"A hot cup of mate de coca is made up of crushed coca leaves and is frequently used by locals of South America to treat altitude sickness, indigestion and general ailments. Both the coca and cannabis plants have been used for millennia as herbal medicines." This is exactly how I felt when my wife and I visited Cusco during the month of August, 1972 on a political science excursion under the auspices of our NYC college. Upon arrival, my oxygen level took a hit as well, but the hotel where we stayed had a doctor who treated us with a cup of "mate de coca." He told us to rest for a while after the drinking the tea. The effects were amazing. We had never been on such high elevation, either; however, the doctor knew best. We stayed in Cusco for at least another five days. Cusco is the heart of the rich and powerful Inca empire, and Machu Picchu is undoubtedly a site to behold. Thanks for sharing.
@@PeterMasella Muna is a quite different herbal tea in the Peruvian Highlands. Altitude sickness in Cusco is promptly cured by drinking "coca" tea, as @Otoño24 properly said. Nonetheless oxygen masks should also be of help until ...your lungs get accustomed to the city.
Great video. Enjoyed seeing your capture of this beautiful area. Thanks for sharing. I will be making my first trip to the area (Peru and Chile) in March 2025.
An "exotic" terrain indeed. Take care, Peter--- deficient atmospheric oxygen reminded me of the Leh-Ladakh in the northern-most Indian State of Ladakh. Most of the sightseeing that has ancient Hindu and Buddhist shrines starts at 14000 feet. No vegetation can sustain there. It is a 'frozen desert'. It appears you visited a similar terrain at high altitudes. That said, your running commentary is as always--- educating and engaging!
"Filming it doesn't do it justice"--100%. I fell in love with the Andes when I was there a few months ago. I don't know if you ventured out of Cusco other than going to Macchu Picchu, but there are some really incredible day trips into the mountains that let you see some really amazing views. (But please, get those altitude meds first.) I took over 2,000 pictures, plus video; still doesn't capture the beauty of Peru. Love that zoom shot of the runway, btw.
Awesome video. The views are simply gorgeous. I'm sorry you had those breathing/respiratory issues but I hope you still enjoyed your visit. Looking forward to more videos. God bless you and thanks again.
It’s much better if you hike or drive to altitude. I spent my summer at about 6800ft. Climbing up to 8000-12000ft was not bad at all for me (aside from elevated heart rate and hydration issues - totally normal at altitude). I did the same thing last year after flying into DEN (5400ft) and spending the night at 4800ft. Had the worst nausea of my life. We climbed from 6800ft to 10000+ ft in three days. By comparison, I climbed the same distance in a day this year and had no issues whatsoever because I was acclimated. Acclimation or oxygen therapy is key for altitude - especially if you’re used to living near sea level like me.
When the new airport opens, what are the plans for the old airport? That is a lot of land to work with and would be interesting to see what they do with it.
"A hot cup of mate de coca is made up of crushed coca leaves and is frequently used by locals of South America to treat altitude sickness, indigestion and general ailments. Both the coca and cannabis plants have been used for millennia as herbal medicines." This is exactly how I felt when my wife and I visited Cusco during the month of August, 1972 on a political science excursion under the auspices of our NYC college. Upon arrival, my oxygen level took a hit as well, but the hotel where we stayed had a doctor who treated us with a cup of "mate de coca." He told us to rest for a while after the drinking the tea. The effects were amazing. We had never been on such high elevation, either; however, the doctor knew best. We stayed in Cusco for at least another five days. Cusco is the heart of the rich and powerful Inca empire, and Machu Picchu is undoubtedly a site to behold. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching! I was also offered Muna tea in the hotels but oxygen was more effective.
@@PeterMasella Muna is a quite different herbal tea in the Peruvian Highlands. Altitude sickness in Cusco is promptly cured by drinking "coca" tea, as @Otoño24 properly said. Nonetheless oxygen masks should also be of help until ...your lungs get accustomed to the city.
Yes Coca Tea is usually not good for older tourists as it raises the blood pressure. Muña has the same effect without raising your blood pressure
I feel for you about the altitude issue. I spent a week at 12,000+ feet in Bolivia last year, and it was a challenge.
Bolivia was next on my list but I'm not going because I learned I can't handle 12,000+ feet.
Another great video! Thank you, Peter!
Thanks!
This place literally took your breath away! Great video and narration. Thanks!
Well said!
Great video. Enjoyed seeing your capture of this beautiful area. Thanks for sharing. I will be making my first trip to the area (Peru and Chile) in March 2025.
Have fun! Thanks for watching!
An "exotic" terrain indeed. Take care, Peter--- deficient atmospheric oxygen reminded me of the Leh-Ladakh in the northern-most Indian State of Ladakh. Most of the sightseeing that has ancient Hindu and Buddhist shrines starts at 14000 feet. No vegetation can sustain there. It is a 'frozen desert'. It appears you visited a similar terrain at high altitudes. That said, your running commentary is as always--- educating and engaging!
"Filming it doesn't do it justice"--100%. I fell in love with the Andes when I was there a few months ago. I don't know if you ventured out of Cusco other than going to Macchu Picchu, but there are some really incredible day trips into the mountains that let you see some really amazing views. (But please, get those altitude meds first.) I took over 2,000 pictures, plus video; still doesn't capture the beauty of Peru.
Love that zoom shot of the runway, btw.
Awesome! Thank you!
Divinity and majesty throughout this spectacular video! Thank you for the thorough reportage!
Many thanks!
Altitude sickness is no joke! Glad you were OK! Thanks for the info + video!
Thank you!
Awesome video. The views are simply gorgeous. I'm sorry you had those breathing/respiratory issues but I hope you still enjoyed your visit. Looking forward to more videos. God bless you and thanks again.
Thanks as always, Patrick!
Amazing amazing thank you for sharing these pictures
Glad you enjoyed it
Absolutely beautiful views, this has been on my bucket list for some time. One of these days!
You should! Thanks for watching!
It’s much better if you hike or drive to altitude.
I spent my summer at about 6800ft. Climbing up to 8000-12000ft was not bad at all for me (aside from elevated heart rate and hydration issues - totally normal at altitude).
I did the same thing last year after flying into DEN (5400ft) and spending the night at 4800ft. Had the worst nausea of my life. We climbed from 6800ft to 10000+ ft in three days. By comparison, I climbed the same distance in a day this year and had no issues whatsoever because I was acclimated.
Acclimation or oxygen therapy is key for altitude - especially if you’re used to living near sea level like me.
I agree. I don’t understand how so many people just get dropped off by plane at such a high altitude and do not experience any problems.
Beautiful views. Hope you’re doing well..
Yes, thank you!
I looked up the elevation for Cusco and OMG it's 11K feet! By comparison, Denver is half that and where I live (Omaha) is just over 1K.
Yup
I wonder if the pilots pressurize the cabin while still on the ground.
I was wondering the same!
When the new airport opens, what are the plans for the old airport? That is a lot of land to work with and would be interesting to see what they do with it.
Great question! I don’t know!
@@PeterMasella maybe you'll be back one day and give us an update. Hopefully you'll have a better time acclimating to the elevation.
what made you go to Peru
A Good price in the Skyteam network helping me get close to Million Miler status on Delta without spending a lot.
Did u have any Monta de Cocoa tea, I had it at Manchu Pichu. Really helps with altitudes
They gave me Muna tea.
Will you be glad to get back to NYC?
I have returned. Nice to breathe without O2
The minimum level of O2 isn't 95%, it's 90%.
NGL if I were a risk taker I'd totally climb those mountains to watch planes take off from Cusco. 😂
There are roads from which you can watch the planes too!
@@PeterMasella Nice! Ok, that's it, this is now officially on my bucket list. 😁
Wow, thankfully, you're better, I bet they've given you some medications
Thanks. No, I only took oxygen.
so its just airbus 319s and 320s anything else
That’s all I saw!
0:36 cute llama
It’s an alpaca 🦙!
@@PeterMasella oh thanks, i didnt know