A Day in the Life, Andean Peru

 Friday, June 21st, would largely be dedicated to something that Overseas Adventure Travel specializes in: getting up close and personal with local people.  We started out walking through the town of  Iscachaca. talking with a breakfast vendor (who is taking business classes in Cusco) and a 77-year-old chicha vendor.

When we arrived at the food market, Pepe divided us into three four-person teams and gave each two soles (around 60 cents US) and a list of things to find the prices of, buying one.  He also gave us six soles and told us how to catch a tuktuk (three-wheeled taxi) to the central plaza.  We had thirty minutes.  It was a lot of fun!

Then we drove out into the country, to a farm.  There we saw five bulls, potatoes, some quinoa and a lot of guinea pigs.

Then we drove to a school, supported by OAT's Grand Circle Foundation, where we were swarmed by students (two apiece), learned how to count in Quechua (the indigenous language of many Peruvians and their Inca ancestors), heard a song, sang a song ("This Little Light of Mine") and jointly colored in some bilingual coloring book pages.

Next, we visited a shaman, who made an offering for us to Pachamama, the earth mother.

Then we went to the village of Chinchero, where we were greeted by women from the weaving cooperative, who provided us with a vegetarian lunch, then demonstrated the weaving process, ending up in the shop.

We returned to Cusco and had the rest of the day for ourselves, but Pepe had offered to do a tour of the Cathedral at 4:30 for anyone who wanted to go along, so Mary Joy and I walked up to the main square, the Plaza de Armas.  Along the Avenida El Sol various dance groups were waiting to parade into the plaza, which was jam-packed with people. 

Pepe's tour (no photos allowed in the church) was very interesting and informative.  The combination of Spanish and indigenous influences was fertile but not always smooth or easy.

We went to dinner with Pepe and several of the others at the nearby Chinese restaurant Kion.  Very good.  Chinese cuisine is a major thread in the fabric of Peruvian eating.  I have now eaten at Chinese restaurants not only in China and the U.S., but in Managua, Salzburg and Interlaken.

We took a tuktuk taxi back to our hotel.