Buenos días a todos!
Today at 8:25am we set off on our first excursion of the trip! We are headed to a small village about two hours Southeast of Cusco by the name of Paucartambo to take part in/watch the festival of la Virgen del Carmen, one of the impotant festivals celebrated every year in Perú. Our tour guide Roger ("row-yair") told us that in the colonial days the Catholic Church of Spain sent two iconic virgins to Perú, one to Puno and another to Cusco (which made its way to Paucartambo). Every year the festivals in these two towns end up being carried out as a form of rivalry between those from Puno and those from Paucartambo. I was happy to hear that Paucartambo´s festival is by far the best so I think we´ll be in for a treat!
Paucartambo is normally a tiny village in the mountains with very few residents and almost no turistic "value" throughout most of the year. However, when the festival comes around the city fills with crowds that come to watch las danzas y los desfiles (the dances and parades) that are meant to honor la virgen. There are 19 dances that will be carried out and they are all extravagant and distinct one from another. If you check out you will get an idea of the typical dress of these dances and you will get so see somewhat what we will be doing. I will, however, have photos when I get back.
This festival lasts all of today (thursday) and goes well into the night. After that, we are scheduled to depart very early to watch the sunrise at a place called Tres Cruzes in the Andes Mountains. This event is a tremendous opportunity to see something which you can rarely see anywhere in the world. Here, because of the elevation, you see the sun rise through the clouds which are actually below you. As the sun and the clouds rise together the sun actually appears to peek through the clouds many times so it is almost like you are watching the sun rise more times than once in a single day. If the weather is good I will try to bring some spectacular pictures to share!
Lastly, as Paucartambo is an area where Quechua is very prevalent (almost the entire festival is carried out in Quechua), I will be bringing my recording equipment to try to get my first recording in Quechua to study the sound system. I am bringing both money and rice to use as payment because our guide has told me that sometimes the people would be more attracted to the food than the actual money so it may work out better for me that way if I go to a village like this.
Well, the time should go by quickly but I definitely won´t have internet access until friday night at the latest so I hope you enjoy this and that you will be anxiously waiting for pictures! Thanks everyone,¡hasta pronto!
Well, Good Morning Peter! It is Friday at 8:45am. I can't believe that you have been gone almost a whole week. Wow, from reading your blog it sounds like you are really enjoying your trip. Peru sounds like an amazing place full of fascinating people, food and culture....(Don't tell me about eating the guinea pig until it is out of your system though please) We are sure enjoying your posts. Thanks for taking the time to take us along on your journey.
ReplyDeleteThings are well here. Ty comes home from camp tomorrow and I believe the Korea team also comes home then. Aaron has been busy working at Odetah and on his truck. He and dad installed a tool box in the bed last night. He loves it. Gram came over last night and read your blog. She misses you but is glad you are having fun. Dad and I have had alot of time together and are enjoying it but, it's been too quiet here, this would take some getting used to. It's been so hot and humid here you just feel wiped out. We had a nasty rain storm on Wednesday. I was at work and it sounded like the roof was going to cave in. Some parts of Windham County got over three inches of rain! Dad has been putzing in the garage and I have been finishing up the lake bedding laundry and packing things away for next year. I was asked to go into work on Tuesday this week for a bit as someone was out and they needed the help, so today is my first day off and I am pumped to get alot of things done around here like: laundry, bills, bathrooms, clean the nurseries and errands. Dad and I are going to a Japanese steakhouse tonight for dinner, should be fun. Aaron has to work till eight. Tomorrow dad and Aaron are going to play golf in the morning. I have to remember to tell Aaron to take his ankle brace! I have to work 9-1. Then Ty comes home...yay! We are looking forward to going to church on Sunday as it seems like so long since we have been. Last Sunday we were in NH. We went up Saturday after Aaron got out of work. Dad, me, Aaron and Leah went tagsaleing and went to a big flea market and then came back on Sunday night. It was lots of fun. Just like Melody, Leah hadn't been to a flea market (I guess she had been to a tag sale)...boy, do you think we are just weird?? We didn't get that much. I got a few nursery things and a nice artificial basket of ivy. Dad got a roasting pan, Aaron got his tool box. We did get a nice coat rack for the dining room. It will be perfect for winter. Liz's car had been in the shop for like a month when I saw her on Saturday, I offered her your car and she did use it to run some errands. I told her to be sure she locked it since it held all your prized posessions...your fishing stuff! She laughed and said she knew all about it as Floyd is the same way.
Well, sweetie I know you are very busy. I just wanted to touch base with you. I miss having you around. I hope you are taking good care of yourself and Melody too. Be careful and soak up all the culture you can. This is such a great opportunity for you guys, enjoy every minute!
We love you and can't wait to read more about your "Adventuras en el Peru."
Love,
Mom...and Dad and Aaron too! xoxoxo