La Cruz de Chanchamayo

July 12, 2015

Yesterday was Sunday so we had the day off. I had some me-time after breakfast and headed off walking up random streets behind town, hoping to find my way up to the cross at the top of the big hill you can see from town.

The end result was me getting sweaty and finding a bunch of dead ends.

But then I ran into my boss and his kids and after having juice with them in town (its just something you do here) he directed me to the proper staircase. Way too many steps and a not too long walk up a very steep road I found the top, the bathroom, and the cross.

So many steps

 It's rather impressive, and each diamond has a light bulb that comes on at night.

There's a couple other crosses and an alter at the top too.

The altar

The lady inside the altar, with some lovely flowers

There was a lovely breeze and a great view from the top. Several families came by while I was there and it seems to be a popular spot for teenage couples too. Also an old guy with a really floofy little dog.

View from the top of the cross

The La Merced church seen from way up high, and Rio Chanchamayo behind it

I stayed there sitting in the shade of the cross for several hours enjoying the day and watching the countryside burn.



I learned later from our small friend Jordan (explanation to follow) that it was burning pineapple fields to ready it for the next planting. Bright red flames were visible along the fire line and I had fun watching the progress.

Progress of the burned spots

Jordan was a kid that Shay acquired on her way up to meet me. We talked with him for a bit, he discovered the camera on her phone and went a bit crazy with it. We also have some gems of random video now.

I've found kids to be at the center of many of the most fun and memorable experiences in other countries. They are so curious and silly and don't have such judgemental looks when the language barrier springs up and you utterly fail at saying something.

Shay and I bought a fresh avocado and two buns for S/.1.50 total (~50 cents) cut the avocado and buns in half and each had a sandwich. Best possible end to the day ever.