We fly into Lima, Peru, arriving in the evening. Cynthia or Nancy will meet you at the Lima airport; or if you wish at the Miami airport, depending on your time of travel. Lima, Peru's beautiful capital city, has world-class museums, flowery parks, interesting architecture, a fabulous crafts market and great restaurants where we will sample typical Peruvian cuisine. In Lima, we stay in a pretty bed & breakfast overflowing with geraniums, and we will learn about the amazing pre-Columbian textiles, gold and ceramics at several of Lima's excellent museums. Then we begin our Andean textile adventure!
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Easter in the Andes -
March 13 through 27, 2008
Join Cynthia LeCount Samaké, author of Andean Folk Knitting; and Nancy Thomas, knitting editor, author and expert; for the Easter procession "Lord of the Earthquakes" and a fantastic foray into the world of Andean knitting and weaving! 
In both Bolivia and Peru, we will meet people who will demonstrate
traditional weaving, spinning, dyeing and knitting techniques for us.
Also, Cynthia will hold mini-classes in the hotel, teaching you
several unusual traditional Peruvian knitting techniques. (See the link at top called "For Knitters.")
After Lima, we fly over the snow-capped Andes to the charming city of Cuzco, where we stay in a beautiful colonial-style landmark hotel. Cuzco offers stunning architecture, astounding Inca stonework, churches and museums and wonderful shopping-exquisite traditional textiles, unique jewelry, papier maché masks, handmade sweaters and alpaca knitting yarn. On Monday we will witness the exciting and colorful "Easter Monday" procession of the statue of Christ representing "El Señor de los Temblores," or Our Lord of the Earthquakes. We will have fabulous seats to view the procession, once at lunchtime from a restaurant above the plaza and later from our hotel balcony. Both places are perfect for taking photos and for throwing the traditional red flowers onto the image below as the parade passes. Renowned weaving and textile expert, Nilda Callañaupa, will accompany us "behind the scenes" to meet the superbly talented weavers and knitters in several remote highland communities near Cuzco. These people will be at work so we can see their techniques and also photograph them in their colorful, handmade traditional dress. We will also visit the new Traditional Textile Center of Cuzco, organized by Nilda, where we will be able to see the contemporary knitting and weaving of many Quechau-speaking communities. We then take the train to the incredible, mystical site of Machu Picchu and learn about the Inkas with an expert local guide. Visits to the interesting pre-Hispanic sites near Cuzco such as Sacsahuayman and K'enko will round out our knowledge of Inka culture. We then travel by private bus over the altiplano to Bolivia, photographing herds of llama and alpaca along the way. This journey includes a visit to the interesting Inka site of Rachqui, and a picnic lunch high in a verdant altiplano valley. We spend that night in Puno, on the edge of Lake Titicaca and then continue overland to the pretty lakeside town of Copacabana. Copacabana has an impressive Moorish cathedral, an important pilgrimage site, and place where the priest blesses the cars during this holiday. We spend the night at the pretty Rosario del Lago Hotel. Next day, we arrive in La Paz and check into the charming and friendly Hotel Rosario to rest and acclimate. The Hotel Rosario has a great restaurant, tranquil interior patio and a free Internet café.  "Lord of the Earthquakes" procession We will take many day trips in and around La Paz. We will have a private tour of Millma, the fabulous alpaca sweater workshop and shop for gorgeous alpaca sweaters. We will also meet some dynamic women and the Andean knitters they organized into coop ventures. If you are a knitter, bring a project to show off, as these knitters all love to see what we are making and with what new yarns! Also, near our hotel in the fascinating Indian market, where piles of textiles line the sidewalks. Cynthia will introduce you to typical Bolivian indigenous textiles such as intricately knitted caps and woven carrying cloths, called awayos. You may also visit several Carnival mask makers and costume embroiderers in La Paz. There will be opportunities to relax, take photos, explore the markets, see beautiful churches, visit the art, anthropology and history museums; see traditional dance and music performances, and shop for typical arts and crafts. We spend one evening in a "show and tell" session of projects and prized purchases! Farewell dinner overlooking night lights of La Paz. Price: $2695 (15 Nights Hotel) See "Trip Information" link for what is included. Hurry, this trip fills up fast!
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