Sacred Valley, Peru 2002
Jaffer in Ollantaytambo sitting infront of the Ollantaytambo ruins.
Our next Jaunt was Ollantaytambo in Sacred Valley. Sacred valley is a lush green area north of Cusco and was the heart of Inca Empire along with Cusco and Machu Picchu. Although there are many villages that populate the region, we had time to visit Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero. The area has become a very popular tourist destination, because it is on a lot lower altitude than Cusco so it gives tourist the needed time to acclimatize to the high altitude of Cusco. Ollantaytambo has amazing archaeological sites and has Inca ruins with similar stone work to Sacsayhuaman with carefully cut stones which fit perfectly without mortar. It is a great tourist attraction. It was a great pleasure to be in the time surrounded by mighty ruins and yet so tranquil. I wanted to do some shopping from the hawkers and vendor who were out there selling their crafts. My Spanish came in handy because I was able to communicate with a lady who was selling caps, and got a cap I really liked.It was difficult to communicate with the_, but would have been impossible to understand Quechua, a language Peruvians and Bolivians speak- if I didn’t speak Spanish.
Girl selling crafts, Ollantytambo
From Ollantaytambo our tour went to Chinchero and our visit was timely. It was a day for both craft market and vegetable market. It was a great time to experience the authenticity of the local market. We were there in off season which meant it was not crowded with tourist. All the vendors from surrounding villages were there to sell and barter their crafts. And the vegetable market displayed an incredible array of fruits and vegetables.
Vegetable Market, Peru
There was an area where variety of food was being cooked. we bought corn on the cob which they were boiling in huge pots. They gave it to us sprinkled with salt and pepper making a deliciously fresh snack. We also got a plate of Peruvian rice topped with vegetable stew which we shared. Rice recipe is very simple and I make it all the time.
Cooking Corn, Chinchero Market
A huge bustling craft market was very impressive against the backdrop of a beautiful adobe church. Since weaving is one of the most popular craft in Peru, this vibrant market provided enormous variety of gorgeous locally made items such as shawls, Blanket, sweater, and caps for all ages sold by traditionally dressed villagers and was a perfect place for me. I love to knit, crochet, embroider, and sew which I have done all my life; therefore, I feel emotionally connected with the people who also love doing that. I could have bought a suitcase full of stuff but for the constraint of lugging everything thousands of miles across the oceans. I only purchase was a colorful cap from this Chinchero craft market for my granddaughter,Sania, who was due in a few months. you can see the very cap I bought from the woman in the picture below who is demonstrating her weaving.
Chinchero Craft Market with Adobe Church in the background.
Sania, Granddaughter
There were groups of traditionally dressed performer, vendors, and buyer who came from neighboring villages, some on business and others for the day out with family for fun.
Traditional Dress, Chinchero
Traditional garb was not done just for the tourist, but dressing traditionally, apparently, is the norm.
weaving is a most popular craft in Chinchero, and Peru in general. In Chinchero craft market women took pride not only in demonstrating their weaving skill but they encouraged visitors to try their hand at weaving too. It was great trip to the area where we got educated about the unique Peruvian culture while watching them go about their life as they, probably, normally do. I feel very lucky, and thank God for the chance to experience this stupendous feat. From here back to Cusco to take a train to Puno and on to the Floating Islands.
The Woman from whom I bought Sania’s cap (seen in the photo) is demonstrating her Weaving skill, Chinchero
