Viva Peru

So many exciting things have happened since my last blog here in Peru. I have woken up in the wee hours of the morning to explore Macchu Picchu, bid goodbye to the beauty of Cuzco, and have stayed the night with a family on Isla Amantaní on Lago Titicaca. And now I'm in Arequipa, about to start a 3 day, 2 night trek into Colca Canyon. Some highlights of my past week are...

The Friendly Nature of Cuzqueños
After we got back from Machu Pichu, we took desperately needed showers and did desperately needed laundry. As a result, I was left with my one nice outfit, and a clean appearance. Little did I know that this was a recipe for attention. It was a sunny and beautiful day in Cuzco, so I told my friends that I was going to the Plaza de Armas to read. I don't think I got a page into my book after an hour or more of sitting. Immediately an older, indigenous woman came to talk to me, calling me "linda" and "bonita." As we were talking, two police officers walked over to tell me that I was "linda" and "bonita" and began talking with us. They left after a few minutes, but my amiga Sabina stayed for half an hour. She asked for us to take a picture and gave me advice on life. She was very sweet. Then once she left an older man began talking to me. All the same questions about where I'm from, what I'm doing in Peru, if I have a novio (boyfriend), family... It was a most entertaining time!

Las Cuentas de las Fantasmas
The night that we spent on the island in Lago Titicaca was very memorable. After our family cooked us a delightful meal of pasta and vegetable soup, we spent the night telling each other ghost stories. I told "One Red Eye," or en español, "Uno Ojo Rojo." Peruvians have so many ghost stories and superstitions! We learned of bad shamans who take the place of black animals, cursing people, rolling around as devil heads on people's roofs, of devil mermaids, and of illusions. Telling stories allowed us to get much closer, and learn a lot about Peru. The night was filled with laughing and terror, it was beautiful.

La Virgen del Candelería
So in Puno there is a huge celebration of some sort where groups of people from different districts in Peru come and have a parade, dances, etc. It is a huge deal, and I'm afraid that I don't know enough to give it justice, but the point is that many people were dressed up and practicing the parade while we were in Puno! It was such a treat to see so much culture and national pride, spontaneously! Zoe and I awkwardly walked through the parade trying to find an ATM though, we stood out as obvious gringas.

I could write more, but I'll leave it there for now. The more I am here the more excited I am to see more and more of South America. Peru has been wonderful.