Home for the Holidays: Peru
In this blog series we’re going back to the basics of why we love to travel, and many of you do too: because you’re curious. Curious to learn more about a new culture, curious to learn more about different ways of living life, curious to try new foods, learn about new customs and broaden your worldview. In this blog series we’ll be sharing and learning about different corners of the world, highlighting some of our favorite storytellers who can bring these stories to life on a future trip, and helping you, albeit virtually, indulge your love and curiosity to travel.
Today we’re learning about the unique and special holiday traditions in Peru.
Today’s guest post is from Blaire, co-owner of First Step Expeditions, which is an amazing tour operator in Peru. The First Step Expeditions team led our 2019 hosted adventure to Peru, including a pretty epic trek on the Inca Trail, leading to Machu Picchu.
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Peru is a country known for its rich history and traditions in general, so the holiday season does not disappoint. Mixing ancient Inca culture with a heavily Roman Catholic influence from Spanish settlers, being in Peru for the holidays brings its own special, spiritual magic. If you’re coming here for the season, be prepared to be stuffed with food, dazzled by fireworks, and welcomed as family into every household. Here are a few things you’ll need if you want to celebrate the holiday season in Peru like a local:
Hot Chocolate & Panettone Bread – For weeks before Noche Buena (Christmas Eve), aisles and walls in every store are dedicated to the waist-expanding wonder that is Panettone bread and by the time Christmas comes, they are all sold out. On the evening of Noche Buena, you’ll find every family returning from church to enjoy some of the traditional bread along with turkey, guinea pig, applesauce, tamales, hot chocolate, and red wine while they open presents. At midnight, they will have another piece of bread with champagne as they watch a brilliant firework display light up the sky.
Nativity Scenes – Known as the “Pesebre,” the nativity scene is intricately carved from wood, pottery, or stone and serves as the focal point for household decorations. Similar to the way Americans decorate Christmas trees, families in Peru take great pride in embellishing the nativity scene as much as possible. They wait until Christmas day to put the statue of baby Jesus in the manger after it has been blessed by the priest. Be patient though – it’s traditionally bad luck to make or buy your own baby Jesus statue so please wait to start building your scene until someone gives you a statue as a gift. Every Pesebre needs a baby Jesus to be complete.
New Year’s Eve Checklist – After another epic fireworks display at midnight, do each one of these things to bring good luck in the coming year:
Carry a suitcase around the block – if you run around your block with a suitcase, it means you will travel far in the coming year. Don’t turn around though – if you look back, you will lose your wish.
Eat 12 grapes (6 red, 6 green) – eat one at a time. Each grape equals one wish for the new year
Spread Yellow flowers or confetti outside your house– this will bring prosperity, good luck and protection by good spirits
Most important* Wear yellow underwear! Yellow is a lucky color in Peru representing good luck and happiness. If you wear new, yellow underwear to start the new year, you will have success!
Happy Holidays!
Blaire, and the entire First Step Expeditions team!
