Archive for the ‘Traveling’ Category
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
Japanese Travelers Top the List in Expedia’s Annual Global Best Tourist Survey
Good Tourists
Americans Considered Noisy and Not the Best Dressers, but Earn Points for Trying Local Cuisine and Making an Effort to Speak the Language
Expedia, the world’s leading online travel company, today released the findings of a global survey seeking to crown the world’s best tourists and measure travelers based on their best and worst travel traits and habits. More than 4,000 hoteliers from
across the globe provided opinions on the best overall travelers, as well as
10 specific categories grading popularity, behavior, manners, willingness to
learn the language and try local cuisine, generosity, tidiness, volume, fashion sense and propensity to complain. The Japanese won top prize and are considered by hoteliers across the globe as overall the best tourists. German and British tourists tied for second place, followed by the Canadians and Swiss. American tourists came in at number 11 overall.
American Tourists Score High and Low: (more…)
Tags:Expedia.com Best Tourist index, good tourism, Sustainable toursicm, Sustainable Travel, Traveling lightly
Posted in Traveling | 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 »
17/08/2009
By Randall Richards
"The Face" peering over Machu Picchu
I’ve been to Machu Picchu for over ten years, and I’ve heard tell of “the face on Huayna Picchu Mountain” for years. I have been able to pick out the stylized puma face that everyone talks about, with its ears and eyes, but the other day, human face jumped out at me as I looked at these images I’d taken, from the classic view on the sloping rock just above Machu Picchu. When I was looking through my images of the day, I clearly saw the face of an older man, wearing a “chulla” or Peruvian hat with ear flaps, as he looks over the Machu Picchu Citadel.
Details of Huayna Picchu's Face
I’d recently run across an “optical illusion” website that features the profile of an Inka man looking skyward, shown by a profile of the ridge from the ruins to Huayna Picchu Mountain, but after close examination of the ridgeline in the website’s images, and comparing them to ridgeline in my images, there is clearly some Photoshop imagery going on. A Peruvian author has used the profile on the cover of his book. I even walked by a hotel here in Cusco the other day which is using a drawing of “the profile” for its logo. The profile, whether Photoshop enhanced or not, is still a stretch, any way you look at it, and may not be the real face that has been hidden in plain sight all along.
Back to the face that I’ve observed. It clearly has eyes, a nose mouth, chin and whole face, at least in my mind’s eye. (Let me know if you see it too). The second image at right is a blow up of the image with my text and pointer lines inserted. A word about Photoshop: these images are un-retouched. Take any other image from the same location, at late afternoon during the southern winter, and you’ll get the same results.
Every time I see an image of Machu Picchu from that angle, the face now jumps out at me. I am interested in hearing your comments or experiences when visiting Machu Picchu. Do you see the face?
Tags:Dexter R. Richards, Face on Huayna Picchu, Face on Machu Picchu, Geomancy, Mountain Spirit, Peru, Power of Place, Randall Richards
Posted in Peru, Power of Place, South America, Spiritual, Traveling | 7 Comments »
17/08/2009
By Amanda Richards
Eva and I met while we were both studying at Copenhagen University about 5 years ago. We were both sad when we said our good-byes because neither of us had any idea when we would see each other again as she was heading home to Germany and I was returning to Australia. Yet, now here we are in South America!
Eva is traveling with Sebastien and they arrived here in Peru intent on cycling and hoping to explore `a strange new world, its countryside, people, cultures and languages for 2.5 months…´ Their adventures began in Lima and they first headed down south to Nazca (a desert area) and then up to Cusco.
On the way to Nazca
They have both been surprised at just how many other cyclists there are on the road – their expectation was that they would be almost the only ones on this big adventure!
After the chaos of Cairo (where they are both currently working) they are particularly enjoying the times when they are higher up in the mountains (sometimes above 4,000m) where there are fewer people.
Up up up and down down down
Eva and Sebastien are at Machu Picchu today and will continue with their cycle tour when they return to Cusco tomorrow. Once again Eva and I will sadly say our good-byes and who knows when or where we will meet again. Somewhere fun!
Tags:Copenhagen University, Cycling through Peru, Eva and Sebastien, Machu Picchu, Mountain Spirit, Peru, Peru by Bicycle, Travel by Bike
Posted in Animals, Archeology, Books, Environment, Experiential Education, Health, Inspirational People, Mountain People, Peru, Power of Place, South America, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
17/08/2009
This footage was taken today as we explored the ridge high above the Inka ruins above Pisac, the Sacred Valley, near Cusco and Machu Picchu. Although I’ve been bringing groups to Peru and have guided the high peaks of South America, today was my first day in Pisac.
The ridge got our attention when we descended a narrow staircase leading to an exposed drop off, but at the brink, a sharp turn to the left led into a steep narrow slot with steps. Straightforward, but it cleaned out our cobwebs for the day.
The footage was prior to the descent to the ceremonial center on the ridge below, then to the village and market of Pisac, Peru.
Tags:Mountain Spirit, Peru, Pisac, Ridgewalking, Ruins, Sacred Valley
Posted in 1- Video Posts, Power of Place, South America, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
06/08/2009
Corn, Peru Style
Tomorrow, Amanda and I head back for Anna’s place in Ollantaytambo. I was just there a few weeks ago with our participants. I look forward to our second visit this year. A few weeks ago, we spent an afternoon getting tutored by Anna on how she grows amazing varieties of corn. She took us down to her fields in the Sacred Valley, just a stone’s throw from her home, and showed us the different sorts of corn, and how she plants them. She explained that these are not mono-species. Most of the corn cross-breed every season creating a multitude of colors and styles of corn, used for everything from Chicha to toasting corn. She explained that most times every row will have a mix colors, which in fact makes them stronger against disease and drought. She also explained how all the other neighbors work together to share various tasks such as irrigation and maintaining the fields.
Anna giving a lecture on planting corn
Unlike Monsanto corn, these varieties reproduce and are carried down through generations. Not to say there weren’t problems. Some twenty years ago, there were serious health issues with the villages due to pesticide use in the fields. Cancer rates were high and people were really being affected. Now though, things are mostly if not totally organic. Most of Anna’s corn goes to feed her family and chickens, and doesn’t reach the local market. She also grows grains to feed her guinea pigs which she sells to neighbors and other villagers. We’ll keep you posted on what we learn next at Anna’s.
Tags:Anna, cancer rates and pesticides, Monsanto, Mountain Spirit, non-hybrid corn, Ollantaytambo, organic farming, Peru, Varieties of Corn
Posted in Experiential Education, Health, Inspirational People, Mountain People, Peru, South America, Sustainable Living/Communities, Traveling | 1 Comment »
04/08/2009
By Randall Richards
Kate J. at Willoc circa 1980's
The first time I visited the small mountain village of Willoc, near Ollantaytambo was about 12 years ago. Coincidently, my cousin Kate Jones spent a semester from the Lakeside School in Ollantaytambo and spent some time with a family in Willoc about twenty or thirty years before I showed up. This was before I knew where Peru was. She sent a photo of her with her host family in Willoc, which I had on my desk for a number of years. Then when I finally went Willoc, and recognized the local dress, I wondered if Willoc might be the place that Katy ended up. I called her from Peru to solve the issue, and yes it was. Another year in Willoc, I tracked down her family. I’m headed there again in a few days, and will take a copy of the picture with me again to give to them.
Shearing & Drop Spindle, Willoc
On our Peru’09 program we again visited Willoc, and were shown a demonstration from start to finish of how the weaving is done – from shearing the wool to drop-spindle making the yarn, to dying the wool and finally the back-strap loom weaving.
While there we also were treated to a traditional meal and were shown the varieties of corn that are grown on the surrounding hillsides. The diffierent types are used for the fermented Chicha drink, toasting, cornmeal and other specialties.
As in other places in Peru, visitors are occasionally brought to small mountain villages. Mountain Spirit Institute limits our group size to a maximum of eight participants. Sustainable Travel International has guidelines on how to visit such communities as Willoc.
Learning about varieties of corn, Willoc
We feel at this point, there is a benefit to both the visitors and the villages for such visits, but they must be organized and done with care. One example, I always brief my particpants at the program start, and remind them of low-impact travel techniques, such as respectful use of the camera, matching voice volumes to that of local inhabitants, and follow cues from our hosts.
Our good friend, Anna Sequeros, a former president of the woman’s organization in the region has really worked wonders in bringing equality to village women in the area. More on that in another entry.
Tags:Dexter Richards, drop spindle, Kate Jones, Lakeside School, Mountain Spirit, Ollantaytambo, Peru, Randall Richards, shearing wool, Sustainable Living/Communities, weaving, Willoc
Posted in Experiential Education, Fair Trade, Holistic Living, Mountain People, Peru, South America, Sustainable Living/Communities, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
04/08/2009
By Amanda Richards
We had been invited for lunch at the home of Guillermo’s parents-in-law who live in the upper hills of Cusco. Although I had not met them before, Ernistina and her husband were all smiles and welcomed us with hugs and kisses when we arrived. They appeared very humble and live in a simple home. Although spartan and with dirt floors it was clean and comfortable. We sat down to eat and were served soup followed by a lamb stew. The food was delicious and the thing that struck me was that we were given what seemed to be the best meat and they went without any meat at all in their stew. I was a stranger and yet they gave the best of what they had. It reminded me of being on a train in India when complete strangers who obvioulsy had very little, offered me their food and bought me chai, refusing to accept any payment from me. There is still this idea that having guests is an honour and it makes me wonder if this concept is being lost in our western culture.
After lunch we sat outside and again were given the ‘best’ as our chairs were placed in the little bit of sun that was shining in the courtyard. It was a gracious act.
‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give’
Winston Churchill
There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us. ‘Tis good to give a stranger a meal, or a night’s lodging. ‘Tis better to be hospitable to his good meaning and thought, and give courage to a companion. We must be as courteous to a man as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tags:cultural immersion, Generosity, Mountain Spirit, Peru, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Winston Churchill
Posted in 1- Video Posts, Inspirational People, Peru, Quotes, South America, Spiritual, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
03/08/2009
Participants check out the stonework of Sacsayhuaman
The citadel ruins overlooking the town of Cuzco called Sacsayhuaman, about a 20 minute hike from the San Blas area is the site of one of the last stands of the Inka Empire. It’s here where the last emperor fought off the Spaniards, but finally lost. Many were lost on the grounds surrounding the battlements. The stonework and size of the stones themselves is legendary.
There are few places that rival the massive 130 ton blocks that are fitted together so well, it’s difficult to wedge a knife between the cracks. Although there’s specualation, they’re still not sure how the stones were fitted together.
This was a good place to start our program.
Local Guide tells of the Inti Raymi held annually
Participants were shown the area by a local guide who shared information about the Inti Raymi festival held every year in June, about the stonework and the storehouses of grain and water, and the fact that most of the ruins were taken apart, block by block and used for Spanish buildings and churches in the Cusco center.
Sacsayhuaman is a beautiful place for an early morning walk, which Amanda and I did a few days ago. If you’re there before 7am, they usually don’t charge, plus that’s the best time to be there anyway.
Tags:Mountain Spirit, Peru, Sacsayhuaman
Posted in Archeology, Peru, Power of Place, South America, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
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