Arquetopia Peru

Agriculture, Market, and Prepared Food

Fields near Laguna Huaypo. We had fields in Urubamba that we passed everyday. It was fun to watch the transition from planted, harvested, animals eat what’s left over, burn what the animals don’t eat, plow ashes and manure into soil, plant, and irrigate. I’ve lived in cities all my life and haven’t had this close up view of agriculture.
The harvest in Urubamba.
Sorting and drying potatoes in Chinchero. I guess the dog was helping until he tuckered out.
Mercado Central in Urubamba. I love the smell of markets. Food stores in the U.S. are sterile – no smell of food at all.
Chickens for sale at the market.
Cuy for sale at the Mercado de Productores. Cuy (Guinea Pig) is a traditional Peruvian dish. I ordered it at a restaurant and was disappointed. It was fried and fried to a crisp which meant there was little meat to get at. By the time I had another chance – on the grill, I just didn’t have the appetite for it. My philosophy is to try anything you can’t get where you live. I ordered Grilled Alpaca too. That was good. It tasted like pork chop.
Medicianl herbs, roots, and spices. One of my artist friends bought the stack in the upper right hand corner and made tea from it. We added ginger and it was very nice!
One of the advantages to the artist residency was that we had a staff member who cooked a daily meal for us. Nely’s kitchen: She laid out fruit and a few items for breakfast at 0830 hours; Main meal at 1430 hours and then we were on our own to eat out or raid the refrigerator. Lifting the shopping for and daily preparation of meals freed us to study and create art. Ahh! I’m grateful to have had this care.
Eating out was easy and enjoyable. This is a plate at Kampu Restaurant near the Plaza de Armas, Urubamba. Billed as Indo, African, Thai, Peruvian Fusion Cuisine, Eduardo is an incredibly talented, experienced, and creative chef. After he determines what your food preferences and allergies are, he’s trust me. If you trust me you will enjoy it. Neither Anna nor I had any restrictions so we were pleasantly surprised with all of it. He brought us an eggplant hors d’oeuvres, (3) mixed drinks, (2) different appetizers, (2) different main courses which we shared and it all came to S/280 or ~$78 including the tip. Pictured is sweet potato stuffed friend wontons with herbs and spices.
Finally, July 28th is Peruvian Independence Day. The plaza was filled with artisanal and food venders. Cooking meat over a wood stove right on the plaza masonry! Buen provecho.

Gardens and Architecture

Murals abound. Corn, potatoes, and many other crops are grown in this area. The food is amazingly fresh and healthy!
A small slice of the Arquetopia residence garden. Magaly, the owner, has a little of everything – flowers, herbs, and trees. Very sweet place to spend time and take my meals when we are not eating together at the midday (2:30 p.m.) meal.
My workspace. I paint standing up so used the counter to the right. My bedroom door is there on the left. Bathroom at the end of the space. I asked about the spelling of my name, and it was a mistake because it was unusual for Rocio and she couldn’t remember how to spell it. I like it!
Urubamba, from the Quechua spelling Urupampa, means, flat land of spiders. These spider murals are scattered around town. This one was my landmark for walking up the Chichubamba where the Arquetopia Residence is located. Urubamba is the largest town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. 
Small statues of bulls perched atop the roof of almost every house represent prosperity, happiness and fertility. They are also protecting the welfare of the household and good luck. Bulls were brought to Peru by the Spaniards. Two are yoked together to plow fields in the area. 
The Arquetopia, Peru residence. My living space is on the upper level and has views to the South from the bathroom, East from my bedroom, and West from my studio space. Lots of natural light!
Construction. Note the scaffolding of planks on stacked bricks, the bucket of cement hanging on a cable, and no cones or notices on the street. Pay attention and use common sense when walking.
The houses are made of adobe brick which might be plastered and painted or not. Most roofs are tiled.
I’m a sucker for this little adobe house in the field North of our residence. Sweet as can be.
Garden space at Su Laurant French Café. Almost of all of the restaurants and cafes have a very narrow front on the street. You enter through a gate and there is often an indoor space, a semi-indoor/outdoor space, and a sweet garden to sit, your choice. Lots of beautiful spaces filled with succulents, flowers, trees, and kitchen gardens.

Festivals and Ceremonies

Yes, there were protests in Peru regarding equitable pay for labor. I didn’t see any protests in Urubamba or Cusco. Just a lot of Festivals, celebrations, and teaching/learning. Celebrating culture and life! Always with music!

Venders in Plaza de Armas, Urubamba on Peruvian Independence Day.
School celebration, Plaza de Armas, Urubamba
Dance lessons every day with this teacher and a different group of children in Plaza de Armas, Urubamba
Funeral procession with live marching band, Chinchero.
Presentation at Traditional Textiles Center, Chinchero.
One type of traditional wedding clothing on exhibit in the Museo Inka, Cusco.
Teaching and playing checkers in Plaza de Armas, Urubamba. The elder had on blue shoes. Very colorful!
Traditional Dance competition in Ollantaytambo.
Me with Condor actor, Inti Raymi actor on the left. Drama production in Quechua in Ollantaytambo.
Traditional Dance competition in Ollantaytambo.

Plants of Peru

I don’t know the name of this flower but it grows wild. It was in bloom everywhere when I arrived but has since faded from the landscape.
These giant cactus tower over the rooftops of the residences that have them.
A familiar sight for a Sonoran Desert dweller. I love how they plant the tops of walls here.
Floriponda tree. My friend, Rocio, said that if you put 3 of the leaves under your pillow at night your dreams will reveal answers to questions you have. I’m a vivid dreamer so it didn’t seem to have a different effect. Fun to see what would happen anyway.
I love all the colors here!
Air ferns.
Succulents in the garden.
Calla Lilies and the view from the garden.
Pine trees – They look like a Dr. Seuss collection of pines.
Eucalyptus trees everywhere. Not native but plentiful here.

Cusco, Peru

Church built on the foundation of Inca architecture.
Modern building on Inca architecture foundation.
All modern architecture in Inca style.
City flag, Cusco.
Plaza de Armas.
Plaza de Armas.
Plaza de Armas.
Plaza de Armas.
Qorikancha, The Golden Temple from Quechua, was the capital of the Empire.
Me with a massive marionet puppet that was part of the Inti Raymi (Sun God) festival.

Coming Soon! Blog updates and posts starting June 23, 2023.

5 thoughts on “Arquetopia Peru”

  4. I am so grateful you have this opportunity! These photos are wonderful. I’m looking forward to seeing your art. Love and miss you.

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