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Fiestas Patrias: Celebrating the National Holidays in Peru

July 19, 2011 Pirwa

The National Holidays

Independence Days (two, not one) in Peru are no small matter, thus National Holidays, Fiestas Patrias, is one of the year´s largest celebrations. Streets and buildings are festooned with red and white streamers in preparation, and it all begins on the eve of July 28^th with folkloric and Creole serenades in the plazas and parks. San Martín declared independence in Lima on the 28^th, so that day Lima will rise to a 21 gun salute and flag-raising ceremonies as the recently elected president Ollanta Humala assumes his duties and addresses the nation. On the 29^th the Archbishop will lead a Te Deum mass in the Basilica Cathedral in Lima´s Plaza Mayor and the famous military parade will take place.

A lot of Peruvians use the weeklong vacation to travel within the country or throw festive parties. Throughout Peru there´ll be fairs, bullfights, fireworks, music and folklore shows, street parties, and lots of feasting on traditional regional dishes, all of it to honor national heroes like the Liberators José San Martín and Simón Bolívar and other patriots.

Join in the Celebration!

To get into the holiday spirit, fasten on your Peruvian flag pin, toss about some red and white streamers, lay out your spread of traditional delicious regional dishes such as ceviche, causa, roast guinea pig, stuffed chili peppers, alpaca, or goat stew. You have two drink choices for toasting: The National Drink of Peru, sweet sweet Pisco Sour, or Liberator´s Punch, which Congress in Lima has been toasting independence with ever since the Lima City Council downed it to celebrate their first swearing of independence. Being the most important step, I´ve included the recipes below because, in the end, you don´t really need to choose just one, do you?

Ponche de los Libertadores: Mix together the following: 1oz Pisco, 1oz White Rum, 1oz Golden Rum, 1 oz Algarrobina (Carob Syrup), 1½oz Stout Beer, 1½oz evaporated milk, and 2oz cane syrup, warm it up, and then blend together with 1 egg. Serve hot, garnished with cinammon

Pisco Sour: Blend 7.5oz Pisco, 2.5oz Key Lime Juice and 2.5oz Sugar Syrup (or 3 parts pisco to 1 part lime juice and 1 part sugar syrup) with enough ice to double the volume. Add in 1 egg white and blend some more before serving with a drop of Angostura bitter in each glass.

There are tons of activities to choose from depending on your area:

Cuzco never misses an opportunity to play with explosives, so there´ll be fireworks for days along with street parties filled with local revelers as well as domestic and international travelers, and plenty of drink. The best Cuzco bars and clubs are grouped right next to each other along the Plaza de Armas and its main streets, facilitating the good old-fashioned pub crawl. Pirwa Hostels in Cuzco won´t be competing with the street parties, but we´ll be helping you get started a day early with a Fiestas Patrias Party on July 27^th at Pirwa Colonial in Plaza San Francisco! On the 28^th and 29^th we´ll take it to the streets.

If you´re in Lima you probably started on the 24^th, National Pisco Day and then rode the wave of revelry through to National Holidays. You have the main military parade and other folkloric parades, which will be full of musicians, dancers, and vendors hawking traditional treats, and Ollanta Humala´s first presidential speech, which shouldn´t fail to bring strong reactions on both sides! Try and catch a traditional bullfight, Peruvian Paso Horse Show, or Marienera Limeña dance competition.

In Arequipa you can expect parades to rival Lima´s, with vibrantly costumed dancers and musicians and large exuberant floats. The music and dancing goes through the night, but do take some time to see an Arequipa-style bullfight, which is as it sounds: two bulls fighting!

Throughout the Peruvian North will be the largest livestock and agricultural fairs, which will also include bullfighting, cockfighting and the Peruvian Paso horse shows. If you haven´t seen their distinct circular side-step, make sure to take the opportunity now. Also, catch a Marinera Norteña dance show….in Trujillo, Marinera and Peruvian Paso shows combine as the female dances normally and the male dances on horseback, letting the horse provide the legwork!:

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Spotting Counterfeits & Handling Money in Peru

July 16, 2011 Pirwa

In November of last year, Peru, whose currency is the Nuevo Sol, was named the Counterfeit Cash Capital of the World. Counterfeit money is certainly prevalent enough that travelers should take the precaution of learning how to recognize it. Most fakes are banknotes, although fake S/2.00 and S/5.00 coins are also in circulation. When receiving Peruvian money, always study it briefly before accepting using the Feel, Look, & Tilt method:

Feel: The bill should be printed on 100% cotton “paper”, not normal paper, giving it a unique texture. Run your finger or nail over the name “Central Reserve Bank” and the National Emblem should be printed in relief. This is harder to check for on older bills.

Look: You´re looking for 2 things. The first is the watermark: Hold the bill up against the light and find its watermark- they vary according to the bill but should always be formed by different thicknesses of the paper itself, giving it a sharp and 3D multi-tone look. Fakes are printed on the paper in blurry gray ink and appear flat. The 2nd thing you´re looking for is the security strip: Up against the light you should see “PERU” and the value of the bill (10, 20…) and a shimmering band with the letters “BCRP” and the value again.

Most Importantly…Tilt

Color-Changing Ink: The easiest method is to study the large purple value amount (10, 20, 50…) as you tilt the bill back and forth. The number should change from purple to gold-green.

There´s a “hidden value” box- a slight tilt of the bill should make the bill´s value (10, 20, 50…) appear. (Shown below)

Handling Money in Peru

Would you carry your entire month´s salary with you without taking precautions? Remember that $300 is a perfectly reasonable salary here in Peru, and that although violent crime is rare, theft is not. There´s no need to feel insecure as long as you take a common-sense approach to to handling money while you´re traveling:

Only carry the amount you need for that day or excursion.
Split your money up in as many different pockets as you have, with coins and small notes as your “easy access” money.
No one will accept torn or damaged bills from you, so don’t accept them either unless you feel like going to the bank so they´ll exchange it for you.
S/.200 are rarely accepted so avoid accepting or using them. US$100 are also difficult to use because there are so many fakes in circulation.
Always check for counterfeits!
Get smaller bills or coins whenever you can- taxi drivers or venders are frequently unable or unwilling to make change.

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Expo Sabor Cebiche Perú 2011

July 11, 2011 Pirwa

Callao´s 1^st Annual Ceviche Fair

Preparations are underway for Callao´s 1^st Annual Ceviche Fair, Expo Sabor Cebiche Perú 2001, which will be taking place from the 22^nd-24^th of July on the esplanade of Real Felipe Fort at the Por of Callao. More than 40 of the area´s best-known restaurants will be participating, among them La Pescadería, El Rincón del Ronco, El Mirador, Las Ballestas, El Colorado, and El Cebiche del Rey, as well as some metropolitan Lima establishment. Stands will be judged by the quality of their dishes, service, and atmosphere, with the winner taking home a ticket to the United States to participate in Taste of Perú 2011 in Miami this coming November.

Although ceviche stars, being Peru´s national dish, there´ll be a large variety of sea-food based dishes on the menu, including but not limited to ceviche´s stylish Japanese-influenced little brother, tiradito del rey, corvine fish in nauta sauce, fish skewers, cojinova fish in mushroom fish, and more…You´ll be right on the oceanfront in an area known for offering flavorful and fresh seafood dishes, so no matter what you choose you can´t lose.

While You´re There, Don´t Miss….

The Fair´s site is perfect for sightseeing, as its located at one of Callao´s primary tourist attractions, La Fortaleza de Real Felipe (The Royal Phillip Fort) on the Port of Callao. This pentagonal 18^th century stone fortress was designed to defend against British pirates and privateers in search of gold-laden galleons. The fortress provided refuge of the new government and parliament of Perú in the first years of independence, when Perú was still in the process of throwing off the colonial yoke.

From the port you can take a boat to the rocky outcrops known as the Palomino Islands, about an hour out. From here you´ll be on the other side of the original conflict, as one of these, El Frontón, used to be a refuge for pirates targeting the port before becoming the site of an infamous prison. The island that will take your breath away, however, is San Lorenzo, a natural refuge for sea birds as well as for a sociable sea lion colony 60,000-strong. You´ll also see hundreds of Humboldt Penguins creating a ruckus, though these are shyer than the sea lions. The Palomino Islands are a great alternative for those who can´t fit the Ballestas Islands into their trip.

Remember:

The Port of Callao is a well-frequented and welcoming area, but there are many areas of urban Callao which are not safe for travelers. As such, it bears remembering,

Don´t try wandering around other areas without researching them first
Don´t flaunt your valuables (cameras, mp3s, money belt)
Stay elsewhere, as you don´t need much time to explore the sights here

Pirwa´s Hostels in Lima are all located in the well-heeled and relaxed beachfront Miraflores district, which most agree is the best place for travelers to base themselves when exploring Lima. The area is irresistibly green, with flowery gardens and ample park space. You´ll be within walking distance to the ocean, quality restaurants and sidewalk cafés, the luxe cliffside Larcomar shopping center, and a lively nightlife that offers minimal safety concerns. Miraflores is one of the city´s safest areas, and Pirwa is there offering both backpacker (the Pirwa Prada) and B&B-style (the Pirwa Incan) hostels.

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TODAY: The Centennial Celebrations Begin!

July 7, 2011 Pirwa

Today is the principal day of celebrations related to the Machu Picchu Centennial, so let´s all wish Machu Picchu a Happy Hundred Year Anniversary! Festivities are mostly centered in Machu Picchu and Cusco´s Main Square; you can check the program here. Screens in Cusco´s Main Square will broadcast live the ceremony and musical acts at Machu Picchu, after which the party will continue with concerts and a “light and sound spectacular”. Tomorrow there´s an all-day dance competition in Cusco´s Main Square as well as a Float Parade through the city´s principal streets. Finally, on Saturday, international and Peruvian musicians will be performing in the beer garden.

Despite the fact that families were already living in Machu Picchu when he arrived, and other foreigners had beaten him there as well, for much of the world Machu Picchu came into being when Hiram Bingham stumbled across the great ruins of Machu Picchu in 1911. Thus began a worldwide fascination with the purpose of its construction, the beauty of its walls, and the reason for its abandonment. Hiram Bingham may not have “discovered” Machu Picchu in the strict sense of the word, but he introduced it to the world and perhaps even saved it by giving it a value beyond that which it had for its inhabitants, that of simple base materials for building and farming. Today it´s considered a World Heritage Site and is often referred to as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

“In the variety of its charms and the power of its spell, I know of no place in the world which can compare with it. Not only has it great snow peaks looming above the clouds more than two miles overhead, gigantic precipices of many-colored granite rising sheer for thousands of feet above the foaming, glistening, roaring rapids; it has also, in striking contrast, orchids and tree ferns, the delectable beauty of luxurious vegetation, and the mysterious witchery of the jungle.”

– Hiram Bingham

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Arequipa´s Anniversary Extravaganza

July 1, 2011 Pirwa

Celebrate Arequipa Style!

Each August the famed White City of Arequipa celebrates its founding anniversary in remarkable fashion. The main days are August 11^th to the 14^th, but the party actually begins weeks in advance. There´s a sillar stonework and metalwork contest, an international folklore dance festival, beauty contests, and outdoor musical performances. On the main day, August 15^th, is the main annual parade, the Corso, or Friendship Parade. Get a big hat for the strong desert sun, park a rented lawn chair alongside one of the main streets and watch as brightly costumed folkloric dancers from all the region´s villages and provinces dance by to the beat of clapping hands and marching bands, along with floats, stiltwalkers, musicians, and marchers.

After the parade you can do some sightseeing while cooling off with some ice cream or one of the many treats the street vendors will be hawking, most notably the fried-dough buñuelos and anticucho shishkabobs. The Plaza de Armas will be filled to capacity in the night as musical groups and comedians entertain huge crowds.

The Sights of Arequipa

While you´re in Arequipa, Pirwa´s Travel Service can keep you up to date on the celebrations and give you all the detailed information you need to not feel lost in Peru´s 2^nd most populous city, check online or stop by the travel desk in any of our youth hostels or B&Bs to receive free all the information about area attractions, travel assistance, or tour coordination that you need.

There´s plenty to do in the city and its surroundings:

Admire the countryside´s fertile Inca terraces and the Historical Center´s colonial monuments´ ornate facades of volcanic white sillar.
Explore the intense natural beauty of Arequipa, which is circled by volcanoes, gorges, green valleys, desert dunes and snowy peaks.
Tackle El Misti Volcano, the symbol of Arequipa´s people and culture, for a awe-inspiring look into its crater, grab an ice pick and scale snowy Chacani, or take a thrilling downhill bike trip along their slopes.

Descend into Cotahuasi, the world´s deepest canyon, or Colca Canyon, where endangered Andean Condors, the world´s largest bird of flight, circle.
After your climbs and treks, relax with a visit to the bright orange and blue Moorish-style Convent of Santa Catalina, often described as a walled-in city within a city, or horseback ride in bucolic Sabandia alongside its stately mill and picturesque waterfall.
Don´t miss a visit to the world-famous Ice Maiden, Juanita, whose naturally mummified body was preserved by a glacial snow cap centuries after she was sacrificed by the Inca at 14 years old.

A Relaxing Retreat

If the canyon and volcano treks tire you out, retire to Pirwa for some relaxing downtime. Grab a hammock or deck chair in the patio and read a book from our exchange, admire the view of El Misti from our rooftop terrace, challenge fellow travelers to some friendly pool or ping-pong competitions, update your travel blog with our free wifi, and mingle in the bar, or just catch a movie in the lounge.

Pirwa Arequipa offers comfort, low prices, security, and great locations: Pirwa Hostels Arequipa is in the city´s oldest quarter, the San Lazaro Quarter in the heart of the city´s Historical Center, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000; Pirwa B&B is just a couple minutes´ walk from the Main Square.

Just in time for Arequipa´s Anniversary we´ve got a special STAY 3 NIGHTS, PAY 2 offer for Pirwa Hostels Arequipa and Pirwa B&B- for more info check our promotional offers page and don´t let this great bargain pass you by!

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