what got me hooked, but when I started actually doing the research I found the things they were saying to not make much sense anymore. That's when I decided to try and make my own stone blocks, bowls, etc. and see what the most efficient way would be. It's been incredibly eye opening to say the least.

I'm so sorry it took me so long to respond. There is an expat community, but it's smaller than some other Peruvian cities. The ones I know are generally a little older, too, but that's a generalization and certainly not all. The "ayahuasca healing" community also exists, but there are many stories of serious issues like crime, sexual assault, and worse relating to this community which has exploded in Iquitos over the past 10-15 years. Peruvians tend to be friendly to everyone, but they are far more friendly to those who respect their country and the people rather than using it as a place to do their own thing -- like working illegally, hanging out only with expats and not trying to be part of the local culture, etc. Spanish is pretty easy to learn and people are very patient as you learn.

Thank you! These are so much fun to do, but I don't think people really like them so I don't bother editing and posting them. (I did a little walk through part of Iquitos this morning that is uploading right now. I don't know how interesting it is, but it's more fun editing in the air conditioning instead of walking in the extreme heat of Iquitos!) I promise I'll start doing more.

@@theperuchannel Well I for one am a fan of all your videos thus far. As someone really thinking of moving there (one would have to in order to see it all🤣), these videos are helping paint a really clear picture in my mind what my life there might look like. I have always been the one to explore that one random trail or road, and in Peru they often lead to an ancient site, and that exactly what your videos show me :)

It's even better in person!

Thank you. I wish I could do more. I had a better camera that crashed thanks to my stupidty of putting the tripod on a place which was not steady while trying to coax a tarantula out of its hole! I've not replaced it because of the expense, but am thinking I finally will in November on a trip to Lima. (Things like cameras are very expensive here.) I also get very frustrated because I've learned that most, if not all, of the videos like this are actually using stolen video or stuff they filmed in a zoo! It's easy to look professional when you take the work of professionals. Everything that I share is what I filmed.

@@theperuchannel I would be willing to help out if cameras are just too expensive down there. I live in Oregon, and even though I'm not planning on visiting until next year, I could purchase whatever camera you're after and bring it down? I know you don't know me at all, but I'm willing to help where I can, I love what you are doing for information on Peru. I'm just surprised you don't have more subscribers on here with all the great info you supply. As you say in your podcast, most pretend to know it all, but I believe you actually do :) I've got my own RUclips channel, which I don't post to anymore, but I'd be more than willing to be your camera man and carry gear or whatever, lol!

Thank you so much! I'd forgotten about this video, but it was definitely a fun one to do.

@@theperuchannel I decided to start back at the beginning of your videos and work my way up to present :p

I very, very rarely go with anyone anymore just because I tend to make things up as I go. I'm one of those people who, when I see a trail -- or what just looks like a trail! -- going off into the middle of nowhere, I almost always take it. You wouldn't believe all the stuff I've fund doing that. That being said, I never mind showing people around. You wouldn't believe how many times I've gone to Machu Picchu intending to film and ended up with a people who, for some reason, like to hear what I can tell them about the place. (Sadly, the guides are almost universally lacking in knowledge while I know Machu Picchu better than almost anyone. I've even people hear me talking and leave their groups to come with me! I don't encourage that, but since I'm not an official guide, I don't care.) Do you know when you will be around here? I travel an awful lot all over the country. For instance, I still have trips to to the Amazon River and then to Machu Picchu coming up this month.

@@theperuchannel That's exactly what I want to do, see everything, especially what's at the end of that random trail, haha! But seriously, I am planning a trip to Peru as soon as I can manage, and though it will likely be next year, your expertise and knowledge of where some of the lesser known places are, I believe you would be a great guide :) Thanks for your repo sea Philip, and I hope we can figure something out :)

I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you. I'm absolutely terrible at social media communication -- something I really need to improve. I'm so lucky that this is my home and I have the chance to almost do whatever and go wherever I want. It is so much better than you imagine. Photos and videos can't really show what it's really like.

@@theperuchannel That's awesome. Maybe one day I'll be doing what you do.

So you agree with the point of the video. If you agree with it, why is it silly? The "piece of paper" myth is shared all over by countless people and it's not true. That's the point of the video. The video says absolutely nothing about what caused the gaps.

What "deception" are you talking about?

I’m so glad that you like this and the others. I just do these to share my world. It really means a lot to hear your kind words. Thank you so much!

Good eye and good question! The drainage hole is original, but most have pipes inserted. I'm not certain of the purpose, but perhaps they reduce internal erosion as well as make it easier to clean should they become clogged with grass and debris.

Keeping in mind that the most famous style is actually very, very rare and there are dozens of styles of Inca construction, this style is very commonly reproduced in faux fashion for use in modern buildings. You can see it all over Cusco and people often mistake this modern stuff for real Inca construction.

@@AVoidDances "zero meat or potatoes"? -- clearly you didn't watch the video. What is the "original point" that I missed? Thank you for commenting, but you wrote lots of generalities and gave no specifics to discuss.

@@theperuchannel You're right! The video is Awesome! Love looking at these sites, and detailed videos like yours. Thank you! Putting paper between the stones is analogous to the precision, mortarless joinery of multi tonne polygonal blocks. Which have obviously moved and shifted over the millenniums. Modern myth at best, what's the theory? These are rhetorical things to debunk and debate. The blocks in your video look like the sides were truly fitted together, and not just the face edge. Those spaces can tell us a lot.

100% geopolymer?

The police and military closed it all down about four years ago in a major operation, but there are still pockets of illegal mining everywhere in the region. I sawn them operating openly just a few weeks ago -- undoubtedly thanks to corruption. No one eats fish locally thanks to the contamination upriver.

@@theperuchannel that’s really sad to hear. This part of Peru is so beautiful and was pristine. Did they ever close down the mines at La Rinconada?

Thank you! I wanted to try something different. Finding the right lighting for a few scenes took a LOT of walking around last night!

You need to get out more

@@jonargotte1589 Where are you from?

@@PaddingtonSoul I'm NYC

@@jonargotte1589 From the news i know NYC is dangerous too 😅 The point is... Changing the safety of a country or even a small city is very difficult. It's a better idea to move to a place that is already safe. Finland has been the happiest country in the world many years. I love my country (Perú) but i know that i have to move as soon as possible. Besides, Peru also has the problem of earthquakes. Scientists every year remind us that a strong one might happen at any moment because it's been decades since the last strong one, so it's already time for a new strong one.

I do. I just don't share everything here!

I'm lucky to live here. It's a wonderful city with great people.

Good question. ATMs offer dollar or local currency (soles) withdrawals. I could easily just take out soles and pay a significant commission for each withdrawal at a not-very-good exchange rate. The commissions (around 5-8%!) add up since there is relatively small limit for each withdrawal, but one bank -- ScotiaBank -- has a relationship with Bank of America so I can withdraw dollars from my BofA account with no fees from either bank. I then go to a casa de cambio and exchange dollars for soles at a very decent exchange rate. This saves me a LOT of money every month because I don't have to worry about any withdrawal fees and I get a good exchange rate.

I forgot to say that I could take out soles with no commission before, but for some reason that ended several years ago. I'm probably getting a better exchange rate since this process takes one quick step -- the casas de cambio are all next to the banks -- which saves me a little money compared to before.

Thank you! These are a lot of fun to film and share.

Thank you!

Yeah, this has become my "happy place" where I'm most at home. I filmed this about a km from Mandor where you guys stayed last time. I was on my way there to check on Nelly since there was a huge landslide that has shut down the railroad through there for over a month and ran into a friend along the way (the former director of Machu Picchu) and visited with him for awhile. The delay and the dark clouds sent me back to Aguas Calientes, but i'll be back in 8 days with time in Iquitos next month.