29-08-2011
A lot to see for our one full day here. Started with the Santa Catalina convent, built in 1579 by the Spaniards, opened to the public in 1970. A little village in itself with quite a colorful history. When it started, the nuns were generally the second daughters of rich families. They had servants and slaves for the cooking and cleaning, had to pay dowry to the church and bartered personal goods among themselves. They owned houses with personal kitchens, bedrooms and servant quarters. In 1870 it all came to an end (Pope's orders) communal living was brought it, no more servants, they even started a bakery to support themselves. Sister Ana is waiting to become a saint, the process has begun but not completed, her two miracles are - body intact when exhumed and a lady ate soil from her tomb and she became uterine cancer free. Now there are a small group of nuns living in an area not open to the public.
Next was the museum with the Ice Maiden, Juanita. Found in the Ampato mountain in 1995. One of the most well preserved Incas, given as a human sacrifice to appease the gods. She was only 12-14 years old when she died, blow to her head, after being sedated ( coca leaves and corn found in her stomach). Due to being frozen in the grave, her skin, muscles, clothes are all intact. Draped in a red cape held together by a gold pin, she was buried with gold( for the sun), silver( for the moon) and copper( for the earth) offerings. She was discovered as El misti erupted melting the snow at Ampato. When they went back to the site they found other children, sacrificed. These children were picked at birth, free of physical defects, brought up in seclusion and sacrificed whenever a natural disaster occurred. Sad lives.
Skipped the museum of the cathedral but returned in the evening to see the interiors. Spent the afternoon at the pool, good for sunbathing but too cold to get inside. Went searching for a market with lama fetuses and other voodoo stuff but it was closed by the time we got there. Dinner was at a balcony in Plaza de Armes, the cathedral was beautiful lit up and a celebratory procession was out.
Lovely day here.
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