While in Peru in August, I visited Hauraz, a small city north and inland from Lima. It is snuggled against the foothills of Cordillera Blanca -a small mountain range not part of the Andes, yet according to my research, nearly as high as the Himalayas.
Here I found a laid-back town in a basin where wild water from the snowy mountains still rushed over huge rocks down through its centre, and sheep lay on the side of a main street even though there was a footpath, trussed up like chickens, and big swathes of greenery were sold as food for the cuy (guinea pigs), which were bred in the kitchens of some of the locals. Huaraz suffered a huge earthquake in 1970 and it seemed it was still being rebuilt, hence the reinforcing rods waving to the blue skies.
A number of smaller streams running from the glaciers and snow divide the city before they run into the Rio Santa pictured here.Such different and interesting clothes worn by these women. They are twisting and selling rope.And these women also. I’ve seen similar clothes in Peru, but not these unusual hats. They are in a park which runs down the middle of a main street. I’m not sure what the attraction was before.Looking over Huaraz. Snow-capped mountains lurk behind.Guinea pig or ‘cuy’ for the menu. These ones were in a back yard, but they are also often loose in people’s kitchens.Cuy food – alfalfa, a major crop in the hills..Plaza de Armas – every town or city has a Plaza de Armas. The late afternoon sun was at a perfect angle.On the outskirts of the city I came across this protected archaeological site. Waullac was built around 200AC-600DC by a previous people.
2 thoughts on “High in Huaraz – Peru (1)”
Really interesting travels, Lee. I enjoyed reading this.. Thanks. J
Really interesting travels, Lee. I enjoyed reading this.. Thanks. J
Thank you. More coming …