CHINCHERO WEAVING COMMUNITY AND LIMA

Peruvian craft and textiles reflect the diverse identies that evolved from the country's complex cultural and historical  formation, Pre-Inca cultures, such as the Chavin,Moche,Nazca and Chimu, displayed a high quality of craftmanship in their pottery, sculpture, and textiles.

These textiles add to the mystical nature of the area, in absence of the written word. 

We vistied the Hacienda Huayocari , high in the hills above the Sacred Valley. We met the women of the Chinchero Weaving Coopertive, considered the greatest weavers in Peru.

LIMA

Lima is a city of contrasts,culture, and commotion.

Jugglers,fire-eaters, and street-sellers scamper through traffic that idles down streets flanked by Colonial mansions, pre-Inca ruins, historic churches, and museums full of treasures. Lima is a fascinating destination in itself.

Barranco (where we stayed) is the bohemian barrio, Miraflores is a restaurant, hotel, and club haven, and San Isidro is the elegant business district complete with an ancient olive grove.

Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, and became the capital of the Spanish Empire in South America for two centuries. 

La Catedral considered a masterpiece of colonial architecture, has been re-constructed several times since the 16th century due to earthquakes. 

Saint Dominic Priory - The Order of Preachers (Dominican Order), was founded in 1535 and construction was completed around the middle of the 16th century. 

Decorated with glazed ceramic tiles brought from Seville. 

The Priory's Library

contains around 25,000 volumes, including several bibliographical collections of enormous value. Here is the first chronicle of the Dominican Order in the Americas "True Treasures of the Indies", published in 1681 by Father Juan de Melendez. 

Saint Rosa of Lima - canonized in 1671, was the first saint of the Americas and she is the holy patroness of Lima. She cared for the poor and the sick.

Saint Martin de Porres - canonized in 1962, was the son of a Spaniard and a woman of African descent. He dedicated his life to caring for the sick, and was said to have possessed the gift of healing. 

Plaza Mayor. This was where Pizarro founded Lima. The town hall, the Government Palace, were established here.  The Plaza has wooden moorish-style balconies that decorate its imposing and ornate facade.

The Palacio de Gobierno - Known as the Casa de Pizarro, it has been the seat of political power in Peru since the 1920's. 

Miraflores Clifftops -

The clifftops overlooking the Pacific Ocean, are one of Lima's most popular outdoor destinations. The Parque del Amor, or Love Park, inaugurated February 14,1993, is devoted to the old Peruvian custom of courting in public gardens.

In the center is a statue of a kissing couple, El Beso, or the Kiss, by sculptor Victor Delfin, which is a source of inspiration for the couples who have come here. 

Meeting friends for lunch on the beach.......

Barranco- Iglesia Santisima Cruz - following the destruction - the church was re built, and consecrated in 1963. I went to Mass at this church - and attended a wedding....

Museo Rafael Larco Herrera - A grand 18th-century mansion build on a pyramid dating back to the 7th century provides more than a fitting home for 3,000 years of ancient history. 

Founded in 1926, houses the biggest private collection of Peruvian pre-Columbian art - 45,000 pieces.

Our Lima guide....Moluska......gazing at the elaborate jewelry collection....

Also in the Larco museum is an elaborate "Erotica" collection from ancient times.....

 

Larco - born on a sugar plantation in Trujillo, he rose to be one of Peru's most noted businessmen with a sharp eye for the country's ancient crafts. He collected the rarest and finest of the arts. He moved the entire collection to Lima in 1958. 

A contest in the city.....