The children´s parade
Trip Start
Feb 06, 2007
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84
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Trip End
Jan 14, 2008
Huamacocha,
Peru
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Monday, May 21st.
After a cold night, and a musty room smell, we considered changing rooms to the one upstairs facing the Plaza. However, we decided against this as it was too much effort and will remain in the room we were in. Barbara asked reception about whether there was a laundry and they insisted on doing it themselves, and were non-committal as to what the price may be. They provided a couple of floor mats but it is still damn cold.
After breakfast at the Colonial Restaurant, a really nice breakfast for just 3 sols, we noticed children in the Plaza being dressed into their traditional costumes. We decided to follow them. They all met at the market where it was the beginning of a march for improved education for pre-school children. There were hundreds of children dressed in all sorts of costumes
Beautiful children
. It was like a mini festival. They all joined in a procession that headed up to Plaza del Armas, then they walked around the Plaza before returning to the market. A band joined them at the Plaza. There was considerable work put into the costumes and the face painting of these littlies and it was a pleasure to watch them pass by. By now it was lunchtime and we had another excellent meal at the Colonial. We visited a teacher, Aristoteles Crus Ledesma, who was recommended to us by Profesor Miguel (Cajamarca) for travel information. We were looking for directions to get through the mountains to Huarez, without the need to go through Trujillo. A bit of a daunting task, but it seems it is possible. We need to get to Santiago de Chuco then ask again. Aristoteles teaches dance at primary level, but is also an author of several books. One was about the dances that are practiced in this small state of La Libertad. It had beautiful photos that made you want to see the dancers.
We decided to walk to the Wamachuko ruins Wiracochapampa. The Wamachuko civilization preceded the Incas in this part of Peru. It was a steep climb out of the town and both of us were affected in some way by altitude. We were not quite sure where to go, but a fellow walking along in that direction made sure we got there. We wandered about the complex then with the sound of thunder over the town we decided to return to the town at a bit of a snail's pace
Festive children
.Tasmanian blue gums are a very important tree here. They grow quickly and are used for firewood and building. They are regularly cut back almost to ground level then reshoot. We watched a large group of women (not the guys, note) collect the cuttings and carry them across a large plantation to a couple of trucks, where they were sorted into thick stuff for firewood, and the thin bits and leaves (no idea what these are used for).
Back in town the laundry arrived and Manuel wanted to charge us 12 sol, a bit over the top from previous laundry charges, Barbara offered 7 sol and he accepted.
By now it is 7.00pm and we are sitting in the freezing room wondering why we did not change rooms to the upstairs room that has wooden floors and if nothing else, feels warmer. The warm internet caff calls.
