Día de la Canción Criolla Before coming to Peru a few months ago, I had always associated October 31st with Halloween, candy, and spooky costumes. However, I recently found out that while children in the United States and other countries are trick-or-treating and dressing up in costumes to celebrate Halloween, many Peruvians are partaking in a different, yet equally as popular holiday known as “El Día de la Canción Criolla.” Halloween, like other occidental holidays, is also celebrated and popular here in Peru, especially with young children, but it lacks the Peruvian tradition and history associated with the alternative. I now find myself with the dilemma of choosing which holiday celebration to partake in! Read our guide to Peru's top festivals and download a free festivals calendar Celebrating the Day of Criolla Music Dating back to 1944 when then President Manuel Prado declared the holiday, October 31st has been known as “El Día de la Canción Criolla” or the Day of Criolla Music, and is a celebration of Peruvian music and associated folklore. The term criolla has come to define the people and culture of the coastal regions of Peru, the distinct result of a myriad of influences including that of Spanish, African, and Andean traditions. This mingling of tradition had an effect on various aspects of Peruvian culture, specifically on the music, songs, and dances. Marinera Music and Identity The most popular style of this celebrated "criolla" music is the Marinera, said to be the national dance of Peru, but others include the Peruvian Waltz, Tondero, Festejo, Polka, Zamacueca, and the Landó. Every October 31st, Peruvians join together at bars, parties, and peñas for “El Día de la Canción Criolla,” a celebration of their music and more importantly, their national identity. Peña Night Seeing that I have recently arrived
Día de la Canción Criolla Before coming to Peru a few months ago, I had always associated October 31st with Halloween, candy, and spooky costumes. However, I recently found out that while children in the United States and other countries are trick-or-treating and dressing up in costumes to celebrate Halloween,…
Bolivian Gaston Ugalde is considered one of the most important contemporary artists, and is famous for his photography and installation work, specifically those shot at the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Southern Bolivia. In our previous post on March 12th (The Salar de Uyuni: a blank canvas for the creative traveller), we displayed some of his marvelous photos that make use of the spectacular “blank canvas” that is the salt flats, and below are some more images that juxtapose the stark landscape of the flats with unique and colorful objects. The vast emptiness of the Salar de Uyuni contrasts the vibrant colors creating truly sublime images. In many of his photographs and installations during the past thirty years, Gaston has incorporated and engaged the Bolivian landscape, specifically the salt flats as seen in the images below and in our previous post, as well as traditional fabrics like the Andean blankets in some of the photos. He then transforms these landscapes and traditional materials into works of art that address modern day issues, posing universal questions of commerce, politics and spirituality. Visiting the Salar de Uyuni is a unique experience in its own right, and you can contact Aracari today to plan an exclusive trip to Bolivia and these incredible salt flats. If you are feeling even more adventurous, you can even use this blank canvas to create your own artistic photographs - and we'd be happy to share your creative and inspiring images with all of our friends on our Facebook page! Also, read more about Aracari founder Marisol Mosquera’s recent trip to the salt flats here: Trip Report: Desert, Lagoons and the Salar de Uyuni
Bolivian Gaston Ugalde is considered one of the most important contemporary artists, and is famous for his photography and installation work, specifically those shot at the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Southern Bolivia. In our previous post on March 12th (The Salar de Uyuni: a blank canvas for the…
Highlights of Chilean Wine Country I had two and a half days to visit the areas of interest near Santiago, in particular the Chilean wine country. Christian Ramcke, my host, took me to the lovely town of Valparaiso and to two of the wine growing areas that are famous and very much visited due to their proximity to Santiago, namely Maipo and Colchagua. If deciding to spend a few days in the Santiago area (Central Chile), I would encourage the traveller to skip overnighting in Santiago altogether. Santiago is modern and efficient capital city with a good restaurant scene and fine hotels, but with little in terms of cultural interest that would warrant an overnight stay. I stayed at a great hotel, the W, which I loved, but for all its avant-garde style and hip crowd, it is 75% business, and now you know why. There is another fine boutique hotel that we like, called "Le Reve.” With only 33 rooms and 2 suites and a traditional style, this and "W", are our chosen accommodation options. They are both located in the residential areas of Las Condes ("Sanhattan" owing to its financial connections) and Providencia respectively. Whereas these neighborhoods are pleasant, leafy, and quiet, the traffic in and out of Santiago as well as in the Centre is another big deterrent to staying in this city. Valparaiso - Chile's Cultural Capital A much more interesting alternative is driving north straight from the airport to the port city of Valparaiso, which takes no more than one -and-a half hours. Valparaiso (or "Valpo" as it is commonly called) is Chile´s cultural capital. It is bohemian, picturesque and full of history, culture, and interesting architecture. The most important port city in Chile during the 19th century, it is full of charm as well positioned on a steep
Highlights of Chilean Wine Country I had two and a half days to visit the areas of interest near Santiago, in particular the Chilean wine country. Christian Ramcke, my host, took me to the lovely town of Valparaiso and to two of the wine growing areas that are famous and…
A Weekend in the Andes at Llanganuco Lodge Peru Part 2 of our weekend escape travel article on the Cordillera Blanca: read part 1 of our Llanganuco Lodge stay. Traveler Tales: Gathering for dinner Shortly after the sun had set over the Cordillera Negra, the amazing moon emerged over the opposite snow covered peaks, slowly creeping into the dark sky and illuminating the valley. Light pollution is relatively unknown to this remote area, and this gave us an unencumbered view of the celestial bodies that dominated the night sky. We convened in the candlelit lodge, joining our fellow guests, who gathered around the communal dining table or snuggled into the couches enjoying some locally brewed craft beers and sharing conversations about the day’s adventures, the forces that brought us to the lodge, and bits and pieces about our individual lives. When Lucho “rang the dinner bell,” we gathered together to enjoy yet another beer, some wine, and indulged ourselves in the delicious three-course meal that had been prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients from the area. This nightly ritual was both an excellent way to unwind after our adventures and brought us closer to the people who shared our same magnetic draw to this particular spot in the Andes. Meeting fellow hikers We got to know many different types of people during such evenings, confirming all of the positive reviews speaking to Llanganuco Lodge’s variety of opportunities to adventure. During our first evening, we met the actual owners of the massive German tanker, a friendly middle-aged couple from Belgium who had taken over a year and half off from work to explore South America via their decked-out vehicle. After five years of planning their route and several years of outfitting their ex-military vehicle with a full kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom,
A Weekend in the Andes at Llanganuco Lodge Peru Part 2 of our weekend escape travel article on the Cordillera Blanca: read part 1 of our Llanganuco Lodge stay. Traveler Tales: Gathering for dinner Shortly after the sun had set over the Cordillera Negra, the amazing moon emerged over the…
Throughout October, hundreds of thousands of faithful Peruvians celebrate Lima’s patron Saint El Señor de los Milagros, or “The Lord of Miracles,” in what is one the largest and most significant Catholic processions in South America. October is known as “Purple Month” throughout Lima, and the faithful outwardly display their devotion by decorating the streets and dressing in purple. The patron Saint is materialized and symbolized by a 17th century painting of a dark-skinned Jesus Christ by an Angolan slave. The highly controversial painting survived futile attempts at Colonial destruction, and its survival is part of the reason the image is so venerated. It went on to withstand the deadly earthquake in 1746 that destroyed the entire church housing the painting except for the wall bearing the image. Its astonishing survival spread throughout the country and thousands gathered to partake in a procession to venerate the image. From this point on, the painting has held a particular significance, and the annual processions continued to celebrate its perseverance. The Church of the Nazarenas was constructed around the wall that survived amidst the rubble and the painting is displayed prominently. Today marks the start of one of the largest and most significant Catholic processions in Peru, a 24-hour parade beginning at this church and finishing at the Church of La Merced in Barrios Altos. The sacred painting is adorned in silver, the representative purple, and flowers and is carried through the city with thousands of followers singing hymns of adoration and hoping to benefit from the supposed miraculous healing powers the painting is said to possess. Church bells ring, candles are lit, incense is burned, and vendors provide the famous Turrón de Doña Pepa, a dessert associated with the month of October and this famous procession in Peru. If you find yourself in Lima particularly near
Throughout October, hundreds of thousands of faithful Peruvians celebrate Lima’s patron Saint El Señor de los Milagros, or “The Lord of Miracles,” in what is one the largest and most significant Catholic processions in South America. October is known as “Purple Month” throughout Lima, and the faithful outwardly display their devotion by…
A Weekend in the Andes at Llanganuco Lodge Peru Part one of our weekend escape travel article. Read part two of our Llanganuco Lodge stay. Arriving in the Cordillera Blanca A burrito, a brownie, and an 8-hour overnight bus trip later, we arrived in Yungay, a relatively small city located in the Cordillera Blanca in north-central Peru. We hopped in a cab outside the bus station, instructed the driver that we were headed towards “Casa de Charlie” (everyone in Yungay seemed to know of Charlie and the LLanganuco Lodge), and were on our way up the winding, dirt road for a 40 minute journey to a long weekend in paradise. Snow capped mountains Our tired eyes were welcomed by the amazing sight of the sun rising over the mountain range, reflecting magnificently on the snow capped peaks above us. The view on our own terrestrial level was equally interesting, as we passed traditionally dressed women tending to their crops, fat fuzzy pigs rooting around in the soil, and a bubbling stream that shadowed our route. The silent journey was interrupted as the forest line ended: “Mira - la Casa de Charlie,” our driver instructed, casting his finger towards a distant building perched atop a hill. Llanganuco Lodge's setting Lined with fairly young coniferous trees, the final ascent up the hill unfolded the image of our destination with a view of the lodge, the restaurant and bar, and the separate dorm accommodation that comprised the main buildings on the property, as well as what appeared to be a massive WWII military vehicle parked at the entrance. We looked at each other in confusion, sharing concern about what our weekend with the ex-accountant gone rogue living in a German tanker in the Peruvian mountains would amount to. We noticed several people sitting at
A Weekend in the Andes at Llanganuco Lodge Peru Part one of our weekend escape travel article. Read part two of our Llanganuco Lodge stay. Arriving in the Cordillera Blanca A burrito, a brownie, and an 8-hour overnight bus trip later, we arrived in Yungay, a relatively small city located…
