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In the district of San Blas there are artisans workshops known for their sculptures of saints, archangels and Santiagos with
long necks, done with paste of wheat flour, rice and cheese.
Peru is famous for alpaca, llama and sheep wool. Baby
alpaca is popular. This means that the wool is either taken from the throat of the alpaca to the first shearing. It
is much softer as the hair is finer. Silver, pottery, musical instruments such as quenas, zampoñas and charangos and
mirrors with plaster and pan de oro (golden ornaments are found throughout the country.
Inca and Colonial pottery
can be found in Cusco. The Incan pottery is simple with beautiful polish on it. Colonial pottery was made with glass, usually
green over the cream background.
In Lima you can find many handcrafted products of gold, silver, copper work and textiles.
Especially colorful are the textiles such as alpaca and woven tapestries. Carved gourds are also popular and some are
decorated and made into jewelry
Cocoa leaves are found throughout and are used to prevent and cure altitude sickness,
and helps an upset stomach. The leaves can be chewed, eaten as candy (taffy or chocolate) or made into Mate de Coca
tea.
Fresh Brazil nuts are also popular and are found all over and are harvested in the Peruvian jungle.
Bartering
is very common in Peru. When looking at an item, make sure it is something you want to buy first. Do not barter with a vendor
if you are not serious in buying. If the price offered to you is higher than you would like to spend, think about what you
would like to pay then offer 20%-30% less. It is normal for vendors to charge tourists more, but be aware also that because
of rampant poverty in Peru, some vendors may sell to you for very little profit if they are under pressure to make ends meet.
Try to get a fair price but do not over barter and cheat the vendor.
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