Arhecological Site of Pisac, Inti Watana

By Walter Coraza Morveli (translated by David Knowlton)

Pisac is an enchanting place, calm and above all very attractive. The town is at the foot of a mountain by the side of the Vilcanota River. It is picturesque. The town, the important archeological site above the town, its fields and terraces, its customs and its traditions make Pisac a marvelous place. Read the rest of this entry

Kapero Playing Snares and Dancing while Enjoying the Fiesta

By Hebert Edgardo Huamani Jara (translated by David Knowlton)

While walking around Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas (Main Square) on the day of Corpus Christi, my ears were filled with commotion from the thunderous blows on bass drums, the beating of snare drums, the squeals of trumpets and the snapping of cymbals as the groups called kaperos walked behind every saint and every dance troupe. Read the rest of this entry

Granadilla Ready to Eat

By Brayan Coraza Morveli (translated by David Knowlton)

Cuzco is a land of many fruits. Not only does one find those that came with the Spanish and modernity, oranges, limes, apples and kiwi fruit, one also finds many that originated here and have delighted its people for thousands of years. Of these, none is more delightful than the granadilla, a fruit for which there is still no English. Read the rest of this entry

Peru’s Native Corn Protected from Genetically Modified Seed

To allow genetically modified seeds in your food supply or not, that is the question for many countries on earth. Recently Peru’s government passed law No. 29811 which speaks loudly to the question. Read the rest of this entry

Charango

By Hebert Edgardo Huamani Jara (translated by David Knowlton)

Cuzco is a city of music and performers. Throughout it one finds music stores and schools where they teach people to play many instruments such as the guitar, the charango and others. The guitar may be more commonly played but the charango, a native instrument, is especially popular. Read the rest of this entry

Flyer for Lord of MIracles Procession

By David Knowlton

Peruvian food is not the only import from Peru that is taking hold in the United States and elsewhere. A significant population of Peruvians also resides in the United States and is creating society and culture that contributes to the redefinition of the country. Read the rest of this entry

Perfectly Cooked Beef with Vegetables and Sauce of Lomo Saltado

By The Sunday Chef (Translated by David Knowlton)

The smoky aroma you sense from cooking lomo saltado when following your waiter through the restaurant to your table generates a sensation of pleasure and desire for your nose. Read the rest of this entry

Older Woman of Cuzco Warming Herself in the Sun

Cuzco has a strong and living culture. It is not just a staging grounds for visits to archeological sites, impressive though those are, but a place with a rich way of life of its own that has deep connections to the present, to the Spanish colonies, and to Inca times. Read the rest of this entry

Clover Growing in Cuzco

By Brayan Coraza Morveli (translated by David Knowlton)

The four-leaf clover attracts the hopes of many people in Cuzco where there is a culture of seeking to attract good luck. People often carry charms or have them on the walls of their homes. These are called augurios, auguries, and constitute not only hope but attempts to create the luck and fortune people want or to keep it, if they have it. Read the rest of this entry

Painting of Traditional Andean Music

By Brayan Coraza Morveli (translated by  David Knowlton)

A sweet melody sounds when the wind blows through the Andes of Peru. Andean music has become famous world-wide because of the many musicians who have taken parts of it to global audiences. But this tradition is so much more than what has passed into the world. Read the rest of this entry