Oh Peru… How many times did I daydream of riding my ponies through this majestic land? I would sit in my apartment in Toronto prior to this trip, imagining myself making my way up to Machu Picchu along the Inca Trail and riding on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world. Unfortunately sometimes life gets in the way…
As this Long Ride has shown me time and time again, life doesn’t always go as planned. You can hope for the best but at the end of the day you must simply take what the universe hands you and make the best of it.
Due to Peru’s bureaucracy we were not allowed to ride everywhere I had planned, but that didn’t stop us from riding as much as possible while taking in this country’s vibrant culture.
“This is the Marinera, our traditional dance in Peru which has influences from the Spanish, Africans and Incas. The movement of their legs is mimicking the Peruvian Paso Horse,” Don Robin Ponse, Chief of Genetics for the Peruvian Paso Horse Association and my logistics agent told me.
Alongside our new friend we watched a young boy and girl move across a sandy arena floor as if they were floating. As she circled around, her dance partner held up her dress with both hands. Next he swirled his straw hat using his left hand whilst his legs moved to the gated rhythm of Peru’s Paso horse. It was a beautiful performance but nothing like what we were about to witness.
“Now come the horses, you are going to enjoy this,” Don Robin said as we clapped for the young couple.
As the music started to get faster, a majestic chestnut stallion came prancing out of a wooden stall. On his back sat a Peruvian rider dressed all in white. He circled around the arena once before a woman dressed in a colorful dress appeared from the corner. That’s when magic filled the air. Man, woman and horse became one as they moved ever so delicately to the music. In perfect unison they danced, and the hairs on my arms reached for the sky.
“I have never seen anything like this in my life,” I said to Don Robin as I watched the show.
“This is Peru Filipe. We are a nation that loves the horse and we celebrate it in our music, dance and art,” he said.
After the amazing show Don Robin invited us for a traditional lunch. In good Peruvian fashion it consisted of way too much Pisco (a Peruvian grape brandy) followed by fried guinea pig.
“Guinea pig is eaten a lot in the mountains of Peru, you must try it” Don Robin said.
I have eaten some bizarre things during my travels, but guinea pig wins the weirdest dish award. It comes whole with its little legs spread open and little hands clenched tight. I felt like I was eating a 9-year-old girls’ pet, but Don Robin assured me these guinea pigs come from farms that raise them for consumption. It kind of tasted like chicken but the texture felt like squirrel… Needless to say, I do not advise eating these little piglets.
After this delicious lunch we went to meet some of Peru’s largest Paso horse breeders and I even got a chance to ride a few of these amazing animals. It is unbelievable how comfortable these horses’ gates are. In a full trot it feels as if you are sitting on the most comfortable lazy boy in the world! You could be holding a glass full of beer and none would spill – so smooth.
“I told you they were the most comfortable horses in the world to ride. They have a stride like Michael Phelps. Next journey you go on, you will have to ride a Peruvian Paso Horse” Don Robin said with a smile on his face.
Peru is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. It has an extraordinary coastline, deserts, mountains, so much culture, rich history, delicious cuisine… the list goes on and on. I absolutely cannot wait to go back to Peru!
