A definite highlight of our time here was an experience Bill and Nicole are piecing together, as they get started in the B&B industry, called, “A day in the life of Peru”. Because Bill and Nicole lived in a small village 30km from Cusco for 4 years and created relationships with the families there, they are keen to show travellers what life is like in the village. We were excited to be their first guests on this day. Bill took us to where they locals make the clay roof tiles – every one is handmade! Then we visited the family who runs the village oven. Because families don’t have ovens in their adobe houses - usually only a stovetop - one family in the village has a huge wood fired oven (like the pizza ovens we see) where people drop off their chicken and potatoes to be cooked. They leave it for a few hours and return to pick it up. Not a bad way to go!
After that we went into the hills to visit their friends at their home. This kind and generous family live in a gorgeous, green and fertile area, and life is very simple (but not easy!). They live in an adobe house with limited electricity. The ‘kitchen’ is a separate mud hut with a mud floor, and cooking was mainly done over a fire. They do have a propane burner used to boil water for tea in the morning. Running water is outside in a separate sink, and this is where they would also brush their teeth. The toilet and shower are in a hut with a sheet for a door, accessed from outside. It would be like camping all the time. They have cows, sheep, chickens, and guinea pigs (which run around the kitchen hut). As you may know, guinea pig (cuy) is a common food in this part of Peru. These guinea pigs were not pets. The husband and daughter took us for a hike up to their farm plots (terraces in the hills) where we passed fields of maize, quinoa, beans, and potatoes. There are 2700 varieties of potatoes in Peru! We picked some beans from his plants to take back. Quinoa, a staple in Peru, is a beautiful plant growing up to 6 feet high with small red flowers. Sadly, they told us that since quinoa has become a popular dish internationally, many of the local people can no longer afford to buy it. It has nearly tripled in price in the past 7 years. That just isn’t right! We were introduced to many other grains they grow (I suggested they don’t tell the Western world about them so they continue to be accessible to the locals), as well as many medicinal plants growing among the vegetables and grains. So many plants used to treat so many ailments. Talk about the 100 mile diet and natural remedies! They are living it, and have been for generations! When we returned to the house we joined the family for lunch – starting with fresh made cheese and choclo pieces (large corn kernels), a delicious traditional soup made with broth, potatoes, and a large piece of chicken (like a leg, thigh, or breast). The food is so fresh (chicken killed that morning) and of course so natural (organic!) that everything we ate was delicious. After lunch we helped peel large choclo (corn kernels) for cooking later, and shelled beans. The mother showed us how she spins sheep’s wool using her spinner. The kids took turns milking the cow and holding onto the sheep’s rope so it didn’t get away. At some time, the cow, sheep, rabbits and guinea pigs will all provide meat for the family. We were reminded at how far away we are from the source of many of our foods at home, and while certainly theirs is not an easy life, it is a healthy and natural one. We spent the whole afternoon enjoying and learning from this most gracious family, and we are so grateful for their generosity and willingness to have us as guests. It was a day we will never forget. For Lia and Mark it ended with an epic mountain bike ride along the dirt road (passing women and donkeys) back to the village center.
Check out the slide show below... just hold your cursor over the large photo and click on the play button in the top left hand corner, or scroll through yourself.