We got to coporoque on the right bank of the Colca river early in the afternoon. We met Josephine who would be preparing our lunch then hiked up to some pre inca tombs.
View from about half way up the hike. We were glad we had been walking and hiking at home to prepare for this trip. This was a pretty steep climb for us. Jarley classified it as easy. Not sure I can agree.
Us with a tomb on the background. There are still bones and artifacts in the tombs. The local people consider them their ancestors and still venerate them.
A skull. These Tombs are from pre inca people who shaped their skulls by wrapping them when they are babies. You can see that this skull is elongated.
His skull cap even more.
When we hiked back down Josephine had lunch ready. We started with corn potatoes cheese and onion relish. It was delicious. She also prepared quinoa soup and Loma Saltado. It was all delicious. Josephine's husband, oswaldo, joined us. Later their 11year old son George joined us when he got home from schools. George, like teenagers everywhere, pulled out a cell phone as soon as he got home. Josephine told us about many holidays they celebrate. She seem d to really enjoy the many community get togethers. Oswald seemed to be not so interested. Though he supports his wife. Josephine told about an annual ceremony where they sprinkle vicuna blood in a circle. Jarley seemed dismayed since vicuna are protected. Josephine said they know but they still do it.
We asked about things like schools and medicine. They said in their village kids can go to school thru sixth grade in coporoque. They can travel to Chivay about a half hour away to attend high school. They said they have medical doctors around but sometimes they use traditional medicine too. They said that llama fetus are important in traditional medicine. Josephine said that when someone gets sick and can't seem to get better they will call a shaman who can perform a ceremony involving a black guinea pig. Apparently the cuy is supposed to absorb the sickness then die. We asked if she had had this performed on her. She said no but she has seen. Then jarley and Gonzalo admitted they had family members who recovered after having this treatment. Very interesting.
We asked about life in the valley. Josephine says they love it there. They are blessed by God. The land is very fertile. It is very beautiful.
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