Hotel Putukusi

I was recently in Peru visiting my girlfriend and some artisans. It was a wonderful trip in every way. For the first time in about four trips down there I was able to just visit and see some more of a country that I’ve grown to love as if I’d been born and raised there. It is indeed a remarkable place and I’ll be sure to share more about my trip in the future.
It was while we were in the Colca Canyon with Angel Cabrera, a Worldstock artisan, that Roxana, thinking about some of the wonders of her country said, “el Peru esta de moda,” Peru is in style. I don’t think that she really knew how true this statement was.
Right now, the city of Lima is in disarray. No, it’s not out of confusion or neglect; quite the contrary. Peru is preparing for the upcoming Asia Pacific Summit that will be holding conferences throughout the country in November. Lima will be a new city and its streets and freeways are receiving a much needed upgrade. Disarray for now, but much more friendly to the populace and for tourists in the near future. The eyes of the world will be on Peru this fall.
Machu Picchu was recently voted in as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Deservedly so, this marvel of ancient architecture attracts upwards of one thousand visitors each day and it doesn’t disappoint the visitor in any way with its magnificence. After visiting one finds it clear that the Inca Pachacutec, who ordered it built was not only a master planner, conqueror, and political leader, but he also had an eye for the esthetic.
Already having one World Wonder, Peru is after its second, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature; the Colca Canyon. It is currently ranked number 10 but has a long way to go. You can vote for it at 7 Wonders of Nature. The Colca is incredible, deeper than the Grand Canyon and is the perfect fusion of man and nature. Along the canyon’s rim are countless Inca terraces that appear as if Mother Nature had personally approved them to beautify her canyon. The canyon’s villages are home to kind people that carry on centuries old traditions and wear beautiful outfits typical of the area. In the distance are volcanoes and other mountains sacred to the Incas, so sacred that they had become home to special sacrifices to appease the mountain gods; several human mummies have been found on their snow capped peaks. The Colca has yet another treat for the visitor; the Andean Condor, the world’s largest flying bird nests here and at the Condor Cross they can often be seen taking flight in the morning catching the thermal updrafts. Seeing these kings of the Andean sky in flight was truly an amazing moment, one that I hope to share with my family in the future.
Surfer Sofia Mulanovich has made a mark in her sport and has won a World Championship and an ESPN ESPY Award as well as a 2007 induction into the Surfers Hall of Fame. She was recently voted in Peru as the Peruvian female most proud of and representative of her country. A recent New York Times article has featured surfing in Peru and Peru’s shores are becoming better known as surf destinations. Puerto Chicama is known to have the longest wave in the world.
Peruvian cuisine is poised to take the world by storm. Restaurants are popping up in San Francisco, Manhattan, and even within view of the Eiffel Tower. Imagine that, a Peruvian restaurant in Paris. Talented Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio who has been featured in Anthony Bordain’s “No Reservations” isn’t the only Peruvian showing off his culinary skills. Amparo Alam from right here in Utah just won Food Network’s Ultimate Recipe Showdown with her Peruvian Herb-Roasted Chicken which is now featured in T.G.I. Friday’s. A friend told me today that she tried it and loved it. Now she wants to know where she can find a Peruvian restaurant. I love my “pollo a la brasa” so I’m going to have to try it soon.
While in Lima, Roxana and I attended one of South America’s most important fashion shows, Peru Moda. Many of Peru’s best fashion designers and jewelers were in attendance and we saw many works of art in clothing and jewelry. Peru has many skilled designers and artisans and many Worldstock customers have already discovered this. Whether it is jewelry, folk art, or fashion, Peruvian designs are indeed eye catching and great conversation pieces. Many of these items are flying off the shelves due to their beauty, novelty, and cultural significance. So, if you do want to discover what is coming out of Peru for yourself, a good first stop would be Peru’s You’ll soon find out why “el Peru esta de moda.”