There’s a new word on the travel scene – “voluntourism.” It refers to the trend of visiting places where you can also do some good, meeting locals and learning more about their culture while volunteering your time. Frommer’s, famous for their travel guides, has just released “500 Places You Can Make a Difference,” and hotel chains like Ritz Carlton are now offering excursions where you can help collect endangered sea turtle eggs in Cancun, or plant flowers at an orphanage in Jamaica. This trend is a great way for families to reinforce important values while enjoying time together. Peru is a wonderful place to visit on your next voluntourism trip. You can volunteer at a nature preserve through a company called International Expeditions, or take advantage of countless other opportunities to pitch in while enjoying a vacation in this breathtakingly beautiful country. Click here for more information on volunteer trips.
From the monthly archives:
November 2009
If you’re looking for a truly remarkable sightseeing destination and enjoy the outdoors, Cumbe Mayo near Cajamarca is a great choice. The name for this historic place originated from the native Quechua language, and can be translated as “thin rivers” or “water channel.” It is the site of an ancient aqueduct that was used to divert water from the Atlantic Watershed as it traveled toward the Pacific Ocean. This clever innovation was built with perfect precision, carved from the rock of the countryside. It covers approximately five miles of terrain, sometimes in a straight line, other times in a zigzag pattern to prevent erosion. Those interested in history will find that Cumbe Mayo is an amazing chance to experience the work of an ancient culture, especially with a knowledgeable guide who can explain its significance. Adventurous tourists looking for a hike will also enjoy the surrounding scenery and ancient petroglyphs.
As a lover of Peruvian crafts, and particularly handcrafted Peruvian jewelry, I immediately notice the difference between handcrafted .950 sterling silver jewelry and the costume jewelry that is often made as an imitation. I’ve learned a lot about the handmade silver jewelry Peruvian artisans produce, and the age old techniques they have mastered over time. That is why each handcrafted bracelet, necklace, and pair of earrings in my collection is special to me. Their beauty does not fade over time, and they do not break like cheaper jewelry. I always feel comfortable giving .950 sterling silver jewelry like this Peruvian turquoise bracelet as a gift, because I know it will remain a beautiful gesture for years to come, as my friend or family member continues to wear it on a regular basis. For more information on handcrafted jewelry from Peru, look at the Tikanchay collection.
You’ll undoubtedly want to visit Machu Picchu on a trip to Peru, but now you can add another stop to your sightseeing list. The Mariott Hotel in Miraflores will be featuring an exact miniature replica of The Lost City in their lobby – made entirely of chocolate. Peruvians are proud of their national cuisine, and take both cooking and eating seriously. The chefs at The Mariott decided to celebrate one of Peru’s greatest sights this holiday season, while pushing themselves to be both creative and precise. The chocolate Machu Picchu will be on display through January 5, 2010. For a photo, visit Living in Peru. One can’t help but wonder who will get to eat this 353 pound masterpiece when the exhibit is over.
If you’re planning a trip to Peru, my favorite place to be, take a look at the categories on the right to see some of the places I’ve written about. I have traveled all over this beautiful country, and I never get tired of seeking out new places to go and things to see. Places like Lima, Chan Chan, Puno, and Arequipa all have a list of different things to offer tourists – above all, unforgettable memories. From the awe-inspiring sighs of Machu Picchu and the Colca Canyon to the gourmet restaurants and museums of Lima, Peru is an exotic and exhilarating vacation destination.
With the holidays approaching quickly, I am thinking about how much I enjoy shopping in the Peruvian markets, instead of the crowded malls at home each December. There are so many handmade items that make beautiful gifts for the holidays. If you don’t have the opportunity to visit the markets in Peru to see all of the beautifully handmade crafts and handcrafted jewelry, consider purchasing gifts from Peru online. Tikanchay’s selection of handcrafted jewelry is all made by Peruvian artisans, and you are sure to find a silver jewelry gift for someone special that appeals to both your budget and taste. Each gift from Tikanchay helps support Peruvian artisans. These silver dangling earrings are a great gift idea, with a unique design and Peruvian silver.
Peru is already in the Guinness Book of World Records for Most Diverse Cuisine, but the city of Huancayo, where the dish was created, hosted an event on Sunday to break the record for the world’s largest serving of Papa a la Huancaina. This dish is one of the most popular on Peruvian menus around the world, with boiled potatoes smothered in a creamy sauce made with Peruvian yellow hot pepper and cheese. 12,000 plates of these Peruvian potatoes were served on a very long table installed on a city street in Huancayo. In 2008, 8,000 servings were made, so the record was broken. The event organizer, Ruben Cardenas, was quoted as saying, ”Our goal is to further promote Papa a la Huancaina as one of the Peruvian cuisine‘s main dishes.”
Peruvians take great pride in their national cuisine, and there are many gourmet restaurants to choose from in Lima. One style of food to try in Lima is Peruvian style Chinese food, or Chifa. Peruvians use the word Chifa to refer to Chinese food and Chinese restaurants. This fusion cuisine was developed in the 19th century, when many Chinese immigrants entered Peru and began to incorporate South American ingredients and techniques into their cooking styles. Dishes like Chaufa de Pollo and Chaufa de Carne are examples of this Peruvian style fried rice, created by Chinese Peruvians.
