So why visit Peru the second time? Well many of you know through previous posts (think Nicaragua!) that Esperanca is one (of several) of my favorite non-profits. This particular trip was coordinated to show their donors what’s needed for the people of Peru who live in extreme poverty…as it relates to clean water, housing, food security, disease prevention, treatment etc. Esperanca partners with CADEP, a nonprofit with over forty years of experience building ecological homes, helping farmers with their crops, etc. A perfect combination.
Usually, Machu Picchu is what immediately comes to mind when we think of Peru. But it’s the indigenous communities that really tell the story in this part of the country. There are hundreds of small rural villages with families working on a daily basis just to survive in the Andean highlands in southern Peru. So several days were spent on winding, dusty, bumpy (think washboard!) roads to connect with these villages…a chance to see first hand the struggles farmers are having due to climate change, their poor housing conditions, their unbalanced diet resulting from meals of mainly potatoes. Lots and lots of potatoes.
So I thought with this post I’d give you a feel for the countryside. Setting the stage with how incredibly beautiful the landscape is in this part of the world. Throughout those few days I often wondered…do the people of this area really know and appreciate how beautiful it is here? Does it just become routine when they wake up to this every day? Or are they just so focused on making it through the day that it never enters their mind? I should’ve figured out a way to ask that question, but unfortunately I didn’t.
Since this was not a photography tour…there was no stopping for picture taking as we were on a mission. So all the images within this posting were taken from inside the van…and remember the washboard roads and sharp switchbacks! Oh…to return during the early morning or late evening hours for that amazing light…now that could warrant a third trip! (You photographers know what I mean!)
The terraced farming techniques would often remind me of a patchwork quilt…can you even imagine having some of that black soil in your garden?
Just to give you an overall feel…Peru has three main regions…the Amazon Rainforest, the Coast and the Highlands. Our time was spent in the Highlands…a region dominated by the Andes mountains with huge temperature swings. And I mean huge. You’ll hear more about that later…
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“I would die if I had to be confined.
I don’t want to feel that I’m missing out on experiencing as much as I can.
For me, experiencing is knowing people all over the world and being able to photograph.”
Mary Ellen Mark, a premier documentary photographer who passed away this week in NYC at the age of 75.
My thoughts exactly Ms. Mark.
R.I.P.
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Extraordinary landscape, it does look like a beautiful, soft quilt. I certainly hope the people have a chance during their busy days to look up and marvel at it all.
Oh me too Susan!! Thanks so much for dropping in!
What is it about the Highlands! Scotland also comes to mind. I wish I remembered these sweeping vistas from many years ago. After seeing your photos, EVEN THROUGH THE VAN WINDOWS, I have an urge to go back as well. I have a feeling my memories are so different, since they are about the indigenous Indians in the one spot where I stayed. I’d see it all so differently now. (Sigh)
I really don’t think any country – so far that I’ve experienced – can come close to the beauty of Peru. Parts of New Zealand…but still…haven’t been to Scotland but it’s on the list!
Remind me again where you were during that time you spent in Peru??
Yes…coming up…the indigenous villages…LOVE all of their rituals and ceremonies…my kinda place! 🙂
Thank you!!
Pucallpa was the base where we landed, Robin, and then walked into the back-country from there, where the coffee plantations were.
These are wonderful Robin you certainly do some roving.
Yes, I want to experience as much as possible when the opportunity arises! Thank you!
Seeing things the second time is always different. Look what happened with you in between all those years. You changed and your look upon the world changed ??
I think you were short of eyes all the time.
So true Astrid! Always short of eyes…but life experiences totally brings change! Thank you!
The clouds in that first shot! Spectacular!