For a while, I collected broken watches and then took them apart. As I should have known, watches are all electronic and only contain a few tiny gears, most made of plastic, so watches are not a source of gears as they used to be. Most steam punk style jewelry is made from faux watchContinue reading “New jewelry”
Category Archives: Peru
Crafts while the internet is out
We spent a week with almost no internet and I found myself sewing. After dropping my phone in the ocean (!), I needed something to carry my phone and keys when i have no pockets. I started with the short sleeve from one of Jonathan’s worn out shirts. I folded the hem together and tookContinue reading “Crafts while the internet is out”
Wari, Peru’s First Empire
We couldn’t pass up a visit to the ancient capital of Peru’s oldest empire, Wari. The site is northeast of Ayacucho and not difficult to find. The site is huge, covering 1800 h (about 4,500 acres). As a capital city, Wari was home to rulers, priests, bureaucrats, craftspeople, and farmers. Circular spaces were probably forContinue reading “Wari, Peru’s First Empire”
Ayacucho’s Artisans
One of our goals in Ayacucho was to look at some of the crafts that the region is known for. There are ceramics, weaving, embroidery, metalwork, saddlery, retablos (tableaus of religious and secular life), and silver filigree. I’m probably forgetting something. There is also at least one artisan from Sarhua, a villlage about three hoursContinue reading “Ayacucho’s Artisans”
From the Sea to the Mountains, Paracas to Ayacucho
We have wanted to visit Ayacucho for a long time and finally left Lima headed south. It’s a very long drive and we decided to break our trip in Pisco. We couldn’t find any reasonable hotels. We tried Paracas where there are two categories of hotel, cement box and deluxe resort. Taking advantage of theContinue reading “From the Sea to the Mountains, Paracas to Ayacucho”
Fiesta Weekend 2018
This year the Fiesta of the Virgin of Lourdes is once again the biggest weekend of the summer. People return to Barranca from all over the world to visit family. I’ve met people who live in Austria, Israel and the US all back to visit and enjoy the summer and participate in the festival. ThereContinue reading “Fiesta Weekend 2018”
Good Neighbors
Good neighbors are a treasure. First Berta comes by with a box of fresh strawberries. These are always perfect, because they are from her daughter and son in law who are growers. They were delicious with brown sugar and lime juice. The doorbell rings and Leila comes in, holding a beautiful straw hat painted withContinue reading “Good Neighbors”
A Week of Whimbrels
There is always something new on the beach. I’ll post weekly with what’s been going on. This week we determined that there are at least two whimbrels on the beach, and possibly four, two pairs. These fanciful birds are long-beaked shore birds, a bit smaller than their cousins, the curlew. Bird guides list them asContinue reading “A Week of Whimbrels”
Beach Days
Even when the day dawns bright and the mist burns off rapidly, the hot sun on the wet sand produces billows of mist all morning. People are setting up their umbrella while big puffs of fog roll by like ghost tumbleweeds. Once the sun comes out, all kinds of people come to the beach. SomeContinue reading “Beach Days”
How to Make Paella
The main event at a recent housewarming was paella made by two Spaniards. These are experienced paella-makers, and they came prepared.They used a portable gas burner with three concentric rings of flame, perfect for a paella pan. Sauteeing the initial vegetables and seasonings in the big paella pan. At subsequent points, more liquid wasContinue reading “How to Make Paella”
Llywindatravels 2025 