Views of the city of Bogota, Colomiba

A mountain range borders Bogota on the West with the city situated in the valley. Monserrate has a church and look out area reach via a steep cable car ride. The edge of the city near the mountains has many nice highrise apartments featuring a wonderful view of the city. The north part of the city had an "air" of prosperity - but further out of the central part of town maybe not so much.

El Chico - Colonial historic home in Bogota

The hacienda style home was built in the 1600's and features the attached wooden covered balcony. The furnishings of the home were mainly French and resembled Versailles. The family had traveled extensively and had collectable items from all over the world. The grounds of the estate has been turned into a nice park.

Bogota Colombia - El Chico

El Chico is a colonial home and estate in Bogota, Colombia. Darrell and I are visiting Richard and Cristi Wernick from Atlanta who also have a home in Bogota. Cristi is from Bogota and has family in Colombia.

It was my first visit to Colombia - but Darrell had been many times when he lived in South America and worked for Procter and Gamble.

Watching the Inti Raymi ceremonies

Our group enjoyed a fabulous day of weather during the Inti Raymi Festival in Cusco, Peru on June 24, 2010.

Inti Raymi Festival - 2010

The celebration comes to its conclusion - the participants continue to dance and the Inca King is carried out of the plaza by the red clad soldiers in his golden chair.

The Inti Raymi Festival is quite a spectacle! Thousands of people come to Cusco for the annual Festival of the Sun - held on June 24 (2010) just after the Winter Solstice. This is the most important day of the Inca people. The elaborate costumes and grand pageantry was really amazing. We were fortunate to have wonderful weather for the event - the day was spectacular! Inti Raymi is one of the most important festivals in all of South America - we really enjoyed the event!

Inti Raymi Festival - the sacrifices of the Llama

The next part of the ceremony is the sacrifice of the black llama. The llama is carried to the center and a fire is lit to offer the sacrifice to the Sun- (The llama is not really killed - but it is convincing.) Members of the tribe light fires in 4 corners of the plaza. Members of the royalty and the tribes continue their dance of celebration.

Inti Raymi Festival - the ceremony

Hundreds of local people participate in the ceremony. It is an honor to be selected to participate. The costumes and dances are rermarkable!

Inti Raymi Festival - The Inca Queen and King

The Inca Queen in brought to the plaza first - carried by green clad warriors in a silver throne - representing the Moon. The Inca King is the last to arrive - carried by red clad soliders on a gold throne - representing the sun.

Inti Raymi Festival - The Amazon Tribe

The 4 regions of the Inca empire are represented in the festival. The tribe from the Amazon basin are shirtless, have their war paint on their faces and carry staffs. Another dancer represents the deer. These 4 groups perform a series of dances from their regions.

Inti Raymi Festival - Saqsayhuaman

The Inti Raymi Festival moves from the downtown plaza up the mountain to Saqsayhuaman - the Inca Fortress/Temple. There is a huge crowd to watch the performance - many sitting and standing on the mountains overlooking the plaza at Saqsayhuaman.

In the distance - A statue of Christ standing over the city of Cusco - a gift from the Christians of Palestine given after WWII. The snow capped Andes Mountains are seen beyond the statue.

This part of the festival is a finalization of the day the 3rd part of the festival. The soldiers and musicans enter first.

Inti Raymi Festival - at the Plaza des Armas

The second part of the Inti Raymi Festival is held in the main square of Cusco. The different tribes enter the square bringing their idols and mummies (replicas). The Royal members of the Inca then enter the square. The Inca King makes more pronouncements from a ceremonial rock in the center of the plaza. Again - the city is full of people to watch the festival.

Inti Raymi Festival - Qoricancha

We were lucky to time our visit Cusco during the Festival of Inti Raymi - the Inca Festival of the Sun. We were in Machu Picchu on the day of Winter Solstice. Inti Raymi Festival was on June 24th and celebrates the importance of the Sun to the Inca people.

The Festival is 3 parts with the first part at Qorichancha:
We started the morning watching a ceremony at Qoricancha - The Inca temple (the foot of the Puma). The Spanish built a church and convent over the top of the Temple ruins. But the grounds are used in the festival.

Soldiers enter the grounds from the street first and then the other participants enter the terrace of the temple - a pronouncement is made by the Inca King to start the festival.

The city is filled with people - tourists and the Andean people alike to watch the ceremonies.

Cathedral in Cusco

The Spanish built the cathedral over the ruins of the Inca Palace. Some of the original Inca walls still exist. The cathedral is huge. The main altar has 884 pounds of solid silver. A painting of the Lord's Supper - features cuy (quiena pig). The "Lord of the Earthquakes' - (El Negrito) is paraded through the town to ward off earthquakes.

Parades in Cusco

The evening before the Inti Raymi Festival - hundreds of people participate in parades around the Plaza des Armas in downtown Cusco. They are dressed according to their tribes and heritage.

Inca Ruins above Cusco

The Tambomachay ruin - is a series of fountains that are feed by a mountain spring. They are located on the Inca trail route to Machu Picchu.

Puca Pucara - Red Fort - also located above Cusco - was a military check point for entry and exit to Cusco. Beautiful views from these mountain tops.