The local people believe that the sacred snow-capped mountain is the region's protector
On a hill above this town, at a bend in the road overlooking an impossibly green valley, someone has painted a sign on a post. It says “Dios esta aqui.” God is here. No matter what your religious beliefs, this place makes you believe in a higher power.
This is where magical things happen. On the day of the summer solstice, not one…but two….rainbows appeared in the sky, one above the other. Two perfect arcs framing the mountain below.
Everywhere, people stopped what they were doing, just to stand and stare.
The local people believe that the sacred snow-capped mountain is the region’s protector.
Living among these people, with their earthy spirituality and colorful traditions, is a major attraction of this part of the country. Most still wear their traditional costumes—not just for fiestas, but every day—and they are fiercely proud of their culture. (Where else can you pop in for a shamanic cleansing as if you were going to the dry cleaner’s back home?)
Family means everything. Long into their toddler years, babies are carried in shawls wrapped and tied on mother’s backs. This works like some kind of super-security blanket and you won’t see a baby throwing a tantrum.
Sunday is market day, when the villagers bring their wares to sell. Everything from fruits and vegetables to ground spices, woven baskets, and rope made of woven plastic shopping bags—recycling at its best. And then there are the roses…I pay $5 for five-dozen, long-stemmed roses that are so fresh they last nearly three weeks. Needless to say, our home is always filled with flowers.
The weather is perfect. It’s around 75 degrees in the daytime and 55 degrees at night—just right for us. We wear jeans and T-shirts most of the time and always have a sweater or jacket at hand for when the clouds pass in front of the sun.
Our apartment has a perfect view of the mountain and we enjoy sitting on our terrace and watching the landscape change as the clouds and sun play with the mountains. We chose to live in a condo because we can lock the door, walk away, and when we return a few months later everything is as we left it. We don’t have to worry about security or a garden that needs tending. For $10, a local woman cleans the place from top to bottom for us.
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