A large number of people gathered at the Archaeological Park of Machu Picchu to perform a series of yoga sessions as part of  International Day of Yoga celebrations last June 19th. 

The event was organised by the Embassy of India. The ambassador, Sandeep Chakravorty, came to the Inca sanctuary and express his gratefulness to the Minister of Culture, Salvador del Solar, for allowing them to practice yoga in Machu Picchu. 

"In Peru there is a lot of fascination and practice for Yoga. We are taking advantage of the union of two very beautiful things, Machu Picchu and Yoga," said the ambassador to newspaper El Comercio. 

Pictures credit: Marca Peru / El Comercio

Translation/ Written by: GringoPeru 

Painting competitions, night tours, exhibitions, screening of documentaries, plays, conversations, dances, among other activities will take place throughout the day in museums and cultural centers.

Casa Museo Marina Núñez del Prado

Museo de Sitio Bodega y Quadra
(Jr. Áncash 213, Cercado de Lima)
Enjoy a free night tour in one of the must-see museums of the Historic Center of Lima. You'll delight the objects of daily use that date from the foundation of Lima until the republican time and ceramic pieces of the cultures Lima, Inca and Chancay. Tours start from 6 p.m

From May 18 to 21, attendees will be able to request for free the 'MALI Route', a self-guided map that will allow them to explore the permanent exhibition and learn details of the masterpieces of the museum's collection. From 10:30 a.m.

On Sunday, May 21, visitors with free guided tours, will see the permanent and temporary exhibitions Orozco, Rivera and Siqueiros,  Como en la pintura, and MALI in situ. Grandstand. by Ishmael Randall Weeks. This will be taking place between 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Inauguration of the sample of Andean Religiosity. There will also be educational, artistic and talk activities. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free entry.

Museo Pedro de Osma

Don't miss the guided visit by  to the permanent viceregal exhibition in the four rooms of this museum. Schedule: 10:30 a.m. till 4:45 p.m. Free entry.

"El Director Guía" guided tour for the new "Arte del Sur Andino" room by Pedro Pablo Alayza (Museum Director) at 5 p.m. Limited space for the first 15 people to arrive.

MATE = Museo Mario Testino

Introductory explanation about the Permanent Collection of the Museum.  Participation of visitors exchanging comments at the end of the tour. 

Projection of the photographs to the visitors. Activities start from 5 p.m. till 10 p.m.

For more download the Full Program of activities around Peru

Written by GringoPeru

Credits to: Newspaper El Comercio, Peru21 and Correo.

One Peruvian dish that everyone here must have tried in Peru is Pollo a la Brasa and this to has an interesting story that surrounds it (the truth of which is debated). This story is also a tale of two immigrants from Switzerland, Roger Schuler and Franz Ulrich and begins in 1946 when Roger Schuler established a chicken farm in Santa Clara, Ate with hopes of selling the chicken to districts like Miraflores. His products were known as "Productos Avícolas de La Granja Azul” (Poultry products of La Granja Azul). 

However, 4 years later in 1950 business went sour meaning many chickens were not sold, fearing that he would lose more money he spoke with Franz Ulrich and together they devised a method of cooking chicken over algarrobo charcoal and marinating the chicken in panca, soy sauce, black mint, salt and pepper. Algarrobo comes from the Prosopis pallida tree which can be found throughout Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. To cook this chicken, they built a mechanised rotisserie to cook many chickens at one time, this system of cooking chicken became known as planetario. To gain the attention of the local people they placed a sign in front of the central railway that stated “Eat all the chicken you can for 5 soles!” and built a small rustic restaurant in his house. This small restaurant became known as La Granja Azul. 

What set La Granja Azul aside from restaurants at the time was that the place was generally cheaper than most restaurants, also at this time restaurant were seen as a place of luxury and prestige but with the introduction of a restaurant like La Granja Azul people were happy eating with their hands and could do so without criticism. It was not long till another Swiss by the name of Steinmann opened up a restaurant closer to the centre of Lima, he called it El Rancho and it implemented the same mechanised rotisserie that Schuler and Ulrich created. 

It was not until the 1970´s that Pollo a la Brasa became popular very soon many other restaurants that served Pollo a la Brasa popped up to keep up with the ever increasing demand. Each restaurant played with the recipe however, the method of cooking it remained the same. 

La Granja Azul which is still located in its historical place is still serving people today and to celebrate the creation and popularity of Pollo a la Brasa the 21st July has been named Day of Pollo a la Brasa. Statistics have shown that every month 12 million Pollo a la Brasa’s are sold nationwide also according to the INEI (The National Institute of Statistics and Informatics) 24.4 kilos of Pollo a la Brasa per a family in Peru was consumed in 2014.

Written by: Gringo Perú

When hearing about Peru you will hear a lot about the Incas and their empire as it was one of the largest and was the empire that would confront the Spanish in the 16th century. According to some historians like Waldemar Espinoza Soriano the Spanish conquest was not only successful because of the technological superiority that the Spanish possessed but also due to one key alliance between the Spanish and the Huancas (also spelt Wancas, or Wankas). The Huancas emerged from the Jauja, Concepcion and Huancayo provinces at the end of the 12th century and according to the stories of the Huancas the nation came into being when sixty kinship groups (Ayllus) left the “Pacarina” (Pacarina is an ancient Andean term that refers to a location where the ancestors came from and the final destination of their ancestors) called Huari Huillca. They were known for their vast cities built on mountaintops, their capital Siquillapucara (or Tunanmarca) located in the district of Tunanmarca in Jauja at one point had a population of 1500. 

The nation continued to grow, cultivating maize and herding llamas and alpacas for over 500 years. One thing to note about the Huancas in their culture was the close relationship to dogs, this relationship is mentioned in some legends some which are disputed as being false. It all starts with a war of two gods Huallallo Carhuincho and Yanamka Tutamñaca. Huallallo defeated Yanamka, Huallallo then took the fertile lands and gave it to the Huancas however, Yanamka refused to accept defeat and organized a rebellion. On hearing about the rebel army Huallallo went to the Quinancaya plain to watch the rebel army and found that the rebels were far superior to the Huancas and feared for his people. Huallallo planned to destroy the rebels so he sent a hail storm, heavy rains and red soil that fell from the sky which lasted five days and to finish them off he sent thunder and lighting. After the storm had finished Huallallo was surprised to find that the rebel officers were still alive so in one final act of desperation he turned them into dogs. As the rebels were turned into dogs they howled which annoyed Huallallo who sent lighting to shake the Earth, as the Earth shook the dogs became mute and the dogs became hoarse and became reluctant to bark. It is said that the Huancas were known as Allcomicoc (dog eater in Quechua) to the neighbouring communities. Their God, Huallallo Carhuincho, ordered five dogs to be sacrificed and that the meat and blood should be presented to his soldiers who ate them with chicha. The skulls of the dogs were made into musical instruments by the God and were known to make a terrifying noise when played. Dogs also became faithful companions that helped with daily tasks such as sheep dogs and to keep birds from the crops and were trained to perform tricks to provide entertainment and some were painted and sacrificed. In some legends you may read that the Huancas started to eat dogs because before that they used to eat humans although, it is said this was a lie created by the descendants of the Gods Pariacaca and Yanamka. Now, at the same moment that the Huancas were expanding the Incas were also expanding and starting from app. 1438 A.D the Inca Manco Capac started a rapid expansion through war and peaceful assimilation, many nations were incorporated into the Inca Empire however, the Huancas fought hard against the Incas. It was in 1460 when the Huancas fell to the Incas, under the command of Inca Yupanqui a large Inca army invaded, fierce fighting over the course of several months ensued but due to hunger and the lack of water the Huancas surrendered to the Incas. The Incas then exiled the Huanca people to far off lands and destroyed the capital Siquillapucara. When the Huancas learnt of the Spanish arrival to the land they quickly allied themselves with them, supplying the Conquistadores with men, women, food and information. The Huancas were not the only ones to see the Spaniards as force that could release their lands from the Incas, others communities joined another well-known group called the the Chachapoyas also joined the Spanish. After the fall of the Inca Empire, the Huancas requested compensation for the help they provided to the Spanish Empire many of their requests were denied and the Spanish crown refused to allow them to take back control of their land. However, under Philip II, King of Spain the Huancas received recognition for their service and was provided with a coat of arms to symbolize the union.

 The culture of the Huanca still thrives today, the language Jauja Wanka Quechua and Waylla Wanka Quechua is still spoken, these forms of Quechua are slightly different to the Quechua spoken by the descendants of the Inca and they have football team called Deportivo Wanka. If you are interested in some more information based on the Spanish-Huanca alliance read this great book below:

Link about Huanca Culture

By: GringoPerú

Everyone has heard the legends and of the oasis Huacachina but how many of you know Lake Pacucha? Lake Pacucha is located Apurímac Region, 17 km from the city of Andahuaylas and there are several legends to this lake.

The two well-known ones are: 

1. The legend states long ago before the lake appeared there was a town known to others as a paradise for its beauty, the people were kind, humble and spiritual however, with time people from all over came to the town bringing with them their own customs and traditions. The town became corrupt, one day a poor old man arrived to large house which was celebrating a wedding and asked for charity but he was insulted for being dirty and ragged so he left. He wandered down the street to where he was met by poor lady called “Mama Petecc" who gave him food. In return the old man asked the lady to leave the town with her son and her lamb with one condition, the condition was that she could not look back to the town at any moment and must keep walking. As she left the town she heard thunder and lighting and the screams of people, her curiosity got the best of her and she turned around to look only to be turned into stone. To this day you can still see a rock close to the lake that resembles a woman. 

2. The second account of this story has more of a religious context to it: Long ago there was a town called Pacucha a place abundant of resources like corn and potatoes and as the town grew larger the people began to build more houses and with this growth the people became envious, miserly and heretics. One day Jesus (in Spanish el Señor) disguised as a dirty old traveller with scars and a large beard came to the town. He first went to a seller of pots and asked for a pot so he could take water on his travels, the seller scorned and insulted him. Travelling further on he met a cobbler and ask once again for help, this time he asked for some shoes and again he was insulted and left. He then arrived to the centre of the town where he arrived to a house that was celebrating a wedding, the party was of grandeur and luxury and while the food was being prepared, the traveller asked for something to eat. The guests were annoyed by his presence and threw him into the streets laughing and insulting him. Sad, the traveller continued down the street where he met a widow. The widow was knitting a manta, with a lamb at her side and carrying a child on her back. He asked her for some food and she humbly invited him to eat machka (Quechua for Maca) however, he thanked her and did not eat and only asked for a flower from her garden. In appreciation the traveller warned her to leave the town as it will be destroyed, she obeyed taking her son and her lamb. The traveller told her two things before she left, firstly she should travel in the direction of Andahuaylas and secondly that no matter what she hears she can never turn back and look. As the widow left and reached the heights of Wayrapata she heard a tremendous noise and as she stopped and turned around she saw a wave come from the centre of the town reaching to the skies. This wave engulfed the town and became the lake today. The people that live around that part have said that when the moon is full and when the clock strikes midnight, they can hear the music from the party coming from the lake and sometimes there is a song from a mermaid that can be heard, it is said the song goes like this: “I am already leaving this town I am going to have breakfast in San Jerónimo I am going to have lunch in Andahuaylas And I am going to have dinner in Talavera.” The fate of the widow is said to have been she was turned to a large rock made of salt and some say that the cows lick this rock and when all the salt has been dissolved it will be the end of the world. 

The communities that live around the lake like Santa Rosa, Anccopaccha, Machaybamba and Compuerta use the lake for fishing and for agriculture. The story of Pacucha is taught to children and is given as a warning, so children are taught to be kind to the elderly, be respectful and to share and not to be misery.

By: GringoPeru

If you travel down South of Lima to a place called Lurin and look out to the ocean you will see the Islands of Pachacámac (aka Islands of Cavillaca), it is said that these islands have a legend about their origin. There was once a beautiful goddess called Cavillaca, many tried to gain her affection but she refused and never accepted anyone. However, one day while knitting under a Lucuma tree, a god (in some legends it is stated that he is part demon) by the name of Cuniraya, who also desired her arrived. So to gain her affection he converted into a beautiful bird and flew to the tree and deposited his semen in one of the lucuma’s and made it fall close to the Cavillaca. Thinking nothing of it Cavillaca ate the fruit and became pregnant. After nine months she gave birth to a baby boy and when it reached the age of one, she and other gods had a reunion to discover who the father was. Cuniraya also attended this meeting but disguised as a beggar, when she asked who was the father all the god even Cuniraya remained quiet. So she put the baby to the floor and he crawled to his father and climbed on his lap, feeling ashamed she ran with her child to the beach, crying and shouting. She did not notice that Cuniraya was following her behind, removing his rags and unveiling a handsome god. She then jumped into the sea where she and her son turned into the islands, the little island is said to be the son and is known as “Isla San Francisco” (Island San Francisco). 

The largest island is now used as a marine base and has laboratories that serve to study oceanography and other studies relating to marine biology.

By: GringoPeru

The Easter celebrations are nearly over and you may have seen, heard or participated in the passing of the seven churches. This is tradition not only carried out in Peru but over Latin America, starting on the Thursday the 7 seven churches are for devout follows of the catholic church to remember Jesus from the Last Supper to his crucifixion. 

The churches in Peru are as follows with a little history and their role in the walk of the seven churches: 

(Iglesia de las Nazarenas) located at Jirón Huancavelica 515. Built in the 18th century this church houses the sacred image of Jesus that was painted by an African slave and has withstood many disasters and has also become the main symbol for the “Señor de Los Milagros” festival in October. The first church is to remember Jesus at the Cenacle where he celebrated the “Last Supper” with his disciples and to remember his night at Gethsemane where he prayed and sweated blood a night before his crucifixion. 

2. The Sanctuary of Santa Rosa of Lima 

(Santuario de Santa Rosa de Lima) located at Jirón Chancay 223. This church was also built in the 18th century and for many years was the home of Isabel Flores de Oliva, Santa Rosa de Lima. Here you can find the well of wishes, the garden of Santa Rosa and her room where she stayed. Santa Rosa became the first Catholic in the Americas to be declared a saint. The second church is to remember Jesus being taken from Gethsemane to the house of Annas where he was interrogated and was hit by one of the guards. 

   3. The Coventry of Santo Domingo    

(Convento de Santo Domingo) located at Jirón Camaná 170. Built in 1540 this church is very important to the catholic community and is where the relics of three saints Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres and San Juan Macías are kept. This church also became Santa Rosa’s final resting place. The third church focuses on Jesus’s walk to the house of Caiaphas where he was spat on and insulted. 

4. Cathedral of Lima (La Basílica Catedral de Lima) 

located at Jirón Carabaya or can be found at the Plaza de Armas. One of the oldest cathedrals in Peru dating back to 1535 and was built over a pre-Hispanic temple to the sun. Some of the oldest artefacts of Lima can be found here and it is the final resting place of the Conquistador and founder of Lima, Francisco Pizarro. The fourth church is for the devotees to reflex on the meeting Jesus had with Pontius Pilate and the false accusation that were brought against him.

 5. Monastery of San Francisco 

(Basílica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima) located at Jirón Lampa y Ancash. Here you can visit the old library with books dating back the colonial period however, this church is more well-known for the catacombs that lay beneath the church where 25,000 people were buried till the practice of burying people under churches were outlawed in the 19th century. The fifth church is to reflect on Jesus’s and his appearance in front of King Herod, where he and his guards were also abusive to Jesus. 

6. Church of La Merced (Iglesia de La Merced) 

located at Jr. de la Unión 621. This church was built 1535 by friar Miguel de Orenes and is known for its beautiful architecture and paintings also the church is known to commemorate the sacrifice by the Mercedarians who exchanged themselves for Christian prisoners who were considered enemies of the catholic church. Mercedarians were used to catechize the people who were conquered by the conquistadores. This church is reflex on Jesus’s second appearance in front of Pontius Pilate, here Jesus is crowned with a crown of thrones and is condemned to death. 

7. Church of San Marcelo 

(Iglesia San Marcelo) located at Jr. Rufino Torrico 618 Esq. con Av. Emancipación. The church was built in the 1551 when the order of San Agustin arrived to Lima. In this church there is many images, images of Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Los Remedios and San Marcelo. The church has been rebuilt and modified during the 18th century due to earthquake damage. The last church devotees reflex on Jesus’s passage from the house of Pilate to Calvary carrying the cross, where he was crucified and the burial of Jesus, where on the third day he resurrected. 

The following Friday (Good Friday) is the day to remember the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross), this is followed by pray.

Written by: GringoPerú

The city of Ica is located in the south of Peru and is about four hours away from Lima on bus, a lot of people visit the city for the tourist attraction that is known as “The Oasis of Huacachina”. Located three miles from the city of Ica, Huacachina has an interesting legend (there are many versions to the story but many facts remain the same). I shall also write about another famous legend that is popular in Ica, the palm tree with seven heads located 2 miles from the city of Ica in a small village of Cachiche. Firstly, the “The Oasis of Huacachina”, Huacachina (Huaca in Quechua means to morn and China in Spanish can mean many things in this case we can assume it means young woman). 

 Now during the times of the Inca´s there was a young woman or some stories mention a princess that was in love with a prince however, the prince suddenly passed away and so she found a place where she cried and returned there every day crying for her loved one, these tears collected into a large pool of water (oasis). One day while crying she was startled by a hunter that was watching her, she fled with her mantle dragging behind her and this according to legend created the huge sand dunes that surround the oasis. Now all legends state that she became a mermaid however, not many legends tell of why she became a mermaid, she just became one. Some say men have to careful not to fall to her song or she will drag them to the bottom of the oasis, according to one story she needs a soul of male victim every year to remain alive so she can continue to look for her loved one. Other versions mention instead of a hunter there was an evil spirit, another story states that while bathing in the oasis the princess saw the hunter with her mirror and as she ran she created the dune and on dropping the mirror created the oasis. One final legend I read about was written by Desert Nights a hotel located in Huacachina and this story changes completely. According to this story there was a young woman that had a pact with a god and this pact stated that she would never fall in love with anyone else however, while brushing her hair she caught the site of the hunter in her mirror and fell in love with him. The god became angry and turned her into a mermaid so she could never be with the hunter and her mantle blew in the wind creating the sand dunes and as she dropped the mirror it created the lagoon. In this story it is said that she comes out when the moon is full enticing single men with her song. 

The next legend focuses on the village of Cachiche which is said to have been inhabited by witches and here you will find a palm tree with many entangling trunks, it is said to have seven heads and the legends goes like this. The witches of Cachiche were well known for their remedies and medicine and it is said that in order to unlock the secrets that they desired they needed to sacrifice one of their own however, the one that was chosen did not want to die so she fled. Her attempt was futile as she tried to run she jumped up on top a palm tree and on doing so another witch created a magic lasso and tried to capture her.  

As they threw the lasso they missed splitting the tree till it had seven heads and the fleeing witch continued to evade capture till she jumped on the seventh head which broke and she was captured and taken to be sacrificed. Before dying the witched placed a curse on Ica and said if the seventh head ever grew back the city of Ica would be flooded.

One supposed witch Julia Hernández Pecho Viuda de Díaz is one of the famous and well-known witches who died at the age of 106 in 1987 warned of the curse but it was largely forgotten about. However, on the 29th January 1998 the River Ica burst its banks and the city of Ica was flooded and it is said that when the tree was observed the seventh head had started to grow and was quickly cut once again. In Ica the seventh head is observed and if it starts to grow again it is quickly cut. So these are the most popular legends of Ica and it is easy and inexpensive to get to Ica, so get on the bus and see these sites for yourself, you won´t be disappointed.

By: GringoPerú

Located off Benavides Avenue and just behind the Ricardo Palma University you will find a place called “Parque de La Amistad”which can be translated to the “Friendship Park”. This park spans a 30,000 m2 area and the first thing you will see even before you enter this park is the large arch but I will mention more about this a little later in the article.

Well you all will be happy that the park is free to enter (open from Tuesday to Sunday 9 am to 9 pm) and as soon as you enter you will see the park is laid out in a circuit, there are also ATM’s close to the entrance just in case you need to take out some money and near these is a children’s play area with swings and slides. 

Beyond that you will find a building called “Centro Cultural Augusto B Leguia” which is the cultural centre in which art is displayed and other events take place here. The building is in the style of the old “Casas Haciendas” and the wood that makes up the columns and the roof are from the port of Callao which were once used in an old structure that was built in 1929.  

Now continuing on your circuit you will eventually arrive to the artificial lagoon here you can watch the ducks and the swans, there is also a paddle boat that you may take to check around the lagoon. I did not take it but the website says that it will cost 5 soles. 

Next to the lagoon is a small passage way this will lead you to many food carts that are selling traditional food and desserts that you can tuck into, you can also buy coffee and ice cream all depending on the weather or on your choosing.

Another popular attraction is the steam train and like most of the items or attractions in the park have a historical context to them. First of all the train will cost you 4 soles and you take it in a small train station located next to a restaurant inside the park. The train station is decorated with accessories of Peru’s locomotive history. The train itself is from 1926 and has 3 wagons that you can sit in and it will take you around the park passing the main attractions.  

Also remember to read the post that is around the park, it will give you an insight of the historical importance of the attractions, I was surprised with some of the history behind some of the attractions.

Now the main attraction is the large arch standing at 29 meters, you cannot simply miss it. 

The arch is in the style similar to that used by the Moors but this is not the originally but a replica so what happened to the originally?

The originally one was never in the same place but was located on Leguía Avenue now known as Arequipa Avenue and was a gift from Spain and was inaugurated  in 1924 but due to modernization of Lima it was demolished in 1939 under the government of Oscar R. Benavides. He claimed that it would cause problems with the traffic. The construction of the new arch started in 2000 and was finished by 2001 and inaugurated by the King of Spain, Juan Carlos and his wife Sofia. 

After walking around this nice park you can take the weight off your feet and just take in the surroundings and let time pass, in my opinion it is nice to see a little greenery among the concrete. There is a pizza place also located in the park and a restaurant however, these can be a little pricy and I would recommend that you go to one of many restaurants that can be found just outside the park. 

By: GringoPeru