a diverse collection of travel photos and firsthand experiences while venturing across the globe. each destination has welcomed us with open arms and warm smiles, making us feel right at home. from argentina to utah - and thousands of miles in between - these are our visual memories of 'home'...just as we never imagined.
While I spent very little time in Jujuy during my volunteer mission, my dear wife spent several months in Jujuy as a missionary herself. In mid-2005, as part of an independent research project, we visited Argentina's northernmost province together to travel along both Ruta 40 and Ruta 9 in hopes of discovering the hidden treasures and villages of the Humahuaca Canyon. Now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this province offers indigenous fortresses, historic museums, adobe chapels, and dusty roads. Once territory of Perú (a key factor in understanding local traditions), select churches still display colonial images of Cusco along their walls.
So, here are a few stops to make during your trip: Visit the yellow adobe church of Tumbaya. See the hillside cemetery of Maimara, set against the zigzag patterns of Paleta del Pintor. Admire the Hill of Seven Colors that embraces Purmamarca. Explore the recreated fortresses and corrals of Pucara de Tilcara. And make it to Humahuaca before 12:00 noon so you can witness San Francisco Solano appear from the local clock tower to bless the central plaza (the world's first animated saint).
Below is a compilation of photos taken during 2005 and subsequent trips. For further information and travel consultation, please visit Imagine Argentina Travel.
In April 2006, I was fortunate enough to visit Perú - the Sacred Land of the Incas and South America's focal point for indigenous ruins. A dear colleague of mine, native to Lima, had shared with me both beautiful stories and photographs of her homeland. Still, I stood in awe each day as I walked along ancient fortresses and through open valleys.
As a student of Latin American history, visiting Cusco was such an amazing experience. The central square, Plaza de Armas, is completely overshadowed by the local Cathedral of Santo Domingo. Once inside, I had never seen such intricate woodwork in my life - one could spend the entire day just exploring the fine details of the interior. For me, this is one of the most significant historical sites in all of Latin America. The city was overcome by Pizarro in 1535, and the colonial structures that followed stand as a testimony to the Spaniards' adoration of God (and wealth) - yet they also stand for years of abuses against the local indigenous tribes.
While everyone is familiar with Machu Picchu, I will save those photos for another day - it deserves its own presentation. However, most people do not know that several breathtaking ruins lie just outside Cusco along the Urubamba Valley. Local residents in vibrant attire hike winding trails, while others sell baby hot potatoes along the hillsides. Pisac Market is another required stop - pick up some authentic crafts, or try some corn with green peanut sauce!
For the past several years, Tania and I have been blessed with a handful of opportunities to travel across Central & South America. While there are still several countries we have not yet visited inside Latin America, we still carry a great appreciation for the many diverse cultures and landscapes that define each nation.
With an active blog, and a vast library of random pictures, we decided to post a weekly slide-show based on various destinations. We most likely will run out of slide-shows and destinations in the next month or so, but we thought it was a good idea for the moment.
Below are some photographs taken during a business trip to Salvador (Bahia), Brazil during late 2007. Located along the northeast corner of Latin America's largest country, this colonial capital is most recognized for its true African heritage, especially depicted in both dance and cuisine. First discovered by Europeans in the early 16th century, Salvador quickly became a major sea port used in both the sugar industry and international slave trade. The city center, now a UNESCO heritage site, is distinguished by its infinite churches, art markets, and cobblestone streets lined with pastel-colored homes and businesses (all of which are stained with generations of humidity as produced by the Pacific Ocean).
