A Guest Blog From Peru
You may recall a recent blog contributed by employee, Kate Lewis, about her visit to the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market. There were many wonderful comments posted and now I am happy to share another fabulous adventure with you! Katrina Zook, who is an assistant photo editor at MSLO, recently traveled to Peru to visit her mother, who teaches English there. With the help of a guide, they toured some amazing ruins, including Kuelap, an ancient fortress high in the Andes and the largest stone structure in South America. To get to this remote and basically untouched wonder of the world, Katrina and her party took a 1-hour flight from Lima to Chiclayo, a 9-hour bus ride followed by a 1-hour cab ride from Chiclayo to Chachapoya, a 2-hour cab ride from Chachapoya to Keulap base, and finally a 10-minute horse ride to the top of Keulap. Please enjoy her photos – I certainly did!
1 A guardrail along a mountain road
2 Falling back in time
3 Grabbing breakfast - Often this consisted of fried bananas and rice with fresh pineapple juice.
4 This is my lovely mother, who is currently spending 9-month stints teaching English in Peru.
5 First stop - Chiclayo - north of Lima - This city also hugs the west coast. We met our guide, Zenon, who is a direct descendent of the last Incan king, in Chiclayo to begin our first adventure.
6 Early Tuesday morning we hopped a bus. Little did we know our destination was 10-hours away leaving plenty of time to gaze out the window as we wound up and down the Andes Mountains.
7 Dad taking a snooze
8 Quickly, the terrain became rocky.
9 A bakery outside the city
10 Rice fields by a river that eventually feeds into the Amazon River
11 Scenery
12 Scenery
13 We saw countless adobe bricks out to dry. While not sustainable or earthquake proof, they are basically free.
14 As the cities fade away a more traditional Peru emerged.
15 Around 11PM the bus arrived to Chachapoyas. In the morning, this high mountain town was pushing away the rain to reveal sunny skies for the rest of the day.
16 Waiting for a cab to complete the last leg of our journey
17 Our cozy hotel
18 And finally, my last leg of the ride on this friendly pony
19 Scenery
20 Up on the hillside, you can see cylinder shaped houses resting under the cliff.
21 Back on the road, we followed the Utcubamba Valley to the ancient walled city of Kuelap, our destination.
22 The structure of the main building is circular and for security purposes, the access corridor is sufficiently narrow to allow only one person at a time to enter.
23 Scenery
24 Designs, know as friezes, adorn the buildings. This one represents the eyes of a puma.
25 Rather untouched by tourists and the modern world, countless human remains are still buried in the stone walls of Kuelap. This one I just found lying around.
26 You can see the main entrance in the background and in the foreground a sacrificial site. The fortress contained more than 450 round stone houses.
27 More stone houses and yes, a strategically placed llama (not native to the area) for your viewing pleasure.
28 The inside of a typical circular home - a stone for grinding corn and a hole right inside to bury your family members - plus a tunnel to keep qui, or delicious guinea pigs!
29 Some facts: construction began around 500AD, the top of the lookout sits 9,500’ above seal level, and it was originally home to the Chachapoyas, or Cloud Forest people.
30 Zenon gave us a historical rundown before we went inside.
31 Kuelap - the view
32 Just one of thousands of copper and gold pieces - Surprisingly enough, shell was of much higher value than gold at the time, and that’s what those puma inspired fangs are made of.
33 Numerous graves were found and are in the process of being uncovered. On the left is a replica and on the right is an original skeleton.
34 From our hub in Chiclayo, we took a day trip to see the Museum and Pyramid of Sipan. This is the museum that houses most of the remains and other items found during excavation. I wasn’t allowed to take any pictures here.
35 Corn and sugar cane fields on our way out to the Sipan excavation site.
36 Beside the pyramid is the Moche Burial Ground, where the King of Sipan was found adorned with countless treasures and surrounded by 8 other people, a lama, and a dog.
37 Once a great pyramid of the Moche people, this is now all that’s left of the adobe structure.
38 On the way back to Lima, we passed one last house where my mother resided.
39 Across the street from the Fuller Center House, we met a family that raised guinea pigs. Often they are the most expensive item on the menu.
40 Adorable kitten
41 Scenery
42 A Fuller Center house over looking La Florida (http://fullercenter.org/)
43 A church in La Florida destroyed by the 2007 earthquake
44 The ancient pet turtle that roams the school wherever he pleases
45
46 The courtyard at the public school in La Florida where my mother worked two years ago
47 Some of the very friendly sisters and students at the school in San Vincente
48 We flew back to Lima to visit my mother's Peruvian life. This is the street outside the Catholic school and convent where she lives and teaches English.
49 Here I am with my mom.
50 While we sent dad off to ride an ATV, my mother and I took a trail ride.
51 Our trusty steeds by the riverside
52 The town center and local church
53 Local flavor
54 Local flavor
55 All over Peru, you can find remains of the Incan trail, as seen on this mountain.
56 Since we ran out of time that day to check out the Nazca Lines, a series of ancient geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert, we made a new plan to visit Lunahuana.
57 As the sun was setting, we arrived in Lunahuana, another small town outside of Lima. While seemingly under the radar, tourists flock here to white water raft, go four-wheeling, and take trail rides.
58 On the way, we picked up a machete at the local hardware store, which was my father’s only souvenir.
59 Masks found in Pachacamac
60 A close up of a hairless Peruvian dog - This ancient breed predates even the Inca’s. Folklore describes them as hot to the touch and mystical. He was indeed hot to the touch and a bit scaly.
61 We had one last set of Incan ruins to see. Right outside Lima sits the massive Temple of Pachacamac, which is more like 17 temples in all.
62 Our guide and my father full of questions
63 This is the main temple, called Temple of the Sun. Before years of damage, it was once bright red. Small chunks of original paint can still be found. A view from the opposite side includes the ocean and Penguin Island.
64 This building, about half reconstruction/half original, was a home to the skilled women. They worked on weaving, amongst other things, and since they were the best at their jobs they were often chosen as sacrifices.
65 After all of our running around, we finally stopped and spent the day in Lima. The weather usually looks like this, gray and misty.
66 While there were other adventures, such as this club http://www.brisasdeltiticaca.com/ and a trip to see the Presidents house. I hope you enjoyed this photo journal of Peru.
67 A strip of beef jerky as dad and I head back to the states
68 And one lovely souvenir
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
What a beautiful country. Thanks for sharing.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 3rd, 2011 at 12:18 am
happy, happy birthday, hope you're having a good one surrounded by family and friends!
Posted by: liisamarja | August 3rd, 2011 at 3:28 am
Good Morning, Martha!
Wishing you a most joyous birthday!
Posted by: Jon | August 3rd, 2011 at 6:51 am
A very Happy Birthday Martha! Wishing you a lovely day with your loved ones!
Posted by: monica | August 3rd, 2011 at 6:55 am
Have a great birthday, Martha!!! Thanks for sharing all that you do!!!
Posted by: Arlene | August 3rd, 2011 at 6:56 am
Happy Birthday, Martha!
From someone also born on August 3, 1941!
Marie
Posted by: Marie | August 3rd, 2011 at 8:21 am
I so enjoyed this photo journal of Peru. Another example of my life being touched by that talent of MSLO! Enjoy your day today!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | August 3rd, 2011 at 8:27 am
A great day on your birthday is my wish for you and yours. Jude is indeed fortunate to have legacy of traveling through life teaching.
Posted by: ann | August 3rd, 2011 at 8:30 am
Happy 70th Birthday Martha! Wishing you a great year and the best of continued good health & good times in the coming year. Bless you! Judy C.
Posted by: Judy Corras | August 3rd, 2011 at 8:32 am
I would have never been introduce to this country with such great photos. I am very grateful towards your staff. Love the local photos.
Posted by: ga447 | August 3rd, 2011 at 8:44 am
Just popped in to wish you a wonderful birthday!
Thanks for sharing...
Posted by: Louise | August 3rd, 2011 at 8:52 am
Dear Martha
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!
Hope you have a fun filled day with thoes
you Love with you!! May your Birthday wish
come true!!
Your friend from Missouri
Nanci
Posted by: Nanci Hargis | August 3rd, 2011 at 8:53 am
Happy Birthday Martha. You look wonderful and we love you. Susan in NJ
Posted by: susan schleicher | August 3rd, 2011 at 9:10 am
Happy Birthday.
We share the exact birthday-8-3-1941 but one of us must be older.
Have a great day.
Sally, in Albuquerque, NM
Posted by: Sally Berger | August 3rd, 2011 at 9:34 am
Dear Martha,
"Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin!"
Which means in Polish - all the best on your birthday!!
70 is the new 50's and you are the prime example of that with all the energy you have!! Thanks for your inspiration!
Enjoy the day with Alexis, Jude and your pets too!
Here's to another continued year of success and happiness.
(cool pics of Peru too...thanks for sharing)
Paula M.
Posted by: Paula M. | August 3rd, 2011 at 9:45 am
Hi Martha, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR MARTHA!!! You look absolutely wonderful at 70 years old! You look much younger than I do at exactly 4 years and 1 month older than you! Welcome to the 70s and I'm sure you will be able to enjoy many more birthdays! I'm sure you are still at Skylands and I'll bet you are having a terrific time up there in Maine! Are Alexis and Jude there with you?! Sure hope so! Gosh, Jude is almost 5 months old already-how time flies! Thanks also for sharing this wonderful blog about Katrina Zook's trip to see her Mother in Peru. Being able to travel online to so many places around the world is fantastic! I recall Kate Lewis's wonderful posting about Santa Fe recently, also. Hope you continue to have a wonderful day today and forever! Off to see Francesca and Sharkey playing Hide and Seek at your Bedford farm! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 3rd, 2011 at 10:04 am
Hi Martha,
Wow, August the 3rd already – Happy Birthday to another great Leo! My son is also a Leo born on the 15th. I hope you are enjoying your time at Skylands and I’m sure you’ve had lots of cake by now.
~
I really enjoyed this blog contributed by Katrina and featuring her unsung hero mom. Thanks Katrina and what a fabulous woman your mom is to travel to such a remote area to teach English! I’m sure you miss her a lot but you must be very proud of her too. I know I couldn’t do what she does. I’d be ready to head for home 5 minutes after the bus hit the first curve of the mountain! Yeah, you can call me chicken – that’s okay. When I read how you arrived at that ‘section of the world’, which certainly isn’t New York City I thought I was reading a Shirley MacLaine book. She also journeyed through the Andes and almost the same way. Anyway, your pictures are beautiful and so interesting and I especially liked the caption under #50 where you sent your dad off to ride an ATV. Thanks to both of you, Martha and Katrina for sharing – you’ve given me a lot to think about. Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 3rd, 2011 at 10:17 am
Martha,Happy Birthday to you, I hope you have an excellent day! Thanks Katarina for sharing these photos.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 3rd, 2011 at 10:43 am
Happy Birthday Martha!! Hope your summer is going great and you have a wonderful birthday. Hope it is spent with your new grandchild!!
Posted by: Beth Salles | August 3rd, 2011 at 10:58 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Hope you have a great day.
Posted by: Bill M. | August 3rd, 2011 at 11:11 am
Martha !! these people are crazy saying you are sooo many years young....where in the world are they coming up with 70.... they cannot even count ! sincere Happy Birthday wishes....and wishing you many, many, more
Posted by: Greg | August 3rd, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Happy Birthday Martha, hope you have a great day. Enjoy your new grand-daughter, I know she is just beautiful. Saw you a couple years ago in Atlanta would love for you to come back. I work at publix as an Apron, I cook and give out samples,stop bye anytime. Need directions let me know.
Posted by: Rhonda | August 3rd, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Happy Birthday Martha! We share the same birthday and I'm pleased and delighted to be in such good company!
Posted by: Julie Dunham | August 3rd, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Martha, You have accomplished more than most people in your 70 short years! You are amazing. Here's to you and many more Happy Birthdays to come!
Posted by: Evelyn | August 3rd, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Happy Birthday, Martha! Hope you are having a wonderful day. Many, many, many healthy, happy returns of the day! Ellen
Posted by: Ellen I | August 3rd, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Christine | August 3rd, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Happy, Happy Birthday Martha! Wish you best today & you look gorgeous for "70". Enjoy your day!
Posted by: Debbie B | August 3rd, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Happy birthday Martha. Hope your day has gone as you wished.
Rebel blogs with Franny & Sharkey, he sends best wishes to you,too!
Posted by: Sharon & Rebel | August 3rd, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Thanks, Katrina Zook, for the travelogue with personally intriguing and funny comments! It makes me curious to find out more about the sites as well as your parents. And what great photos! That rainbow is killer!
Happy Birthday Martha! I will be looking to see how you've spent the day and I hope it is a most pleasant one for you and your family.
Posted by: jw | August 3rd, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Dear Martha, Your life story is impressive. You have been reborn in many ways.You do not look your age.
Happy Youngsday to you, for many years to come.
Your Fan and Friend,
Sandra
Posted by: sandra feldman | August 3rd, 2011 at 6:51 pm
happy, happy 70th birthday ,Martha
huge fan
have a wonderful birthday
Love patti
Posted by: patti bonde | August 3rd, 2011 at 7:49 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY lovely Martha! Thanks for the many hours of pleasure you give all of us readers, pet-lovers and cooks! We hope you and all of yours have a wonderful time up in Maine!
Posted by: Sophia with Marilyn in TX | August 3rd, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Here's wishing the fabulous guru of LIVING a very happy birthday! I love you MARTHAA!!
Posted by: Abha | August 3rd, 2011 at 9:55 pm
May life, love and colours continue to be a blessing to you on this day, your birthday, and throughout the coming year
Posted by: Louise | August 3rd, 2011 at 10:29 pm
May love, laughter and colour continue to bless you today, your birthday, and throughout the coming year!
Happy Birthday gifted lady.
Posted by: Louise | August 3rd, 2011 at 11:37 pm
Happy Birthday Martha! Hope you had a wonderful day!
Posted by: Sandee Hazen | August 4th, 2011 at 8:58 am
It should be noted that Katrina and her family are friends of The Fuller Center for Housing, http://www.fullercenter.org, and we are very active in that part of Peru. It's not just beautiful country (though it most certainly is!), but also the people are wonderful and the government allows us to do much work in this area at lower cost ... meaning we stretch our donors' dollars to help more people. See http://www.fullercenter.org/peru for more. And thanks, Martha, for sharing your blog space! Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Chris Johnson | August 4th, 2011 at 9:49 am
Dear Martha,
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday. May all your dreams come true on your very special day. Keep doing what you do best by continually inspiring us gardeners, crafters, painters, interior decorators, cooks, bakers, etc. I just love to learn everything you teach which gets my creative juices flowing with new and improved ideas. It's a GOOD THING! Enjoy your special day.
Sincerely,
Tina Knezevic
Posted by: Tina Knezevic | August 4th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Happy Birthday, Martha,
Very interesting pictures and narrative.
Webmaster, at my viewing the last link on the home page to Martha's blog was about her horses. There were no links to the next two blog postings. Thanks,
Posted by: Bobbie | August 4th, 2011 at 11:29 am
.
AUGUST 3RD---!
.
How many wonderful years do you suppose you've put into 7 short decades?!
.
As always, I applaud you for savoring time like no other!!!
.
Happy Birthday!
.
Love,
Andrea and the Weimaraners
.
Posted by: Andrea J. Spencer on Facebook | August 9th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Happy Late Birthday, when will you be having new shows on t.v. sure miss your shows.
Posted by: Dinah Mayes | August 18th, 2011 at 9:11 am