Cordillera Blanca in the Andes, Ancash region, Peru

The Andes mountains are incredibly stunning, and if you go past where the average tourist goes, your concept of "a mountain" will never be the same.

So rural that you actually get a glimpse of how vast our galaxy really is.

Laguna Querococha at over 14,000 ft.

Pass through the tunnel to the "jungle side" of the mountains and you are greeted by evidence of Spanish colonialism at its best.

Not only can Teofilia pack a burro like this, she can also hike the 12,500 ft high mountainside while knitting.

Alpaca wool for knitting anyone?

And who hikes up to those fields to farm?

Huantsan peak, one of the sacred mountains.

Pilgrimages to the top of another sacred mountain still happen every year... It was the slowest 6 mile hike of my life!

Drying out choclo.... mmmmmmm

Political propaganda in the rural areas of Ancash = paint an abandoned building.

The Cordillera Blanca at its best!

Huari, Ancash, Peru

This is Huari. A cute little town that is so far off the beaten path, I only saw one other tourist person that wasn't part of my group for the two weeks that I was there. Where you could get a full two course meal and beverage for $2.50.

There are breathe taking views down every street.

They keep the walls near their municipal buildings exciting.

Half the women only speak quechua.

I don't think this cart moved the entire time I was there.

Functional adobe oven.

They stay in shape here.

Local artist's sculpture near an abandoned shrine.

Found this little guy on my way to bed one night.

Marcajirca, Ancash, Peru

These are a few things I saw at Marcajirca, an archaeological site that was occupied from 1050-1640 A.D. I camped outside the site for two weeks, helped identify the remains of the ancestors, and fell in love with everything about it.

 

                                                       Wake up at 5:30... it's worth it.

                              Look at all the farmland and villages up the sides of the mountains.

                Try hiking from this view to the top of that second peak, the whole journey is breathe taking.

                   Why bury your ancestors when you can build monuments that allow you to visit them?

          The rays of sunlight coming through the clouds make all the difference in your warmth and happiness.

                                 A million plants to photograph here and I took the time for this one...

                         After a while you come to peace with the bees, or you'd be miserable forever.

                            Give offerings and respect to the mountain and she will protect you.

            I have no doubts as to why ancient Quechua people would want to leave their ancestors to rest here.

                                                        Have you ever been above a rainbow?

       The donkey walks up this mountain in half an hour everyday along with the Teofilia who does it knitting.... 

                                                                   This view never got old.

                                     Is there any question why people would want to live at Marcajirca?

                                                                  Sunset over the Andes = bliss.