Children in a Peruvian mountain town are breathing toxic smoke. It comes from a metals refinery owned by an American company. We look at what's being done about it.
From "The World", heard weeknights at 7 p.m. on KCUR
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Meteorite Lands in Puno, Peru Near Bolivia, Citizens Report Radiation Sickness
Yale Returns Peruvian Antiquities
by Morning Edition, September 18, 2007 · Yale University agrees to return to Peru hundreds of artifacts from the Incan site of Machu Picchu. The objects have been at the center of a debate that has lasted almost a century, and culminated last year when the government of Peru threatened to sue Yale to get the artifacts back.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14495762
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Peru Earthquake - How to Help
You can donate to the Peru Earthquake Relief Efforts here:
http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_6916,00.html
Be sure to designate "Peru Earthquake" when you make your donation.
If you would like to donate directly to the Embassy in Peru, you can find instructions here:
http://livinginperu.com/news-4518-natural-disasters-peru-earthquake-relief---can-you-help
The photo is of a water line in Ica, Peru from http://www.livinginperu.com/ , a nice site in English with frequent updates on Peru.
sj
Peru Earthquake Update
Earthquake Leaves Peruvian Community in Despair
NPR, August 23, 2007 · Following the recent earthquake in Peru, thousands of people are homeless and vulnerable to diseases and in need of the most basic commodity: water. Journalist Guillermo Galdos gives listeners an account of the disaster's aftermath.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Days 6 - 9 Cusco to Lake Titicaca and Beyond
Cusco, located in southern Peru, is a city with perhaps the most beautiful views in the world. Surrounded by six mountains, some more than 15,000 ft high, it is the oldest city in the western hemisphere and the cradle of the Inca civilization. The altitude of the city is around 11,500 feet.
It is a town that unfolds for you gradually. At first glance, it seems big, a little chaotic and absolutley full of people. During the late 1980s - 1990s, thousands of rural Peruvians migrated to Cusco to protect themselves from the terrors of The Shining Path guerrillas. Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimora is now being brought up on corruption charges but apparently he was effective in stamping out the Shining Path during his two terms in office. The city now has a population of about 300,000, triple the population it contained just 20 years ago.
Cusco was the capitol of the Inca empire. Remnants of the skillfully constructed walls are still evident throughout the city. Once the Spanish came along, they often destroyed the existing structures and built on top of the old Incan walls. Often, in the event of an earthquake, the Spanish structures would topple and the old Incan walls would remain standing.
Our hotel in Cusco was the Novatel. It is located within an old 16th century colonial estate. The original courtyard is now the lobby with a crystal clear glass ceiling for enjoying the nearby sun and nightly stars of the southern hemisphere. A never ending pot of coca tea is available in the lobby and was greatly appreciated. The rooms are nice and the service was excellent. It takes a little adjustment to deal with the assortment of local men, women and children who attach themselves to you once you exit the building. We were all charmed by the grandmother with the llama on a leash who made herself available for photos right outside the door. The short walk to the main square is lined with enticing shops. The cathedrals and other churches in the main square are bejeweled with much gold, silver, and local people deep in prayer.
We enjoyed delightful and energetic folkloric music and dance that evening, along with a nice dinner. I declined the guinea pig and llama meat, but others in our party were more daring. I don't think that I will ever forget that little guinea pig foot sticking out of the mouth of the man seated next to me at dinner! He stated, of course, that it "tasted like chicken".
The next morning we left on the motorcoach for the long ride across the altiplano to Puno and Lake Titicaca. It felt very other-worldly. Miles and miles of mountain vistas and occasional lone Andean women tending their sheep were the main attractions.
Puno itself is not a very attractive city, but it sits up against the hills surrounding Lake Titicaca. It is the capital of the altiplano region, a dusty, commercial border town across from Bolivia.
After checking into our hotel, we quickly left for a boat ride to visit the famous floating islands of Lake Titicaca. While it was cold and a little raining, the journey was very worth the effort. Second only to Machu Picchu, the floating islands were the highlight of the trip. The Uros people of the islands welcomed us with a lovely dance. We took a ride in one of their beautiful reed boats and of course, shopped their handicrafts. A lively female volleyball game was going on while we were there, complete with loudspeaker play-by-play. Words really cannot express the experience of visiting the floating islands. You will have to go yourself!
The next day, we journeyed by hydrofoil across Lake Titicaca to Bolivia. We visited the 3000 year old ruins of the Temple of the Moon. On the isle of the Moon is the Palace of the Virgins and the Temple of the Moon Mother, where the ancient Priestesses performed the Rite of the Dark Virgin of the Lake. One side of the temple has been reconstructed by archaeologists and one can definitely feel the power of the place.
Unfortunately, dramatic rain stopped us from visiting the nearby Temple of the Sun and so we made the journey back to Puno.
Many of us were feeling the effects of the high altitude and were ready to descend to the wild west town of Juliaca, where we caught a jet and returned to Lima. Last minute shopping at the artisans market completed our tour.
When people ask me how I enjoyed the tour,I respond that it was "challenging, but rewarding." I would not have missed the experience for the world. I feel simultaneously lighter and stronger, uplifted and grounded, wiser, braver, gentler, and happier. I can't wait to return someday!
SJC
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Day 5 Machu Picchu!
The train ride to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the mountain, was really enjoyable. A special Mercedes Benz motorcoach picked us up for the ride up that winding road on the mountain. What an experience! The first view of MP as we rounded the final curve left us all speechless. We had a great guide named Fidel and he led us up to the top summit where we viewed the famous sun dial and the Temple of the Sun. Later that day, we stumbled our way back to the train and enjoyed the ride back to Cusco (about 4 hours). They had music and other demonstrations on the train, so the time passed quickly. The hotel in Cusco is a wonderful old colonial mansion. Most importantly, the rooms have nice deep bathtubs for a long hot soak.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Day 4 The Sacred Valley
WOW. What a beautiful and enchanting day. The weather was warm and sunny as we started our journey through the sacred valley and up, up, up on a winding mountain road to 11,502 ft. The vistas along the way were incredible with jutting green mountain sides and the wildly flowing Urubamba river in the valley. Andean women and children were tending their gardens and their livestock and looked surprised to see us as we rounded each bend. After about an hour, we arrived at a village. The children on the playground of the school came running over to see us and they waved and smiled. We stopped for a while and took photos and learned about their village life. Several of the women came nearby and set up shop.
After descending the mountain we stopped at Ollantaytambo, the second most important Incan site. Our guide Pedro did a great job of explaining the historical significance of the site. Many in our group climbed to the top, but I felt that I should keep the stragglers company in the Inca Coca Cafe. Afterwards we stopped for a huge buffet lunch at a lovely colonial hacienda with beautiful gardens. They had coca tea, coca buns and coca cookies. I decided that it was my duty to try all three. It´s official, I am now addicted.
Another early morning tomorrow as we check out from our hotel and board the vistadome train to Aguas Caliente, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. We will then motorcoach our way up to the top and spend the day at the summit. Can´t wait!
Well, it is time to climb the mountain to my hotel room again. Luckily the walkway winds through pretty gardens with fountains. The sky is clear tonight so we might get to see the Southern Cross. I better get one more cup of coca tea to help me make it to the top.
Day 3 Lima to Cusco
Our flight into Cusco was quick and the descent through the clouds was amazing!
I felt the high altitude as soon as we got off of the plane and had to take it really slow. I bought some coca tea right away. There are ladies right outside of the airport that sell it.
We drove through several small Andean villages and into the Sacred Valley. What an incredible drive! All of the local people have been very nice. The children seem very happy and playful. There are dogs running loose everywhere and apparently run the place.
Our hotel, the Casa Andina, is nestled against a mountain and is surrounded by green terraces and beautiful flower gardens. It was difficult to sleep last night, but I understand that is normal while acclimating to the high altitudes. We leave in just a few minutes for a visit to an Andean family and to see the Ollyantambo ruins. Tomorrow, it´s Machu Picchu!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Day 2 Lima
Yesterday, we all went to dinner at a very beautiful seaside restaurant called Rosa' Nautica. I tried the Peruvian national dish 'ceviche' which is fresh seafood that is 'cooked' by marinating in lime juice and chilis. It was refreshing and delicious. The taxi ride to the restaurant was quite exciting *yikes!} and the cobblestone roads gave us a great massage.
Today it is a beautiful sunny day here in Lima. We enjoyed a city tour by motorcoach through this very huge city. We also toured a very old convent called "San Francisco" and went down in the catacombs, which are not designed for tall people, and saw a lot of bones. This is where the poor people were buried for hundreds of years. They were thrown down there and covered with lime. The artful rearrangement in the photo was done for the sake of the tourists.
The traffic is quite crazy and reminds me a lot of Rome, where the saying is 'when in Rome, run!'. A couple of us went for a long walk to the artisans market this afternoon where we saw a sampling of all of the beautiful handiwork that is available in this country.
Tonight we will see a folklorico show along with our dinner. It will be early to bed because we must arise for an early morning plane ride to Cusco. After arrival in Cusco, we will descend immediately to our hotel in the Sacred Valley. This will allow us a chance to acclimate to the high elevations before going to Machu Picchu. Can't wait to try that coca tea!
sj
Monday, March 12, 2007
Greetings from Lima, Peru!
Hola!
It was a long day and a night of travel from KC to Atlanta to Miami to Lima, but everything went smoothly. I am happy to report that Lan Airlines does a great job. They are very courteous and the flight ran on time and even arrived a little early.
Our guide, Tina, is also wonderful. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Her English is excellent and we have no trouble in understanding her. The hotel is bright and cheery and the staff are very helpful. We've had our orientation meeting and will be heading out to a nice seafood restaurant along the beach.
The weather is overcast and pleasantly warm. We spend one more night here and then fly to Cusco on Wednesday!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Interactive Map of Machu Picchu
http://www.sanctuarylodge.net/web/omac/omac_machu_picchu_tours_excursions.jsp
Look at the road that leads up to Machu Picchu!
Cuzco, Peru named '2007 Cultural Capital of the Americas'
(LivinginPeru News) -- The Cultural Capital of the Americas Organization has chosen Cuzco, Peru as its representative city in 2007.
http://www.livinginperu.com/news/peru
http://www.livinginperu.com/news/peru
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Peruvian Citadel Is Site Of Earliest Ancient Solar Observatory In The Americas
Science Daily — Archeologists from Yale and the University of Leicester have identified an ancient solar observatory at Chankillo, Peru as the oldest in the Americas with alignments covering the entire solar year, according to an article in the March 2 issue of Science.
Read the article
Peru Launches Campaign Against Lateness
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Peru lures culinary tourists
LIMA, Peru (Reuters) -- Throughout their history of poverty and political turmoil, Peruvians have been fiercely proud of their elaborate, spicy food and new superstar chefs are now a magnet for culinary tourists. (pictured: Peruvian ceviche)
more
Monday, February 5, 2007
Vote for Machu Picchu!
Did you know that there is a worldwide movement to declare the "Seven New Wonders of the World"?
Learn more and vote here
Foes rally against Peru oil drilling
Environmentalists, Indians fight plan to tap pristine areas
"This is historic in Peru, for indigenous people and conservation organizations to work together like this to oppose the government in an undertaking like this...."
"This is historic in Peru, for indigenous people and conservation organizations to work together like this to oppose the government in an undertaking like this...."
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