At Piazza San Blas, there's still time to watch the vendors' set-up routine
(before later-rising tourists ascend from Cusco via the via)
woven woolens, leather packs, Santiago's pipes
and all manner of trinkets

a young Andean maiden endearingly brings her pet alpaca to market day
or so I think
only later to discover she is part of the photo mafia posing for pennies
it's disappointing

most incongruous yet is uncle selling granite chacanas
who breaks into whistle
i expect The Mission Morricone
pan-fluted
but hear, instead, Gloria
circa Brannigan, not Rutter