Aracari's Weekly Insight The Question: Which world-renowned rally races its way into Peru for the first time today? The Answer: Having already sped through Argentina and Chile, the Dakar rally today enters the third and final country on the route; Peru. Day 11 of the 2012 edition sees drivers negotiate their way from Arica on the Peru-Chile border through the sparse and dramatic landscapes of Peru’s southern Andes, all the way to the city of Arequipa. Following this, on the final three days, competitors will speed through the sand dunes of Peru’s southern desert, past Nazca and Ica, before finally arriving in the capital city of Lima. Route of the Dakar 2012 edition Beginning in 1978, The Dakar was originally a race from Paris, France, to Dakar in Senegal, though it had to be relocated after the 2008 edition was cancelled because of political instability and security problems. This is the fourth year that the rally has been held in South America, and the event is set to stay here indefinitely. The rally, a test of endurance that is considered to be perhaps the world’s most authentic motorsports event, entails drivers of four different types of off-road vehicle – namely cars, truck, motorcycles, and quad bikes - negotiate their way through rough and extreme terrain, making South America an excellent venue. Above: Racers on Day 10 of the 2012 Dakar Having only passed through Argentina and Chile over the last 3 years, this is the first year that the event will travel to Peru. The competition kicked off in Buenos Aires on the 1st of January and lasts for a total of 14 days, covering a staggering total of 5,281 miles, with competitors arriving in Lima on the 15th of January for the winning ceremony. You can follow the final
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: Which world-renowned rally races its way into Peru for the first time today? The Answer: Having already sped through Argentina and Chile, the Dakar rally today enters the third and final country on the route; Peru. Day 11 of the 2012 edition sees drivers negotiate…
Bajada de los Reyes Festival Closely related to Christmas, the popular Spanish festivity known in Spain as “Dia de los Reyes magos” on the 6th of January is also widely celebrated in towns across the Andes. The celebration marks The Epiphany, which sees the visit of the three wise men, or the three kings, to the birthplace of Jesus. In Spain many families celebrate by giving gifts, much as the wise men did to the baby Jesus. The Ephiphany Celebrations As with many celebrations in the Andes, the celebration of “Dia de los Reyes magos” incorporates both native and colonial traditions alike. In pre-Columbian times, January was a very important month; being the height of the rainy season it brought water vital for growing crops, and joyous festivities marked the occasion. These celebrations subsequently became incorporated with the celebration of “Dia de los Reyes magos” that was introduced by the Spanish when they arrived in Peru; apart from anything else, there was the resemblence of giving gifts, much as the the rains gave the gift of nourishment and sustainance. Celebrating bajada de los Reyes festival in Ollantaytambo One of the biggest celebrations of the day is in the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Known as the Bajada de Reyes de Ollantaytambo, the occasion is marked with a colourful procession of El Niño Jesús de Marcacocha - the baby jesus from the church of Marcacocha - which is brought from the valley of Patakancha to Ollantaytambo on the day before, the 5th of January. Locals from communities in the surrounding hills and valleys descend on the town with the effigy of Jesus to take part in the festivities, which begin on the 5th and last throughout the night. Traditional Dancing On the 6th there is a full day of
Bajada de los Reyes Festival Closely related to Christmas, the popular Spanish festivity known in Spain as “Dia de los Reyes magos” on the 6th of January is also widely celebrated in towns across the Andes. The celebration marks The Epiphany, which sees the visit of the three wise…
Today the Aracari team paid a visit to a new handicrafts store in the Barranco neighbourhood of Lima; Casa Allpa. Featuring a wide range of high-quality handmade goods, such as ceramics, textiles and jewellery, Casa Allpa merges traditional handicraft techniques with sophisticated and innovative contemporary design. Natural materials are used in the wares, with baby Alpaca featuring prominently in the garments for sale. Although Casa Allpa have been export wholesalers to top department stores in Europe and North America for 25 years, this store in Barranco marks the first outlet for their products in Peru. The store opened on December 1st and has been very popular with local Barranquinos shopping over the Christmas period. The company works directly with artisans from across the country, generating new jobs and ensuring that artists recieve a fair wage for the work; the shop is also a part of the World Fair Trade Organisation. You can find out more on the Casa Allpa Facebook page, or visit the store on Jr. Centenario 195, Barranco. It is a part of a recently developed complex in Barranco featuring a range of shops, restaurants and cafes.
Today the Aracari team paid a visit to a new handicrafts store in the Barranco neighbourhood of Lima; Casa Allpa. Featuring a wide range of high-quality handmade goods, such as ceramics, textiles and jewellery, Casa Allpa merges traditional handicraft techniques with sophisticated and innovative contemporary design. Natural materials are used…
Aracari's Weekly Insight The Question: How did the Incas celebrate New Year? The Answer: Despite the distinct lack of fireworks, staying up til 12 Oclock and renditions of Auld Lang Syne, the Inca celebration of the new year - over the winter equinox in June - was a very important event in their calendar. Not least of all, the equinox marked the return of the sun from its farthest position from the earth and the beginning of longer days. Observing the Sun Huge importance was placed on the movement of the sun in Inca times, and it was the most significant god in the pantheon of Andean religion. The Incas and cultures before them tracked the movement of the sun using sophisticated measuring devices in the form of stone pillars. They placed pillars in exactly the position where the sun rose and set on the shortest days of the year – from the 21st to the 24th of June. Marking the winter equinox, the colourful spectacle “Inti Raymi” in the city of Cusco, or “festival of the sun”, is thought to have been one of the most important rituals in the Inca Empire, with celebrations lasting for as much as nine days. The ceremony was doused in rituals, which are believed to have entailed the Inca drinking Chicha de Jora – a type of drink derived from maize – to honour the sun. Ceremonies were held in the main plaza of Cusco, where pilgrims from across the empire would assemble. There was also much merriments in the form of feasting, drinking and dancing. Despite clandestine ceremonies taking place during the Spanish conquest, Inti Raymi was completely prohibited by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo in 1572 as a pagan ceremony opposed to Catholicism. Nevertheless, since the 1940’s, a theatrical representation has taken
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: How did the Incas celebrate New Year? The Answer: Despite the distinct lack of fireworks, staying up til 12 Oclock and renditions of Auld Lang Syne, the Inca celebration of the new year – over the winter equinox in June – was a very important…
Responsible Travel Peru: Aracari sponsors Soccer team In line with our commitment to supporting communities in Peru, Aracari is sponsoring a football (soccer) team from the community of Huayllabamba in the Cusco region. Libio - the chef for our adventure, trekking and camping trips - hails from the community, along with some of our trekking porters, and so we decided to provide some snazzy new football strips for their local team. Let's hope the new look sends them to the top of the league! Read more about Aracari's responsible travel Peru initiatives.
Responsible Travel Peru: Aracari sponsors Soccer team In line with our commitment to supporting communities in Peru, Aracari is sponsoring a football (soccer) team from the community of Huayllabamba in the Cusco region. Libio – the chef for our adventure, trekking and camping trips – hails from the community, along…
Taller Huaringa, the studio of Lima artist Maricruz Arribas, uses only recyclable materials to create a fantastic array of artwork. Taller Huaringa Lima When we visited today, Carlos and I were given a privileged peak at the studio, which has opened its doors for two days this week in the run up to Christmas. Beginning as a hobby, Maricruz has developed her passion for recycling unused objects into a profession, dedicating her work to breathing new life into disposed of and forgotten materials. She takes what could be considered by many to be "mundane" and "boring" objects and transforms them, turning them into excting and vibrant works of contemporary art. “The materials come from all over,” Maricruz told us “mostly from old houses that are about to be demolished … every time I enter such a house, firstly I cry,” she explained to us. “Then I go about frantically trying to salvage anything that can be used in my artwork.” "Often when I pick up a disused item I have no idea what I will do with it. Then, when I take it back to the studio, ideas begin to formulate ..." The very name Huaringa is derived from a place in northern Peru, near to Maricruz’s home town of Piura, where witches are purported to have gathered. “I chose this name because witches transform things, much as I do with my own work.” On our tour of the studio, Maricruz showed us an array of artwork, ranging from sculptures crafted from old furniture, teddy bears made from burlap sacks, to flowers and ornaments made from twisted glass bottles. The works have gone on exhibition in Peru’s top galleries and have featured in international contemporary art exhibitions also. Maricruz currently features in a collective exhibition at the Lima Museum of
Taller Huaringa, the studio of Lima artist Maricruz Arribas, uses only recyclable materials to create a fantastic array of artwork. Taller Huaringa Lima When we visited today, Carlos and I were given a privileged peak at the studio, which has opened its doors for two days this week in the…
