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Lord of the Miracles in Lima on October 18-28

October 19, 2011 Pirwa

Celebration of the “Black Christ”

Doña Pepa's Turron: Exuberantly Decorated but Still Delicious

Today kicks off the Feast of the Lord of Miracles in Lima, one of Peru’s most revered religious festivities. Its main ceremony is the procession through the streets of Lima, the largest in South America. During this 24-hour procession 1000s of purple-clad believers follow those carrying the icon on a 2-ton litter resting on the shoulders of faithful who carry it in short shifts before passing the load onto the next group.

As they make their wayfrom the church ofLas Nazarenas, crossing downtown Lima, to the church of La Merced in Barrios Altos, singers, dancers, and vendors strew the streets with flowers. The streets fill with vendors of a wide variety of typical dishes and sweets, such as the famous Turrón de Doña Pepa, a sticky anise-flavored sweet. Its creator was a black slave, Josefa Marmanillo (Doña Pepa), who believed that her devotion to the Lord of Miracles returned to her the use of her arms and hands. It’s the signature treat of October and despite its… different… appearance, is delicious- we recommend giving it a try!

Lima’s bullfighting season in October and November is named after and held in honor of the Lord of Miracles, with the best bullfighters in the world gathering in Lima’s 200 year old bullring (the 2^nd oldest in the world) to compete.

Humble Origins

Africans in Peru, slaves as well as free, were allowed to form guilds which managed altars or chapels and served for baptisms, meetings, wakes, and sometimes economic assistance. Around 1651 the Pachamamilla guild was founded and in its seat, on one of the crude adobe walls of the slave quarters, a black angolan slave or freedman painted the famous image. Four years later 1655 a devastating earthquake shook Lima and Callao, tumbling temples, mansions, and houses, with thousands dead and injured. Pachacamilla was leveled but for the wall with the Christ painting. Meetings and masses began to be held at the image, now considered miraculous, despite the disapproval of authorities as the gatherings grew in size. The painting survived numerous attempts to erase it, another earthquake of astonishing destructive power in 1746 and subsequent tidal wave. The Church of Las Nazarenas was built around the image and a replica made for the procession, which has been held every year since the 1746 earthquake.

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Pirwa Arequipa Grand Opening!!

October 10, 2011 Pirwa

This week Pirwa opened its new Arequipa location, Pirwa Park Hostel Arequipa! Housed in a renovated colonial home in Arequipa’s famous historical center, which was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO thanks to the distinctive architecture that earned Arequipa the nickname the “The White City”. We’re just 3 short blocks from the main square, Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas, meaning that you’ll be close to quality restaurants and cafes, major tourist attractions, and exciting bars and clubs.

Meet travelers from around the world and let our friendly staff make you feel at home during your travels in the city and its surroundings. After a day of exploration and discovery in Arequipa, come back to our relaxing familial hostel to enjoy the sunny climate on our rooftop patio, challenge a fellow traveler to some tabletop football in the movie lounge, or fix yourself a meal in the self-catering kitchen. At Pirwa, we try to anticipate all of your needs to ensure that you get the most out of your Arequipa adventure.

Our economic Arequipa hostel offers double and triple rooms with private bathrooms and cable TV, or spacious 5- or 6-person dormitories with shared bathrooms. No matter which room type you select, you’ll enjoy bright, spacious rooms with comfortable beds and hot water 24 hours a day.

Don’t pay more when you can have the comfort, security, entertainment options, and all of the free extras and quality service you expect from Pirwa!

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Backpacker Tips: Bus Travel in Peru

October 4, 2011 Pirwa

Going in (Relative) Comfort

On the Bus — 1 hour down, 20 hours to go

Flying carries little backpacker street cred, and buses are so much more affordable, so during your travel planning stage it’s probably occurred to you that you’ll be taking a bus or two as you hop from city to city. With more expensive companies like Cruz del Sur, you can look forward to some help during your twenty-hour sit-fest: snacks, some coffee or tea, blankets and pillows, movies. But for those of you opting for budget buses or mid-range options, make sure to pack smart, because this is where you’ll test your backpacker mettle:

Toiletries There’s usually a stop along the way designed for you to be able to stretch your legs and buy overpriced food and snacks. This is your chance to bust out your soap and toothbrush so that you can

2 hours down!...19 hours to go

arrive in your destination city in a slightly-less-shameful state. For the rest stop and for the bus bathroom, bring your own toilet paper. In fact, for almost anywhere you go, bring your own toilet paper, because if you’re backpacking, it won’t be anywhere that you are.
Small Bag This is where you store the things you don’t want to worry about losing, in a bag small enough to fit under the seat. There’ll be storage for larger bags.
Ear Plugs I like to go to bed very late or wake up very early before traveling (oh fine, I have to do this because I don’t pack), because the more I can sleep on the bus the faster it’ll go. If there are movies you can sit back and let the western movies and 80’s action flicks make the time pass. If not, consider earplugs, because hours upon hours of Andean music can grate after a while no matter what your tastes.
Change for Snacks/Rest Stop Bathrooms No one wants to change your bills, so bring coins and avoid the hassle.
Clothing for All Weather Since many trips are in the 12-20 hour range, you’ll be treated to hot days and cold nights. My first bus in Peru was Lima to Cusco with a roof-top window that couldn’t close…friendly local passengers better prepared than I offered a blanket to help me through it. During subsequent trips I prepared for the worst with sweaters galore and was treated to a sauna. Prepare for both extremes, and if you bought some Andean blankets or such for souvenirs, this is a good time to have them with you.
Snacks and Drinks Some buses will give you snacks, some won’t. Regardless, take some things with you if you’re not up for buying papas rellenas and other street fare during bus stops. (Remember if you’re not accustomed to local food yet, you might be apt to get ill from food bought off street vendors, as someone who’s gotten food poisoning several times and in several varieties, I can attest that the 20-hour trip makes it all that much worse.

Pirwa Nazca Hammocks — We made it to Pirwa in Nazca! (More Leg Room)

Remember that Pirwa Hostels have in-house travel agencies in every local, so if you need help choosing a company or planning your routes, feel free to stop by and get some information. Pirwa has hostels and B&Bs in Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, Nazca, Machu Picchu, and Puno, and for those of you traveling around the country there are deals for staying with us throughout- For example, if you stay with us in each of our cities, you’ll get a free night’s stay in whichever of those cities you choose! Check our page to keep up to date on our promotions.

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Cusco Nightlife: Best Bars & Clubs in Cusco!

September 23, 2011 Pirwa

The rowdy night scene in Cusco contrasts sharply with the stately colonial atmosphere of the daytime. In the city´s lively bars and clubs backpackers, nationals, and locals can all party together. The closeness of the bars and clubs, the biggest of which are mostly all around the Main Square, means travelers can´t resist going with the old-school pub-crawl. We know a lot about it ourselves, having started the original Cusco hostel pub crawl lo those years ago! The happy folks at left are waiting for you at Pirwa’s Bar in Pirwa Colonial Backpackers hostel in Plaza San Francisco if you’re looking for a place to start….maybe they can even tell you the backstory about some of the pub crawl photos illustrating the post…

San Blas Hotspots

7 Angelitos- Best Mojitos
San Blas hotspot with live music every night- ranging from local Andean fusion bands to retro funk DJs- and the best mojitos in Cusco. (Calle Siete Angelitos 638, San Blas)

KM 0- Where to Hook-up!
Live music from Jazz to Rock to Andean fusion and happy hours that are infamous for occasioning hookups. (Calle Tandapata 100, San Blas)

Wachuma- Party with the Rastafaris
Reggae-loving DJ in the early hours, live music from around midnight on, and a laid-back relaxed atmosphere with low tables and big cushions in the upstairs area which will make it hard for you to get back up! (Hatun Rumiyoc 480, San Blas)

Plaza Hotspots: Bars & Clubs

Ukuku’s Bar & Club- Best Live Music Okay, I lie- it’s a tiny bit out of the Plaza, you have to turn the corner of Plateros and walk half a block, but it’s worth it. If the omnipresent-electronica beats start to bore you, head to brightly-colored Ukuku’s boasts a large dance floor and variety of live music and shows every night- alternative, Afro-Peruvian, jazz, latin, reggae, Andean fusion, rock, pop, techno, soul, and more. Open ‘till five in the morning, with a pizza bar for when your energy flags. Grab a flyer from the girls in front and on the corner and get in free. (Calle Plateros 316, 2nd floor)

Mushrooms Lounge Bar
If you can grab one of the booths overlooking the Plaza, Mushrooms Lounge Bar, with its fungi-centric design is a good place to chill and play some pool. Excellent cocktails, and as soon as you have some drinks in you only need to stumble one floor up to find yourself in Mama Africa for some dancing! (Portal de Panes 109, Plaza de Arma)

Mama Africa One of the most popular clubs in Cusco. Grab a flyer from the jaladores out front and on the corner and get in free befote 11pm- after 11pm there’s a S/10 cover with drink. Groove to an international dance mix of reggae, latin, techno, and rock with travelers and locals alike. The party here tends to get started late…there’s an 8:00-9:30pm Happy Hour, but you’ll be waiting around for quite a while before people start arriving! Corner of Calle Triunfo and Santa Catalina (Portal de Harinas 191- Left of the Cathedral)

For the Rugby Fans!: The Plaza Pubs

Cross Keys
For a taste of England in Peru, stop by here for your sports, darts, or pool needs. Grab a balcony seat, some pub grub and some beers and commisserate with some of Cusco’s expat community. Happy hour is 6-7pm and 9-9:30pm- it’s only open until 1am, so you’ll need to relocate if you were planning on a late night. (Confiturias 233, Plaza de Armas, facing the cathedral)

Paddy Flaherty’s Another lively spot for watching rugby and other sports with some beer and junk food. This is another cozy pub that’s only open until 1am so switch to one of the Plaza bars or clubs if you want to hold on until the sun comes up. (Triunfo 124, Plaza de Armas, right of the Cathedral)

Out of the Plaza (But Close by…): Find the Party!

Fallen Angel

This campy restaurant and bar features a wild decor that includes bathtubs filled with fish and topped with glass for the tables and red and black sofas with heart pillows. Get there by climbing the narrow street from the Plaza de Armas as if you were heading to San Blas or to see the 12-angled stone- it’s the first little plaza you’ll cross. (Plaza de Nazarenas 221)

Kamikase One of the first nightclubs in Cusco with funky decor, live music ranging from Spanish rock to reggae, a 2-level bar, and nightly drink specials. A little less crowded than some of the other clubs and as many locals as gringos come here to party. Plaza a Regocijo is the little plaza right next to the Plaza de Armas, so you’re not going to far out. Happy hour 8:30 – 9:30 pm and live music begins at 11pm. (Plaza Regocijo 274, second floor)

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Tourism Week & the Independence Festival of Pisco (Sept 1-14)

September 8, 2011 Pirwa

In Pisco the city’s Tourism Week (actually two weeks) celebrations, meant to promote the main attractions of the province, continue. Throughout the coming week there’ll be art and food fairs, outdoor concerts, parades, Pisco brandy and wine tastings and competitions, Peruvian Paso horse shows, cockfights, and the International Sandboarding Competition.

There’ll be a parade today through the Main Square of Pisco, as it’s the anniversary of the landing of the United Armies of the Andes under the command of General San Martín to Paracas Bay. Four thousand Chilean, Argentinean, and Peruvian troops disembarked and headed to Pisco, where they set up General Headquarters near the main square from which they would launch the first battles of the Wars of Independence, clashing with Royalists throughout the nation over the following years until finally declaring Peru an independent nation.

How to Get to Pisco

Pisco is about 4 hours south of Lima by car on the Panamerican Highway, in the Department of Ica. Since it’s such a short trip, travelers usually get to Pisco by bus. by Contact Pirwa Travel if you’d like assistance arranging transport. If you’re staying at one of Pirwa’s Hostels in the Miraflores district of Lima, just stop by the in-house travel desk and get answers to all your travel questions.

While You’re There….

Grab a windbreaker, hat, and sunscreen and make your way to Paracas Bay and grab a motorboat to the Ballestas Islands to view the colonies of diving Humboldt Penguins, lazing fur seals and playful sea lions, and a great variety of sea birds that make their home among the grey, red, and sand-colored rocky outcrops collectively known as the Ballestas, carved into elegant twisting tunnels, arches and caves by water and time. Occasionally dolphins will enter the waters as well, or, with luck, humpback whales. If you’re planning on visiting, remember that Pirwa Travel offers tours of the Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserves.