Sacsayhuaman

Originally uploaded by elyoung2007

Here we are at Sacsayhuaman (kind of pronounced like SexyWoman) near Cusco.   This is a sacred area to the Inca people. It’s raining and windy and cold, but what a magnificent site!  I’m very excited to be here.

 

Urubamba

Originally uploaded by elyoung2007

This is the Urubamba Valley at Pisac. Our guide, Victor, said the Incas used these terraces as test field. They would plant different varieties of corn, potatoes and other crops at different levels to see how they would grow. I couldn’t photograph the entire terrace in one picture, so just imagine another full picture of terraces below this one to get an idea of the scope and sheer work involved in this one ampitheater.  Just imagine the killer music concert you could listen to here.

 

another Ollantaytambo view

Originally uploaded by elyoung2007

This is Ollantaytambo, a very sacred temple to the Incas and one of the few areas that did not fall to the Spanish conquest (another is Machu Picchu).  At the right you can see a path cut into the rock which you can follow to another temple complex.

 

backstrap weaving

Originally uploaded by elyoung2007

Here the ladies of Patabamba demonstrate backstrap weaving. In their weaving and knitting they use symbols to explain their culture, their beliefs and everything around them. An excellent book entitled ‘Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands: Dreaming Patterns, Weaving Memories’ by Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez has just been released by Interweave Press. This is an excellent book detailing native dress, culture and weaving patterns from Peru.

 

llamas feeding

Originally uploaded by elyoung2007

 

walking sheep to market

Originally uploaded by elyoung2007