Examples of my name in Peru

It is crazy how often I see my name (in some form or other) on store signs. I will share a few of them here.

 This botica (pharmacy) is in the main plaza of Urubamba, my hometown. Saint Hilarion was a hermit who lived in the desert of Palestine.

 Ilaria isa very nice jewelry store in Cusco. Ilaria is the Spanish form of my name.

 This is a small museum in the San Blas neighborhood of Cusco.

Yllari, or Illary, is the Quechua word for 'rainbow.' This pharmacy was in Cusco.

This is my last weekend with the last of my friends here. Kristina leaves on Monday, and I will be all alone for two weeks. I am sad to see them go, but I will get a lot of reading and napping done!

Family Photos

This is my baby "cousin," my hostmom's niece.

 This is another shot of Killary, my 2-year-old sister. I am going to miss her so much when I leave in two weeks!

 This is my host-grandma's dog, Sophie. We have become good friends.

Cusco: Historical Version

I spent this last weekend in Cusco with my friend Kristina. We visited La Catedral, Iglesia de la Compania, Iglesia de San Blas, Coricancha and Museo de la Coca. It was all very interesting, especially to see how native artists incorporated local elements into traditional religious images.  

This first photo is of a painting of the last supper that hangs in La Catedral. It is very famous because they are eating cuy (guinea pig) and local fruits and vegetables. Also, Judas (front right) is inspired by Francisco Pizarro, the conqueror of the Inca.

This next photo is of the pulpit at the Iglesia de San Blas. This pulpit is famous because it was carved from a single cedar tree trunk. It is one of the most famous examples of colonial art. The crown of Jesus, which is shaped like the rays of the sun, is inspired by an Incan deity.

Coricancha was the most important Incan sun temple, but the Spanish conquistadors destroyed it and built a church, Santo Domingo, on top of the foundation ruins. These foundation stones were hidden from view until the 1950s, when they were revealed by a major earthquake.

Only two more full weekends to go!

Weekend #5: Puno and Lake Titicaca

These first photos are from Corazon del Lago, one of the famous floating Uros Islands of Lake Titicaca. While the concept and history of the islands is very interesting, now they are disgustingly tourist-centric. The islanders greeted us when we arrived and wanted to know all of our names. After each one of us introduced ourselves, they clapped. When we left, they sang us a song. Our tourist guide kept pushing us to buy their crafts to help the families, who had tvs and solar power. It is even rumored that no one actually lives on the islands, but that they live in the city of Puno and come out every day to welcome tourists.

 This is an archway in the plaza of Taquile Island, in the middle of Lake Titicaca. There were many such arches on the island.

When I got back from my trip, I had the flu. I don't like to regret things, but I could have used that $60 for something better. Save your time.

Machu Picchu Trip: Day 3

On our last day, we woke up at 3:30am to get to Machu Picchu at sunrise.

 Shot of Machu Picchu ruins from the guardhouse at 6:00am.

 Another shot from the guardhouse.

The lovely ladies who went on the Inca Jungle Trail (right to left): Kristina, me, Sarah, Tamara, Patricia.

Machu Picchu Trip: Day 2

 This is the hostel in Santa Teresa where we stayed our first night. It is called Eco Quechua Lodge (www.ecoquechua.com) and I highly recommend it! It is built in Andean style and feels like you are sleeping in a tree house.

 Early on the second morning we went ziplining. You can see me here getting ready, but you can't see that I am freaking out!

Me zooming down on the last leg of the line.

 Me, grateful to be back on the ground after ziplining.

The rest of the day we hiked up to Aguas Calientes near the Machu Picchu ruins. Most of the time we walked next to the train tracks. We placed coins on the tracks and had them flattened by the train as it passed. Very cool!

Machu Picchu Trip: Day 1

This is Tamara (left), Patricia (right) and I before we left on our trip to Machu Picchu.

 The whole group before biking down Abra Malaga Mountain for four hours.

This is one of the amazing views from the bike ride.