From SATA-Peru-2007
Ahh, the last day of September, and the last day of bus rides...for a while.
After spending the night together in a big room, of what I assume to be the community center, we were awakened to the announcement of Breakfast and by the time we opened our eyes there were egg sandwiches within inches of our lips presented to us by a very awake and energy filled Professor Lizarralde. This was at 5 a.m. We drank some tea after, got dressed, and boarded the bus. Off we went through the winding hills once more. At one brief stop, we got out and took in the refreshing view of what I think was the Apurimac River. At that point, I didn't realize that we would be going all the way down to the river to fish.
When we got down to the river, it wasn't as cold as I expected it to be. We walked a little along the riverside, hopped over a couple rocks, and even went on a bridge that was over the lake, but we didn't fish because we didn't have the equipment. Also I thought that Wilfredo had cut his hand attempting to fish with his bare hands or something when I saw what appeared to be blood on a couple of his fingers. It was actually blood from a little animal that lives on one of the cactus trees, and they have "bastante sangre," basically a lot of blood. I think that it was said that this blood is used in natural dyes. He took us to a cactus plant and showed us many of the animals habitating one cactus leaf, and if you barely brush your hands up against them, you get a lot of blood on your own skin.
We again boarded the bus and drove for a while. When we reached a bridge, we decided to get out and walk around for a little bit. We saw an ice cream bean tree. I think that's where most ice cream in Peru comes from. I joke. Then we went in to a little shop where the owner told us that he had just come from fishing that morning. He unwrapped a little package to reveal his fresh "trucha" (trout) and even offered us a taste of some that he had fried earlier. ¡Que Sabroso!
We walked across the bridge, taking a few pictures along the way, and when we reached the other side, we found that our bus was parked right next to another shop that had a sign announcing that they had trout! Professor Papacito thought that it would be a good idea to have some. Some of us thought so too until our plates arrived with no less than two trouts and a very generous helping of rice, at 8:30 in the morning. I must admit it was delicious. I couldn't have asked for better. Off again we went through the winding hills. Our next stop was at Wilfredo's parents' house where we were offered mote, (boiled corn)
and plenty of chicha. They also had many animals there including a horse, a couple cows, chickens, a dog, cats, and my personal favorites, the guinea pigs which have their proper place in the kitchen. We then got back on the bus and returned to the place where we spent the night, and there waiting for us was a bowl of chicken soup. This was around 11 or 11:30. I don't think anyone was able to eat their entire meal. And we were also told that we had another bowl of soup waiting for us elsewhere. At that point, we just asked to have the food donated to the community since we didn't think we could handle all that food. And so, Manuel talked with them and the food was donated.
Next, we were off to see some Incan ruins and also visit Puma Orqo, and also some caves where the Incan civilization is said to have originated. It was a very nice hike, and after this we headed back to Cusco. Wilfredo offered to show us a trout farm, but we were all pretty tired, and generally just wanted to head back to Cusco. Wilfredo was a great guide and he went out of his way, to make sure that we had a great time, and learnt a lot of the Incan/Peruvian history. It was another great day for us, and we were all very exhausted by the time we returned to the hotel. Dinner was great, and I'm sure our sleep is going to be even greater. Ciao.
September 29, 2007 October 1, 2007
