More Peruvian adventures and giveaway announcement

Carol Dekle-Foss

Winner announcement at bottom of post

Did you think I was done boring you with Peru? Nope, not by a long shot. In fact, I just have to share with you my most amazing day! First of all, my son had one too many pisco sours, and the next day was nursing a classic Peruvian hangover. He was down for the count. Our day was supposed to be spent together exploring Lima's oldest district, including a stop at a mineral museum and a handmade marketplace so I could shop for cabs and beads. So let me ask you, would YOU venture out alone in a country known for express kidnappings of tourists to buy beads?? Would I? You betcha! Even the hotel manager looked a bit nervous as I explained my plans for the day.  Okay, maybe not the smartest move, but man did I have a blast! 

My first stop, Museo Andres Del Castillo.

This place has amazing specimens indigenous to Peru. The only problem is they don't let you take photos of the them. DANG! I wanted to share them with you! You can see a few on their website, and I added some to my pinterest board here. They have a gift store, so I bought these two as small ones as souvenirs.

Sphalerite and Rhodochrosite on the left and Azurite on the right. I could have stayed here all day, but I was on the hunt for beads and cabs! 

While making my way through Plaza De Armas, I noticed crowds of people huddled in corners with different music playing. 

I was able to capture a little of the entertainment for you. Keep in mind I was constantly looking around for would be kidnappers, so the videos are fair at best. They are short videos, less than a minute.

You have to see how she dances at the end of the video. So adorable! 

I love this ladies confidence. Are those mimes in the background? I have no clue what that was about.

My next stop, Centro Artesanal Santo Domingo.

 I was determined to find a cabochon dealer here.

Score! Right when I saw this place I realized I didn't bring enough soles. Damn! Still kicking myself for that one, but here is what I could afford.

Lapis Lazuli, Chrysocolla, Amazonite, Peruvian opal (my favorite), fluorite, and citrine cabochons. Umm..I need to go back. I found a few more stores after I left this one with even more cabochons. Anybody want to go to Peru with me??

Once the sun started setting I hightailed it to the bus and made my way safely back to the hotel. My loot safely tucked in my bra;)

Peru is so rich and steeped in tradition with symbols and colors that overwhelm and excite at every corner. There was one symbol that kept jumping out at me though. The crescent moon in this shape. 

I did some research on the moon related to the incas and they worshiped the Inca goddess, Mama Quilla, or mother moon. When the spanish conquered them in the 1500's and converted them to catholicism, they still included symbolism of her in their artwork. Such rebels.

Being a moon lover myself, I designed this necklace with Mama Quilla in mind.

Made with black onyx, peruvian opal, and one of my porcelain handmade cabochon moons. Listed here.

Finally, the giveaway announcement.

Congratulations Sharlyn Premuda, you are the winner! I will be contacting you on facebook for your mailing info.

Thank you everyone for reading!

Peruvian adventures and a small giveaway

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.

We also visited the Pisac Market in the Sacred Valley.

 We had a fun time meandering all around the cobblestone alleyways and checking out the handmade goods.

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. 

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.

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!