Carol Dekle-Foss
Recently, my son and I spent a week in Peru visiting friends and exploring ancient cities and ruins. We had an amazing time and wanted to share with you some of our favorite photos. Included, are random shots all over Peru, amazing Pre-Columbian jewelry photos from Museo Larco in Lima, a metalsmith workshop in Pisac, and the salt mines of Maras. This post may be a bit long, but I hope it inspires you!
First up, these amazing walls in Cusco called Sacsayhuaman. We thought we would have a better understanding of how they were constructed if we saw them in person. Unfortunately, they baffle us even more! How in the heck did they construct them? Our guide showed us this drawing.
I was like...
Bftt..please. They got THESE detailed corners using a wooden form and chisels? Right.
I love that they are such a mystery! I think one day we will discover how they did it, and I don't think it will be aliens! Here is a video that brings up some interesting points on how they were constructed if you're interested.
Okay, on to some very cool jewelry. We visited Museo Larco and were amazed by the beauty of the surrounding gardens and also the artifacts.
Pre-Columbian societies in Peru used gold, silver, copper and bronze metals not only for adornment but also for tools, and decorative objects. Below are beautiful examples of carved pendants and beads, repousse metalwork, and the lost-wax casting technique.
Amazing owl necklace!
Beautiful inlay!
The museum also has very fine examples of Pre-Columbian weaving and pottery that you can check out on their website. There is also an erotic pottery section that left even me blushing. Very graphic! If you're curious, just google Moche erotic pottery. Don't say I didn't warn you!
I loved the people of Peru and tried to capture them as best I could.
They pose for tourists for soles in return.
This adorable young boy posed for me so patiently.
I loved the people of Peru and tried to capture them as best I could.
They pose for tourists for soles in return.
This adorable young boy posed for me so patiently.
We also visited the Pisac Market in the Sacred Valley.
The highlight for me in Pisac was a silversmith studio, where they showed us how their jewelry was made and what materials they use.
A Peruvian metalsmith hard at work.
They inlay with lapis lazuli, chrysocolla, abalone, spondylus shell and more.
The Tumi is a ceremonial knife that was used to sacrifice animals to the god Inti. Now the symbol is used for decoration or worn for good luck.
Absolutely beautiful craftsmanship. Yep, this place took quite a lot of my soles.
I would have to say my most favorite place of all wasn't Machu Picchu, but the salt mines of Maras.
To thank you for reading through all my boring vacation photos,
I have a tiny giveaway for you!
I purchased these beads from Centro Artesanal Santo Domingo in Lima. They include hand painted ceramic beads, red jasper, angelite, serpentine, and huayruro macho seeds, that are supposed to bring luck to the wearer.
To win, all you have to do is leave a comment as to what you found most interesting about this post or what you find most interesting about Peru in general.
Thank you for reading!
We had a fun time meandering all around the cobblestone alleyways and checking out the handmade goods.
They inlay with lapis lazuli, chrysocolla, abalone, spondylus shell and more.
The Tumi is a ceremonial knife that was used to sacrifice animals to the god Inti. Now the symbol is used for decoration or worn for good luck.
I would have to say my most favorite place of all wasn't Machu Picchu, but the salt mines of Maras.
The salt mines are remnant of the Inca period, and have been producing since 1450 AD. A tiny spring, the only one in all of the Andes, feeds the salt ponds.
A Peruvian woman hard a work on her salt pond. Each one is owned by a different person.
To thank you for reading through all my boring vacation photos,
I have a tiny giveaway for you!
I purchased these beads from Centro Artesanal Santo Domingo in Lima. They include hand painted ceramic beads, red jasper, angelite, serpentine, and huayruro macho seeds, that are supposed to bring luck to the wearer.
Thank you for reading!
38 comments:
Oh my, what a wonderful adventure. It's always amazing to see the origins of jewelry in its native locations. Loved all the jewelry photos, but the salt pond is my fave. I've never seen anything like them. The photo looks like it was sprinkled with its first snow!! And how ironic that we use salt to melt snow! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Fantastic trip! The markets and salt mines are fascinating. I would love to see Machu Picchu.
- Joan (langerfeld AT twc DOT com)
Hi Carol,
The inlay work is something! However, I don't know why, but the fact that individuals own the salt mines I thought was interesting. Looks like a great trip.
-Michelle
What an awesome trip you had! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos.
I'm compelled to comment on this very interesting post. I no longer create beaded jewelry so please do not enter me in the drawing. I found your entire post interesting and wish that I too could see walls in Cusco. I think there is amazing history in Peru. I have always admired their silver inlay work and over the years have purchased many pieces at various shows. This must have been a wonderful vacation for you!!
What didn't I love? As an engineer I'm intrigued by those intricate walls in Cusco and as a metalsmith art jeweler I'm wow-ed by the detailed inlay work! My husband used to travel to Peru on business and loved it. I have always hoped to see it myself. Lucky you!
Thank you for sharing, such inspiration there! The stone wall may be my favorite part (I love stacked stones....its a thing for me). However, that rainbow inlay is amazing too. what amazing artistry!
I really can't say what was most interesting,cuz all of it was so interesting! I love the walls, like you I would be like "Whaaa?" The inlay work and that owl necklace, oh my gosh. But also mother nature and the beautiful people! Thanks for sharing your photos and making me now want to go to Peru. Thanks as well for the giveaway
Wow, fantastic adventure!! Wish I'd been there!! The coolest thing are the beads I might win--I need some luck in my life right now. Thanks for the chance!!
Looks like you had an absolutely amazing vacation! I still remember doing a big project on Peru in elementary school and have been intrigued ever since. I love that owl necklace that you shared... so cool... and now I want to see the salt mines! Thanks for sharing your trip with us and for the great give away.
What a POST - what a trip of a lifetime, too! So glad you could spend it with your son! Love your photos - every single one! I viewed the video regarding that wall before I could comment here - amazing! How in the world was that built! Thanks so much for sharing!
A week! I married a Peruvian, so I get to go regularly, but I'd say you did a great job of exploring in that short time. I still can't help staring at the Inca walls when I'm there, and I always have to bring home some of the silver work...but you forgot to mention the wonderful food! ;)
Thank you for sharing your vacation photos - all were stunning! The inlay work both from long ago and from now are wonderful. It must take a long time to create such beauties.
I enjoyed your article so much! The stone walls and the salt ponds were the most interesting to me. How they built those walls at that point in time is amazing. I loved the salt ponds and was intrigued that each pond was owned by different people. Is each pond passed down through generations? Do they ever dry up? Do different ponds produce different kinds of salt? Thanks so much for sharing your trip.
Reading your post today was just what I needed. Taking a virtual trip to Peru helped me appreciate the wonders of such unique cultures. That trip must have feed your soul! The image that lingers with me was the woman tending her salt pond. That picture is endlessly interesting. Thanks so much for sharing!
OMG, what an amazing post! I love reading about old time work, whether it's those fantastic walls or that intricate jewelry. How in the world they made these things without our technology and tools is beyond me! The time, the effort, the patience and love that went into the creations! This was a fantastic trip and what an opportunity to find inspiration . The colors alone would be uplifting and inspiring. I cannot decide what I liked best. Perhaps the wall. I do not have time this morning but this evening I am coming back and watch the video about their construction. This is no small giveaway! Those beads are gorgeous! anyone would be so lucky to win them! I wish it could be me ..
Lee (Stregajewellry@yahoo.com)
Thanks so much for sharing all this.
Did you have any of the dozens of different jungle fruit ice cream? And we're you brave enough to try cuy? We are learning about Peru right now with my kids and reading your post and looking at your pictures was so fun! I think what I find most fascinating is the use of color in their clothing. I love the bright colors and find it really interesting that their beautiful hand woven textiles combined with colorful hats and skirts if all different bright colors feel harmonious and balanced. I can not pull that off in my jewelry.
What a fantastic trip you had. I have always loved the mysteries of construction and stone-masonry which the ancient people used to build the walls. Thank you for posting the link to the documentary about the Sacsayhuaman. Incredible and fascinating!
I absolutely LOVE the bright colors! Their clothes are so beautiful and full of energy. You can see the contentment in their eyes. I need to incorporate more bright colors into my wardrobe!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you everyone for your comments! It was quite the trip with every minute highly planned and detailed. We hired a tour company called Peru for Less and they arranged everything. Peru is one of those places where safety is a concern so we didn't want to take any chances. They picked us up at every travel location like bus stops and train stations. We even had a private tour of the sacred valley, which I highly recommend!
@Patti, thank you! I feel very grateful to have spent the limited time I had with my son exploring Peru before he had to go back 'over there'. He will be gone over the holidays so having these memories will be nice. Those walls are crazy right? Another location that is baffling is Puma Punku in Bolivia. THOSE structures are just amazing!
@Gale, you are very lucky to have the time to wander around Peru! We definitely needed more time. We were on the go so much, it took me a whole week to recuperate from the trip! Oh yes the food! My favorite is ceviche. We ate it for the first time at Chicha in Cusco. Delish!
@Hi Lynn! I'm glad you enjoyed the post! The salt mines are a co-op and anybody can mine them.Our tour guide did say they have been mined by different families and that they are passed down. There is a tiny creek that feeds all of the salt ponds, and I don't think it has dried up for hundreds of years! Just amazing. I purchased white and pink salt. They also mix it with herbs and essential oils for cooking and bathing.
@Dora, thank you for your comment! I'm glad the post was helpful! We didn't try any of the fruit ice cream, darn! We did have some lucuma mousse though. My son ate some cuy, while I tried the alpaca steak. I will be honest, I felt nauseous during that whole meal! I would NOT eat the cuy and felt sick just watching my son! I love how they make their clothing all from natural elements! I found a video that your children may enjoy on how they make their fabric. I know I enjoyed it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ciA1seyryc
Karen has graciously informed me that those red seed beads can be TOXIC if chewed. Thank you Karen! I am going to change out the red seed beads and add some more handpainted ceramic beads instead. I would hate to be responsible for someone's child or pet becoming ill! If you win and absolutely HAVE to have them I will include:) All their beads are sold here on Beads of Peru. http://beadsofperu.com/
Thanks, Carol! I was just searching for some videos about Peru. We watched a good portion of the video in your post and they really enjoyed it! I'm not sure I could eat cuy either, but I grew up in Europe and had no trouble eating pig feet aspic and chicken feet soup back home while my American family thought it was disgusting. It all depends how one is raised!
I really enjoyed reading this. I loved the colours, textiles and textures. But most all it was interesting reading about the salt mines as it's something I've never heard about or seen pictures of before.
The photos and descriptions make me want to go! Please enter me to win the beads and don't be surprised if you hear from me with questions to plan for my own trip!
Wow! Thankyou so very much for sharing your trip! It must have taken you such a very long time to upload all the photos and descriptions!
I adore all the colours of Peru, which you captured so beautifully! Everything is so colourful, it brings such joy to see, and the little boy has stolen my heart! It was a hard decision, but he has stolen my heart, and is my favourite image! He has brought joy to my day!
WOW! Some of your photos are National Geographic worthy...especially the boy with the sheep. That expression is just wonderful. I loved seeing how those huge stone blocks were fit so closely. What an amazing feat. The jewelry is just amazing. Such intricate work must take much patience and skill. The craftsmanship is lovely. I particularly liked the salt mines. Your photo of the woman working there is outstanding and a superb story telling shot. The separate little ponds look so interesting. Did they have a salty fragrance maybe like the ocean? Your trip must have been so much fun. It is nice to see some of the other places in Peru besides Machu Picchu. Thank you for taking me on a little trip this evening! I enjoy your blog.
What a wonderfully inspiring post Thank You for sharing! While I found the entire post truly facinating I was really captivated by the beautiful hanging lantern but I think my most Favorite is the photo of that sweet lil boy who posed so patiently for you. It just resonates so sweetly within my heart & makes me want to create something heartwarmingly special with those beads which match the colors in his sweet lil poncho. ♡
I loved the inlay jewelry
What an amazing trip you took! I love all the colors and patterns in the fabrics but I have always been a big fan of the figures whether they're represented in statues or in two dimensional work. Beautiful! I too was interested in the salt ponds. They have a beauty all their own.
Your entire post and your pictures are fantastic! The picture of the two ladies with the little sheeps caught my eye. They look so cute with their colorful headbands. I love reading everything and the beautiful colorful pictures!
The metal smith was pretty amazing. Also did google the erotic pottery. Fun! I do find travel to other cultures gives me a huge boost in creativity. Great trip. I would have trouble leaving with any money on a street with handmade goods.
Really enjoyed the whole post. The Peruvians wear so much color, love that. The metalsmithing was Beautiful. What an amazing trip it must have been. I had a chance to spend a weekend here int the states a few years ago with 3 Peruvian Shamans...Amazing people. Simple, humble, very prayerful, funny, and happy. Their traditions and rituals very interesting. What a Fabulous opportunity this trip of yours. The beads are beautiful and will be a delightful addition to anyone's collection. Thanks for sharing your vacation 😊
I have seen photos of Machu Pichu that friends took while on vacation in Peru. I thought it was amazing but the photos of the salt pools is incredible. I didnt know such things existed. they do look like snow or salt rimmed glasses. what a wonderful adventure you had with your son. love the beads you're offering , great colours.
Such a wonderful vacation. I love that it is such a colorful country. I especially like the different, colorful hats. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. Mary Rodman
I just love how beautiful Peru is and the richness of the culture. I love all the gorgeous art pieces and the landscape. I would love to visit there one day.
What a great vacation! It looks like a wonderful place to visit. I am really drawn to there jewelry. Such bright colors and beautiful metalsmithing.
Love your pictures. It looks like you enjoyed yourself.
The beads you brought back are lovely and I would love to win them.
Peru is #1 on my bucket list - it's a fascinating place and I really wish I will visit it some day. Your post wasn't long enough - and it is filled with spectacular pictures and info. Beautiful trip, you're so lucky!
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