Sunday, December 14, 2008

Pachacamac







Pachacamac is a site where several cultures existed starting in 200 AD. Next came the Huaris in about 680 AD. Pachacamac means world creater. He was a god of fire and the earth. The peope tried to keep him appeased to avoid his anger displayed in the form of earthquakes. It was always a very important relegious site with pyramids and temples. The Incas took over after the Huaris in about 1450 AD. They built the long structue Acllahuasi (house of the chosen women). The most beautiful girls between ages 8 and 20 lived there. The rulers would go there and select their brides, often more than one. Some of the girls were chosen to be sacrifices. If a girl did not get chosen she had a choice of staying there and becoming a mamacuna and then would teach the other girls or she could return to her home and family and have a family of her own. The Incas built the sun temple here and it is still pretty much in tact. We climbed to the top of it. The Incas used a zig zag walkway to their temples and structures. When the Spanish conquered the Incas they sent a force to Pachacamac and destroyed the "god" thus ending the worship of Pachacamac.




The ancient cultures built this highway which extended from Argentina to Ecuador. It is the llama highway.




















These hills are the beginning of the Andes Mountains
















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Inka Shops

Inka Shops
There are hundreds and hundreds of little vendors selling their wares from clothing, dolls, purses, jewelry etc. We didn't buy anything but got a good idea of some of the things that they have.

Highway

Highway
One of many highways in Lima. This is Avenida Arequipa that runs north and south. Maybe 9-10 blocks from our apartment. During rush hour this road will be packed.

Highway

Highway
Another highway running thru Lima.

Tall buildings

Tall buildings
This is a look of San Isidro where we live and the mission office.

Miraflores from the air

Miraflores from the air
On our P-day we went to Miraflores and ate at a fantastic restaurant just above the cliff. The tall building in the background is the Marriott hotel. The name of the restaurant was Mangos. It was buffet.

Pacific Ocean

Pacific Ocean
Looking down about 500-600 feet from the Mangos restaurant to the ocean