Archive for the ‘Peru’ Category
12/06/2010
Image: by Lawrence Kovacs
Observations, anecdotes, and ruminations from our family’s year of travel in Peru and Bolivia.
Lawrence Kovacs, is author of the blog FromPeruToYou. We worked at Pacific Crest Outward Bound in the North Cascades leading mountaineering trips. Since then he has become a father, a teacher, and from a look at his blog, a gifted photographer and writer.
Check out it out. You won’t be disappointed. Images from a unique angle, some of which show Lawrence’s sharp sense of humor, and stories of living in Cusco, show a man making the most of life as it comes his way. His attitude and gusto for life not only benefits his family, but the rest of us as well. As I wrote to him in a recent message, “After having lived off and on, and guided in Peru for over ten years, I got more insight into the country by reading your blog than I normally do in my travels there.” Thanks Lawrence. Keep up the good work and see you stateside sometime soon.
Posted in Blogs, Inspirational People, Mountain People, Peru, Power of Place, Sustainable Travel, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
07/06/2010
Weavers: Willoc, Peru
Dr. Andrea Heckman an expert on Quechua weavings, will show a documentary film at the South American Explorers Club in Cusco, Peru on Thursday June 10th at 7 p.m. The film tells the story of Quechua villagers near the sacred peak of Ausangate.
Set against a backdrop of high Andean lakes and mountains, it shows a harsh existence but also a deep interconnectedness with the natural forces and their ritual relationships to the mountain, revealed in various festivals, weaving and other traditions.
If you’re in Cusco, and want see the film, contact the SAE in Cusco.
Tags:Ausangate, Cusco, Dr. Andrea Heckman, Peru, Quechua weavings, South American Explorers Club
Posted in Fair Trade, Film/DVD, Mountain People, Peru, South America, Sustainable Living/Communities, Sustainable Travel | Leave a Comment »
07/06/2010
Guevara's Granddaugther for PETA
In the last few years, interesting graffiti has been popping up through out South America. “Vegan Straightedge” and “Vegan Revolution” can be found on street corners if one searches. It’s a fascinating movement and even more intriguing that it is spreading through South America.
“Meatless Mondays” have caught on in the United States and may be making a jump down south. Che Guevara’s granddaughter (left) showed her support for the cause last year by posing for a PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, ad.
Image: The granddaughter of Cuban revolutionary leader Ernesto “Che” Guevara is at the forefront of another revolution — for vegetarianism. Read more..
Tags:Che Guevara, Lydia Guevara, PETA, South America, Vegan Revolution
Posted in Conservation, Fair Trade, Holistic Living, Peru, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
11/05/2010
Inti Raymi in Cusco
Peru’s Inca History Rich with Experiential Education: At least from what we see at current Inti Raymi Festival
Every year on June 24 Cusco celebrates the festival of Inti Raymi at the Inca Fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
This festival was celebrated by the Incas as the Festival of the Sun in honor of the God of the Sun: Wiracocha. The Inti Raymi symbolizes the eternal consecration of marriage between the Sun and human beings. The festival is
Inca Royalty Observe Inti Raymi
now the second largest festival in Latin America with an expected 200,000 people visiting Cusco.
But from an educator’s eye, there is more going on than just a festival. Groups of students from all over Peru but especially from the Quechua speaking, and Inca origins, come to participate in experiential tests of courage and craftsmanship. It is a wonderful and proud event in which to participate,
An 18-Yr-Old Balances
where young from come to throw, climb and balance, all the while, with elders looking on. The sense of pride and community at the Inti Raymi is palpable.
When I first attended some 12 years ago, it had not been so big. So be it. The
Stone Throwing Competition
festival is popular and deservedly so, not only for the sense of history of the Inca, and Quechua heritage, but to see teens competing, representing their communities, here at this historical place, Sacsayhuaman.
Images: R. Richards, Mountain Spirit Institute
Mountain Spirit Institute has been running programs in Peru since the late 1990’s that focus on experientially learning and giving back to the people of the Andean villages we encounter. We pride ourselves in staying off the beaten path. See our website at www.mtnspirit.org for more information. MSI is a non-profit educational organization.
Tags:Cusco, Experiential Education, Festival of the Sun, Inca, Inti Raymi, Mountain Spirit, Peru, Quechua
Posted in Experiential Education, Peru, South America, Sustainable Travel, Traveling | 1 Comment »
12/04/2010
Tai Chi, Huaraz, Peru
We’ve decided to add a second program headed to Peru for August. If you’d like to learn more about the program, dates and cost, visit our webpage. The program will focus Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca. This is our twelfth year leading educational programs to Peru. Before that, R. Richards was guiding high altitude summits.
“It’s not about tourism and snapping images” says founder Richards. “Like all our programs, it’s about learning from the culture, giving back with service, a smile and learning the language, and of course stepping out of your comfort zone.”
We will also be working more with Jorge Martel in the Cordillera Blanca on the range’s east side. Stay tuned to see images of this region. If you’d like information please contact us.
Tags:Experiential Education, Huaraz, Mountain Spirit, Peru, Programs
Posted in Experiential Education, MSI News, Peru, Service, South America, Spiritual, Sustainable Travel, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
11/04/2010
Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands
Handwoven Fabrics: Living History
Handwoven fabrics are the living history and cultural treasure of the Peruvian Highlands. The weavers who create these extraordinary textiles are the keepers of the culture and sustainers of a noble but difficult lifestyle in tune with the earth. This book, Weaving in the Peruvian Andes celebrates their authentic, well-crafted work by showing varied and distinctive styles of traditional clothing, the basics of how fabric is created from spinning to dyeing to weaving, the way traditional crafts are passed from one generation to another, the names and meaning of the myriad textile designs that reflect the culture and history of the people, and the rituals and celebrations in which woven fabrics play such an important role.
N.C. Alvarez
Author Nilda Callañaupa Alverez is founder and director of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. She has established weaving associations through the Andean highlands to preserve a tradition of handmade textiles and to promote economic development. She lives in Cusco and in her native community of Chinchereo, Peru.
All proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the Center of Traditional Textiles of Cusco.
Mountain Spirit Institute focuses on weaving during our educational programs in Peru. Learn more at www.mtnspirit.org
Tags:Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, Chinchereo, Cusco, Mountain Spirit, Nilda Callañaupa Alverez, Peru, textile designs, Weaving in the Peruvian Andes
Posted in Archeology, Books, Fair Trade, Holistic Living, Peru, South America, Sustainable Living/Communities, Sustainable Travel, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
09/04/2010
Capt. Guillermo
During their last tour in the U.S., Chimu Inka had some time to check out New England, kick their feet up and have some fun. Here are some images of light moments during their stay with us in Sunapee, NH.
We stopped at a novelty shop in Portsmouth, NH. Guillermo Seminario had time to try on some of of the various headpieces that the U.S. has to offer.
Wachi Taype, stylin'
Wachi Taype also saw some sunglasses that seemed to fit him quite well. At least that’s what we thought.
When we visited the Statue or Liberty, Mario Montalvo was jumping for joy over his opportunity to visit the Big Apple. When we last saw the group in Cuzco, Wachi reflected on his U.S. experience – “Randy, our visit to the U.S. seems like dream”, adding, “Did it really happen?”
Mario, enthusiastic in NYC
I assured him it had, and with providence, it will happen again! We can’t wait to have these bright souls back in the U.S.A., and of course for a tour to New Zealand when we’re there.
Tags:Chimu Inka, Mountain Spirit, New York City, New Zealand, NH, Peruvian Music, Portsmouth, Portsmouth NH, Statue of Liberty, Sunapee
Posted in Music, Peru, Sense of Humor Perspective | Leave a Comment »
07/04/2010
Another Tear-Down
Seminario, performing in Keene, NH
Guillermo Seminario, the director of Chimu Inka, the Peruvian band came to the U.S under invitation from Mountain Spirit Institute to run a program to perform and teach about Peruvian folklore music in 2008. In one Vermont town, we were being housed in a very nice old residence in one of the more ritzy parts of town. At one point during the evening, Guillermo turned to me, shaking his head, saying, “In Peru, there are children without food, and a place to sleep.” He queried, “It confusing me, seeing such wealth in your country when Peru is so poor in many parts of my country.”
Our Peruvian Guests on the Coast, NH
We have thought and discussed this much since that day. Tearing down a perfectly good house just doesn’t seem right.
It’s more than, “Finish your broccoli, there are people starving in other countries,” but it stems from the same disconnect. It’s true the U.S and other 1st world country’s inhabitants are happily oblivious to our role in contributing to The Empire’s excesses. It’s time to think small, and stop the waste. I have a gut feeling this level of living will not continue, mostly due to peak oil. It’s actually quite obvious.
Tags:Confessions of an Economic Hitman, Guillermo Seminario, Imperialism, Lake Sunapee, NH, Peru, Rebuilding, Sunapee, Sustainability, Teardowns, Tearing down homes, Waste
Posted in 1- Video Posts, Conservation, Environment, Peru, Room For Improvement, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
01/04/2010
Tyler and Perry met in Sunapee, NH
We usually don’t write about big rock bands, but Aerosmith, being somewhat local from Sunapee, NH, USA, and having sold out tickets in Peru, seemed like an odd enough connection that we’re posting it here. If you happen to be in Lima in May, (or in Sunapee at the Anchorage) you might run into them.
by Isabel Guerra
LivinginPeru.com
There’s still two months ahead before their arrival in Lima, Peru, but 10,000 tickets for their concert were sold today, during the opening of sales day.
“A new record has been set,” says MVV Asociados, the agency responsible for this concert’s press, adding that “this is the
Popular in Peru
biggest first sale ever made by any band in Peru. It seems that the tickets will be completely sold out in only a few days,” states a press release.
The concert is scheduled for May 22, and will be held at the Monumental Stadium Esplanade.
Ticket’s prices range from 72 to 624 soles (US $24 to US $208)
Tags:Aerosmith, Anchorage, Peru, Sunapee
Posted in Music, Peru, South America, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
01/04/2010
Llama with Cordillera Blanca in Background
Below is an excerpt from someone asking a question, who will most likely be joining us on a Peru: Machu Picchu/Cordillera Blanca combo trekking program in 2011.
Dear Randall,
Here are a few of my thoughts and ideas and questions as I have started to read about Peru and hiking and Machu Picchu.
I think we would like to have a day where we could do some type of community service so we could give back to the people and the country.
Yours,
Nancy C.
Shamans, Peru. Circa 1997
Dear Nancy,
Excellent, glad your thinking along these lines.
Additionally, as you know, we are a unique educational organization – a hybrid, or cross between a guide service, an experiential educational org and a holistic learning center on the fly.
So if you and the other participants are willing to step out of their comfort zone, try new things and be willing to let the place, the mountains, the people and the experience change you, then it will be a good fit.
I get the feeling you and your friends fit this description. See you soon for an orientation.
Randy
Tags:Comfort Zone, Cordillera Blanca, ecospiritual psychology, Experiential Education, Jorge Martel, Llamas, Peru, Shamans, Spiritual growth, Trekking
Posted in Experiential Education, Inbox, MSI News, Peru | Leave a Comment »
Mountain Spirit's Blog 