Chiclayo weekend

LL and I just got home from 3 days in Chiclayo, which is a 3 hr bus ride south of Piura. We saw the place where the "Señor de Sipan" was found in 1987, plus a marvelous museum where they have displayed all the GOLD, SILVER, TURQUOISE, COPPER etc stuff he was buried with in about AD 250, not to mention the wife, 2 concubines, a priest, a couple of guards, a child, a llama, a dog...reminded me of King Tut, only not as much stuff. (Great stories in National Geographic)

It’s not just the precious metals that are interesting, but the intricate art they created with them. Peru is a veritable store of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered by archeologists before the huaqueros (grave robbers) get there, which I suspect is happening daily. Much of what was discovered first at Sipan was found by huaqueros, but an alert archeologist, Dr Walter Alva, noticed a lot of stuff turning up on the black market, got emergency help from Peruvian and international police (including the FBI) and recovered many artifacts. Then he went out and discovered more!

Anyway, we did see some cool sites, including Túcume, which mostly looks like hills but is actually eroding pyramids. And they have recently discovered that the pyramids were painted, with great designs, like the tombs in Egypt. Fascinating stuff! If you have spare change, donate to Peruvian archeologists. Or volunteer!

Then today we went to the beach at Pimentel, 25 min from Chiclayo by "combi" - a van that picks up folks as you go along. Ah, the Pacific. Just like home, except quite a bit warmer. I did NOT swim, it was a cool and very breezy day, but I did get my feet wet and flopped on the sand after lunch. Some good breakers early, but later got choppy.

We ate ceviche and fried shrimp at a beachside restaurant, washed down with Peruvian beer, while listening to some modern cumbia and other sounds. Each restaurant believes if they play louder music, more people will eat there. They also send folks out on the "boardwalk" (tile over concrete) to tell you how great their food is. We chose one with quieter music and no personal invitation. It was scrumptious! Also got to watch some local fishermen riding their "caballitos de totora", kayak-shaped reed boats that they ride more than sit in, They toss nets over and bring fish to the restaurants. I did not see them going out thru the surf, but coming in they ride the waves just like surfers, even standing up on their knees on these boats. Definitely cool to watch.

Eventually we headed for home, picked up another combi quickly, checked out of the Hostal Victoria and took the Linea bus home. Nice to be back.