Soy Andina: The Blog

Vicos, a story about community-based tourism in Ancash, the Andes

Peruvian journalist Jorge Riveros Cayos posted this on the Peru expat list, about a fascinating community in Ancash (the district in the Andes where much of Soy Andina was filmed).

For Spanish readers, read here.

I will like to share with you an article written by Charlie Smith about Vicos, an Andean community situated about an hour northeast of the city of Huaraz, on the buffer zone of the Huascarán National Park, in the Callejón de Huaylas.

Incan Fusion at a cevicheria near you

This article about ceviche and the growing hipness of Peruvian food just makes my mouth water.

Another Peru journey/video from Culture Explorers,

Here's another (9 minute) journey/video into the heart of Peru and it's still thriving traditions, from Culture Explorers. They do an excellent newsletter and programs on genuine cross-cultural travel.

Click here for the itinerary for their upcoming Virgen del Carmen trip this summer.

Environmentalists be Warned: Neli's about to whack another tree at "El Chihuallo"

Nelida's flying to Lima for a few days to visit family, timed to attend another fiesta (of course) - el Chihuallo. This one culminates with everyone dancing around a tree, taking turns stepping into the circle to try to topple the poor thing with an axe. Yes there's a deeper meaning to this! But you'll have to see the movie...

Even when violently attacking a tree, Neli's always dancing

A nearby soccer player couldn't resist jumping in when he heard the huayno music. Yes, that's Nelida again. The girl's got more costume changes at these fiestas than Cher in Vegas....here she's dressed as a palla, the noblewomen from Incan times.

All-Star Lineup of Peruvian Dance and Music this Saturday!

This is a really special event. Yeah, yeah, I always say that. But it's true. Why? Because this show:

1. Supports free Peruvian arts workshops for NYC kids
2. Assembles an All-Star lineup of Peruvian performers
3. Presents first-ever public appearance of Neli and Cynthia dancing together! Historical.

Join us if you can. And don't use the excuse it's in Queens. Queens is cool. And It's an easy subway ride on the 7 train.

Center for Traditional Music & Dance and the Pachamama Organizing Committee present:

Benefit Concert for Children's Arts Program
Saturday, Jan 7, 2006 at 7:30
PS 212, Jackson Heights, Queens

Starring:

Ballet Folklorico Peru, Luz Pereira, Pianist Carlos Bernales, Peru Andina, Peru Inca, Alcatrez, Inka Kusi Sonqo, Escuela de Marinera

$20 adults, $15 kids/seniors
subway 7 train to 82nd Street (3 blocks)
More info: (212) 571-1555 or gmhamilton@ctmd.org

Anti-immigration legislation

Soy Andina donor Miryam Antunez de Mayolo sent this to me yesterday. I rarely get involved in politics but this issue surely touches many readers. Miryam has a beautiful immigrant story of her own family. She is a Peruvian-born immigration lawyer practicing in Iowa. Her father is from Ancash, where Nelida is from, and her donation honors his memory. Like Cynthia and so many others, she found us through a web search. I will ask her if she'd like to share more of her story here.

This is the first time that I send a mass e-mail, but his week, the House is trying to pass legislation that would criminalize millions of hardworking, law-abiding immigrants and divide American families: the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (H.R. 4437).

Please find time to oppose this heartless measure.

During the last five years I have seen too many families separated without hope of ever being reunited: US citizen children crying, hugging their daddies good-bye before being taken into custody to be deported; wives facing the daunting choice of following their husbands to a land with no opportunities, or staying here and having their children grow up without a father; high school graduates who are at the top of their class and end up working menial jobs because they are not eligible for financial aid.

Enforcement-only legislation will not fix our broken immigration system. Instead, we need realistic, comprehensive reform.

Please call your Representative TODAY, Wednesday Dec 14, and urge him or her to oppose H.R. 4437!

Sincerely,
Miryam Antunez de Mayolo
Attorney-at-Law
Cedar Falls, IA

Nelida: Stirring Things Up Again

The song "Estamos muy contentos de estar en Llamellin" is beautiful! I will post it on the Llamellin site.

By the way, remember the "saludos" I sent to llamellinos inviting them to contribute to the llamellin site? I got lots of feedback from non-llamellinos, but just one from un llamellino: Walter Vidal Tarazona, the poet and writer from Llamellin. I answered back to thank him and also to share my frustration that he was the only Llamellino who responded.

He answered: "asi somos querida Nelida, nos queremos a nuestra manera telurica."
(That's how we love each other, in our own way)

I thought it was a great answer. I am sure many llamelllinos like the page and many more don't like it because it's kind of personal, telling the story of Llamellin from my perspective. But the issue is that they won't say their opinion; they will pretend they never saw it, even when they run into me.

I'm probably much like my father, who would take the time to give his opinions about things concerning our town - although unlike him who would give "politically correct" opinions, I have no filters on my opinions, like the "bullfight." It's good to share these things with my friends who are ALWAYS giving me their opinions! :)

Salud to BarSol Pisco!

Welcome aboard BarSol Pisco to our roster of Soy Andina major sponsors!

You guys are in for a treat - this is an exceptional version of the national Peruvian drink that's about to take the country by storm. We're going to help spread the word and pour it at upcoming Soy Andina events. Can't wait? Order some here.

Thanks to Diego Loret de Mola, president of BevMax and BarSol's marketing agent, and Carlos Ferreyros Ferreyros, owner of Bodega San Isidro, the Ica-based producers.

These guys drive a hard bargain though — I had to visit the Bodega near the Peruvian coast in August and sample several glasses directly from the source...

Peruvian Television

A lengthy but interesting article from the Peru Solidarity Forum about a welcome trend on Peruvian television towards more programs that reflects today's Peruvian reality....

A Story of Wind and Sand that the Wind Didn’t Blow Away
By: Luisa Cruz Hefti

At last in Peru and on Peruvian television, we are seeing series in which the main characters are not all traditional whites from aristocratic, feudal or plutocratic elites and with stories linked to problems of cultural politics, the fight against poverty, exclusion and racism in the country.

Help Kids in Peru get Eye Exams and Glasses

Our friends at Living in Peru and Rotary Club Lima Sunrise are participating in a cool event to benefit “Ver para aprender" (To See is To Learn), a project aimed at providing 50,000 kids with a proper eye exam and a pair of glasses.

The event sounds delightful, a full weekend of family activities in Lima celebrating the 200th birthday of Hans Christian Andersen. Storytelling, puppet shows, theaters, food.

It's happening December 3-4 at the Jockey Plaza Shopping Center. Get involved!

* Come to the event and/or pass the word
* Make a donation (50 soles, about $15, pays for a child's eye exam, glasses and a better future)
* Volunteer during the event (must like to laugh with kids in both English and Spanish)

More information at Ver para aprender.

Wish I could be there myself! Although on December 4 I'll be celebrating my own birthday in New York, not quite 200 yet.