Pumas/jaguars are a sacred animal of the Andean peoples and symbolize the earth and the present(if I have understood this correctly). Adult pumas don't have spots... But these are some "spots" of the present that I have seen.
Esto es Guerra is like the most popular game show in Peru. It is like a mix of American gladiators and some little kids show on nickelodeon. Contestants are always beautiful bodybuilder types who look a little too muscular/curvy in their tight bathing suit like uniforms. The two teams go head to head at really stupid yet challenging tasks such as stacking cups without letting them fall, obstacle courses and walking with stacks of things. The show goes to great lengths to get booty shots and has all the drama of a good reality TV game show... Flashy lights and dramatic music and the promise of elimination. The show is on tv at roughly the dinner hour, and every restaurant has a tv (usually a flatscreen) with the show on(unless there is a futbol game).
Remixes of popular American/British songs are surprisingly popular. I have heard a bunch on the radio, in the mall, on buses. My favorite so far was the Doors "Riders on the Storm" mixed with Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean". I assume these are not locally made because Peruvians have their own music that is really popular all over the continent... But perhaps Peruvian remixes are a thing.
I could easily look this up but why ruin it.
Fireworks... I don't think I mentioned in my short piece about noise how popular fireworks are in both an official and unofficial capacity. I think I have heard fireworks at night at least every other day my entire time in South America. The funny thing is that I have never seen fireworks for sale. Maybe I haven't been looking and they are readily available, but it seems to me these firework displays happen in alleyways far from the main streets, and shoot loudly above us all.
Parades and bands are a fun part of life in South America. On a regular basis you will run into either a religious, political or other holiday parade... Usually with a band and some banners.
Mountains (farming and walking)
Huaraz is in the middle of dry very Rocky Mountains. Unlike Chachapoyas which had massive grass covered mountains, these ones look a little too rugged for most cultivation. I have seen some, it looks like wheat or something yellowish... But for the most part I have seen the least amount of agriculture in this region. I am constantly made aware how the people of South America have turned rough terrain into rich food producing land but I just can't fathom what would grow in some of these places. I have seen way more cows, horses and donkeys...
And just a few more llamas than before so maybe they just let the herds eat the tough dry grasses and chill.
And just a few more llamas than before so maybe they just let the herds eat the tough dry grasses and chill.
The ruggedness though still makes me wonder how a people can create empires. The trade networks and communication seem so slowed down. It seems like a car takes an hour per mountain so how does an army cross 5oo hundred of them in a matter of weeks? I am headed south where the mountains and the terrain get more rugged.
Chicken here is amazing. It's tender and juicy and flavorful even when it hasn't been cooked with anything. I know these chickens were killed the day I ate them, and that they are probably organic but it makes me wonder why we settle for anything less in the states.
Casinos are a thing in Peru. They always have a bouncer at the door and seem like they are open 24/7... But I don't know that for sure. When you walk by them it feels like some sort of mafia run club, members and the secret password at the door... But I am pretty sure they'd see me as easy money.
Cajero automaticos (cash machines) are a strange thing in South America. The machine itself seems really normal but the dynamic around it is odd... I have never stood in line for a cash machine, but here in South America you see lines around the block for the cash machines. This makes no sense to me because often there is another machine across the street(bank areas), but even if it is your bank why not go at a different time? The only thing I can imagine is that they are getting direct deposits all at the same time and really need the cash. It seems weird to spend 45 minutes plus waiting for cash... But that is what they do. It almost looks like a concert line... You think you are missing out on something and then see the line end at a cash machine. So weird.
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