The Lighter Side of Peru
At just about all the restaurants and hotels it was common to be serenaded by Pan pipes. Much as I like it, Simon & Garfunkel’s El Condor Pasa did get a bit overplayed. You know the one: “I’d rather be a sparrow than a snail, Yes I would, If I could, I surely would…..”
In 2004 El Condor Pasa was declared Patrimonio cultural de la Nación, an official part of Peru’s cultural heritage.
The traditional costumes are very colourful. However I think the hats let them down! There was little or no overt begging in Peru. However obviously the children realised that they could get lots of money by looking cute for the tourists.
The hand weaving takes a long time. I reckon this lady makes more money from tips rather than selling her produce.
A local market in Chivay and below, selling Prickly Pears by the roadside – very refreshing.
Aguas Calientes is the nearby town to Machu Picchu, which you are taken to after the Inca Trail trek. From here you take the train to return to Cusco. Aguas Calientes is a tiny town existing solely to serve the tourist trade. The train tracks go through the main road of the town on which most of the restaurants are to be found.
Two odd sights just off the main square in Lima (Plaza de Armas). Water cannon for the tourists?
Sign at the entrance to the Inca site, Sacsayhuaman in Cusco.
Below, more mangling of the English language!
Before & after
In Puno we noticed these men fussing outside a church. On passing back after our meal we realised what they had been doing.
The Cusco Museum of Pre-Colombian Art
The pre-Colombian craftsmen’s skills easily matched the European’s counterparts of the time. The Andean Cross motif was common on a lot of pottery across several early Andean cultures.
Rafael Larco Museum – Lima
There were a few playful pots, in the erotic part of this museum. A mummy with the body in a foetal position wrapped in layers of blankets and a gold mask.
For lunch on the last day, this restaurant had these tiny balconies overlooking the alleyway.
We all loved the national drink, Pisco Sour – obligatory to try if visiting Peru.
Also traditional for tourists is guinea pig. Alan was bold enough to try it once. The expression on his face says it all – nobody bothered trying this “delicacy” again & I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone either.
The farewell dinner & also Di’s birthday celebration! Ann & I are wearing our Alpaca jumpers.
A tremendous holiday, with something very different to do and see on each day. Exhausting, but highly memorable!
Adios Peru!