The canyons of Peru

Chavin de Huantar

Callejón de Conchucos was the place where the Chavin culture (1000-400 BC) built their most important religious temple, a ceremonial site where they also studied astronomy so they would know when to plant and harvest their fields. Chavin culture is one of the oldest and most important of the Andes region. You can find in this temple an underground labyrinth and a huge sculpture of one of their main gods: Lanzón Monolítico. This place is located just a few hours from Huaráz, Perú (Callejón de Huaylas, Cordillera Blanca). You can take a tour or go by yourself by public transportation. [Photo by Jessica Parra Nowajewski]

Chan Chan City, Peru

On the coastal side of Trujillo in Perú, you can find the old abandoned city of the Chimú (900-1400 AC) culture, an impressive site of just twenty square kilometer. It’s a dusty place, which is being rebuilt and looks like a Hollywood stage surrounded by enormous ancient walls. If you’re lucky, you can see some reminders of the original Chimú sculptures. You can take a tour of the city or go by yourself in a local bus. I recommend the latter, because it’s a very atypical experience that you won’t forget easily. [Photos by Jessica Parra Nowajewski] Read more

Women’s soccer in Peru

The first annual National Soccer Championship for Women of Rural Organizations took place in Peru at Miguel Grau de Callao stadium in 2007. Fourteen teams from different cities were part of this championship, including Ayacucho, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Puno, La Libertad, Cajamarca, Junin and Lima. The team, the Downpour of Cajamarca, ultimately won the tournament, defeating Amazonas 4-0. Read more

San Telmo markets, Buenos Aires

San Telmo is shining. It’s Sunday morning and Plaza Dorrego and Defensa Street are dressed up with old pictures, paintings, music bands, antiques, and more. Claps identify the arrival of tango dancers and bandstands. All kinds of foods are offered by local and international street sellers, adding taste and smells to the market.

Paraty, Brazil

Paraty is a small town in the Costa Verde, midway between Rio and Sao Paulo. The city has a beautiful historic center, very well preserved colonial buildings, and stoned streets — testimony to the golden Portuguese time, when the gold from Minas Gerais was transported to the port of Paraty. In “exchange”, stones arrived via the Portuguese ships. At the east side of the historic center are two beaches and the fort, which are the main attractions. Jabaquara beach is calm and has a lot of kiosks where you can drink Cachaza, the liquor produced in the zone. Just 45 minutes from Paraty is Trindade, a place to chill out, with endless sunshine and great beaches. [Photos by Jessica Parra Nowajewski] Read more

Niteroi, Brazil

A quiet life, good prices and an amazing view of Rio. The sunset is wonderful, and in the afternoon, people meet at the bars on the sidewalk to the rhythm of local samba bands. Icarai beach is beautiful but polluted (though splendid beaches can be found on the Atlantic side of Niteroi). Yet, every Sunday morning, Icarai is full of people walking, running, dancing and drinking Agua de Coco (or coconut milk). [photos by Jessica Parra Nowajewski] Read more