Peru -- A Bucket-List Wow

In 2000, the New7Wonders Foundation launched a campaign to solicit people around the globe to choose the new 7 wonders of the world. More than 100 million votes were cast. Because the Foundation couldn't completely verify that each vote represented a unique person, the results are not considered scientifically valid. Nevertheless, the list of new wonders has been widely publicized and accepted, despite questions about a few important sites that didn't make the cut. 

Machu Picchu is one of the seven. A definite bucket-list destination. We finally made it there in the fall of 2016. We chose the easy route, rather than a two-day hike on the Inca Trail. Even so, the journey required motor coach, then a train, then a bus up the mountain, followed by a 45-minute hike. We were excited and nervous. Would it really live up to the hype? As we rounded a curve on the trail and the ruins came into view, they quite simply took our breath away. Just wow. It remains one of the most amazing, awe-inspiring places I've ever visited (and by now, I've visited quite a few).

The lush green majestic mountains surrounding Machu Picchu and the incredible edifices that remain will be forever etched in my memory as "Peru." But beyond that, when I think of Peru, I think of vivid color. Colorful, abundant food in the markets. This picture looks like a Cezanne still-life, but it's real. And colorful food like this is ubiquitous. People in Peru "eat the rainbow" without needing any admonishment by health professionals.


The Peruvian people are colorful, as well, in both senses of the word. They wear colorful clothing, typically hand woven.The festival that we visited was a riot of color. Groups of children danced enthusiastically in native costumes representing their village or their school. Parents wore a mix of "western" clothing and native dress, but always in living color.



And the people are an embodiment of a colorful history. A history dating from their amazing ancestors who built Machu Picchu, extending to the present with both success and tragedies along the way. You can just feel the history etched in this grandma's face and in the clothes she wears. Jim took picture after picture to try to capture the essence of the people and their charm.



The Peruvians are proud and skillful artisans. We had the opportunity to visit several and to contribute to the local economy, of course. Women in a collective demonstrated the end-to-end process of creating a gorgeous woven garment or decorative piece. They spin the yarn and use natural dyes to achieve traditional colors. Then they hand-weave each piece. The lovely table runner on the right graces a hutch in our dining room. And we solved our dilemma over choosing our favorite by picking two. We also came home with the vibrant wall hanging on the left.

We also visited a world-famous sculptor / potter, Seminario. His work is a bit difficult to categorize. Some of his creations resemble traditional pottery, but most are more modern pieces made from a combination of clay, wood, and metal. His studio doubles as a school, where he trains apprentices to "duplicate" his more mundane pieces. Many of his works grace museums around the world and are clearly beyond our price range. But we love this whimsical piece that feels very typically "Seminario." Every time I walk by these treasures we acquired in Peru, they bring a smile to my face and a picture in my mind of the stunning vistas of Machu Picchu and of the warm, colorful people in this amazing country.