I apologize for the lapse in posts! This week has been fairly low-key, as it is Semana Santa (Easter week) and most everything is closed. I didn't have Spanish class or volunteering on Thursday or Friday, which turned out to be good because I came down with a stomach bug and fever and I had time to sleep! After a doctor visit and some medicine (total cost= $40!), I am feeling MUCH better.
Anyway, last weekend my roommate and I traveled to Pisac, a small town in the Sacred Valley with Inca ruins. They also have a famous market, where vendors sell food and handmade goods- anything from alpaca sweaters to bowls to jewelry. I made my first touristy purchase and bought a bracelet for 5 soles. Then we spent a couple hours walking around the ruins with our guide, Dario, who charged us about $7 each to show us around. Pisac was beautiful - the pictures can explain much more than I can!
On Monday, I went to the Plaza de Armas (the main square in the city) to watch a parade that occurs every year on the Monday or easter week. A statue of Jesus is carried around the whole city (about 5 hours) then returned to the main church in the Plaza and is taken inside to be blessed. The whole city comes out to watch. On Tuesday, the women that work at my volunteer placement took me and the 2 other volunteers out to lunch to eat chicharron, a dish that the town of Saylla is famous for. Chicharron is basically pork and pork skin fried in pork fat. Needless to say, it was pretty tasty.
Tonight, me and 6 of my housemates are taking an overnight bus to Lake Titicaca. It's about 7 hours away, right on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It is 12,500 feet above sea level, and is the highest navigable lake in the world. But it is most famous for its man-made islands, made from floating reeds. We will be staying on one of the main islands with a native family (no electricity or running water!). I won't be back until 5am Monday morning, so will try to update with pictures Monday or Tuesday!
No comments:
Post a Comment