The Annotated Llama: Mi viaje a Peru, Part One

As promised, here the first part of my rundown, avec media, of my recent time in Peru, the sacred ancestral homeland of the Llama. I was in Peru to visit family and also to work on a potential documentary on Peruvian sheepherders, who travel to the United States on H-2A visas to work--in remote regions and oppressive conditions--for American ranchers. As you will see, my first day of this trip was primarily taken up by the drive to the highlands, a trip to the market in Jauja, and a visit to a spectacular and very peculiar local festival. (I've written more extensively about these experiences here.)

Friday, January 19

5:00pm: The Llama finishes his Criminal Procedure final. Important issues in modern criminal jurisprudence are identified, addressed, and resolved within the confines of a three hour written examination.

5:00pm - 3:48am: Party time.

3:49 - 4:28am: Frantic packing time.

4:30am: Primetime Shuttle to JFK airport.

Saturday, January 20

8:00am - 6:00pm: Flight(s) to Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima.

7:30pm: Arrive at 175 Pasaje La Morena, Miraflores, Lima, sacred ancestral homeland of my dad.

8:00pm: Consume aji de gallina.

Sunday, January 21 - Tuesday, January 23

Ditto. Also sleep, see family.

Wednesday, January 24

7:00am: The journey to the highlands begins.

7:31am: Refuel chariot.

9:35am: Rest break at El Tronco, finest lodging establishment on Km. 165 of Lima-Huancayo highway.

10:46am: Brief stop at Ticlio, located at 4,818 meters (15,806 feet) above sea level, site of the highest railway station in the world.

10:46am - Way Longer Than Expected: Mild to severe unpleasantness in the head.

11:16am - 11:32am: Drive through old mining town of La Oroya. Note the barren hills--vegetation is entirely absent for miles on account of air and soil pollution and other byproducts of intensive mining operations.

12:15pm: Arrival in Jauja.