Pisac, Awanakancha, Peru - Day 5

Day 5 took us on a short excursion, as many of us were tired of being in cars and planes, to the nearby town of Pisac in the Sacred Valley.

**some graphic photos of animals included**

We were picked up for our private tour in a large van. Everyone could stretch out and sit wherever they wanted. A big change from the small ubers and taxis.

Our first stop was in the town in between Urubamba and Pisac. This town is known for making the best Guinea pigs you can eat. Yes, this is a Peruvian dish that is famous! There are guinea pig farms just as there are cow and pig farms in the U.S.A. The vendors and restaurants prepare and serve in different ways. In this town, what the guide called The Guinea Pig town, the animals were stuffed with a herb they called black pepper, but smelled more like lemon grass, and grilled over the fire. 

The boys were very interested in the process and all three children enjoyed the guinea pig statues. 

I continually try to portray the boys excitement in being with their aunt, uncle and cousin, but I just cannot do it justice. Sometimes, the proof is in the pictures!

Our next stop was the town of Pisac. Here, we planned on visiting some ruins, but they were closed due to the rainy season affecting the area. We spent extra time in the market instead! The children held baby lambs and visited with locals!

Reeve took her job of helping pick out local art very seriously!

Zane learned all about turning wool from alpacas into yarn.

And we all visited an empanada grill. The empanadas were filled with meat, onions, peppers and were the most delicious empanadas we had on the trip! The grill, we were told, was from the mid 1800s.

Nearby the grill was a guinea pig house. Visitors were encouraged to feed and play with them, to fatten them up for later when they would be put on the grill. The boys enjoyed these moments, even though they understood what would happen.

We walked through the town, purchased some gifts, and then headed to our next stop.

The Awanakanca farm is an alpaca and llama farm with its sole purpose to educate and protect the animals. Here, we all learned that llamas and alpacas were part of the camel family. There are different types of alpacas and llamas. Llamas are bigger than alpacas and typically have shorter wool. Real alpaca wool is naturally cool to the touch. This is why you will see the natives dressed in alpaca clothing. It can keep them both warm and cool in different situations.

Everyone enjoyed feeding the animals, though we were surprised at their strength!

After learning about the different types of alpacas and llamas, we moved to the next area of the farm. Here, the locals demonstrated how they dye the wool. Each of the colors comes from items found in nature. For example, the purple color you see comes from the woodlouse. The dry the 'worms' and then grind the carcass. When mixed with water, it produces the purple color. After choosing the color, they place the wool in a pot of water mixed with the ingredient to make that color. They add children's urine (yes, you read correctly) to the pot to help set the dye. In this case, it acts as vinegar. The wool boils for at least two hours. Then it is put to dry, and spun into yarn.

As we proceeded through our tour, they had a miniature version of the area many years ago for us to look at. Women (notice their different hats) were busy making scarves, blankets and more. The last station for us to explore had the different types of corn and potatoes used by the natives. Potatoes are removed from the ground, placed on the ground and stepped on repeatedly for two days. This is to remove the water. They then lay them out in the sun to dry for at least a week. Once completely dry, they can last for up to a year or more. To eat, they submerge them in water to re-hydrate the potato and then use in many ways, mostly in their soup.

After our tour, we entered a store that sold many items made by the locals. It was difficult, after feeling the difference between items made in China versus items made there, to walk out of the store without buying everything. Jaime and I walked the store many times!!

A few photos of the baby alpaca and the statue alpaca before leaving. 

When we arrived home it was dinner time, but we had some cranky kiddos. Greg and I walked into town to get some linner (lunch/dinner) for everyone. We found a pizza shop and decided to give it a try. While we waited, we enjoyed our kid-free moment with an adult beverage. As they were preparing the pizzas in the wood fire oven, Greg and I were mesmerized by the men working on the floor. There was a section of concrete that was being replaced. Two men were working on this section. One man was wearing Crocs and the other was barefoot. Greg snapped a quick picture as proof!

When we arrived back at the house, the four pizzas we ordered were DEVOURED within minutes! We were hungry people!! We enjoyed some Pisco (Peruvian/Chilean drink) infused with Pichuberry (Gooseberry). Jared and Jaime had missed out on the tasting, so we had brought some home for them to try!

Jared and the boys decided to play a game of ping-pong. This was great because everyone was getting some exercise! However, there was no ping-pong table. So, ping-pong was played from the ground to the second floor balcony! They are creative people. 

Even though the highs were only in the 70s, the boys could not pass up that huge pool. Alden was eager to get in and splash around. He regretted it for a minute, then I reminded him I had jumped into the very cold ocean and he jumped back in.

They found some toys and floaties and enjoyed splashing, racing, challenging the other and driving each other crazy.

The owner of the house had a wonderful dog that wandered around the property. He was the calmest, sweetest pup. To Reeve, he, and all animals, are called 'Bubba', so, he became Bubba to us. 

When everyone was rested, we decided to walk the city together. No one was really hungry after the pizza, but we knew the kids would be hungry later. As we walked, we searched for an interesting place to eat.

We found a HUGE indoor fresh market. I think we all stood around the railing just staring and watching this process. It was later in the evening and some of the stands were closing up. The fresh fruits and vegetables were beautiful and came in such a range of colors and types. However, the one thing that is still hard for Greg and I to accept is meat sold in this fashion, out in the heat, uncovered, people touching the raw meat, flies and bugs everywhere. We know it is common for some parts of the world, but the health concerns are just something we cannot get past!

After walking around, we stopped at the Casa Colonial Restaurante & Bar. They advertised that they had some craft beer, so we entered. The restaurant was in an old colonial style building. When you entered, you were on the same floor as the kitchen. You had to walk up the stairs (carry a stroller up the stairs) to the main dining area. This area, you can tell, used to be a great room and had an outdoor eating area as well. We choose to eat outside to give the little ones an area to move without bothering other people. The staff here was fantastic, doing their best to communicate with us in both languages, interacting with the kids and serving us delicious food. Here, we tried some delicious wine and had our first alpaca skewers. Everyone enjoyed them! 

After, we headed home for a good nights sleep!

Next up: Ollantaytambo and The Brewery