Thursday, May 22, 2008

Corpus Christi en Cusco



Thousands in the Plaza de Armas. This Catholic holiday in Cusco is an excuse to drink. All the images of the saints of each region of Cusco are brought out and carried to the center of Cusco, the Plaza de Armas. The people dance and play music. And then they set up shop in a corner of one plaza or another and pull out cases and cases of beer. By the time night falls, men and women alike are drunk. This is only the beginning of a series of Catholic holidays that are celebrated here in Cusco.
Funny how the church doors are open ALL day long on this day, but other so called "normal" days, the church doors are closed and even charge people to enter in. How the priests can call such a day "holy" and condone such drunkenness, when they know how alcohol is such a problem in this city, destroying families and ruining lives. We're not against drinking a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. But we do not think it's ok to call drunkenness holy.

On another note, it was a beautiful day! We took Isabella out for a walk in her new stroller. She loved looking at everything. She is such an observant baby.


This is my favorite plaza of Cusco. There are large trees, colorful flowers, beautiful architecture and a lovely fountain.
We sat for a while, taking in the beauty of the day. Isabella watched all the people... and they watched her. Some Peruvians even came up to take pictures of her. I told them, 5 Soles for the picture. It was just a joke, but the truth is, they charge us (foreigners) anytime we take pictures of them or their kids.

Isabella was mesmerized by the water spraying out of the fountain, with the cool misty breeze blowing in her face. She loves being outdoors.

We stood and watched the water for a long time, before it was time to go home.

A woman dancing

A girl fixing the back of a woman's dress

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