On our second day at InkaTerra Reserva Amazonica we visited a family of  Machiguenga natives (Day 1 with birdwatching and Caimans here).  They are a bit out of place here as the Machiguengas live in the Manu headwaters and the upper Urubamba river.  But Noah and his family has made it below Puerto Maldonado for me unknown reasons.  They hardly live in their traditional ways today - but Noah from lower the Manu area has studied tourism and  shows Machiguenga traditiions with pride. The reality for many Machiguengas today is losing their traditions and make a living in the logging industry, Camisea gas project or  gold mining. Next will be oil prospect as the Amarakaeri Communal reserve has been run through with seismic mapping tests just recently by Hunt Oil.
The social results are disastrous. The culture is shattered with alcoholism and prostitution just to mention a few of the problems. Tourism seems like a much better alternative in this sense, although it hardly involves as large an income and to relatively few people in the short term. Some of my readers may recall my blogposts on our intent to run trips to the Amarakaeri communal reserve.

Anyway, this was a nice contrast to my previous encounters with Machiguenga. I visited the Machiguenga Lodge in Manu National Park a few years ago, which is run by the Machiguengas within the park. We had relatively little interaction to learn about their ways, but I did organize an evening where we could ask questions to the local family in charge of the lodge, which was very rewarding. But the gift shop had rudimentary handicrafts like pottery and baskets, and some necklaces made of  ocelot hides and jaguar teeth - which of course would be illegal to take outside the country. Most of the stuff was impossible to sell.

To me it was refreshing to see that Noah and his family had somewhat more customized items that still had a genuine touch to them but less damaging to the environment and simply nicer.

All in all my family enjoyed an afternoon here participating in face paintings, dances, bow and arrow shooting and some fun games.

We also learnt that traditionally burials were in the open under a Kapok tree bundled in textiles. Eventually the vultures would get to the bodies, although the heart would be saved for the king vulture, who would carry it to the heaven, where also the hearts of all other animals were taken. Eventually, all will get some celestial body to house the heart. This way there will be plenty of game/food for the dead.

Finally we learnt that Machiguengas like many other people in the rainforest are completely dependent on Yucca. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner contains Yucca….and even the drink (masato). We declined to try the Masato – just to be on the safe side. Chewed and spitted out Yucca to later be fermented does not sound like it would pass the hygiene controls of the Western world – but I may be wrong.

We think that having a great Ceviche dish to share with the whole family and our friends is one of the best ways to do it!

Go to the fish market front the ocean and choose the right fish to make it, and then buy green lemon, onion, sweet potatoes, corn, and lettuce and red chilly.

But to make it easier for you we share this adventure with Nicholas Gill who explains how and where get a wonderful Ceviche in Lima.

Taste it!!

Sican (Moon’s House) civilization developed in the north Peruvian coast, they dominated the Motupe, Leche, Lambayeque and Zaña Valley from    750 - 1375 AC. Later they were occupied by the Chimu Empire until 1470 AC.

Izumi Shimada investigated “Huaca Loro”,  one of the most impressive Sican Pyramid in Batan Grande, there, he found an extraordinary Royal Tomb with the Royal Family remains that were covered with many jewelries, masks, potteries, textiles, moreover, he discovered many human sacrifices.

Now, another Royal Tomb was found in “Las Ventanas” Pyramid, which will give a lot of information about Sican metallurgy techniques, social, religion and economy patterns.

Read the full article here

Guinea pig is realy a rat without a tail....Would you eat it?

Casa Aliaga is the name of this historic house that was conferred by Francisco Pizarro to his faithful servant Geronimo de Aliaga, as he supported Pizarro during the difficult exploration to the Andes.

Since 1535 this house has been inhabited by descendants of Geronimo de Aliaga, it is the most emblematic Colonial style house in the City of Lima – The City of Kings- standing out for its unique architecture and its impressive Colonial furniture that shows the family’s wealth and the economic boom in the middle of the 19th century.

To visit the Casa Aliaga is essential for those who enjoy colonial architecture, antiques, and history.

See some pictures on the following link

Chavin de Huantar, ancient archaeological site (700 BC - 100 AC) is one of the most impressive places in Peru since it was found by the Peruvian archaeologist Julio C. Tello in the 1940´s.

Julio Tello, and many others archaeologist such as Luis Lumbreras and Richard Burger had studied this important culture and its impressive iconography in order to understand the ancient religion, social organization and economic production as it was the earliest precedent for the Inca Civilization.

Chavin de Huantar needs programs of restoration and conservation since its temples and squares have been destroy by rain and floods.

Read the full news about the US contribution here

Lady of Cao is one of the most important discoveries in the Peruvian Archaeology, located in Chicama Valley - Trujillo City.

She was a powerful governor in the ancient Moche Society (0-600 years AD), who was buried with incredible wealth in textiles, potteries and jewelries.

Her mausoleum was all decorated with impressive Moche iconography. According to the examinations she died very young; 25 years old when she was giving birth.

Lady of Cao´s mummy is exhibited in the modern museum of Cao located in Magdalena de Cao town, that will be promote by the Wise Foundation and local municipalities around the world as part of the Moche Route.

You can read the full news in this post (news)

Nightlife in Cusco offers to visitors innovative restaurants and contemporary bars, so, not only the archaeological sights are the best places to enjoy, such this Bar "Pisquerito" (Peruvian National grape’s brandy) a place that you shouldn’t miss in your trip to Cusco.

Full article here

Furthermore, Aguaje has Phytoestrogen which helps to model female figure, and that is why allegedly  “charapas” (ladies from the jungle) are known for their exuberance.

This wonderful exotic Peruvian fruit is also claimed good for hormone regulations to prevent menopause symptoms, osteoporosis, malnourished children and others.

Unfortunately, the population of Iquitos is using Aguaje so much that ecologists fear un-controlled chopping down the palm trees to reach the fruit can put a strain on forest.

A  management program is needed for such amazing nutritional fruit to keep people, the forest conservancy and the economy of the region healthy.

To listen the full NPR interview from Iquitos see here.