Flor de Huaraz and Gringo Karl

Karl arrived in Peru from South Africa four years ago, full of hopes and dreams and with a job repairing classic cars. Not knowing anyone, or speaking Spanish, it was all the more of a shock to him when the company folded and he was left penniless.

June 28, 2008 | Culture & History, Opinion

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Inti Raymi

The Spanish had yet to arrive in Peru but there was such frantic activity throughout the empire in the week leading up to the 24th of June that it was obvious that something just as big was happening. In fact it happened every year and was very important – but thankfully well-rehearsed Inca rituals meant there was no real cause for alarm.

June 24, 2008 | Culture & History, Cusco Guide

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Qoyllur Rit’i

An event which attracts over 10,000 people each year, mostly local Quechua and Aymara people, Qoyllur Rit’i is a Catholic tradition wholly invented by the indigenous in the 18th Century. This religious experience, rather than being violently imposed on them from Europe, belongs completely to them and is gaining popularity among outsiders.

June 23, 2008 | Culture & History, Cusco Guide

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Peru’s Potatoes

Declared the International Year of the Potato by the United Nations to highlight its importance in reducing world poverty and hunger, particularly in this time of high food prices but static potato prices, this gift to the world from Peru is now a staple food for billions of people.

June 16, 2008 | Culture & History, Peruvian Food

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The Chaski

Chaskis (Chasquis) were the famous Inca messengers, highly athletic runners who were capable of running great distances along the Inca’s extensive network of roads called the Qhapaq Ñam – the royal roads.

June 14, 2008 | Culture & History, Opinion

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Not Pleased with Indiana Jones

“It´s hardly a secret that Hollywood films frequently misrepresent the details of “exotic” regions. Let´s face it, those films are made primarily for American audiences, and for most Americans the world consists of the US surrounded by a vast, nebulous mystery-land (sad, but true).”

June 2, 2008 | Opinion

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Teachers Riot – Update

The public school teachers who ran amok last year after their human rights were “violated” by the “evil fascist” government who demanded they have a basic education before they can teach Peru’s young children – have undergone their first examination.

The exam, designed by a leading business school, tests basic reading, writing and arithmetic. Only 151 teachers out of over 180,000 passed and despite many attempts to cheat. They needed about 75% correct answers to pass, but many found this too difficult.

June 2, 2008 | News

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