Peru, South America

At age 51, I cannot believe that I will be coming to a new country of  South America.  Here in Peru, I would like to  live and find a meaningful way of living and working with the Peruvians.  South America, yes, I am living near the foot of the Andes Mountains.  In the desert área of Lima City where the cold and damp weather can challenge anyone to stay warm.  Unlike here, heater is not a common thing to find in use in houses and buildings.  You've got to live through it.  Blankets and thermal clothes are very useful to avoid getting sick.

Peruvians are a lot more cariñosos, kind and hospitable.  Visiting the poor section of the city called San Juan de Miraflores is a picture of urban struggle and daunting development for people who have lived there for years to construct their concrete houses.  Houses are built vertically and there is a feeling of bareness and dustiness in the área.... it is a desert.  although,  there are still  beautiful plants and trees to adore.

Pachamamac is a pure taste of the remnants of Inca culture.  The Museo de la Nación gave me a historical background and an eerie feeling of the Ligthning Path "Sendero Luminoso" violent period and a terror for the Peruvians (rich and poor, women, children, inteligentes, military, etc.).  The museo also has an exhibition of  the Qhapaq Ñan Route, it is a marvelous presentation of Incas advanced civilization as well as its intelligence and wisdom.  This road traverses andes mountains throughout the Inca territories.  Another exhibit was all about   curanderos (quack doctors/spiritual healers) in the mountain área.  What attracted me are the beautiful lakes up there in the mountains which I would like to see to draw and received its positive healing power.

Well, my life in Peru has just begun. I am excited to share my significant experiences in the country:
-- August 28, I joined the commeration of the 10th anniversary of the Report made by the Commission of Truth and Reconciliation where victims, relatives, civil society and government joint effort to Remember this day so as not to forget the brunt of terror made by the Sendero Luminoso.  This was held at the Historical Park called La Roca que Llora and we marched up to the Plaza San Martin.  400 torches were lighted in the form of cross. Songs and testimonies were a part of the night celebration in the Plaza.
-- August 31, The work of Pebal in Altos del San Juan de Miraflores in this shanty town is a very inspiring one.  Atrepa Niblina provides water to those who have no access to wáter and electricity.  Baños ecológicos also give residents a very decent access and use of this facility with the help of Pebal.  Pebal is a Jesuit social institution for the poor, South of Lima.
-- Art Exhibit in MALI is a presentation of indigeneous talents of the local artists.  It inspires me to   continue my watercolor hobby into a more profesional skill.
-- The talk on Trata de Persona is a challenge to respond to this social problem of women and children victims of Human Trafficking especially in the mining area and those in the underground/informal economy which is high in Peru among the Latin American countries.  A response from the government is still weak.

I was in Tacna from September 25 to October 6.  Tacna`s simplicity and accessibility has caught my attention.  Tacna is in the desert part of the country that borders with Arica of Chile.   Arica and Antofagasta were parts of Peru before.  Tacna was under the Chile during its war with Peru but during the referendum, its constituents chose to return to its mother land, Peru.
The weather at this time was sunny during the day and chilly in the late afternoon.

From October 7 to October 20 I stayed in Arequipa.  This land is in the mountain side of Peru and it has 3 volcanoes namely: Picchu Picchu, Misti and Chachani.  This city is filled with tourists as it offers a lot of historical places to visit: museums, churches, convents and other landmarks.  Its cuisine is variety and the serving is generous.

On October 21 to November 6, I am in Puno where the mystical lake for the Incas is found, the biggest lake in the altitude called Lake Titicaca.  Here is the land of the Aymaras and Quechuas which are also indigenous people of Bolivia.  In this folklore city, I have witnessed the colorful and beautiful costumes of the dancers. 

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2015 in four (4) Departments/Regions of Peru

AYACUCHO
January 28, 2015 I flew from Arequipa to Lima then Lima to Ayacucho.  Ayachucho, lit. means in quechua... edge of death, has been the place of many deaths during the Shining Path (Luminoso Sendero) era, some deaths were caused by the military and shining path members clash.  Some were killed on suspicious affiliation with Luminoso Sendero.  I have seen the museums put up the family of victims which was erected about 3 kms. from Ayachucho downtown and in Huanca town about 45 minute bus ride from Ayachucho.   Seeings the two museums I have learned how women campesinas were instrumental in bringing up the disappearance of Ayachuchanos in the international scene and that this movement was responsible for pushing the Peru Government to create the Comision de Reconciliacion y Verdad (CRV) to give justice to the family of victims from this ugly war that happened in the 80`s and lasted for 20 years.  The havoc and fear that was implanted in the hearts of the peasant and poor Peruanos of the campos had also been the same experience of rich and professional Peruanos at that time. I have learned, too that long before the church was able to respond to the needs of the victims especially children, the Argentinian Nobel Peace Awardee, Adolfo Perez Esquivel did concientize the people here to work for justice and that for 14 years on his personal effort put up the first comedor popular.
I have witnessed the simple folks, sampled ayachucho lamb soup, bread and cheese that I have found the best in this country so far. After spending 5 days in a cozy hostal with a bigger room space and patio, plus the extra trip to Quinua town to see the Obelisk where the battle between the Spaniards and the Peru soldiers occurred as well as its pottery, we said goodbye to this lovely Region of Ayacucho, rich in vegetation and history.

APURIMAC
The bus ride from Ayachucho to Andahuaylas is eight (8) hours along steeped, zigzag and winding roads that are carved on the mountain slopes.  The road looks new and built with lots of money and time.  The maximum speed to traverse this road is 35km per hour.  Not for a faint hearted driver like me.
All the signages to promote environmental care are found all the way down to Andahuaylas and up to Abancay which was our final destination.  From Andahuaylas was a 3 1/2 hours ride down to the capital of this province-- Abancay.  At night all the landmarks of the road are clearly seen and illuminated to guide the drivers.
The seemingly sleepy province is a land of quechuahablantes.  I only knew two words to start the conversation that would leave me mute afterwards for not able to answer nor understand what people tell me.  It was a short transit in these 2 places and the province itself.  For a small town like this, I was able to find easily electrical tools and tea kettle at a cheaper price that would normally cost more in Arequipa City.

CUSCO
Cusco made famous for its Machupicchu, the lost city of the Incas discovered in 1911 by an American Harvard Professor, Hiram Bingham is the destination of most of the tourists that come to Peru.  I had the chance to visit Machupicchu just for 1 1/2 hours.  It takes a lot of hours to reach this lost city and as soon as I have found it (have arrived the place), it was an unforgettable sight and I could not believe myself that I have been there, done that!  From Cusco in this rainy season, the Peru Rail company introduced a bimodal system.  The bus leaves from Cusco at their Wanchaq station which is about 5 minute taxi ride and for about 2 hours we have arrived at Ollantaytambo town where the train waits and for about 2 hours again, our Expedition Train arrived Aguas Calientes, Province of Urubamba.  The bus trip is about 30 to 40 minutes to get to Machupicchu along rugged trails.  I made a day trip for economic reason.  Nothing is cheap in this city including food when you are travelling.   Although snacks is provided during the train rides.
I stayed in a cozy hostal of Cusco overlooking Plaza de Armas.  At night, it was just a wondeful sight to behold in your heart.  The lights of the city are just like the constellation or galaxy.  I wake up in the morning gazing at the city`s beauty and cold weather.  This city gave me the impression of its colonial beauty and quaintness. 
In Cusco, I also visited and stayed for 2 nights in the Province of Canchis where Sicuani, San Pablo, San Pedro towns are.  I stayed at a friends hometown of San Pablo and from there we visited the Aguas Calientes, temple of Raqchi, and the aquas milagrosas of San Pedro.  Pollo a la brasa con salad was a hit menu in these places.

PUNO
This is the third time I have been in this city but the devotion of the people to Mamita Candelaria has drawn me to visit this city on the occasion of their fiesta which lasts for weeks.  On February 1 and 2, I witnessed the street dancing, danzas autoctonas and the mass and procession has brought my faith back to Mary, as my mamita.  A great breakfast in Buen Sabor, was a treat.  Unforgettable one.
Having been declared the feast of Candelaria by UNESCO as the Patrimonio Inmaterial de la Humanidad I have witnessed this year the reason why humanity has to acclaim this feast as one.
I have only one word to describe the beauty of Puno..... it is magnificent. I have taken shots of the scenery that are good for postcards.  I have seen this time the other provinces of Puno like Lampa, Sta. Rosa, and Ayaviri.
I will never get weary about going back and forth Puno.. it is just wonderful and awesome.