31-08-2011
Super early rise to get to see the condors. Our local guide (Louis) was amazing, talked the whole way there and back, full of information and humour. Learnt about the two tribes who lived there before the Incas. The Cabanas shaped their heads to short and wide and the other tribe (cannot remember their name) to long and narrow by using wooden panels tied around their heads from birth ( eeks!). We even got to see one of the long and narrow deformed skulls. The Spanish put an end to this practise, so the tribes now wear hats shaped as wide and short or long and narrow. This area also has the oldest terraces for agriculture in the world, 2000 years old, high up in the mountains.
Reached the look out point in time to see the magnificent birds make their way for the daily food hunt. Spotted a few youngsters (brown) along with the older ones (white on their wings and around their necks). Did a bit of shopping in the area, a weird vendor kept hiding his wares when we tried to buy things, reverse psychology maybe.
The Colca Canyon is the deepest canyon in the world at 4160m but we didn't get to see that point as it is a little difficult to access but the bits we saw were gorgeous. we stopped on the journey back at a village. It had the richest cathedral in the area with a lot of gold in the decoration. There was also a beautiful eagle that was tame and was up for pictures, had him on our arms, heads and legs, could even stroke him.
Next stop was an area to see the colcas, storage areas built into the mountains. Saw a family doing the ceremonial prayers for a good year of harvest. In the evening also watched a dancing procession to celebrate the coming of September, I wonder if it's a monthly occurrence.
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