Day 86 - Cusco

Friday, 7 November 2014

I woke up in the morning feeling much better than I did yesterday, and after laying around for a bit I strolled to the market to have some more of the medicinal flower juice, and thereafter lunch, a variation of spaghetti (called tallarin here, it is flatter and thinner than spaghetti) in a delicious sauce and grilled chicken. As usual the portion was too big so I left all the French fries behind.

And then I was too full, so I walked around Cusco town for probably the last time. I don't know when, if ever, I would have the chance to see this city again which I have grown really fond of. Whilst the fever and sore throat had cleared, the phlegm was still in my chest, and sometimes when I breathe I can hear a whooping sound; once when this happened some years ago the doctor said I had bronchitis, but now, in addition to the phlegm, I also developed a terrible cough caused, no doubt, by the phlegm.

Because I could not stand my coughing fit, I bought some cough medicine although I was convinced it wouldn't work. It usually doesn't work in Malaysia, I don't see why it should work in Peru. But I bought it anyway. Then, in the evening, I had an unpleasant experience. I went to a local pub which I had gone to many times before (because I gather it was safe as it was always full of tourists and close by to my hostel) to have some grub and I noticed that they had brandy for 14 soles. Brandy is my grandfather's cure for flu, fever, cough and cold. So I ordered a glass and downed it, and after eating I downed another just to make sure all the bad germs are thoroughly killed.

Then when the bill came, I saw that they charged me 25 soles for a glass of cognac. So I explained to the waiter, who was white (and therefore probably thought he was better than the rest) that I ordered brandy, and now I am being charged for cognac. He then said that what I in fact consumed was cognac, so I had to pay for that. I politely told him that I ordered brandy, and if he brought the wrong drinks that was his problem, I am paying for brandy. Whereupon he proceeded to tell me that I should have known the difference; if I ordered tequila and beer arrived I should reject the beer. I told him this was hardly the same thing - brandy and cognac to me are similar, plus, I had never tried this particular brand of brandy before (called Napoleon) so I really wouldn't know the difference.

He then said if I was being difficult then he had to call the owner. As if that would scare me off! Call the bloody owner! The owner, God bless his soul, was more understanding than all of his underlings. He saw that it was his staff's fault and charged me only 14 soles i.e. what I ordered. I thanked him for his hospitality, and before leaving I just couldn't resist telling white boy that if he learnt to be more courteous, maybe he would be more successful than he is now working as a waiter in some bar in Cusco. I know, this was mean but I was pissed off. In Malaysia, I think most restaurants would not only have apologised, but thrown in a free drink for good measure. 

My last day in Peru and I just had to fight!