Cusco’s Curious Fireworks Fascination

I love fireworks.  Maybe it's cuz I’m a July 11th baby, 1 week after the 4th.  And they remind me of  “Summer, summer summer time!  Time to sit back and unwind...aaand unwiiind.”  

Cusco LOVES fireworks.  Maybe a little too much?  I know what you’re thinking... “But, Matt, is there such thing as too much fireworks?”  Well, actually yes.  I'll explain...

When we first arrived in Cusco, the city was abuzz in anticipation of the Inti Raymi Festival on June 24th.  For 2+ weeks before the big sun festival, the city had parades in Plaza de Armas every day, all day long and into the evening.  

And, they had fireworks.  Lots of em!!!  

Some sets of works seem to be lit about a mile from my hotel.  Here’s a show that happened on Sunday the 19th, around ~11pm.  Just opened my hotel door, stepped outside and started filming:

June 24th is the Inti Raymi Sun Festival here in Cusco, but they party hard in the weeks leading up to the event. Seems like there are fireworks every night! This is the view from my hotel---I just walked right outside my door, and started filming. Peru likes to party!!!

But, there’s one curious Cusquenan tradition that I am still baffled by.  

(OH WAIT, literally as I just typed that, fireworks went off, 7:43pm)  

Morning fireworks.

Yep, morning fireworks.  Almost every morning, I am woken up to a series of fireworks around 6-7am.  We’re not talking a big show or anything, no finale.  Just a series of pops that lasts about :05 - :10 secs.  About a mile away from my hotel.  

This morning, there were approximately 5 or 6 sets of fireworks from ~6 - 8am.  The Inti Raymi Sun Festival is over a week ago.  But, the works keep comin'!

(OH, and there's more that just went off:  7:52pm) 

Wow, Cusco has a serious fascination with works of fire.  

I'm gonna miss Cusco!!!  But, I won't miss being woken up to fireworks.

Lastly, a short video of Patrick and I walking down to Plaza de Armas, and guess what?  Fireworks at the 0:52 mark!

Sorry about the random conversation about GoPro audio quality, I just like the visuals in this. And, surprise! Fireworks starting at the 0:52 mark!