No cierres las puertas

35.4 million moments

How I will remember Peru, in one photo. 

Life in the desert.  This photo was taken from the roof of the municipal building.

The rolling hills of Manchay.

Desert.  Metropolis.  Home 2.0. 

No sleep for 40hrs, but so happy to be home with my parents - the best parents anyone could ask for. 

I'm so happy to be back home with my husband!  Missed him so much.  Husband.  Partner.  Secret Weapon. 

14 months in the making!  Love you all. 

As many of you know, I am home now.  My time in Peru was nothing short of life changing.  I learned so much, worked towards my goals, made friendships I will cherish and carry with me forever, and realized how beautiful life can be when you walk out of your comfort zone, accept a challenge, and do something that truly reflects who you are, and what you are meant to be doing.  Two days ago, one of my best friends asked me if I felt that I had changed.  After a long pause I replied, "I feel more like myself".

I am so grateful to all of you - my friends and family - who have supported me throughout my time in Peru.  I really cannot find the words to express just how grateful I am.  I love you all, and thought of you every single day. 

To my parents and sister, this would have been impossible without your love and support, and a special thanks to my husband, because all of this would be meaningless without you by my side. 

Bell lap

I am $450.00 away from reaching my fundraising goal.  If anyone out there hasn't donated, and would like to support me, please see my fundraising page (link is on the right hand side of this page).   The federal government will donate 9 dollars for every 1 dollar I raise, so my $2,000.00 becomes $20,000.00.  If you can, please donate to my page so that Cuso can continue their mission of building a better world for all - a Canadian legacy I am so proud to have been a part of.  

On a personal note, reaching my goal also helps me personally.  If I reach it, my "mission" is considered fully complete by Cuso International...so, it's like a little gold star for me :)  

Cajamarca

Flying to Cajamarca from Lima

About to land

The famous alfajor - a Peruvian dessert with a caramel filling called 'majar blanco'.  Cajamarca is famous for their manjar blanco.

We visited a dairy farm where majar blanco, and other dairy products are produced.  The manjar is stirred in here. 

Dairy farm entrance.

Botanical Gardens. 

There was a rustic eatery serving pork meat in the botanical garden...

I was asked to stir the meat.  The result is rather...unconvincing. 

Otuzco.  A pre-Inca burial ground.  Those hollows were once tombs. 

Pacay fruit.  They are fluffy, and taste like a marshmallow. 

The pod where the pacay fruit comes from. 

xox

This is my last week in Peru.  I was lucky enough to squeeze in one last trip to the interior before my departure.  We chose Cajamarca, located in the northern highlands.  It was beautiful, one of my favourites for sure.  Great trip with great friends.

Cumbe Mayo

Little House on the Pampa (pampa means 'grassy plain in Quechua).

Petroglyphs (rock engravings).  

Best. Moment. Ever.

What every market painting aspires to.

Magic.

Twisting natural fleece to make yarn. 

This view was breathtaking. 

The pre-Incan aqueduct.  I believe we were told it was created in 1000 B.C, or a thousand years before Christ. 

Notice the ninety degree cuts.  It is still a mystery as to how they were made without the use of modern tools.  Some point to alien intervention (!)

More petroglyphs.  This one is believed to be a map of the area.

We went to a pre-Incan archaeological site called Cumbe Mayo.  It contains an ancient aqueduct that you hike to.  The views were unbelievable - right out of National Geographic.  These photos don't even come close to capturing their beauty.  Vast. Vivid. Vibrant.

Miscellaneous Marvels

Cathedral in the main plaza.

A teeny tiny church.  I thought it was just a monument but when I got to the top I saw they were actually having a mass in there.  The interior could not have been more than about four hundred square feet. 

Pretty view.

The natural hot springs, or "Inca Baths".  These outdoor pools are for display purposes only, people don't bathe in them.  However, the spring water is diverted to small hot tub like pools inside of private cabins that are rented to the public.  The water comes out piping hot, so the pools located inside the cabins are filled with the scathing hot water late in the evening at which point it's allowed to cool off.  Visitors have to arrive before 5:30am if they want to bathe in this pure spring water, because after 5:30am regular hot water water is mixed in to keep the water temperature hot.  Getting up at 4:30am was not fun, but worth it. 

Market.

Purple corn.

Hand knitted.

Colours.  Peppers in the middle, and honey on both sides. 

Home|emoH

Last time (at least for the immediate future) landing in my adopted home. 

400

In 35 degree heat. 

Clever.

What a Quinoa plant looks like (from the museum of gastronomy).

Her crown lights up at night. 

Very old, and very abandoned, but still impressive.  

Looking up.

Relic on the veranda.

Real.

Was asked to strike my best 80s sears catalogue pose......nailed it. 

Pack of stray dogs that like to hang out in front of the municipal palace early in the morning. 

Jumping around in Chosica.

Many people now living in Lima hail from the mountain region, and have brought many of their customs with them.  This - la fiesta patronal - is a three day block party in celebration of a particular patron saint.   These parties are considered customary in the mountain region, but are also quite common in Lima.  This party took place in my co-worker's neighbourhood, and I was invited to take part in the festivities. 

Modern day troubadours - complete with tights and puffy sleeves. 

Creepy house, that I love. 

Hike.  Level = pathetic. 

El Centro. 

Look again, there's two. 

I want this door, but it seems impractical for BC weather...

Peruvian dog. 

Unbelievable colour. 

Pachamanca.  A traditional Peruvian dish cooked with hot stones.  Its name comes from Quechua - "Pacha", meaning earth, and "Manca", meaning earthen cooking pot.  Here we have a potato, a piece of yam, a slice of pineapple, an apple, a purple maize tamale, plantain, and chicken.  Delicious! 

Yellow is traditionally worn on New Year's Eve in Peru, to bring good fortune. 

Main plaza in the morning.  I love that I always get to see it just as the centre begins to come to life in the morning. 

The North Star...sort of.  I alway know where I am when I see this thing.  You can't tell, but it's pretty huge. 

"Love is like Light"

Today is my 400th day in Peru.  As my time here comes to a close, I can feel myself lifting up and out of Beautiful Peru, with much gratitude for having spent more than a year in this magnificent country.