Fishing on Peru Coast

Welcome to Lucho's fishing school. What a patient guy. Tucked under his right arm is his handheld fishing tool....no rods or poles for these guys!

You circle your weighted line overhead and toss it out into the surf.


"You're going to catch a big one!!" he reassured us.

We explored some of the Peruvian coast south of Lima for two days with Liz and Lucho after Christmas. We had a lot to learn about fishing Peruvian style.

First we had to find our bait, "muy muy." We had to compete with all of the seabirds that also think that muy muy is quite delicious. They use their long beaks to dig into the sand where the muy muy are hiding.

We, on the other hand, used long nets to dig down into the sand and used the surf to wash the sand out.

Which left these little wiggly "muy muy", which look like beetles, in the net. You then bait your two hooks on your weighted line. Yum!

The handheld wooden tools with the line wrapped around them are a more refined version of what we, and some of you, have seen on the Mexican coast.

A big one? Well.....the next day fishing from a boat Bev was happy to catch anything!"

We spent the night in Pucusana, a quaint little fishing town with a unique feature. At the end of town there is a little beach where the ocean passes through a natural tunnel in the rock bluff. See the opening in the back that looks like a door that passes through?

Swoosh!! Very impressive and powerful, especially to watch from above at night in the dark.

Feliz Navidad, Lima

Oh dahling.....don't you just love Christmas shopping??

Are you kidding?

We had to drive to Lima to retrieve our long term visas, carnets de extranjeria, so took advantage of the timing to spend time sight-seeing enroute. We visited a national reserve on the Bellista Islands and Paracas. We also stayed in Nazca and took a flight to seee the 500 year old mysterious line drawings (HUGE!) in the desert sands. These guys were having a delightfully lazy day on the Bellista Islands. There were also an amazing amount of birds...penquins, pelicans and different kinds of terns.

The Bellista Islands are called the poor man's Galapagos, well worth a visit and they ARE much cheaper than the Galapagos Islands.

We celebrated a very festive Christmas Eve in Lima with Liz and Lucho Nakagawa and various family members, including Lucho's 93 year old mother, who is a remarkable woman. We ate a huge turkey dinner between 10:00 and 11:30 p.m., followed by a midnight street party complete with fireworks.

Hmmmm.....a not so subtle statement of what is happening to Christmas?

Tired, but happy Christmas Eve participants.

A Special Day with Puno Rotary Club

Just when we were feeling a little sorry for ourselves and missing family and friends during the Christmas season, we were sent a reminder of how blessed we are!

We went with the Puno Rotarians and their wives for an afternoon at one of the most impressive orphanages we have ever seen. There are approximately 35 girls who have been given a second chance at life under the supportive guidance of three very lively nuns. The girls have not only a loving home, they receive education, counselling and occupational training. What impressed us the most was the poise and confidence they have developed in this environment. They each stood up and shared a few words....more than we could have done with such grace in front of adults at their ages! They were captivated by our being from the United States, and wanted to learn some English....so here is Bev teaching them "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." We would love to garner support for these dedicated and talented nuns, as well as these young women who are becoming empowered to support themselves and give back to their communities!

Trekking in the Colca Canyon

Driving anywhere from Puno provides pastoral views and experiences with herds of alpacas, sheep, cattle, and an occasional vicuna, which is the smallest and most delicate of the llama/alpaca family. We saw many on our way west to the Colca Canyon. The shepherds are always close by, while the guard dogs seem to hang by the road. We thought they were posted there to keep the herd from wandering onto the roads. Turns out they are not that well-trained, they are simply waiting for motorists to throw them food.

Precious faces!

The Colca Canyon is said to be the deepest canyon in the world, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. After hiking down (way down), along, then back up.....I believe them!

It is also known for its soaring condors; poor guys have no muscles to fly. They have to hang out until they can catch a ride on an updraft.

No.....these are just local chickens where we stayed at Roy's place. How Quechua or Spanish is that? The condors were too far away for my camera.

In the town of Chivay they were having their annual dance festival. Outstanding costumes! While sick Bev hung out in the bathroom, Scott met the locals.

A couple of canyon views. We had a great guide for 4 days. He was born in the canyon, but left at the age of 11 for more education. When he pointed out his village high on a ledge down in the canyon, we knew why he was in such good shape. The remote villages were fascinating-tough people! The only mode of travel is by foot or mule. To climb out of the canyon they usually travel during the night to avoid the heat. We could watch their single lights climbing the canyon walls.

View down to the Colca River

Exploring

We took a day trip to explore and hike at Llachon, a small community to the north. It is such a tranquil setting with very friendly people, who are motivated to develop some ecotourism. Some of you know about my thing for hats, so I just loved these Quechua hats on these women spinning their yarn in the main square.

We took a hike along old pre-Inca and Inca trails they are preparing for tourists. It was fun to see many of the terraces still in use, farmers and their animals out working the hillsides.

Home Sweet Home!

Our home is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath apartment on the 4th floor just 1 1/2 blocks from the main plaza. During the week we awaken every morning at about 6:30 to our landlady, Carmen, playing her music as she opens her little snack shop/store on the first floor. She is a character! We have scrubbed and scrubbed, and to Carmen's amusement have used many of her wooden fruit crates to create our kitchen shelves. She was kind enough to also loan us a refrigerator and two burner propane cookstove. We be stylin'!

The rooftop is a fun place for a relaxing view of night lights, early morning view (as in photo) or to snoop on neighbors and surroundings. It is also where we do our laundry, and are learning to be very careful so as not to let the wind carry any more laundry to the streets below!

First Community Healthcare Visit

Sunday was our first visit to two church communities near the northern end of Lake Titicaca. Ten of us crammed into our 4-runner for the 4 hour drive, chattering and singing in 4 languages. Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, English. What a riot!

This is Jessica, wife of Venancio, District Superintendent. Their 3 month old son, Cristian is about to meet his great-grandma for the first time!








We passed many of these 3oo year old homes made of adobe along the way. The special design was to protect from the rain.












Pablo had to tie down his sheep before he could come to the service and meeting.

Water is a severe problem in these, as well as other communities. The communities we met with had no potable water, and very little water for their cattle and sheep. The churches were very interested in implementing a community healthcare project, and have invited us back to meet with their community leaders. As always, our main concern is sustainability!

Our landlady is a real character, and has a small snack/misc. shop on the first floor. She and two of her grown kids live in the building too, and although she says frequently how happy to have us all together as family, Scott is still "meester." Just like our kitchen in Boise....right? Our interior design includes two burner propane stovetop and small fridge, and cupboards made from our landlady's fruit crates.