Sat Day 19
After an early night, after the train ride, we were feeling better having now slept at a lower altitude for our bodies to acclimatise but this still leaves us breathless if we move too quickly.
After a shower it is time fro breakfast at Coqui’s which was recommended by guide books.
We have decide that should go and visit an archaeological site (Huari-Huilca civilisation) at Huari which at the height of its time was the centre of the Huari nation. For ease we took a taxi fro about £3.
We found the site without any problem and whilst walking around the outside wall we found a back entrance, the front being locked. What was striking was the double wall and the fact that the inner wall had, what can only describes as a roof. After walking around taking hotos we left by the front door and went to the attached Museum.
It was a pity that we had not done things the other way round as we learnt that it was a sacred house that the first Huari couple had found water and the 2 trees inside represented the first male and female to find the water and live there from which the rest of the tribe evolved.
It was significant that very little has been found of the civilisation and the few fragments of pottery are on display in the museum. There was a skeleton of a young woman found outside of the walls and looking at her crushed skull and broken pelvisi t is supposed that she was killed in punishment rather than as a sacrifice from the way in which the body was found. As with all Peruvian civilisations they never developed a written language so much is speculation.
Later we return to Huancayo to sit in the main plaza and watch the people go by before finding restaurant for a late lunch.
Sun Day 20
As we went to breakfast at Coqui’s it was evident something was different as all the traffic was being diverted of the road to the square that we had to walk through to get to the restaurant. From what we could see there was going to be some sort of parade so after a hastily eaten meal we returned to the square. There were units of the military, police, children in school uniform, nurses and civilians along with a military band. The dignitaries duly arrived and the Peruvian flag was hoisted as the national anthem was played followed by what looked like the Town flag and then the district flag.
There was a march passed started by the military and police but what was unusual was the school children marching. All the other groups followed and after about 30 minutes it was all over. However, some of the groups performed an activity and one such group a couple danced the local dance in local costume.
Almost on cue out of the corner of my eye I saw a group of people brightly dressed. We wondered over to the other side of the square to find at least 6 groups in various colours. The guys were very elaborately dressed with rings of bells tied to their legs and the girls in very short circular skirts. They were congregating there to demonstrate their local dress before performing their way to the local stadium fro a competition which we would miss as were going of to a Pargue followed by a late lunch and to sit in the square to watch the world go by – again!!
The Parque de la Identidad in which the statues and animals are made of stone. Also it is a popular place for the wedding photographers to bring the bride and groom for photographs.
To morrow we return to Lima.
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