Pirwa – Page 75 – Pirwa Hostels BLOG

A Peculiar Breed:The Dancing Stallions of Peru Compete This April

April 10, 2013 Pirwa

Lima’s annual National Show and Competition is a major event in local cultural life, garnering a festival-like atmosphere and lasting a week each April. This year, the Official Peruvian Paso Horse contest will take place from April 14th through April 21st. As always, the site will be Mamacona Fair Center just south of Lima (near Pachacamac Archeological Complex).

Daily competitions are followed by evening concerts and other events celebrating the Peruvian coastal, or Criollo, culture. Highlights include a closing parade and prize ceremony accompanied by folkloric dancers and music as well as a food fair, and the 5^th National Marinera on Horse & Foot Competition.

The compact Peruvian Stepping horse, more commonly referred to as the Peruvian Paso horse, is unique in the equine world- rather than the standard trot, it employs a peculiar parallel 4-beat sidestepping which aficionados know as the paso llano, or ambladura, the art of the synchronized gait mastered by breeders and riders known as Chalánes. The singular breed is the result of isolation along the desert coast of Peru and a 400 year process of selectively breeding Spanish and Berber horse breeds brought to the country during the Conquest.

The horses’ natural rhythm has won it popularity not only as a show horse, but also a dance partner… in shows and competitions throughout Peru, riders on horseback couple with women on foot in Marinera shows. It is the paso llano which gave rise to the Marinera, Peru’s national dance. Even the costumes worn by dancers are reminiscent of the chalán riders, comprising the saddle and its trimmings, white shirt and trousers, straw hat, vicuña poncho, handkerchief, boots and spurs.

If you’re interested in catching a glimpse of this side of Lima’s social year, you can arrange to be picked up in Miraflores, Lima (the most popular district for travelers to use as a base for their visit to the capital, and the neighborhood where both Pirwa Inclan B&B and Pirwa Prada Backpackers are located) for a ranch visit to learn about the horses and their history and training before continuing on to the National Contest. Ranches that participate in this sort of outing generally include lunch or dinner depending on the schedule (last year, departures were at 10am and 3pm).

For more info on this and other events and outings, don’t forget that Pirwa Travel Service has information counters in both of our hostels in Miraflores. Because we have locations in Lima, Cusco, Puno, Arequipa, Nazca, Machu Picchu, and La Paz, our travel specialists can assist with transport, entrances, treks, and tours throughout Peru and Bolivia.

Check out the following video (set to begin at 7:20s) for a close view of the special gait of the Peruvian Paso Horses:

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Don’t Miss the Colorful Fiesta del Gran Poder in La Paz

April 4, 2013 Pirwa

The dates are set: this year, the Fiesta del Gran Poder (Festival of the All Powerful) festival will fall on Saturday, May 25^th. Aside from Carnaval, this is the city’s biggest celebration of the year- if you’re traveling through South America in May, do what you can not to miss it!

The festival’s roots lie in a painting of the holy trinity with Indian or mestizo features, painted by an unknown artist in the early 17^th century and donated by a novice nun to a La Paz convent upon her entrance to the institution. Over the centuries, the painting would change hands many times while the 2nd figure in its composition, Christ the All Powerful, acquired a reputation for granting miracles. In the 1930s, a church was founded in its name. Over the ensuing decades, a celebration which began as a modest candlelit procession and a few dancers evolved into a huge festival with a riotous street party feel and more than 60,000 performers organized into associations representing La Paz’s neighborhoods and groups.

Brightly attired dancers and musicians take part in parades and processions with representations of the image, showcasing the Bolivian folkloric culture. Many dancers wear voluminous Andean skirts and click matracas along to the music. Others don historically-inspired Conquistador, Inca, slave, and indigenous costumes. Each set of dancers is preceded and followed by its own brass bands.

In spite of costumes averaging 25.5kg, performers continue for 5 hours, following a route along the city’s central streets (in the popular zone) en route to the Hernando Siles stadium. Dancers hope that by promising to perform 3 years, their wishes will be granted by the miraculous image.

Bolivia has a strong folkloric tradition boasting iconic dances such as the Diablada (Devil’s Dance), reminiscent of when Bolivian miners would give coca leaf and other offerings to a diabolical figure- the mines’ guardian- in exchange for safe passage. Another popular dance is the Morenada (Dance of the Black Slave), with exaggerated masks and barrel-shaped attire. Costumes are unique to each dance; for example, in the Waca Takhoris (Dancing Bulls), dancers don the stuffed head and dried pelt of a bull, while many female Tinku dancers wear hats strewn with ribbons.

Travelers’ Tips

Banks will be closed, so make sure you have what you need beforehand.
Book your lodging in La Paz early to avoid escalating prices or unavailability.
Streets around the city center will be closed and congestion will be high- move around by foot if possible.
Stake out a spot early along the route. If you don’t mind paying, you can buy a seat in the stadium.
Be wary of pickpockets- secure cash and small electronics in inner pockets and take care of them.
Study up: Check out our earlier posts for info on crossing the Peru – Bolivia border and preventing altitude sickness.
At La Paz’s high altitude, don’t forgo the sun protection!

Find Pirwa La Paz!

Visit our hostel in La Paz we offer a variety of economical shared dorms with enough space for you and all of your travel mates!

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Lima Backpackers: Spending Valentine’s Day in the City of Kings

February 13, 2013 Pirwa

The popularity of Valentine’s Day in Peru (where you’ll most likely hear it referred to as Día del Amor) is still on the rise, with exorbitantly priced roses flooding the marketplaces. Last year, February 14^th was declared a national holiday- although it was in recognition of Puno’s famous Virgin of Candelaria Festival rather than everyone’s favorite Hallmark holiday. Many hotels, restaurants, and agencies offer over the top expensive packages for the occasion, but for those of you currently on the road, we thought we’d give a quick primer on Lima for Backpacking Couples.

Among the city’s neighborhoods, Miraflores and Barranco are solid choices. Miraflores, with its long walkway along the seaside cliffs and its many parks and gardens, is often referred to as the greenest area in Lima. One obvious stop is Parque de Amor (Love Park), which opened in Valentine’s Day 1993 and can be instantly recognized by its large statue of two lovers, The Kiss. Surrounding the statue are brightly tiled walls reminiscent of Gaudi and covered in evocative Spanish literary quotes that are fun to peruse for the bookish among us, such as Alberto Vega’s “My dream is a lost island”. The park boasts an unbeatable view of the Pacific Ocean, making it popular with couples wanting to watch the sun set over the sea. Many brides also visit the park while taking their wedding photos. On Valentine’s Day, many couples visit the park to compete in the Longest Kiss contest.

Love Park is part of El Malecón Cisneros, a six-mile stretch of parks along a path following the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Strolling the walkway is a pleasant, and not to mention free, way of getting to know Lima. Even better, and still a nice budget choice, is to bike it, so if you’re up for some nice scenery and a little exercise, think about renting a bicycle. If you crave a little more excitement, just a few minutes further up from the Parque del Amor is the jump-off site for Parasailing, where you can fly tandem with experienced parasailing guides. Also, as its summertime in Lima, you can arrange for a Surfing lesson, which range from US$10-$20, or rent some equipment.

Miraflores also has the most lively park in Lima, Kennedy Park, which is always bustling with people, artists, musicians playing creole music, jugglers, and other street performers. Expect lots of the surrounding bars and clubs to be celebrating, such as Barbilonia Bar with its “Power Ballads” night, although most do have covers. Just beware the roving rose sellers should you choose to kick back in the park for a while.

You’ll find both of Pirwa’s hostels in Lima a short walk from Kennedy Park, Pirwa Inclan B&B and Pirwa Prada Backpackers. Not only are we ideally located in what most consider to be the best base from which to explore Lima, the neighborhood of Miraflores, but we’re also close to a variety of Valentine’s options!

The neighborhood right next to Miraflores is Lima’s most bohemian and artistic, Barranco, right next to Miraflores. The streets of this small neighborhood are probably the most colorful and charming of all of Lima. If you find yourself passing through, do plan to make a stop at another landmark born of Valentine’s Day, the wooden Bridge of Sighs, which spans the Bajada de Baños, a stone walkway descending to the beach. Dining in Chala with a view of the Bridge of Sighs and the ocean even made Time’s list of 10 Things to do in Lima, but unfortunately most area restaurants should be booked up by now, so seaside dining might not be an option. If Chala’s a no go, don’t fear- the area is packed with restaurants and bars. And, if you need a little relationship help, keep this in mind: the legend is that if you can walk across the Bridge of Sighs for the first time without taking a breath, your wishes will come true…

Although it looks like there aren’t as many activities on offer this year as last, the Magical Water Circuit at Reserve Park will be putting on another show, beginning with puppets for the kids at 6pm before transitioning into concerts for the adults. A detailed program hasn’t been made available, although the coordinated light, laser, and music show at Fantasia Fountain generally takes place at 7:15pm, 8:15pm, and 9:30pm. Entrance to the park is S/4.00 (soles).

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National Pisco Sour Day Celebrations Around Peru

January 31, 2013 Pirwa

Peru’s National Pisco Sour Day is coming up this weekend- as it always falls on the first Saturday of each February, it will fall on Febr0.

We haven’t been able to locate information regarding Cusco’s celebrations, but we’ll definitely be offering special prices at Pirwa Colonial Backpackers’s bar.

Or, if you feel like staying in and testing your bartending skills, take advantage of the guest kitchens available in all of our hostel locations to experiment a bit. Here’s a classic pisco sour preparation for starters:

For 1 large (8oz) cocktail, or 2 small cocktails, mix 3oz of pisco, 1oz of lime juice, 1oz of simple syrup, and 1 egg white in a cocktail shaker. Add ice to fill and shake vigorously, then strain into a glass and sprinkle 2 to 3 drops of Angostura bitters on top of the foam.

Left to Right: Enjoying a drink and checking out the tip jar at the bar in Pirwa Colonial in Cusco, and making Pisco Sours for a crowd at Pirwa Lima during New Year’s Eve.

Lima: This year’s Pisco Sour Festival will take place at Alameda Chabuca Granda Park from February 1^st through 3^rd. There will be free tastings as well as 2 for 1 deals, for the traditional pisco sour as well as for its modern variations such as those featuring aguaymanto, mango, chicha morada, maracuyá and camu-camu from the jungle. Shows and concerts will also highlight Limeño culture, including Marinera dances. There will also be an exhibit detailing the pisco production process, with more than 20 pisco producers from all over the country.

On Saturday February 2^nd there will be a walking tour known as the Pisco Route, a circuit of taverns, restaurants and other traditional sites for learning about the history and fabrication of the national cocktail, sampling the cocktails, and visiting some of the city’s emblematic buildings. It will begin at 3:00pm at Hotel Bolívar and finish at Hotel Maury, both within the Cercado de Lima, the historical center of Lima. (One can sign up at the Office of Touristic Information at Pasaje Los Escribanos 145, in the center of Lima.)

If you’re interested in Pub Crawling or visiting some of Lima’s bars, stop by reception at Pirwa Inclan B&B or Pirwa Prada Backpackers and we’ll see if we can get a group together!

Arequipa: Expect a variety of festivities at Arequipa’s day-long festival on February 1^st in the city’s main square, during which 6,000 glasses of the national drink will be distributed free of charge.

Ica: Ica will celebrate on February 2^nd with a parade of floats, dancers, and musicians along Avenida Municipalidad, the entirety of Bolívar Street, and Avenida Cutervo, later entering into the Ica Fairground. At the fairground there will be free tastings, shows, contests, a food festival and wine fair, a presentation of Peruvian Paso Horses and a communal toast.

Trujillo: Trujillo is expecting around 5,000 to attend their 9^th Gastronomic Festival on February 2^nd at 11am, stands with Pisco Sours and traditional stews and other dishes. There’s an optional S/1 entry cost which entitles visitors to one small glass of pisco sour.

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Desserts, Parades & Concerts: Celebrate the Founding Anniversary of Lima!

January 17, 2013 Pirwa

Lima’s all abuzz at the moment with the celebration of the 478 ^th anniversary of city’s Spanish founding.

Those of you with a sweet tooth will definitely want to stop by Mega Plaza commercial center, where the Limeño Dessert Festival will be continuing until this Sunday the 20^th. The event showcases the traditional treats of Old Lima. From 1pm to 9pm, you can sample some of the city’s best sweets and deserts while also enjoying some traditional dance shows.

What should you try? Some of the most popular are the Suspiro a la Limeña (a pudding and meringue combo), Mazamorra Morada (a purple corn pudding), Arroz con Leche (rice pudding), Picarones (pumpkin fritters in syrup), and Alfajores Limenos (sandwich cookies).

Some domestic cooking stars will be present- the recent winner of the Peru Sweets Festival in the Traditional Stewed Sweets category, Alberto Fernandez Villalobos, a Mistura 2012 Winner in the category of best Alfajor, Gustavo Avalos Vildoso, and the 2012 Presidente de la República winne3r in the category of the best King Kong Lambayecano, Efraín Macassi Mandujano.

After you’ve filled up on some treats, think about making your way to the Plaza Central, Lima’s Main Square. From 3pm this afternoon through 1am tomorrow morning, well-known rock, cumbia, Peruvian Creole and Andean musicians will take part in the traditional serenade to Lima.

The roster includes Peru’s “First Guitar”, Oscar Avilés, internationally renowned singer Eva Ayllón, Eusebio “Chato” Grados, the Hermanos Yaipén cumbia group, rocker Micky González, Teresa Palomino dance group, Kilomba, Bareto, Olodum Afro Perú, the Gaytán Brothers, Lucy Avilés, the Municipal Folkloric Ballet, and Camaguey Orchestra.

Aside from the musical spectacle, catch the colorful float parade along the central streets of Lima, and the fireworks show later in the evening as well.

If you can’t make it to today’s concert, there will be another chance to see some of the featured artists Friday the 18^th at Huáscar de Villa El Salvador Park from 2:30pm on, Saturday the 19^th at Sinchi Roca de Comas, and Sunday the 20^th at Huiracocha Park in San Juan de Lurigancho.

If you have any questions, stop by reception at either of our two locations in Lima for advice on where to go and what to try in Lima. Not only is our knowledgeable staff is eager to make you feel at home, but both Pirwa Inclan B&B and Pirwa Prada Backpackers are located in the most popular neighborhood for travelers, Miraflores, just a couple of blocks from the always lively Kennedy Park!

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