October 20, 09 by Sergio Reyna
On last sunday 18th while thousands of devotees were worshipping the icon of the Lord of the Miracles (for more info please refer to previous post) around downtown Lima, hundreds of chefs gathered a few miles away from there and prepared one of the biggest turrón de Doña Pepa ever, which measured over 300 mt (984 ft) of length.
Associated with the Coloured Christ procession, the turrón de Doña Pepa has turned out to be part of this traditional feast held in the city of Lima during october, the purple month. Nowadays, nevertheless, the flavour of this dessert can be enjoyed not only in october but all year round in this city.
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October 18, 09 by Sergio Reyna
An image of a coloured Jesus Christ painted on a wall in Pachacamilla near the city of Lima in 1651 was bound to become the beginning of the most important religious tradition in Peru’s calendar. According to history, an anonymous african slave painted the mural which survived a few earthquakes. After 358 years, the faith to the image evolved into a great feast. Every october, a series of processions are arranged by the Hermandad or Brotherhood of The Lord of the Miracles. People not only from Lima but also from other peruvian cities fill up the streets of downtown to worship the icon. Today, the 18th, devotees give pay homage to the image for the third time in this month.
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October 01, 09 by Sergio Reyna
While I was rafting the Lunahuaná River (1) with other fellows, there was a young man on a kayak very near to us. He was struggling against the currents with the help of his paddle. In a blink of an eye, he just disappeared. I only saw the hull of the boat for seconds which seemed a lifetime for me. Suddenly, he emerged from the waters.
That is really extreme! I said to myself.
I do not dare doing that yet even though it would only be a rapids I. However, I do dare kayaking in the world´s highest lake. And not just one day, but actually three.
And that is also cool!
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September 29, 09 by Sergio Reyna
Just a couple of weeks ago, I went on a tour around the land of unique terraces as I describe it in the preceding post. It was on bus as well as on foot. On the way to Maras from the terraces of Moray on the bus, I was able to watch two cyclists riding slowly through the plain. They looked like tiny spots in the middle of this vast prairie. Staring at them as the bus went away, I wished to be one of those riders. Sooner than later, my wish came true.
And I was lucky enough to join a bunch of special young french. They all six came to Perú looking for adrenalin and sightseeing. With them I had the chance not only to ride on mountain bikes but also to paddle kayaks on the hightest navigable lake in the world . They also enjoyed bicycling through the Colca Canyon in the department of Arequipa and doing river rafting on the Vilcanota River in Qosqo.
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September 14, 09 by Sergio Reyna
The undulant countryside near the small town of Maras covers up two unique samples of terraced pits made jointly by the power of nature and the skill of the Incas. Thus, either by bus or foot or even on a bicycle, any traveler has to wait until being very close to delight in the outstanding scenery of Moray and the Salinas de Maras.
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July 21, 09 by Sergio Reyna
The young guy was telling his story lively and loudly, and all eyes were fixed at him. So were mine. The six or seven friends had sat beside me on the steps underneath one of the arcades that surround the Qosqo´s main plaza. I did not mean to eavesdrop, I swear, but I was all ears too.
I took just about two or three hours…
And you climbed it alone, voludo! exclaimed a pretty girl.
You were nuts, weren’t you? another cried out.
Che, didn’t you want us to go with you? asked a man naively.
Si sos un hijo de…you all had a heavy hangover, replied the young guy carelessly. They all burst into laughing with their argentinean touch.
But you know what? the view is just amazing from up there, the young man added as he was pointing out the mountain to the south.
I looked up at the hill and read the sign written on it. The mountain was calling me.
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June 15, 09 by Sergio Reyna
The hills that encircle the city may echo either the blast of a firecracker or the music from a band which you might not be able to see. Or one can unexpectedly run into a parade made of quite a few people or a huge crowd.
It seems there is always a reason to celebrate here in Qosqo. And this is especially true in June where a new anniversary is held. Any day or night could become time for revel with music, dance, and beer or chicha.
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May 31, 09 by Sergio Reyna
My memories are still vivid as if it were just a few days ago:
“Let us go, Sergio, come with Roberto too. Cesar and Kike are already there, and I am going with Lalo el gringo and Kunta Kinte”, said my cousin Martin as I saw him running away. My brother and I joined the gang just as quickly. We all enjoyed our day-off playing with the seesaw, slide, climbing frame, swing, and merry-go-round.
My recollections bring me back to the playground just in front of the bakery “El Chino” in my childhood neighborhood, Pueblo Libre, near two of the most renowned museums of Lima: the Antropología, Arqueología e Historia del Perú and the Larco Museums (I shall pay them a visit if I happen to be in Lima again).
Time changes and none of us live in Pueblo Libre anymore. Nonetheless, there are still reasons to feel as a kid again.
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May 12, 09 by Sergio Reyna
”I al oro asimismo decian que era lagrimas que el Sol llorava”.
Conquista i Poblacion del Piru.
My watch rang one o’clock when our tour on the double decker bus was over. My friend had to go, and I stayed at the Miraflores Central Park trying to figure it out how I could get the Peruvian Gold Museum from here.
Even though Angamos avenue was at a walking distance from the park, I preferred to catch a van or “combi”. The heat was just unbearable. Once at that spot, I waited for another combi which went by all along Primavera avenue. The driver had me get off at the right bus stop.
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April 28, 09 by Sergio Reyna
I am a real fan of ceviche. In fact, I am a real fan of seafood in general. But my favorite by far is ceviche. Imagine sushi but marinated with Peruvian lemon, and supplied with sweet potato, corn of the cob, stripped onion and chili pepper. A place where ceviche is served is called cevichería here in Peru. As I was told there are also cevicherías in the United States, but most or a few of them don’t use Peruvian lemon but lime so that the flavor is rather different. You should definitely come to Peru to taste the genuine ceviche. Read the rest of this entry »
