Staying in the heart of Cuzco - high in the Andes, rich with culture and history. The city surrounds itself with creativity and vibrancy. The altitude took a little getting used to at 3400 meters above sea level.

Every corner of this place offered something new, especially the local markets where handmade goods overflowed with colour, craft, texture and tradition.

While Peru is globally known for its weaving heritage, I was equally drawn to the variety of other crafts - handmade painted ceramics jewellery, carved wooden pieces, bold embroidery and homewares that seemed to capture the spirit of the Andes.


The San Pedro market in particular was a sensory overload in the best possible way. The air filled with the scent of spices, the hum of Spanish conversations and bartering while the stall were brimming with artistry.

One of the most memorable moments was meeting a gent at a quiet stall tucked near the edge of the market. He spoke little to no English and my Spanish is limited but it didn't seem to stop him from sharing his work and his craft with pride. He made all the menswear in his shop by hand - beautiful woven shirts and jackets crafted from locally made woven fabrics or raw llama and alpaca wools.

With warm smiles and gestures of enthusiasm, he showed me his manual Singer sewing machine, the kind you operate with a foot pedal. Watching him demonstrate how he pieced the garments together stitch by stitch, was like stepping into a living workshop - humble, skilled and full of care. Every item created carried heritage and patience and was clear that his work was both his livlihood and his heritage.

I'm usually a sucker in these situations so bought several of his handicraft homewares and cushion covers. I noticed his large stash of alpaca wool which I also purchased, although he seemed a bit perplexed when trying to barter with him, confused by the idea that I also was a crafter and clothes creator.

To discover more on how to travel Peru and experience the cultural history portrayed through textiles and craft, email for recommendations.

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