Day 7 - Let it Snow! Let it Snow1 Let it Snow!!

Jimbo attacks our snowman

You must be kidding me….you must be freakin’ kidding me….snow? SNOW!! I did not come all the way from Edmonton for this!!

We woke up to a very un-Latin American experience…a blanket of snow covering the ground. We also woke up to a very Latin American experience – no power and no hot water. In retrospect perhaps it was Canada giving us a quick hello on Canada Day.

The sense I got from the group today was of a bit of frustration with the circumstances. Understandable after having not slept much having had the physical pains of adjusting to altitude and especially not being able to have a hot shower after climbing Machu Picchu! The last one in particular got to me (and perhaps was a minor annoyance to anyone whom had to sit or stand beside me). It is also not unusual to come to the end of a week away and begin to want the comforts of home. This trip (every trip I seem to have a different one) it has been my variety of socks and reliable internet!

That said, there is still a spirit of adventure with our group that can’t be quashed! With the snow and lack of power in the city our itinerary had to change a bit. It didn’t look as though we were going to start at 10:30 as planned. I thought people were going to be glad for the extra rest. But by 10am people were gearing up and asking what was next on the agenda…what were we going to see today?

While we waited Gerta and I (with the help of an American guest at the hotel) built a snow man. Culture shock for the dogs at our hotel who wouldn’t get near it. The exception was one small pup who was brave enough to go tug at its scarf. By 11am our itinerary was back on track and we headed to Puma’s house again.

There we were greet by what felt as though it was all the women in his extended family! They gave us a wonderful demonstration of how many of the Peruvian tapestries that we will be bringing home are made. They showed us how the yarn was died, spun, put on a loom and then crafted into different textile goods. They explained how the designs symbolized the region and the different beliefs there. They also told us how the colours used often reflected the artisans mood (note to boyfriends and husbands – their mood is reflect in the motif so best behave!) Most of us were amazed at the quality of their work.

We then got our chance to BUY some of their wares. Dangerous! I believe a lot of money was spent. Most, though, felt though they had to restrain themselves from spending more! We stayed to enjoy a special improvised Pachamanca lunch – improvised because cooking in the earth and snow covered ground don’t tend to mix. Again, the “give it a try” spirit seem to prevail…I think everyone tried the guina pig and most even enjoyed it!

After lunch was a special shaman ceremony. Puma, in addition to being a good tour guide, is a shaman. We gave an offering for prosperity. The group found it interesting how candy cars and houses made up part of the offering. We all received a blessing from him which ended with him blowing tobacco smoke on our head and watching as it lingered then left. Despite Jess’s worries everyone left safe!

The afternoon was one for relaxation. In the evening by chance we all ended up sitting by the fire and enjoy each other’s company. A good way to end a good day.