Paul and I visited ruins in Cajamarca that date back to before the Incan civilization . These are known as the Ventanillas (or windows) and was the ancient burial grounds for the people. Cajamarca is the city in Peru where Pizarro and the Spanairds overtook the Incans to claim the country or at least a piece of South America...for those of you who are history buffs.

We also visited a garden famous for their very large Hortensias. There were several and they were beautiful (blues, yellows, pinks). The woman who owns the garden sells her flowers to people in town for wedding bouquets and to help decorate other such events.

This is a pictures of the country side in Cajamarca. The city is located in the sierra of Peru and is surrounded by mountains. The weather is typically 45-70 degrees all year round. It was beautiful.

We also visited a farm in Cajamarca. The city is also known for its production of cheese and other dairy products (which was great for me, since I love cheese!). The farm has 30 dairy cows and everyday at 4:30 the farmers call in the cows by name and the cows respond and are able to find their own stall as well. After they were called in I was allowed to help milk!!

Here is a picture of Clarita the cow (her name is posted above her head).

In Cajamarca there are several waterfalls located outside the city...but it requires a little bit of a hike. Here is Paul and I standing in front of one of those waterfalls.

Cajamarca also has rock statues (for lack of a better term) with hyroglyfics dating back before the Incan civilization as well. They are located further up in the mountains and require a 45min. bus ride to get there. However, the views are amazingly beautiful and the land is untouched.

Up in these mountain communities the people continue to dress in the traditional outfits. Here are two of the children dressed in the traditional outfits.

In order to get to the rock formations we had to do a little hiking. Paul is getting ready to pass through these two large rocks where the formations are on the other side.

On our trip we met a girl from one of the mountain communities. Several of the families attend to their herds of sheep and cattle located along the side of the hill. She was willing to pose with us for a small 30 cent fee. She was a smart business woman!

There was a pit stop on the way, where a woman had cooked corn and meat to sell to tourists passing by. Paul was hungry and decided to take his chances with the food and eat. Luckily there have been no repercussions for him eating the food!

Here is the woman with her two pots of corn and meat at the resting point. She probably did fairly well that day...almost everyone who came by purchased some food.

Here is a picture of Paul and I standing near the rock formations.

Paul looks incognito with his black rain jacket walking down through the gorge. In Cajamarca it actually rains, which is something that rarely occurs along the entire coast of Peru.

Here is a picture of one of the herds of sheep located along the gorge. It was so peaceful and gorgeous (no pun intended).

Paul and I met up with two other Hunger Core missionaries through FH, one Peruvian staff member at FH, and another Peruvian friend. We were able to enjoy the sites together.