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February 7, 2020: Guinea Pigs and a Cat

 

Guinea pigs are more than pets in parts of Latin America.  They are considered delicacies.

While on a trip to Peruvian Andes, we were welcomed into the home of a woman who made and sold souvenir items.  Here we were introduced to her muddle of guinea pigs who were crawling around on the dirt floor.

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Not far from them, near an open flame oven, lay a cat.  We were surprised that a cat could coexist with free-ranging guinea pigs, without eating them, and posed this as a question to our guide.  We found out that cats are not highly valued, and guinea pigs are, so for survival the cat knows to leave the guinea pigs alone.

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The woman crafted some terrific souvenirs from alpaca wool, some of which were made on the antique sewing machine seen below. 

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Above her door was a talisman of garlic and cactus, apparently to ward off evil/spirits.

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A farming tool used for tilling up the soil to plant potatoes (a staple in Peru) sat in a corner of the home and our guide showed us how it's used to make a hole -- then a potato is thrown in and covered with dirt.

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Images (8)
  • Guinea pigs, Peru
  • Guinea pigs, Peru
  • Cat warming itself by a wood fire, Peru
  • Souvenir items, Peru
  • Souvenir items, Peru
  • Garlilc and cactus above the door
  • Garlilc and cactus above the door
  • Tool for planting potatoes, Peru

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