APEC Preparations

Peru is hosting a glut of international conferences this year, from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits to the Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union summits. Vast sums of money are being spent renovating the major thoroughfares of cities that will host meetings, such as Lima and Arequipa.

April 30, 2008 | News, Opinion

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Software Libre

According to Microsoft, in 2007 the software industry in Peru lost $59 million to piracy. Much is lost of course, but the truth is that S./10 spent on a CD at a market stall is not S./900+ lost to Microsoft or others.

The software industry’s pressure on the Government to crack down on piracy, unlike that from the movie industry, is likely to cause them far deeper losses as customers are forced to discover free alternatives.

News of universities in Peru taking advantage of these free, “open source” alternatives might mean this change is already on the way, potentially saving the Peruvian economy hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

April 26, 2008 | News, Opinion

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Molino de Sabandia

A regular tourist stop, the Molino (mill) of Sabandia is located 8km from the city of Arequipa. Built in 1785 in white sillar volcanic stone, its architectural style is very in-keeping with the region.

April 23, 2008 | Arequipa Guide

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Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas and Guanacos

Living on the altiplano – the Andean plateau – are the South American camelids. Llamas and Alpacas found themselves domesticated by humans and have lived this way for as much as 6000 years. Guanacos and Vicuñas on the other hand still exist in the wild and are heavily protected by law. They are all somehow able to thrive on the tough vegetation and harsh extremes in temperatures that we find at these altitudes.

April 21, 2008 | Culture & History

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Peruvian Herb-Roasted Chicken

Peruvians in the United States are pleased as fellow Peruvian Amparo Alam won a cook-off competition on the show Ultimate Recipe Showdown on The Food Network. In the Chicken category, the 51 year old mother, originally from Lima now living in Utah, entered her dish as “Peruvian Herb-Roasted Chicken”. Citing it as her mothers recipe, something she enjoyed as a birthday treat as a child, the chicken is roasted after being marinated with fresh Peruvian lemons, cumin, basil, garlic and the magical Peruvian chilli, huacatay. Accompanied by fried sweet potatoes, her dish soundly defeated the other eight competitors entries, winning 99 of the possible 100 points available.

April 18, 2008 | News, Peruvian Food

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Puente de Fierro

Designed by a well known frenchman, Gustave Eiffel of tower fame, the Puente de Fierro (or Bolivar as it is sometimes called) was built in 1882 to be used as a viaduct for the train route to Cusco. At 488m long it was the longest in the world at the time, until some years later it was beaten by a Scottish bridge. Even today, not including suspension bridges, it is still the 7th longest bridge that exists.

April 17, 2008 | Arequipa Guide, Culture & History

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Founder’s Mansion

The city of Arequipa was founded in 1540 by Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, who in the nearby fertile lands of Huasacache built his mansion. Huasacache, in the valley of the river Socabaya only a short distance from the city, passed through various hands over the years until it was bought by Jesuit missionaries.

April 15, 2008 | Arequipa Guide, Culture & History

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Puente Bolognesi

Arequipa’s “Old Bridge” began life on the 11th of June in 1577, but it took until 1608 to be completed at a cost of 150,000 silver pesos. The city was in need of a way across the river Chili from the city’s center, and Spanish architect Juan de Aldaná oversaw the project during all this time.

April 14, 2008 | Arequipa Guide, Culture & History

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The White City of Arequipa

As the Inca Mayta Capac passed with his soldiers through the valley in which modern Arequipa sits, some asked to stay behind. “Ari quepay”, he said. Yes, stay.

The Spanish, when they arrived in these lands, often pronounced local words badly and named their new city the Villa Hermosa de la Asunción del Valle de Arequipa. Only Arequipa stuck.

April 12, 2008 | Arequipa Guide, Culture & History

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The Afro-Peruvian Struggle [Featured]

The plight of Afro-Peruvians has long been overshadowed by the conflict
between the Spanish and Indian cultures but there is reason to believe
that could be changing.

April 9, 2008 | Culture & History

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Cordillera de la Viuda

The Cordillera of the Widow may get its name from its black colour, or from a complex story passed down from pre-Hispanic and pre-Inca beliefs involving the death of creator-God Pachacamac (Pacha Kamaq), wife of mother-earth Pachamama.

April 7, 2008 | Culture & History

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Cullhuay

At just under 4000 metres (13,000ft), Cullhuay is a tiny town in the Chillón Valley who’s population survives by agriculture and fishing.

Providing passers-through the opportunity to get something warm to drink, oh… a see a mummy discovered in an ancient burial site nearby, Cullhuay is otherwise as quiet (and as friendly) as an Andean town can get.

April 6, 2008 | Lima Region Guide

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