The photograph below is one of my favorite shots taken during our 4 1/2 years in South America.
I think it is lovely; colorful, vibrant energy, nice representation of indigenous people who live in the Colca Canyon, Peru.
But it is also because I know how the elderly lady looked beyond the lens (obviously very poor with ratty clothing) and that the photo brought out the best of the situation, portraying her in a positive light; beautiful with a kind spirit.
The photos below are special too; it is where we stayed for a week, living with a local Peruvian family. On the property was a small one room museum – Museo Uyu Uyu – that the owner is proudly displaying the entrance to. The other is of items inside that were a collection of Incan and pre-Incan artifacts collected by his family over generations; incredibly sweet.
|
|
Upon arriving in the Colca Canyon we were broke, as usual, and needed to chill somewhere cheap to save cash before heading to Cabanaconde to see the Andean Condors and do some hiking. We found a cheap house for rent and hung-out in Yanque for a month; most tourists swing by for a few hours.
Locals make money by showing up when the ‘traveling by private vans’ crowd arrives, blasting loud music, dancing in colorful costumes and standing around with tame falcons strapped to a rope, straddling their shoulder or outstretched arm.
Many days, after having an early morning coffee, walking around, shopping if needed, checking in on the awesome teen and getting breakfast for him, I’d go into a local shop, buy a can of beer, and walk somewhere to sit.
Just sit. Think, relax, watch any animals or humans who may wander past. And I always brought my camera. One day this gentleman walked by with his two donkeys; score! I hadn’t seen anything worth bothering to get off my perch on a side fence for for days, now I had a photo op.
I tried to not be annoying, he was simply doing a daily chore and not looking to entertain anyone, but took a bunch of photos as loved the setting. Want to know who does all the heavy lifting in Yanque, Peru? Check out the above 🙂
There is a lovely family who owns a restaurant in town – Restaurant Willari – please stop by, have a french press coffee or beer and say hi from us! Cheers, Molly