was . Our small group gasped . All I could think about was that this must be Shangri-La . We were standing on a ledge overlooking this “ Lost City of the Inca ” that in 1911 Yale Professor Hiram Bingham , led by a local guide , re-discovered . Then we heard some strange , yet wonderful music and as I turned around to see where it was coming from , there was our guide Fredy playing a wooden flute . Pretty cool .
The Incas , in contrast with the Mayans , had no written language so there is still great speculation about this magical place and how remarkable stonework could be achieved on top of a mountain 8,000 feet high . Why Francisco Pizarro didn ’ t find it from 1529-33 when he was plundering Peru and why it was lost for so many years still remains an enigma .
After leaving Machu Picchu , we were on a bus headed back to Cusco . This was a great experience as the driver made several rest stops allowing us to take photos and meet some people selling locally made handicrafts . Here in the high Andes the women are special . Each village has a unique style of clothing that identifies the wearer as belonging to that region . Ladies dress in layers of bright , colorful traditional Andean outfits , including capes , shawls , embroidered skirts , and wild and crazy hats . I particularly recall an elegant woman standing with her animals in a beautiful pasture . We passed on a very popular delicacy being sold here — fried guinea pig . Now it was back to Lima , a beautiful modern city . There were live dolphins playing in a huge pool that ran through the lobby of our hotel . We did some museum hopping and got some rest before flying on to Santiago . The first thing I remember about this capital city of Chile is that it is big . Like , over 5 million people big with mountains all around it . They have a 14-lane freeway
and smog . Yikes , it ’ s L . A . We were there in March , which is like September here , and when we went to the city center that is called “ Plaza de Armis ” there were many dirty 18-year-olds wearing very tattered clothing running around begging for money . What ’ s going on , I wondered ? I found out they were college freshmen trying to get money so they could buy their regular clothes . When the upper classmates get enough pesos , a grand party is thrown for all . Then it ’ s back to school . As a former professor , I think that sounds fun .
Food-wise we found one thing people in Chile are crazy for and it was everywhere . Called “ Completo ,” it is a hot dog variation with sliced avocados and mayonnaise . It could also have chopped tomatoes , sauerkraut and a thing called Salsa Americana . My wife and I found it not half bad , but back at home when I tried it on my grandchildren , it was no deal . Hot dogs with avocado and mayo , try it .
While in Chile we visited a very interesting old port city about 75 miles north of Santiago . Founded in 1536 Valparaiso is known for its steep funiculars and colorful homes . The historic quarter of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Before the Panama Canal was built this city was a big deal and known by international sailors as “ Little San Francisco , the Jewel of the Pacific .”
Back in Santiago , before we flew to Argentina , we visited several wineries that are not far from the city . Watch out California , these wines are pretty good .
The Bay Window editor agrees with me that South America is a wonderful place and allowed me to tell this story in two parts . So here ends part one . Look for part two soon that will include Buenos Aires , Iguassu Falls and Rio de Janeiro .
As always , podonnell @ fullerton . edu
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