Peru, a Gem in South America — Le Pérou, un bijou de l’Amérique du Sud
At midnight, there was not much that we could discern from high above, on board of the AA Boeing that we boarded in Miami. We landed in Lima safely, late as planned, after about thirteen hours shared between two connecting flights. We knew that we would not have much time for a visit of the place as we were to spend only one night in the Peruvian capital before heading to Cuzco the following morning. We could not wait. Our welcome to Peru started on a good foot as we stayed in a charming colonial inn in Miraflores, a suburb of Lima. Various friends had mentioned that Lima was simply not a big highlight of any trip made to Peru, but I was initially unsure whether I should follow this advice when planning our trip. Yet, as we set off for the airport the following morning, the polluted air in that home to four million Peruvians cleared my doubt. It was good to move on for that reason and I no longer minded skipping a deeper visit of the Peruvian capital. Maybe another time.
As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to visit Peru. I have had dreams about the place and a list of thousands of reasons why I have always been so attracted to this South American country. I could start with the gorgeously dramatic landscapes with mountains, deserts and the enchanting jungle that surprise you all the time, and I would need to add my love for the colorful clothes that Peruvians wear so elegantly. I was not surprised to witness how high a sense of taste this people have, knowing so well how to match textile textures and colors. Not only do they know how to knit, embroider and crochet, but they are also masters at carving wood, playing music and dancing. Craft runs through their veins. I was told that when Peruvians get married, the tradition is for the woman to knit a belt for her promised, and for the husband to knit a hat for his future wife. The knitting should be so tight that if pouring water into the hat, not a single drop should come through. I had imagined the best display of colors and I was not disappointed. Knowing exactly what things I preferred during this short visit became hard for me to say. We visited Machu Picchu, Pisaq in the Sacred Valley, the Inca trail, Arequipa and its deep canyon and desert-looking land, among a few places. We saw alpacas, lamas and vicuñas — who make the finest wool — and majestic condors. And, in every one of these places, my eyes could never detach from people’s faces and the way they wear their traditional costumes and hats. Have you noticed how many different kinds of hats you can discover when visiting Peru? Each one was nicer than the previous one, some very simple, others with a lot of embroideries and colors, in different shapes and material. They were just marvelous to look at and I had to refrain myself from buying every single one I saw.
Part of Peru is known for its high altitude land, with majestic volcanoes reaching over 6,000 m height. As we flew directly from Lima, the transition from a sea-level city to Cuzco was harsh. In no time, you find yourself at 3,600 m (11,800 feet) and you cannot help but feel it right away. Of course I had been on high altitude grounds before, whenever I went skiing or ice-walking on glaciers in the French Alps, but this did not compare to anything I had experienced before. As soon as we arrived in the Cuzco airport the second day, we knew what altitude meant. We had read it in our travel guides, and it clearly made sense then. Maybe it took a few days before it hit us, but it surely did not miss us. Heavy headaches, nausea, indigestion. What the hell was this all about?
We were told to drink coca tea and later learned that coca is used in many other preparations beside tea — and drugs of course. I tried these very thin waffle-looking biscuits and loved the taste. They somewhat reminded me of matcha tea. Anywhere we went, I would know to ask for coca tea. It particularly came handy while traveling to Colca Canyon when we reached an altitude of 4,900 m (16,000 feet). I tried to convince P. we should bring some coca leaves home, but he looked back at me with a grin on his face. “Better not play with fire, don’t you think?”, he added. You never know.
Cuzco is definitely a highlight of any visit to Peru. This well-known place is a small town that keeps you busy for days, if you want to. Like many tourists usually do while there, we spent a few days in the Sacred Valley and its lovely neighboring villages and Inca ruins, the Inca trail and beautiful, mystical and famous Machu Picchu. I had dreams about this place.
I learned that the Incas initially designed these terraces to grow all sorts of vegetables. They studied the sources of light provided by the sun to determine where it was best to plant one crop rather than another. I fell in love with this display of ingeniosity. The inclination of the terrain calling for this type of farming, today all around Peru, people still farm on terraces.
Wherever we stopped, there were always scenes to catch and faces I could not help but want to photograph.
Sometimes, P. managed to get a snapshot with me on it. I always complained that the framing was not what I wanted. In the end I took the shots and he used his video camera. In fact, it was nice to record what we saw in two different ways.
While traveling through the Sacred valley that surrounds Cuzco, we eventually reached Pisaq and visited its fantastic ruins and market. A real heaven for me where I only wished we could have spent more time. The streets were full of locals and tourists, and you only had to walk around to be guided to fabulous spots. Walking along the narrow streets, we caught sight of a few large boards on which the Spanish word Empanadas was written in large black letters. The indication of a Bakery! Hanging baskets by this sign meant that the bread was ready. As soon as we knew this, we quickly hurried to follow the first hanging basket we saw to enter a small courtyard and meet the baker busy selling his first and still warm bread. At 11 am in the morning, our choice went for a few slices of a simple apple cake. By the oven, I also noticed a large dish on which, it took me a few seconds to realize, there was a whole cooked pig. At that point, I just felt too shy to try it. Wouldn’t you have as well?
The vegetable displays were just as colorful as its people. Making your way through the crowded streets was somewhat a challenge, except that for someone tall like P. or me. In Peru, I surely had an advantage at being able to see a lot more with my height. I felt dizzy and excited at the view of so many goodies. Various stands offered heaps of potatoes — Peru produces no less than 400 different varieties of potatoes, which are more commonly grown in the Sacred Valley — carrots, red onions, corn — produced around Machu Picchu — exotic Peruvian fruits and dyes, to only name a few things. At one corner, I was surprised to see that a man was selling ice-cream. I just could not resist at the view of his archaic-looking setup. So inventive! Next to him, a woman wearing a bowler hat was trying to quickly gulp down her lunch. Rice , potatoes or quinoa are always on the menu.
From Cuzco, we flew to Arequipa located further South, Peru’s second largest city. The whole scenery became very different from the green Andes found in and around Cuzco. We were welcomed into a city that is like an oasis in the desert. Arequipa is in fact called the White City (ciudad blanca) and you understand why as soon as you land there. The buildings all have this similar sand-white color. Unlike Cuzco, Arequipa is a city that is only opening to tourism more and more. Founded by the Spaniards in 1540, this city displays a lot of taste and style with a magnificent backdrop of snowy volcanoes rising at 6,000 m. There, you can walk around and avoid the constant influx of street sellers following you around to sell something. We noticed everywhere the hundreds of tiny yellow cabs which turned the winding streets into a noisy, happy bustle, with every driver constantly using their horn. I wondered about that and was told that there is a local law preventing people to overuse the horn while driving, but no one cares and follows the law. It is their way of driving. Air pollution is a city issue as well, as mentioned to us by a local guide. But we loved Arequipa. A short trip to the countryside took us to agricultural parts where we were delighted to find people working in fields, collecting red onions and garlic. Our guide mentioned that these were the two main crops produced in the area.
Arequipa has tons of lovely places to visit, such as the Santa Catalina Convent which is a pure delight for the photographer eyes. Founded in 1580 and home once to four hundred nuns living in complete isolation, today only a few remain and live there. The place felt so serene, simple and colorful that we ended up spending a few hours there.
We decided to spend a few nights in the white city, making it a base en route to visit Colca Canyon — which is known as one of the deepest canyons in the world, at 3,269 m (10,725 ft), which is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the US. We wandered the streets many times, having lunch one day in a vegetarian restaurant we found by accident:
Or at one of the two Zig Zag restaurants, for a not-so-much Peruvian lunch as you can see. Yes, I can confess that we ate crêpes while in Peru, but do not feel any ounce of guilt about it. They were delicious!
On the other hand, dinner at the other Zig Zag restaurant offered excellent typical Peruvian food where we tried Alpaca and Ostrich meats, and had some grilled Camarones (shrimps), cooked plancha style. The food was served with a quinoa purée and ratatouille. Simple and delicious. We also tried quinoa gnocchi and potato rostis. I particularly loved the delicate taste of Alpaca, which I ended up eating a few times during the course of our trip. It was also fun to note that the iron stairway inside the restaurant was designed by no other but our very French architect Gustave Eiffel.
One night, because we had an early start the following morning — which seemed to be the every day’s rule — we had dinner in the Boutique B&B where we stayed and loved (Casa Arequipa). Davies, the manager, was proud to tell us that his mum had cooked the typical dishes from Arequipa that we enjoyed. I do not think I had stayed in a better B&B before. The house was amazing, beautifully decorated, and the staff just attentive as I had never experienced before.
The land stretching outside and beyond Arequipa is desert-looking at first, surrounded by high volcanoes such as Picchu Picchu and El Misti. Without a four-wheel vehicle or a bus, I cannot imagine the drive. While driving to the canyon located at 100 miles northwest of Arequipa, you reach altitudes as high as 4,900 m, by which you know that every single movement is felt.
Then suddenly, as you drive down into the Colca valley again from a higher point, you find streams and patches of green, signs that there are fresh water streams. The transition from one place to the other seems so rapid that it feels surreal. We were told that during the short rainy season that runs between January until March, there is a fair amount of precipitation.
Whereas alpacas and llamas are pretty much domesticated, vicuñas are not. These territorial animals produce the finest wool. I learned to differentiate them all: llamas are in fact the larger white or brown woolly animals, with a longer nose, no wool on the face or lower legs while alpacas are smaller, with wool on the face and legs.
Because the drive to get to Colca Canyon was rough and long, we decided to spend one night at Colca Lodge, which is at about 45 mns away from the small town of Chivay in the Colca Valley. Whether in Chivay or at Colca Lodge itself, one of the highlights was to be able to relax in hot springs (baños termales). After a long day driving up and down in dust, no matter how rough you like it to be, having a dip in these baths felt pretty good.
While visiting Colca Canyon and its valley, we stopped in a small village restaurant where we had a delicious buffet lunch. The well prepared food, Alpaca meat, beet salads, soups of all sorts, potatoes, lentils, was arranged on long tables placed in the center of the room. Many dishes were made with quinoa, le riz des Andes (The Andes rice), a grain which I have always been fond of. I was happy to get new ideas on how to cook it, especially in sweet preparations such as the delectable coconut cake that I kept helping myself to.
We discovered many delicious Peruvian fruits most of which I forgot the names of. Yet I remembered Pepino Melon as it was served daily at the B&B. Of course, we had read to avoid eating fruit and salads unless we were sure on how they had been cleaned and prepared. It was hard not to indulge in them though, and so we got sick once. Really sick, just as you want to forget.
So the time to fly home came sooner than we had expected. We embraced the country and its friendly people and know already that we will go back. There is so much more that we want to see. But Peru was just as I had imagined it to be: colorful, friendly and impressive.
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Wow Bea! What a trip! What photos! Thanks for taking us along with you!
Comment by ilva — On December, 4th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
These photgraphs are gorgeous!
Thank you very much for all these wonderful peruvian impressions!
Greetings from Munich, Claudia
Comment by Dolce — On December, 4th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
oups Bea merci pour ce tres beau voyage, ces visages, les couleurs et merci de partager tout cela avec nous
Comment by veronica — On December, 4th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
Bea!
My heart be still! This is as perfect and beautiful an entry as I have ever seen, and proof why you are amazing and respected and admired by SO MANY!
This transcends blogs, it’s simply one of the best travel features with photographs I have ever ever ever ever ever seen!
Thank you thank you thank!
Comment by matt — On December, 4th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
That was amazing! I love your photos, whether you are taking tasteful shots of food, or expansive panoramas of the Andes, they are all beautiful.
I too would love to visit South America, and particularly Chile and Peru.
Comment by tech_sam — On December, 4th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
Thanks for sharing these amazing photos, they really are breathtaking.
Comment by Brilynn — On December, 4th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
whoa! loads and loads of pretty photos! is that you up there? it’s good to see you finally bea! amazing shots really!
Comment by ces — On December, 4th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Bea thank you so much for sharing your trip with us! The photos are just wonderful: the landscapes, people, food and mostly all the colorful peruvian images! I love walking and may now consider Peru as a future trip.
Comment by noémie — On December, 4th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
What a fantastic review of your trip. Peru is my favorite of all the South American countries I visited….I loved the people!
Comment by peabody — On December, 4th, 2006 at 1:43 pm
Astounding photos and travel essay! I keep poring over the intense colors, scenery, and agree with everyone else that you’ve made me wish to visit Peru. It would be impossible to choose a favorite photo, but I especially love the pigeon flying out of the fountain.
Comment by Melissa — On December, 4th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Merci pour ce voyage magnifique, quelles photos, quelles couleurs!!!!
Comment by sylvieaa — On December, 4th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
Peru is definitely one of the places I would like to visit - what beautiful colours and views! Love the shot with a boy and alpaca…
Comment by keiko — On December, 4th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Quelles couleurs! Ca fait beau aux yeux!
Quel voyage magnifique, quel recit magnifique! Apres les compliments de Matt, ca sonne un peu creu, mais il a tout dit!
Comment by Helen — On December, 4th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
What a great trip, beautiful pictures and very detailed review !!! I’d love to go there someday.
Comment by mirabelka — On December, 4th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
The world through your eyes is really lovely and colourful.What pleasure to share it! Thank you.
Comment by valentina — On December, 4th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
Wow! Wow! Wow!
Beautiful photos and adventure! Thank you for sharing, it felt like I was right there with you.:)
Comment by Kat — On December, 4th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
pollution “cleared” your doubt about not staying in Lima? probably the only thing it might ever clear.
Comment by Rekha — On December, 4th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Also - I see so much red in the clothing. I wonder why? And where the dye comes from. And the food looks delicious and fresh and clean.
Comment by Rekha — On December, 4th, 2006 at 7:14 pm
These photos are the most gorgeous I have ever seen on a blog. Thanks so much for sharing them!
You have a great artist’s eye.
Comment by Nan — On December, 4th, 2006 at 8:06 pm
Hi Bea, from the photos, we can only conclude that the trip to Peru was awesome! What gorgeous pictures you have there, the scenery is breathless! Thank you for sharing these moments & your cooking skills as well!
Comment by valentinA — On December, 4th, 2006 at 9:21 pm
Je viens de passer une bonne demi-heure le nez dans ton billet… un moment de délectation rare. You made my day…
Comment by framboise — On December, 4th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
Incredible!!! I think I’ll come back here many many time to enjoy every detail! The place, the people and your eye for beauty are absolutely wonderful!
Comment by gattina — On December, 4th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
Bea, how beautifully you recreate your trip for us in both glorious pictures and and accompanying narration. Peru is a favorite place of mine — it’s where I truly learned to speak Spanish (which is why a few Quechua words sneak in every now and then). I too particularly loved Cuzco and Arequipa — and even Lima has its charms once you spend a bit of time there. Next time you must go up north to the fishing village of Huanchaco, where men still fish in the ocean from long boats made of reeds, called caballitos de totora. There you will see the splendid ruins of Chan Chan, stronghold of the Mochica-Chimu people. And there are so many places in Peru that I didn’t get to either — I want to go to Ayacucho, and the Callejon de Huaylas mountain chain. So much to see, so little time…in all the world. Thanks for sharing your Peru with us. You brought back my own trip vividly.
Comment by Julie — On December, 4th, 2006 at 11:09 pm
I’m speechless.
Comment by Annie — On December, 5th, 2006 at 2:12 am
c’est tout simplement SPLENDIDE.
j’etais deja tres attiree par le perou, mais la ca me le confirme : je vais tout faire pour que ce soit un de mes pochains voyages… merci de partager ces photos avec nous, je sens que je vias les avoir dans la tete toute la journee !
Comment by Guillemette — On December, 5th, 2006 at 3:06 am
I haven’t been to Peru (the only Latin-American country I’ve visited is Mexico), but my boyfriend’s mom returned from a 15-day Peruvian trip last week, so I’ve been watching lots of beautiful photos. Yours are an icing on the cake - they’re so lively and colourful! I hope to visit the country one day, too.
Looking forward to many Peru-inspired dishes on your blog!
Comment by Pille — On December, 5th, 2006 at 3:13 am
Et bien mon dieu, quel article !!!! Ton appareil photo n’a pas explosé avec ce feu d’artifice de couleur ??? C’est juste splendide et incroyable, bravo pour ton récit
Amitiés
Claude
Comment by Claude-Olivier — On December, 5th, 2006 at 3:28 am
Bea, I was in Peru 7 years ago during exactly the same time of year and your pictures are exactly like my memories. Thank you so much!
As an Answer to Rekha’s question: The red is gained from little worms they keep in little envelopes that are pinned to a certain type of cactus. The excrements of the worms is the basis for the red dye.
Comment by Hande — On December, 5th, 2006 at 4:57 am
Oh Bea! Merci!
Comment by Gracianne — On December, 5th, 2006 at 6:48 am
Sounds like a wonderful trip, and those photos of the locale, the locals and the food are stunning!
I used to know a girl who was part Peruvian, her family was from a small mountain village and she shared the most wonderful pictures and stories of her visits back to see her relatives…I was always jealous after she came back from a trip, and after seeing this post it’s reignited that desire to see this beautiful place for myself!
Comment by Ellie — On December, 5th, 2006 at 7:13 am
Merci pour ce feu d’artifice de couleurs, la photo n’a vraiment plus de secret pour toi.
Comment by Beah — On December, 5th, 2006 at 7:52 am
Beautiful pictures Bea! I love how colorful the clothing everyone is wearing!
Comment by Jeff — On December, 5th, 2006 at 9:01 am
Wow. Now I have to add Peru to my list of places to go.
Comment by Natalie — On December, 5th, 2006 at 10:02 am
I can’t get over how beautiful and COLORFUL the photos are!
Comment by Julie — On December, 5th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
You have difinitly turned my head!!! I’ll be dreaming of Peru from now until I get there. Perhaps I can convince my husband that should be our trip next year. I want to taste all the potatoes!!! I espeicially like the picture with the clouds in the water and the fountain with the dove.
Thank you oh so very much Béa.
Comment by Tanna — On December, 5th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Ilva, thanks for your lovely note. I am glad you enjoyed the ride!
Hello to you!
Dolce, thanks to you and I am happy to read you like it.
Veronica, merci bien à toi de ta visite!
Matt my dear, thanks for your very very sweet note. I feel honored, really, especially coming from such a talented photographer that you are! Encore un grand grand merci. I am happy that you enjoyed the virtual trip.
Tech_sam, thanks this is a very nice compliment!
Brilynn, thank you, once more.
Ces, yes it is me
Noémie, ah oui, vas-y tu vas aimer, attention au mal d’altitude si tu n’as pas l’habitude. J’ai bien été surprise!
Peabody, thanks. Fun that you also went. I wonder where else you went. I have a project to go to Patagonia, Chile and Argentina next
Melissa, thanks a lot! Really nice of you. This pigeon was fun to observe. I kept shooting as one came, then another one and I stayed quiet nearby!
Sylvie, merci.
Keiko, oh yes, you would love to shoot photographs there. It is a paradise for the one who loves to photograph and you would pay the country such a nice tribute!
Helen, merci beaucoup à toi, vraiment gentil. C’est vrai que c’était magique toutes ces couleurs.
Mirabelka, thanks for your visit and comment. I hope you do go!
Valentina, ah you make me blush. I am glad you enjoyed it!
Kat, thanks to you, once more!
Rekha, you are too funny, and you have the answer below. Work is done for me, yeah!
Nan, thanks so much for such a nice compliment!
Ravie de savoir que ca te plait. Il faut y aller, si tu n’as pas encore eu l’occasion!
ValentinA, yes it was an amazing trip, despite the fact that we got altitude sick a little, and then sick from food once. I learned that in Peru, you have to be really careful with any raw food or water, so…..thanks a lot for your friendly comment!
Framboise,
Gattina, oh my dear. Thanks a great great bunch. I am touched.
JUlie, so nice of you to give suggestions. I will definitely make a note of them as we WILL go back.
Annie,
Guillemette, merci beaucoup, j’espère que tu pourras y aller très vite.
Pille, oh nice. It must have been nice to see so many pics from your relatives. With the amount of traveling you do, I have no doubt you will manage to get there
Claude, ahah, non il n’a pas explosé
Merci encore de ton gentil message. Contente que tu aies aimé.
Hande, thanks so much for the clarification. I did not know that so I feel happy to have learned it. It is so interesting!
Gracianne, merci à toi!
Ellie, that is nice to have a Peruvian friend who shared those times with you!
Beah, merci! Oh si ne t’inquiète pas, je t’assure que j’ai encore plein de trucs à apprendre.
Jeff, thanks, yes their clothes and HATS were amazing. I feel in true love with the hats!!!!
Natalie, nice!
Julie, thank you!
Tanna, ahah, I hope you manage to convince your hubbie. Yes I know, I was also so curious about the potatoes, and the quinoa, yum, I loved loved it!
Comment by Béa — On December, 5th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
That’s cool. I’ve always wanted to visit Peru.
Comment by Duane — On December, 5th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Bea,
What a marvelous trip you had! I have some other friends who just returned from there as well and they raved about it. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photography, as always!
Comment by Anita — On December, 5th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Brilliantly captured Bea. I’m looking forward to your ideas for quinoa. I would love to know how it is used in sweet dishes.
Comment by barbara — On December, 5th, 2006 at 10:56 pm
Your pictures are amazing. I felt like I was looking at National Geography.
I’ve always wanted to visit south American countries, especially Peru
Comment by sue — On December, 6th, 2006 at 1:58 am
tes photos sont vraiment magnifiques !!! merci pour ce beau voyage !
Comment by martine — On December, 6th, 2006 at 2:10 am
j’avais loupé cet immense et magnifique billet! quel oeil tu as, Béa, c’est impressionnant, tes photos sont d’une richesse, d’une justesse, très émouvante en fait… tu viens de me faire découvrir un pays ou plutôt entr’apercevoir la richesse d’une culture, d’un paysage, ces visages d’hommes et femmes rayonnent autant que la couleur de leurs atours, c’est magique, réellement. Un grand grand merci pour ce fabuleux moment!
Comment by Alhya — On December, 6th, 2006 at 2:51 am
Bon j’utiliserai le traducteur google lorsque j’aurai un peu plus de temps
Mais merci pour ce magnifique voyage, je rêve tellement d’aller dans ce pays, qui sait un jour ! Tes photos sont très belles et bravo pour celle de la fontaine et de l’hirondelle, trop fort !
Comment by Lilo — On December, 6th, 2006 at 7:07 am
Bea, you’ve brought back so many memories for me. I spent a few months in Peru researching the Quechua language several years ago. It is such an amazing place, isn’t it? Your photos are some of the best I’ve ever seen of the country - just stunning. I have to say that I agree with your choice not to stay for long in Lima - it has some interesting parts but overall it is a difficult city to like. Cuzco, on the other hand, is otherworldly!
p.s. Did you try guinea pig?
Comment by Melissa — On December, 6th, 2006 at 1:17 pm
Grâce à toi je viens d’aller au Pérou
Tes photos sont toujours aussi spectaculaires !
Comment by Le confit c'est pas gras — On December, 6th, 2006 at 1:26 pm
Oh! What beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing!
Comment by guinness girl — On December, 6th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
WOW! I echo everyone elses comments, wow!
This is such a amazingly beautiful summary of your most colourful trip.
Please will you take me next time?
Comment by Bron — On December, 6th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
Duane, I hope you will visit.
I wish I were working there for sure!
Anita, thank you. I am glad you enjoyed the ride! Good for your friends too.
Barbara, yes I look forward also to cooking more things with quinoa. It is truly a fabulous grain.
Sue, thanks so much. That is a great compliment
Martine, merci beaucoup.
Alhya, Trop gentil ton mot. Je suis contente de t’avoir fait visiter virtuellement, c’est vraiment un endroit magique.
Lilo, ah desolee pour le manque de traduction. J’espere que Google Translator ne sera pas trop terrible. Tu vas sans doute bien rire.
Melissa, Oh what a fabulous experience this must have been. Definitely worth spending much more time. I wanted to try guinea pig but then we ran out of evenings (counting we were sick for one or 2 and stuck with dieta de pollo). Did you while there?? I know Peruvians rave about it.
Anaik, merci bien. Heureuse que tu aies pu voyager!
Guiness Girl, thank you!
Bron, yes I will put you in my luggage!
Comment by Béa — On December, 7th, 2006 at 12:27 am
Bea, you seriously take my breath away with every photo, you are such a talented photographer. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip and made one of your dreams come true!
Comment by jenjen — On December, 8th, 2006 at 2:40 am
I am absolutely blow away… what a gorgeous place, made even more beautiful by you.
Comment by s'kat — On December, 8th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
wow, seems like you made the most out of your holiday! you’ve convinced me that I should try to see Peru as well someday. great photographs as always, it’s lovely to see the people in their beautiful clothing.
Comment by Kalli — On December, 9th, 2006 at 3:24 am
I really enjoyed looking at your AMAZING photos. My boyfriend and I have talked about doing this trip too and your pics are a great endorsement! Hope you had a great time!
Comment by Geneve — On December, 9th, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Wow, that was an amazing travelogue with the most wonderful photos! Have you ever considered doing this professionally? You would make a fortune and enjoy it at the same time!
Thank you for taking us on this trip with you, it was a blast!
Comment by Christine — On December, 12th, 2006 at 5:13 am
Amazing pictures !! Waou !! Thanks a lot for this wonderful trip !
Comment by Flonature — On December, 12th, 2006 at 11:37 am
quelle beau voyage quel appareil utilise -tu ?
Comment by dom — On December, 16th, 2006 at 3:30 am
wow, I came here for the food pictures (which are gorgous,btw!), but these Peru Photos are simply stunning.Beautiful colors and everything else.Job well done…makes one want to travel again.
Comment by Elke — On December, 30th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Fantastic pictures and description of your trip! F. and I wanted to visit Peru and Bolivia in 1999, but then the opportunity came to live in the US and the rest is history. Still haven’t lost the dream to go there once though.
Comment by Mary and Frank — On January, 1st, 2007 at 11:39 am
Many years ago I saw a “print” of what I now think was a woman in Peru wearing a bunch of “hats” stacked one on top of the other .. I would love to find the print - have looked everywhere I know. Aware of it, or know where I can get it? Thanks!! This site is absolutely breathtaking…
Comment by Mary Ann Seward — On February, 17th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Wow!…glorious….hats off and very useful for those who travel to Peru (like me…)
Comment by Hari Prakash — On March, 8th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I just returned from what I hope will be the first of many trips to Peru. I took 1500 35mm images, 300+digital shots, and I find I still haven’t had enough…here I am looking at more… Who wouldn’t ? You have a great bunch of photos. I especially like your dramatic use of depth of field. You deserve the complements that have been left above. Thanks for sharing your experience. Well wishes for future adventures.
Comment by Kevin — On April, 22nd, 2007 at 4:49 pm
[...] we were in Peru in November last year, besides wanting to visit Inca ruins and observe terrace harvesting, climb Machu Picchu and [...]
Pingback by A New Food Color Palette, to Feel Better -- Une nouvelle palette culinaire de couleurs, pour être mieux by La Tartine Gourmande — On June, 25th, 2007 at 2:18 am
incredible stuff. drives me nuts that i live in peru and work my butt off to get photos and stories from here that look halfway presentable to teh world at large and you simply waltz in for a few weeks and make me look the the amateur i am.
yes, lima is a bit of disappointment in terms of sites to see but it is a fantastic revelation in terms of cooking. restaurants such as astrid y gaston, pescados capitales and sonia make an extended stay here a true delight. but it is good you got to see some of the highlights of the country, particularly arequipa.
one note of clarification, the supa de macarones is actually called chupe de camarones. it is one of los chupes de la semana of arequipa where each day of the week it is customary to preapare a certain soup. i am hoping to get back there soon to document them much more fully (although i strongly doubt any will be able to surpass the sublime parihuela
.
you must return to peru and you must venture to the little-seen north of the country which, as any peruvian will tell you, is where the real cooks of the country reside.
Comment by kleph — On June, 25th, 2007 at 4:37 am
[...] South of San Francisco. With its warm-painted brick walls, the property made us think about the San Catalina convent in Arequipa we had visited in Peru in November; we liked it right away. The lodge offers plenty to anyone [...]
Pingback by A Visit to Carmel Valley — Visite de la vallée de Carmel by La Tartine Gourmande — On September, 19th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Did you say you traveled in November? I am thinking of traveling then but am concerned about the rain and visibility. Is it okay to travel then?
Comment by Amy Brisendine — On September, 26th, 2007 at 7:52 am
Hi Amy,
We had great weather in November. It all depends where you go in Peru as weather varies a lot according to regions. We stayed in Cuzco and Arequipa. Have fun!
Comment by Béa — On September, 26th, 2007 at 8:02 am
brilliant photographs looks like u had a fantastic experience and everlasting trip!! the clothes are just astonishing i really love them, but does anyone know of any websites which i can find information about these clothes/textiles’how to make them, crochet,embroider or background info about them etc..??
Comment by gina — On December, 5th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Hi Gina, not sure actually. Perhaps google it.
Comment by Béa — On December, 6th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Thank you very much for visiting my country and for your respect to our people. And of course for sharing that amazing photos. I’m peruvian and I know muy country is just wonderful but now I happy that more poeple can confirm it.
In other hand for any people that is interested in travel to Peru, I have a partner that make comfortable and not expensive tours inside this lands.
For details: write to me: anamostacero@gmail.com
Hugs,
Ana
Comment by Ana — On December, 12th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
As many have said, thank you for sharing yourself through your wonderful writing and photographs. I too find the people and places of Peru to be a joy. I am getting ready to return to Peru next month on a mission trip. I have posted some of my thoughts and photographs as well, but I have been slow and much less expressive than you. You are an inspiration for me to make a greater effort to share my thoughts and views of Peru.
Comment by Carey — On May, 10th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Peru is absolutly amazing im very proud of being peruvian,im so glad taht you went to visit my country and thanks for the amazing pictures they’re stunning!…one mor ething perople go visit Peru you will never regret it!!..
much love from california,
stephanie
Comment by stephanie — On June, 1st, 2008 at 6:42 pm