Archive for the ‘Peru’ Category
04/09/2009
Blowing into a Zampoña at 11,000 feet can have dizzying affects
By Randy Richards
Making Zampoñas - Cusco
On our recent Peru’09 Program participants had the opportunity to learn how to make Zampoñas and how to play them. Facilitator Guillermo Seminaro first helped participants adjust and shave down bamboo tubes, then put them together to make the Zampoña. That day, (and for the rest of the trip) he taught them some traditional Peruvian folklore songs.
Tuckered out!
All loved the experienced. S Smith really got into, not only the zampoña, but the charango as well. Here he is, at left, shown after the results of high altitude zampoña playing. Beginners have a hard enough time not getting dizzy at sea level. Here you can see the thin Cusco air, and the zampoña got the better of him. He recovered just fine, without incident. As you can see there’s a smile on his face.
Tags:Cusco, Experiential Education, Making Peruvian instruments, Making Zampoña
Posted in Experiential Education, Music, Peru, South America, Traveling | 2 Comments »
04/09/2009
More Than We Bargained For –
Cruz del Sur’s “In flight” Video Selection – Either Haphazard or Hypocritical:
By Randy Richards
Mt. Huascaran from Huaraz
You can’t make this stuff up. On a recent bus ride on first class Cruz del Sur, a South American bus line, from Lima to Huaraz ,Peru, we experienced quite good service until it got to the video selections. South American buses are known for their selection of violent action movies. Nobody seems to know why. Maybe they think we like them, or, there’s something embedded in the Latin American psyche that shies away from thoughtful movies on buses.
So when Denzel Washington starring in Man on Fire turned violent midway through the film, we weren’t surprised, and just covered up the speaker with Styrofoam and looked at the scenery. What was surprising was the the bus company’s next selection, Fire Proof, an evangelical Christian selection preaching salvation. While it had some good points on how to maintain a good marriage, the preaching to us, as a captive audience kind of sucked, especially being a Pacha Mama sort of guy.
It cracked me up: First came Man on Fire, then, Fire Proof. As I said, you can’t make this sort of thing up. If you’re considering Cruz del Sur, (which I have used for over 12 years), just remember to bring ear plugs and a bandana for covering your eyes, to control your own environment.
Cheers from Huaraz, Peru.
R. Richards
Tags:Cruz del Sur Bus, DVD and violence, evangelical movies, Video Selection
Posted in Holistic Living, Peru, Room For Improvement, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
30/08/2009
How chicha is made
A local Cuscanian, Ernesto, explains how the fermented corn drink, Chicha is made, as guide Guillermo Seminario and the owner of a Chicha rest stop in the Sacred Valley look on.
Chicha is a traditional Andean corn beer that is shared during communal gatherings and festivals, and fosters a sense community. Chicha is most commonly made in small batches in the family kitchen.
Chicha is made from dried corn kernals, which have been soaked and allowed to ferment. They are then mashed and slow cooked in large a ceramic pot over a wood fire. The fermented kernals are sprouted, water is added, then sugar and spices to taste, and the strained liquid is stored for two to four days which allows further fermentation.. Ummm!
Watch out though, it’s never done my stomach right, and it’s known to wreak havoc with locals’ digestion as well.
Want to learn how to make your own Chicha? Click here.
Tags:Chicha, Fermented Corn Drink, Guillermo Seminario, How to make chicha, Peru, Sacred Valley
Posted in Peru | Leave a Comment »
26/08/2009
Inca ruins get 'The Treatment'
By Amanda Richards
Peruvian authorities in charge of archaeological sites seem to have a voracious appetite to ‘rebuild’ the Inca ruins. They seem to think that the ruins need to be ‘reconstructed’ in order for them to become worth something more – ‘puesta en valor’ as the signs tell us. The ruins in themselves are just not enough.
As we explored the ruins,we realized just how much had been ‘reconstructed’ and continues to be. At Macchu Pichu for example, you can’t even see the ‘most beautiful wall in the world’ (as described by Hiram Bingham) as it is currently under ‘reconstruction’ and the area is only open to workers carrying bags of cement. It felt strange to watch the ‘ruins’ being rebuilt and made to look ‘tidy and new’.
Building a 'new' Inca wall
Peter Frost raises this issue in his book ‘ Exploring Cusco’ hoping to ignite some discussion as he argues that there has never been a debate in Peru about this. No one has ever questioned the authorities. And so the rebuilding of the old ruins – ‘The Treatment’ as Frost describes it, continues unimpeded.
I have to admit that on one hand there is something nice about seeing the ruins ‘new and rebuilt’ like the beautiful, big terraces at Moray for example. However, I agree with Frost that this theme park approach takes away the ‘mystery, allure and enchantment’ that only our own imaginations can add to the experience of being there at these intriguing and mystical ruins.
Posted in Archeology, Books, Conservation, Environment, Peru, Quotes, South America, Sustainable Travel | 4 Comments »
24/08/2009
Chimu Inka bandmember Wachi Taype recently celebrated his 30th birthday here in Cusco. Wachi visited the USA with Guillermo Seminario and Mario Montalvo to teach and perform traditional folklore music for universities, high schools and communities.
He experienced a novel birthday when the candles wouldn’t go out o his cake. Onlookers are Guillermo, Mario, Mario’s daughter Auerlie, Amanda Richards and Wachi’s mother.
Tags:Chimu Inka, Guillermo Seminario, Mario Montalvo, Mountain Spirit, Peruvian Music, wahci Taype
Posted in 1- Video Posts, Focus on MSI People, Peru | 4 Comments »
24/08/2009
Getting the lowdown from Anna Sequieros on washing
By Randall Richards
S. Smith was recently a participant on our Peru Cultural Immersion program. He did an excellent job of stretching his comfort zones, and on many occasions really sought out learnings. For someone who had never been to South America, he was a great traveler, and even got to work washing some of his clothes. T. Young also got in on the act, as did I, and we had an official clothes washing session. I’m fairly used to washing my own clothes in a basin, and hanging them to dry, but wasn’t sure about my compadres. Our host, Anna gave us some pointers regardless of our experience and comfort levels.
Abran with his kite
Abran, who was a bit shy at the time this photo was taken at right, also has a simple approach. He made a kite out of local reeds and some plastic. Granted, if he had the chance, he might prefer a store-bought kite that has Spiderman or some colors, but because of necessity, I think Abran is more ingenious than his counterparts in the USA.
(He later warmed up in front of the camera a few days later). See a previous (our first) video post, where Abran gave us wave.
Tags:home-made kites, Simplicity, washing clothes
Posted in Conservation, Environment, Experiential Education, Holistic Living, Peru, South America, Sustainable Living/Communities, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
24/08/2009
Buy this product!
By Randall Richards
We have been using the Pristine Water Bottle with filter in Peru for about two months now, and we’re ready to endorse this product with no reservations. We have cut our plastic bottle footprint by 95%. We still buy the occasional bottle water con gas, as a treat, but even then we’re about ready to stop that practice.
Another benefit of using this product is, I’ve never had a healthier stay in Peru. I have heard of bottled water sometimes having tampered caps, and this is the first time I’ve not had some sort of stomach upset. I am pulling water right out of the tap here in Cusco, and it’s working well.
Although I like the Katadyn external water filter that I’ve had for years, which works well for high altitude and fail-safe longer trips, I have to say their water bottle filter is too heavy and takes up too much room (within the bottle for any water) for my liking.
This thing works. SteriPen Classic
Another product we’re using, which although is new for us, but is working well, is the SteriPen UV water purifier. It too has been easy to use and working without a hitch, also to purify drinking water from the tap. We recommend the Classic model as it takes standard Lithium or NiMH batteries.
Buy these products, cut out the plastic bottles, whether in South America or anywhere in the world.
Tags:clean water, Environment, garbage, Mountain Spirit, Peru, Plastic water bottle, Pristine Water bottle and filter, reduce, reduce plastic bottles, staying healthy in south America, SteriPen Classic, Sustainability, UV for water Purifying, Water Filters, water purification
Posted in Conservation, Environment, Health, Peru, Sustainable Living/Communities, Traveling | 1 Comment »
20/08/2009
We stumbled upon Maribel Torres Leon’s Museum of Biodiversity in Ollantaytambo, Peru, when we walking on a side street one afternoon. The motto on her business card states, “Trade rightly, Sustainable Tourism, Cultural Identity”. Check out the video, and if you like it, please support Maribel’s work by either visiting the museum (see address and telephone number below), spreading the word about her good work, and/or making a donation. Well done Maribel!
Museum of Biodiversity
Maribel Torres Leon, Director & Founder
Calle La Convencion
Ollantaytambo, Peru
Tel: 51-84-984-962607 or 984-934263
Email: info@biomuseo.org
Tags:Alternative Tourism, Biodiversity, Cultural Identity, Experiential Education in Peru, Fair Trade, Maribel Torres Leon, Mountain Spirit, Museum of Biodiveristy, Ollantaytambo, Randall Richards, Sustainable Travel
Posted in 1- Video Posts, Conservation, Experiential Education, Fair Trade, Holistic Living, Inspirational People, Peru, Service, Spiritual, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
18/08/2009
Responsible Tourism Begins With a Good Attitude
A short interview with Amanda Richards on her encounter with a group of tourists in Aquas Caliente, Peru, near Machu Picchu.
Tags:Amanda Richards, Expedia.com Best Tourist index, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel, The Loud American
Posted in 1- Video Posts, Holistic Living, Inner Work, Peru, Room For Improvement, South America, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
18/08/2009
By Randall Richards
I finally had to do it – I had to open up a “Room for Improvement Department”. I’ve been holding off for as long as possible. I almost started the category in New Zealand but didn’t really feel the need. Now I must say, I do. And I think you’ll see a few more entries under this category in the next day or so.
"Wealth Group" Visits Machu Picchu
When at Machu Picchu the other day, Amanda and I sat at the “Sacred Rock” area to Machu Picchu’s north end, and along with some French, observed a curious looking group. They were obviously Americans, but seemed to be huddled around someone or something. There also appeared a professional film crew hovering around the group, complete with sound man with headphones, camera man and assistant. There were a few people hugging for long periods of time. While I hug as well, something seemed a bit odd about all this. When I quietly approached the group, I saw an elderly Quechua man and woman in traditional dress waiting, waiting for (it seemed more like “attending”) the group, apparently as local knowledge of some sort. I still really couldn’t see the focus of the group’s attention, so I retreated and upon doing so, asked the film crew what this was all about.
Wealth Group Guru
They replied that “This was a wealth creation group” and the founder of the organization was leading the group of “V.I.P’s” here at Machu Picchu.” He added that, “the leader takes people to various sites worldwide such as the Egyptian Pyramids.”
“So, a pyramid business?” I asked. “Well yeah” he responded.
(more…)
Tags:Blending in while traveling, Leadership, Pyramid Schemes, Sustainable Travel, Travel Do's and Don'ts, World Wealth Creation
Posted in Leadership, Peru, Room For Improvement | Leave a Comment »
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