The Ruins of Sipan and Pimentel
I headed further north along the coast to the relatively affluent town of Chiclayo from where I visited the Sipan ruins (Moche 200 BC to AD 850), the pyramids and tomb of a royal Moche, now referred to as the Lord of Sipan. My photos of the tomb were taken in a rush, as phototaking was not permitted (slap wrist), but it is a replica that shows exactly what they found in the tombs and I wanted to share it with you….. you realise that I´m implicating all of you in my crime! (;
After visiting the ruins I went for a stroll into the village of Sipan where I was greeted warmly by all the villagers and was invited to join a family for fried fish and chicha (a traditional drink made of yellow maize). We chatted and laughed for hours until I realised that I should be getting back. It was quite a touching experience - these were very poor people and wanted nothing in return, only to learn about my country and to leave me with a good impression of its people. The sister of Eugenio had contracted Yellow Fever as a child due to not having been properly vaccinated. She has been paralised from the waist down ever since she was 4 years old. However this hasn´t stopped her from having her own little shop and being a very positive person! I was deeply impressed by the whole experience! I only wished I could have offered them more in return than buying a few practical things from their shop and the very modest keepsakes that I whipped out from nowhere (just plain hairbands for the two women and a lighter for the man). I had nothing else with me. They appreciated them anyway.
I hadn´t yet had enough of the beach and the ceviche so headed off for the coastal village of Pimentel, where my very-keen-to-impress hostel owner treated me to a room upgrade with a stunning view of the ocean. I could have stayed a whole lot longer than just one night!
Click here for the photos.
DISTANCE TRAVELLED (OVERLAND) SINCE USHUAIA: 25,782KM
After visiting the ruins I went for a stroll into the village of Sipan where I was greeted warmly by all the villagers and was invited to join a family for fried fish and chicha (a traditional drink made of yellow maize). We chatted and laughed for hours until I realised that I should be getting back. It was quite a touching experience - these were very poor people and wanted nothing in return, only to learn about my country and to leave me with a good impression of its people. The sister of Eugenio had contracted Yellow Fever as a child due to not having been properly vaccinated. She has been paralised from the waist down ever since she was 4 years old. However this hasn´t stopped her from having her own little shop and being a very positive person! I was deeply impressed by the whole experience! I only wished I could have offered them more in return than buying a few practical things from their shop and the very modest keepsakes that I whipped out from nowhere (just plain hairbands for the two women and a lighter for the man). I had nothing else with me. They appreciated them anyway.
I hadn´t yet had enough of the beach and the ceviche so headed off for the coastal village of Pimentel, where my very-keen-to-impress hostel owner treated me to a room upgrade with a stunning view of the ocean. I could have stayed a whole lot longer than just one night!
Click here for the photos.
DISTANCE TRAVELLED (OVERLAND) SINCE USHUAIA: 25,782KM
posted by Louise Parmenter at 10:06 pm
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