How to Pull

I get up at around 10:00 make myself look presentable and go knock on the girlie's door. I was completely unprepared for the onslaught of hugs and welcome kisses I received. Ana, Isabelle and Monika all bowled me over! In my shock, a feeble, "Good morning!" is about all I could muster in response. It's good to feel wanted! Ana in particular had been awaiting my arrival last night, eager to go clubbing but ended up having an early night instead.

Whilst the others go about their daily chores Ana takes me on a tour of Cusco. More quaint cobbled streets, only this time they're full of market stalls selling everything from socks and mashed up circuit boards to soups and decaying donkey heads! And you thought our brac-a-brak was

We decide on dinner at Cusco's only Indian, Maikhana, it pleases the veggies Sean &Monika and Ana as, well, she's Indian! Myself, Ana &Isabelle arrive ½ hour late (we got talking to another couple from la Paz in the hostel) to find the curry house in the dark and Sean in not such a bad mood as we expected. Mainly because the power had gone out in the building and he'd been helping the electrician find the cause. All the lights and most of the appliances in the restaurant were dead but the rest of the building was unaffected. You would imagine a fuse or an isolator switch had blown but this is South America, things aren't that simple! Most of the food is cooked on gas so we can still order. It's another candle light dinner with Stevie! They have no madras so it's a Chicken Chili for me. It's as tame as but the extra hot sauce they bring over kicks ass! Fearing no chili Ana dives in and soon regrets it. Sean and I are more cautious. After dinner, we leave just as power is restored. The electrician had just cobbled an extension lead into the dead fuse box - very dodgy. I was glad I was leaving, I could see it all going up in flames!

We go to the Up Town Club where Isabelle is delighted they're playing Salsa music. She gives me a go but I'm too sober, too stiff and can't get into the music. Sorry Isabelle! Next time, I swear, I'll be better! The place turns into a night club and fills up with Israelis so we leave. I drag Ana and Isa to Ukutus, where I was last night. We see the end performance of an African band, the girls love it. I rule! Isa and I leave Ana dancing to start a game of pool in the chill out room. It's a large, well worn, American pool table with one ball missing, bent cues, no chalk and small pockets. I was able to sink a couple of balls but after a slow shot where the ball visibly wobbled and snaked along the table we handed it back over to the locals and grabbed Ana.

Most of the night was spent talking about pulling. Apparently, one of the (many) reasons I'm so lousy at it is because I usually only head out with female friends - it gives off the wrong vibe as it looks as if I've already pulled. A handy tip but not having any single male mates to go out with I'm not too sure what I can do about it?

Sometime after 02:00 I walk the girls back to the hostel. "Aren't you coming in?" they ask as I stand out in the cold. "No! I'm in Cusco, it's Saturday night and the bars and clubs are still open!" With that Ana suddenly gets a second wind, "Well said! Mind if I join you?" We try a local bar which, as it transpires, doesn't sell any beer!? Instead they have a local brew sold in bottles made from palm leaves. You buy a bottle and they mix it in a jug with a bit of lemonade. It reminds me of a strong tasting Pimms. Not bad. We then move on to Mamma Africas, a gringo club, where a couple of local girls were besotted with Ana's Indian appearance. I felt quite left out! Bed for 04:30.

Posted by Steve Eynon