The markets are set in a large, hewn stone-paved open square, filled with row upon row of semi-permanent market tents with trestle-tables laden with all sorts of Peruvian arts and crafts, woven carpets, blankets, clothing, toys and other merchandise. The people in the village have purposely 'maintained alive" ancient habits and customs so many of the market stalls have goods are home grown and crafted on traditional skills past sown through the many generations. The wonderfully smelling aromas coming from the numerous food stalls should have been enticing, but we were still bloated from our recent late lunch so we passed these eager vendors, very quickly.
I really was fascinated with the brightly displayed paintings of a young artist who had a massive selection of brilliantly coloured water colours of lamas and alpacas, traders trekking the Andes, women weaving cloth and beautiful peaceful mountain scenes. We considered buying a painting, but we still have a Chinese painting that we need to hang since our trip to China in April and our walls are filled. Sadly we could only praise the artist for his skills and thank him for showing us his works.
On one side of the market square a channel of icy-cold, fresh mountain water was flowing down into the town below. This old stone canal was built several hundred years ago to supply fresh running water to the villagers. Ken stood on one of its many stone bridges surrounded on either side by colourful goods to be sold.
The market stalls displays were extremely bright and colourful with their geometrically designed pattern rugs and carpets hanging as walls of art.
There was a happy vibrant atmosphere all around and whilst vendors smiled and welcomed us they did not hound us to buy their goods. This made our market visit so much more enjoyable and we have warm memories of this mountain town visit.
When we reached the centre of the market square we were approached by a traditionally dressed woman, carrying a baby girl on her back and holding a newly-born llama in her arms. She smiled broadly and mimed "would we like to take a photo of herself and her "two bundles of joy", for one dollar?" How could we resist. What an entrepreneur! Our coach load of 28 tourists all obliged at some time during our visit, so this little woman would have been pleased with her efforts. She had even knitted a cute, colourful cap for her baby llama and though she was very small in stature, her friendly, engaging smile was huge. Ken was so pleased to stand and be photographed with her and she thanked us with more smiles and clapping jesters.
After wandering throughout most of the stalls Ken stopped to do some "haggling" over the price of a llama leather covered mini note book which he bought as a keepsake. He enjoyed the experience and the vendor seemed happy too. Next I tried on some colourful locally- made sunhats. I tried on several before I bought one from a very pleased hawker. I wore my new sunhat, for the rest of the trip on the ship and on other tours on our trip back to Sydney. It too is a useful memento. Even as I write I recall the smells, sounds and sights of that mountain market town in Ollantaytambo, whenever I wear that hat.
