Note #2 @ Peru: Bonding with Pachamama

The heritage of Inca and their ancestral parents (Tihuanacos, Qollas) is widely respected and followed through by all generations. True enough, they do oversell it to turists, bringing out the FREAKIN' condor and puma one too many times. Yet, they live that tradition in the intimacy and seclusion of their homes and beliefs.

La PACHAMAMA (mother earth), el MAYO (river), el INTI (sun), la APU (mountain), are more than QUECHUA words in their vocabulary. There are gifts, shrines, numerous symbols, legends, and events in name of these holy items... Even those closer to the fruit of capitalism (tourism money) share their first spoon of soup with soil (as an expression of gratitude to mother earth) and their whispers with the wind.

And whilst colonial impressions can be tracked in every city, monument or person, they have managed to respect an earthly balance between the two worlds. Making these two realities cohexist is a relevant part of their life and an important proof of their unique culture - Example: Whilst catholic, my guide's parents do not own or want any paintings that portray Jesus Christ. Why? Well, these paintings are associated to drunken hypocritical catholic artists, who disrespected and violated the teachings of the religion..."La Iglesia hizo muchas cosas malas" he says, with a justification look on his face...