Peru

Once again, Peru is the best culinary destination in South America

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 17:58:00 +0000

Peru was awarded, for the fourth consecutive year, as the South America’s Leading Culinary Destination 2015 by the World Travel Awards in a ceremony hosted at Mazagan Beach Resort in Morocco. The organizers of the event pointed out that Peru has consolidated itself as a gastronomic reference in Latin America and the World, hence the interest in visitors to Peru in experiencing it’s culinary art. Therefore, the number of travel packages to Peru offering gastronomic tours, as an important part of the journey, is growing.

http://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-south-americas-leading-culinary-destination-2015

Sibayo has become a model of homestay tourism in Peru

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 00:57:00 +0000

For a rare and unique cultural experience, travelers can enjoy a homestay in Sibayo, an Andean village located in the Colca Canyon at 3880m.a.s.l, in the region of Arequipa. Sibayo is also known as ‘Rumillacta,’ stone village, due to its one-story buildings made of stones. At Sibayo, visitors enjoy learning about the local lifestyle, including sharing the locals’ daily chores. Most of the inhabitants’ occupation in Sibayo has been the breeding of alpacas, until the first visitors to the Colca Canyon began passing by the town en route to the canyon’s tourist attractions.

In 2006, the community of Sibayo decided to arrange lodges in some of their houses with the goal of encouraging visitors to stay one or more nights in their town. Currently, there are twelve rustic but homely houses, which offer lodging to visitors that usually stay for up to three nights. Presently, over 600 visitors travel to Sibayo every year in order to enjoy this deep cultural experience. This initiative has got the interest of international and national institutions, which since 2008 have supported the community in their cultural venture.

The Peruvian government has recently joined the Spanish International Cooperation Agency (AECID) in order to support this cultural venture, which has brought cultural and economic benefit to the community. The Ministry of Trade and Tourism support has helped in rebuilding Sibayo’s streets and the Main Square, as well as in the painting of private and public buildings. As for the Spanish agency, it has been supporting the Sibayo community since the early 2008 by renovating the old houses in Sibayo; recently, it has renovated the XVII century church of San Juan Bautista.

http://elcomercio.pe/peru/ arequipa/distrito-sibayo-modelo-turismo-vivencial-noticia-1747282 http://www.terra.com.pe/turismo/tur9799/impulsan-turismo-vivencial-valle-colca.html

The Algarrobina Cocktail

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 00:48:00 +0000

Bartenders in Peru are continually creating cocktails where the main ingredient is pisco, the Peruvian brandy made entirely with grapes since the late 16th century/early 17th century. But, the original cocktails are still the most popular drinks at the bars. Moreover, the original cocktails are celebrated on specific dates every year, such as Pisco Sour, the national drink; Chilcano, in its many varieties; and Algarrobina, a pisco cocktail made with the fruit of the carob tree.

Algarrobina is an emblematic cocktail to the Region of Piura, in Northern Peru, where carob trees are part of the landscape, covering large areas of the region’s land. Since 2003, people of Piura celebrate Algarrobina’s Day every March 15th aiming to position it as a new Peruvian flag-drink, thus promoting its consumption around the country.

If you are lucky to have a bottle of pisco and algarrobina (carob) syrup at home, you can try the following recipe: 2 oz. of Pisco 1/2 oz. of algarrobina (carob) syrup 1 oz. evaporated milk ½ oz. of syrup, or 1 teaspoon of sugar 1/2 egg white ice cubes Garnish: Ground cinnamon Mix the ingredients in a blender for about 2 minutes adding enough ice to double the volume of the liquid mixture. Serve in small glasses, and garnish with ground cinnamon. http://diariocorreo.pe/ultimas/noticias/8824670/edicion+lima/15-de-marzo-hoy-se-celebra-el-dia-de-la-alg http://www.elpiscoesdelperu.com/web/index.php http://www.piscotrail.com/2011/04/27/drinks/la-algarrobina-pisco-egg-nog/

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 01:06:00 +0000

The best time of the year for many is already here; traditional drinks and foods are served and taste again. Moreover, chefs, baristas, and bartenders, keep creating new flavors based on the traditional ones; fusions that delight holiday enthusiasts. For eggnog lovers, the Peruvian Eggnog, created by Nate DeWitt of Mise en Place, Tampa FL, could be the unique touch on your Christmas party.

If you are lucky to have a bottle of the Peruvian liquor, Pisco, you may want to try your bartender skills at home and prepare a Peruvian Eggnog, just follow this recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

1 ounce of Pisco

½ ounce of Voyant Chai Cream Liqueur

¾ ounce of Heavy Cream

½ ounce Simple Syrup

1 Egg

1 fresh stick Cinnamon

METHOD: Shake in cocktail shaker and serve in a martini glass.

GARNISHMENT: top with fresh cinnamon.

http://www.barnonedrinks.com/drinks/p/peruvian-eggnog-14843.html

The Andean Baroque Route

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 23:33:00 +0000

When tourists in Peru travel from Cusco to Lake Titicaca, Puno, they pass by small towns that have an extraordinary treasure inside their churches: a rich collection of the unique Cusqueña School Art. Some travelers, aware of the cultural and historical attractions of these churches, stop for a few minutes to visit in their way to Puno. To offer tourists the opportunity for a longer visit to this area, a new full-day tourist route is being proposed in Cusco, which will also include visits to La Compañía de Jesus in Cusco city: The Andean Baroque Route.

The construction of La Compañía de Jesus began in 1576 on the place where Inca Huayna Capac’s palace was located. Its architecture is considered one of the best examples of colonial baroque in the Americas. Among the XVII-XVIII century temples in the south of Cusco that are been included in The Andean Baroque Route are, San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas, San Juan Bautista in Huaro, and Virgen de la Candelaria de Kanincuna. These temples show the richness of the Andean baroque style and its relation with the identity and history of the people of the region.

http://www.andahuaylillas.com/es/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=47

http://www.tnews.com.pe/not_am/andahuaylillas-se-perfila-como-circuito-alternativo-en-oferta-cusco.htm

http://diariocorreo.pe/ciudad/impulsan-nuev

as-rutas-turisticas-en-cusco-571955/

Pisco Bar: Chilcano

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 02:09:00 +0000

It is summer time in Peru, and hot days call for refreshing drinks at the bar. One of the most asked for drinks in summer is Chilcano, a refreshing cocktail that has come back strongly, and now it is constantly evolving in a way no other drink had before. The history of Chilcano is still a mystery; different theories try to explain its origin. What we know according to Peruvian literature is that the first Chilcanos were enjoyed in the early 1900s.

Chilcano is distinguished every year in January with a whole week of celebrations on its honor. This year, Chilcano’s Week, will be celebrated from January 9^th to January 18^th.

If you are lucky to have a bottle of the Peruvian brandy, pisco, you may want to try making a Chilcano at home; the following is the original recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

Ice cubes

2 oz. of Pisco
2 drops of Angostura Bitter
¼ oz. of lime juice
2 slices of lime
Ginger Ale

METHOD: Mix pisco, 1 slice of lime, and lime juice, in a long glass. And then, add ice and top with ginger ale.

GARNISHMENT: 2 drops of Angostura Aromatic Bitter, and 1 slice of lime on the edge of the glass.

http://elpiscoesdelperu.com/web/boletin.php?ver=detmod&id=315&idboletin=61&idC=zoyeca@yahoo.com

http://elcomercio.pe/gastronomia/bares-y-copas/semana-chilcano-fiesta-esta-empezar-noticia-1783428

The Inca site of Aypate

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 01:18:00 +0000

The Inca site of Aypate is located in the Northwestern Andean Range of Peru, in the region of Piura, its stone structures spread out in an area about two square kilometers at the top of a mountain with the same name, at 2916 m.a.s.l. A path between stone walls leads to the entrance. And then, in its way up to the structures at the top of the mountain, it connects with a large plaza that gives access to other sections of the site. This path continues out of the site toward a hill called, Granadillo, six kilometers away. The Granadillo hill has a few archaeological ruins as well, which are located on its side and at the top.

Among the structures found in Aypate, there are rooms and viewpoints that may have been used by guards in order to check out the valley. A stepped pyramid with a rectangular base and three platforms is located nearby the fortress wall, and it has a ramp that leads to the top where an 85-centimeter well sits at the middle. The surrounding hills show remnants of agricultural platforms, which imply the need to feed a big population at the time when Aypate was inhabited.

Authorities of the region had worked on the recovery and maintenance of Aypate until 2010. Currently, they are in search of more funding in order to finish their work. In the meantime, the cultural authorities in Piura have been offered help from the Fundación Española de Educación y Desarrollo, the Spanish students from archaeology faculties of Spain, and the students from the Universidad de Piura, to work on the maintenance of the site as volunteers.

http://prehistoriapiura.tripod.com/ayabaca_aypate.htm

http://elcomercio.pe/peru/757716/noticia-cronica-fotos-palacio-camino-cusco-quito

Iquitos: the Amazon River gateway

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 00:41:00 +0000

Iquitos, the largest Peruvian city in the tropical rainforest, was the hub of the 19^th century rubber boom, which brought glamour and wealth to the city. This historic time is shown on its splendid mansions and public buildings, including the Iron House, designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the Hotel Palace, built in Art Nouveau style. Fitzcarraldo, the movie about the life of rubber baron Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald who was obsessed in building an opera venue in the middle of the jungle, portrays the grotesque contrast between the impoverished suburbs and the nouveaux-riches rubber barons’ sumptuous and extravagant lives on those days in Iquitos.

Nowadays, Iquitos is the gateway for eco-adventures through the Amazon River and other waterways that include stays at eco-friendly resorts in the rainforest. Visitors can sail on exclusive river cruises through virgin jungle, such as throughout the flooded rainforest of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, a natural place teeming with flora and wildlife that protects more than two million hectares (over 5 million acres) of jungle and wetlands.

Ayacucho, a colonial town worth visiting

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 00:29:00 +0000

The gorgeous city of Ayacucho is one of the most distinguished colonial urban centers of the continent. It is an architecture jewel of baroque, renaissance, and mestizo (mixed race) styles, built since Francisco Pizarro founded the city in 1540. It is perhaps the colonial city with more churches built within its limits by the Spaniards, thirty-three churches with their own art, character, and history. All churches are at walking distance from each other.

The colorful celebration of Easter Week in Ayacucho features the passion of Christ on a path of beautiful flower carpets. It is a joyful environment of popular festivities, fireworks, and commercial fairs that culminates with bullfighting and cockfighting events. It begins before Palm Sunday, and ends on Easter Sunday with the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

In the outskirts of Ayacucho, tourists in search for ancient culture settings, can visit the archaeological sites of Wari, the first Andean empire (500-1100 AD) and Vilcashuaman, a management center of the Incas.

The roots of Chicha

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:35:00 +0000

Chicha, the Peruvian Cumbia, is a musical genre that's quite popular in Peru. Originally, from the remote Peruvian Amazon, Chicha was introduced in the coast city of Lima around the late 70s; a time when there was a significant migration of indigenous people to the capital city.

Chicha is the result of a fusion of rhythms “…inspired by the Colombian cumbias but incorporat[ing] the distinctive pentatonic scales of Andean melodies, some Cuban guajiras, and the psychedelic sounds of surf guitars, wah-wah pedals, farfisa organs, and moog synthesizers” (*).

After reaching Lima, the sounds of Chicha kept fusing, it got the influence of rock, folk, and creole music. Consequently, new instruments and melodies from other type of music enriched Chicha, which enhanced its vibrant rhythms; sounds that induce people to dance wherever they are.

(*) http://www.barbesrecords.com/rootsofchicha.html

Q’eswachaka has been added to the cultural heritage list

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 00:31:00 +0000

The knowledge, skills, and rituals, related to the annual renewal of the rope suspension bridge of Q’eswachaka have been added to the UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The bridge crosses the Apurimac River in the southern Andean Range in Peru, and it is renew every year by members of the nearby communities, who use the same building technics and raw materials used by their Incan ancestors. The bridge is more than just a transport route; its renewal is seen as an important social, cultural, and historical event that keeps the communities integrated.

The rope suspension bridge of Q’eswachaka, at 3700m.a.s.l, is 28m long and 1.20m wide. The bridge is part of the Qhapac Ñan, the vast network of roads that united the Inca Empire. The renewal of the bridge lasts about three days, and it includes ritual ceremonies performed by their builders during the work. When the work is finished, the members of the communities involved celebrate with a colorful festival.

http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00011&RL=00594

http://peru21.pe/actualidad/cusco-puente-colgante-qeswachaka-patrimonio-universal-2186887

The Great Road of the Chachapoyas

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 00:47:00 +0000

Authorities in the province of Chachapoyas, in Northern Peru, are working on a project to develop an ecotourism route. Visitors will be able to enjoy a natural and cultural experience walking through ancient paths, natural wonders, and archaeological sites. Kuelap and The Gocta Falls are among the tourist attractions that visitors could admire in the region.

Kuelap was built around 800 A.D. by the Chachapoyas, a fierce people that for years resisted the Inca colonization. Kuelap’s three entrances are narrow alleys between high walls of stones that become narrower as they reach the upper levels. There are 420 circular stone buildings in the citadel, which are decorated with rhombus and zigzag designs around them, as well as carved stones with animal and anthropomorphic motifs. Beautiful orchids and bromeliads surround the structures.

The Gocta Falls, located in the cloud forests of northern Peru, is one of the highest in the planet at 771 meters high. It was unknown to the outside world until discovered in 2002. The locals of Chachapoyas kept it a secret for centuries, because of a myth about a beautiful blond mermaid who lives in its waters and would bring a curse down on them if they reveal its whereabouts.

Pomac Forest is growing again

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 07:07:00 +0000

The Pomac Forest Historical Sanctuary that was disappearing under illegal clear-cuts in the last decades is finally growing back with the help of the authorities and the work of volunteers.

Among the natural and historical wonders that can be seen in the dry woodland of Pomac are 6 thousand hectares of algarrobo—carob tree—among other plants; birds and mammals; a museum showing native art; and archaeological sites such as the 20 pyramids that were built by ancient cultures that flourished in this part of Peru: Lambayeque and Moche.

The Anniversary of Lima

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 23:58:00 +0000

Lima, the City of Kings, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, where viceroys ran the richest and most important colony of the Spanish Empire, celebrates its anniversary in January. Lima is a traditional and cultural city that keeps the glamour and royalty of viceroyalty times.

The celebrations begin at its Plaza de Armas, the main square, where a cultural event that includes traditional dances, music bands, and midnight fireworks, is carried out from the evening to late in the night for the enjoyment of hundreds of visitors.

Peruvians celebrate Chilcano’s week

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 22:00:00 +0000

It has been five years since the Peruvian cocktail, Chilcano, was distinguished for the first time with a whole week of celebrations on its honor. This year, Chilcano’s Week, will be celebrated from January 10^th to January 19^th under the motto, ‘Learn about pisco, learn about Peru.’

Chilcano’s Week begins this January 9^th with an inaugural tour featuring an imaginary journey over the five regions where pisco is produced: Arequipa, Ica, Lima, Moquegua, and Tacna.

If you are lucky to have a bottle of the Peruvian brandy, pisco, you may want to try making a Chilcano at home; the following is the traditional recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

Ice cubes

2 oz. of Pisco

2 drops of Angostura Bitter

¼ oz. of lime juice

2 slices of lime

Ginger Ale

METHOD: Mix pisco, 1 slice of lime, and lime juice, in a long glass. And then, add ice and top with ginger ale.

GARNISHMENT: 2 drops of Angostura Aromatic Bitter, and 1 slice of lime on the edge of the glass.

http://diariocorreo.pe/ultimas/noticias/7866321/edicion+lima/semana-del-chilcano-sera-del-10-al-19-de-ene

Juanito Bar re-opens in January 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 21:59:00 +0000

It has been two years since Juanito Bar closed its doors; finally, it will open again in 7 January 2014. A re-opening ceremony will be held at 7pm, and then visitors will be able to enjoy the place until 3am next day.

Since 1937 Juanito Bar grew to a point that it became a tourist attraction by itself, where local and foreign visitors enjoyed its traditional menu and drinks, which have been served for decades by its owner Don Juan Casusol, who passed away in 2010, and by his sons: Rodolfo, Juan, and Cesar.

Situated in the bohemian and cultural district of Barranco, south of downtown Lima, it preserved its original design and decoration, as it was in 1937, with its faded ceramic floor; liquor bottles piled up in the shelves; walls filled with theater posters and cultural event signs. The sound of the traditional guitarist, playing the songs that brought up good memories to the patrons complemented the ambience.

Juanito Bar became a get-together-point for artists and musicians; it had seen many celebrities stopping by to enjoy one of its traditional roast meat or ham sandwiches, as well as its drinks such as the Chilcano, made with pisco, the Peruvian brandy. It was indeed the most legendary and bohemian bar in Lima. Patrons may indeed be exited to go back to Juanito Bar again.

http://diariocorreo.pe/ultimas/noticias/7882513/edicion+lima/recordado-bar-juanito-reabrira-este-7-de-ene

http://elcomercio.pe/tag/230518/bar-juanito-de-barranco

Millenary rock paintings in Amazonas Region

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 23:35:00 +0000

One of the hidden secrets of the Amazonas’s cloud forest, rock paintings, shows the life of ancient people that live in these tropical mountains six thousand years ago. There are over 10,000 rock paintings discovered so far, which are spread in faraway places on the basin of the Marañón and the Utcubamba rivers, in the region of Amazonas and some are in Cajamarca.

Most of the paintings depict hunting scenes, where deer and other animals are portrayed. Among the colors used on this ancient art are yellow, red, black, brown, and white. Locals are evaluating the possibilities of including some of these sites in the current tourist routes in order to benefit their communities.

The unspoiled San Lorenzo Island

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 05 May 2013 00:13:00 +0000

Just 30 minutes off the coast of Lima, by motorboat, stands the biggest island in Peru, San Lorenzo, most of it arid and lonely with the exception of a few Navy buildings on the southeast side overlooking the mainland. The island is 8.5 Km long from North to South, and 2 Km wide from West to East. Looking at it from Lima’s beaches, cliffs, and boardwalks, seems like a long and desert whale-like mountain popping out from the Pacific Ocean up to 393 meters above sea level.

Despite its solitude and lack of drinking water, the island was visited and occupied for different reasons over the centuries. Recently, a couple of mommies have been uncovered in the area called Caleta de la Cruz, which turned to be an ancient cemetery (XV-XVI AC) that yield a few but important archaeological objects such as textile instruments and ceramics. The island was also a stopover for buccaneers aiming for the Incas’ gold that the Spaniards used to ship to Spain on colonial times. The Dutch pirate Jacques L’Hermite was buried in San Lorenzo Island around 1642 after sacking Guayaquil, and then battling the Spaniards in Lima’s port of Callao without succeed.

Nowadays, a fleet of tourist boats takes visitors to San Lorenzo to see its wildlife, such as the sea lions, seals, and sea birds, as well as to enjoy the island’s solitary and pristine beaches. And of course, to guess where the buccaneer L’Hermite was buried; some of his treasure may be underground too. These sailings may also include a cruise around the Fronton Island, just 800 meters south of San Lorenzo, where a prison complex used to be located. It is a small island surrounded by the cold seawater with perilous currents that may have kept prisoners from escaping.

A leadership journey on my way to Markahuasi

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:45:00 +0000

Sometimes, we rush our way to reach a particular goal that we consider imperative to achieve right away, without reasoning about the time and circumstances of our life that could affect our endeavors. We do not accept the meaning of the obstacles that appear in our way to success. It takes leadership to keep ourselves in the right direction, making good choices, and focusing in what really matters when targeting a goal in our life. Hiking over the Peruvian Andean Range en route to Markahuasi—a high plateau at 3650 m.a.s.l., where gigantic rocks shaped in many figures that look like humans and animals form bizarre scenery—is a metaphor that could convey my leadership journey. Further, it shows that what matters is to reach the goal, not how long it takes to do it.

We began our adventure at dawn, traveled in a bus from Lima, and then on top of a truck to the base of the mountain. We did not have much information about how difficult was the way up to the plateau, just that it was a vertical climb and that it will take us two hours to reach the top. After an hour climbing, we started to feel the effects of the altitude—tiredness, lack of oxygen, and mild headaches—which prompted my friends to stop, and then questioned if the destination was worth the effort. I was determined to reach the goal, which was to see the sunset from the top of the mountain on the first day of the journey.

Suddenly, an old man appeared coming from the side of the mountain carrying wood sticks on his back. I asked him if there was a better way to reach Markahuasi, and he pointed his finger toward the way he came from, a route that was invisible for us until that moment. So we all agreed to go that way with the hope that it will ease the climb. After two hours climbing, there was no hint of Markahuasi and its bizarre rocks. My friends got anxious, and complained to me. I did not show them my worries, but I was also concerned of getting lost. We were exhausted, so we sat down on the ground and rest for a while looking at the beautiful scenery around us. And then, when I turned to see where we were heading, I saw a boy wearing a hat and pushing a ring with a stick coming down the mountain, and I could not stop recalling what I was once told by another friend: there are elves and goblins that show up any time in the Andes. The kid looked like somebody coming from a fairy tale, but he was definitely a human being, so when he approached us, I asked him if we were in the right direction to Markahuasi, and he replied, “yes, it is just over there,” pointing to the direction he came from, “but how long it will take us to get there?” I asked, “it is just over there,” he replied again, and then he left. Enough for me to encourage the group to keep climbing, my conclusion was that since we were hiking up around the mountain it will take us longer to reach the top. However, because of the high altitude, it took more effort to hike as we moved forward.

Rapidly, a dark cloud darkened the sky, and then it started to rain, we were not prepared for wet weather, so we got soaked and started to feel cold. Our backpacks felt heavier, and the altitude sickness got worse—the pills we brought were not enough to stop the symptoms. The rain stopped at the third hour of actual climbing, and we just fell down to the ground completely exhausted. I could not stand it any more, and just when I started to regret coming to this trip, another boy wearing a hat came from nowhere and look at us laid on the ground. He had a donkey! The boy agreed to take us to Markahuasi and used his animal to carry our backpacks. He said that Markahuasi was “…just over there.” Encouraged by this encounter we kept hiking up the mountain for one more hour, battling with hail, higher altitude, less oxygen than before; and repeatedly asking the boy: “how long it will take us to get there?” and getting the same answer: “it is just over there.” Finally, the sky opened and we found ourselves walking in Markahuasi just before sunset. It was a difficult and hard endeavor, but the satisfaction of reaching our goal was as great as the scenery we ended looking at on that evening.

My experience on my way to Markahuasi, for instance, when I was told by the locals that my goal was “…just over there,” could have meant that what matters is to reach the goal, not how long it takes to do it. And that by being aware of the environment that surrounds me, I can listen to hints that may help me in reaching my goals as well. Recently, I have experienced a similar situation that led me to achieve an old objective put aside for many years. Since I was in grade 11 and living in Peru, I thought about studying in a University and getting a degree, particularly in the United States; I even pictured myself playing soccer for the institution as a way of funding my education. However, because of the circumstances of my life, I left this goal standing-by for many years. I forgot about it as the years went by. Four years ago I saw an ad in the transit system advertising a university, and then another one, and more in the following days. These continuous encounters with university ads made me reflect about the current situation of my life, and thought it was a good time and the perfect moment to achieve this academic goal. And then, I looked for the right adult university-degree-program, and found it right here in Vancouver, BC. More than thirty years have passed, and now this goal has been fulfilled, still in North America, and without the need to play soccer to fund it. I thought maybe the following will add to the metaphor in terms of ‘not worrying about the time’ when trying to reach a particular goal in life: “…what matters is to reach the goal, not how long it takes to do it.

Copyright 2012 Renzo Pastorino

Photos by:
Top: Personas by pepiuox, Personas Gallery (Firefox).
Middle: Rony Fajardo Ferrec...
Bottom: Nomad Peru.

Sibayo Homestay is growing in popularity

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:32:00 +0000

Over 600 visitors travel to Sibayo every year, in order to enjoy a unique cultural experience. Sibayo is a village in the region of Arequipa, where visitors learn the local lifestyle including sharing the locals’ daily chores. The Spanish International Cooperation Agency supports this cultural project since its beginning in 2007, which has brought cultural and economic benefit to the community.

Pomac Forest Historic Sanctuary

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 05:02:00 +0000

The Pomac Forest, once the center of the ancient Sican Culture, embraces the highest number of pre-Inca pyramids in South America. These pyramids, most now covered by sand, once emerged from one of the largest equatorial dry forests of the world. Within the 5,887 hectares of the sanctuary, many archaeological sites have yielded important information that is helping researchers learn more about the Sican Culture (900 to 1100 AC). The objects found by the archaeologists are restored and later exhibited in the National Museum of Sican, where the jewelry of the Lord of Sican is in exhibition. Furthermore, the sanctuary’s flora and endemic fauna attracts nature observers such as bird-watchers from around the world.

Most of the dry forest is made of algarrobo (carob) trees, which beans are used to produce algarrobina flour and syrup for culinary arts. A popular frothy mocha-like drink called Algarrobina is made with the algarrobina syrup and pisco, the Peruvian liquor. Zapote trees, vichayo bushes, and big cactus, among other flora abound in the forest too. Bird lovers could find 70 species, 22 of them endemic, such as the huerequeque and the red head parrot. Among mammals, there are anteaters, mountain cats, foxes, vampire bats, and squirrels. As for reptiles, the forest is a haven for iguanas, boas, pacasos, and coralillos. This is a unique environment of nature and culture worth visiting in Peru.

Floating islands of Lake Titicaca will be restructured

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 04:45:00 +0000

In order to improve the cultural experience of visitors to the floating islands of the Uros in Lake Titicaca, at 3810 m.a.s.l., the government has decided to reduce the number of islands from fifty to thirty, where the biggest islands with the largest population will remain on the site.

The Uros are native people that live on man-made islands built with totora, a reed plant that grows in Lake Titicaca, which is also used to make their homes and boats. The floating islands are 5 Km west from the city of Puno, around 20 minutes by boat. Most of the Uros natives have moved to the mainland while a few hundred still live at the islands and benefit from the tourism industry.

Destination: Arequipa

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 04:33:00 +0000

A short flight from Lima to Arequipa is the beginning of a fascinating journey through a Peruvian region that offers a great variety of travel experiences. Arequipa, known as the White City because of its buildings built almost entirely with sillar, a white volcanic rock, is a UNESCO World Cultural Site. Arequipa is a charming city with centuries-old churches, monasteries, and mansions that are testimony of its rich past, such as the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a XVI century walled citadel, a small city within the city. The city of Arequipa is the start point to get on trips to awesome natural settings.

Many outdoor and cultural adventures can also be enjoyed beyond Arequipa City, such as walking among 5,000 stones carved with anthropomorphic petroglyphs at Toro Muerto; traveling through awe-inspiring places such as the Valley of the Volcanoes, a moonlike landscape of 80 small volcanoes. Furthermore, the Cotahuasi and Colca, the World's deepest canyons, 3,400m deep and surrounded by sharp snow-capped peaks such as the Mismi, whose melted snow grow to be the great Amazon River. Visitors can admire the depth of the canyons and see the Andean condor fly, the largest flying bird on Earth, with a wingspan of more than 3 meters (9 feet), at viewpoints such as the Cruz del Condor. At the bottom, the thundering Cotahuasi and Colca Rivers are an irresistible challenge to the bold and experienced kayakers and white-water enthusiasts. Tourists can have a first-hand experience with the regional culture at some of the local communities, as well.

For a rare and unique cultural experience, travelers can enjoy a homestay in Sibayo, an Andean village in the region of Arequipa, where they will learn the local lifestyle including sharing the locals’ daily chores.

New museum in Lambayeque

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 22:46:00 +0000

A new site museum was recently inaugurated in Lambayeque, the Huaca Rajada-Sipan Museum, where visitors can see the archaeological objects found in the area, and learn about the research done in Sipan and Huaca Rajada.

Lambayeque is famous for its cultural heritage; new discoveries keep yielding important information about the people that once lived here. The museums built on the archaeological sites are a destination by themselves, where visitors can admire the greatness these cultures achieved.

In addition to the new Huaca Rajada-Sipan Museum, tourists can visit the National Museum of Sican where the jewelry of the Lord of Sican is in exhibition. And the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum that displays most of the archaeological discoveries of the Moche culture, including a replica of the tomb of the Lord of Sipan that includes its jewels, ornaments, and other objects found in the actual site.

Backpackers’ train to Machu Picchu changed its departing station

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:12:00 +0000

Travelers to Machu Picchu, who opt for the backpackers’ train for their journey to the archaeological site, now benefit with a bigger and more comfortable train station at Poroy, a 20 minutes taxi ride from Cusco. The daily train departs Poroy at 07:42 and arrives to Machu Picchu at 10:51; it stops for 5 minutes in Ollantaytambo at 09:10. The trip back to Cusco departs at 17:03 from Machu Picchu and arrives to Poroy at 20:17; it stops for 3 minutes in Ollantaytambo at 18:35.