Cusco was a place I never had a chance to live for very long. After my two years were up, my dad and I went to Cusco and did a little bit of tourism there. We spent a couple days in the city of Cusco itself, and a couple days in "Aguas Calientes" (hot waters) which is a small tourism town filled with visiting tourists from all over the world. Auguas Calientes was originally called Machu Pichu, and sits at the foot of the actual ruins of Machu Pichu. The name wa changed to not cofuse the town with the ruins. We got to Cusco by plane from Lima, to Aguas Calientes by train, and its a short bus ride to the ruins of Machu Pichu.
      Cusco is by far the most beautiful city in peru. Probably because it has preserved some of its ancient inca contruction and architecture, which is obviously better construction than what is now being used in most cities in Peru. Many of the streets in the center of the town are cobblestone streets, and many of the older buildings are made out of rock.
      I would suggest to anyone that is planning on buying a lot of souveniers to go to Huaraz first. Souveneirs in Cusco are extremely expensive compared to those in Huaraz (usually three times more), and they aren't necessarily any better, and not a wider selection either. If you like souveniers, Huaraz would be your best bet, and almost anything you could find in Cusco, you can also get in Huaraz.