cocaine, breakfast of champions

ok, not really.  but since our arrival in cusco i have been enjoying the coco te, tea made from cocaine leaves.  apparently it is supposed to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness.  it sort of tastes like a mild green tea mixed with freshly cut grass.  it's not half bad. 

we have also been sampling some of the coca candy.  it's a sticky sort of sucking candy, that tastes like a really sweet raisin with a hint of caramel.

i have no idea how effective these things are.  maybe it's all a scam.   but day 2 in the mountains and so far we are feeling fine.

off to work on the great american novel ...