Cajamarca, Peru

For our last weekend together before I flew back to the states, Craig and I flew to Cajamarca.  Cajamarca  is located in the northern highlands of Peru. It is approximately 8,900 ft above sea level and has a population of about 217,000 people. The city is well-known for its cheeses and dairy products. Cajamarca is also known for its churches, and hot springs, or Inca Baths. Most of all, Peruvians remember Cajamarca as the place where the Inca Empire came to an end; the Battle of Cajamarca and the capture, abuse, and murder of the Incan emperor Atahualpa took place there.

The trip there was quite unusual.  I flew with LC Busre Airlines and our plane was tiny.  We had only 7 other passengers flying with us. No fighting over window seats ... everyone got one because there was only about 10 seats all together with a very small walkway in between.  We got ear plugs because it got pretty loud but it was fun to fly a little lower and get to see the landscape better.  We didn't arrive until about 5pm so we relaxed that night at the hotel Laguna Seca.  How romantic - a spa in the Andean Mountains of Peru.  We swam in the pool that was naturally heated by the hot springs and checked out the Turkish baths that were all complimentary with our stay.  Our room also had a huge hot tub.  Eucalyptus trees and plants grow naturally all over the place and most of the natives burn it so the whole city smells of eucalyptus.  We dined at the restaurant on site and had a great experience there.

In front of our room at Laguna Seca Resort & Spa.

Craig in front of the heated hot springs pool.

The next day we toured around the city. Craig was so happy to be back in one of his old mission areas. He loves Cajamarca and the people here. We toured the monastery near the center of the city but had to leave early because the smell of the catacombs made me a bit nauseous. We hiked Santa Apalonia to have an excellent view of the city and stopped at some shops along the way to pick up some souvenirs. Then we stopped for ice cream at Heladeria Holanda. A Dutch ice cream shop in Peru. The husband is from Holland and the wife from Cajamarca. The ice cream is made fresh everyday and serves all the favorites as well as flavours unique to Peru such as lucuma. Also, I had my first experience riding in a mototaxi which is a motorcycle on 3 wheels with a cart in back that holds 2 people. Not the safest option since they don't fare well in accidents but kind of fun and totally a must when visiting Cajamarca. There are more mototaxi's than cars. Craig ran into a friend while walking around the Plaza de Armas. They invited us to lunch that day and the next.

At the top of Santa Apalonia overlooking the city of Cajamarca, Peru.

My first moto-taxi ride.

Catacombs in the main Cathedral of the Plaza de Armas.
Yes, Craig actually got in with the bones - GROSS!

We have known the Familia Romo for a while now.  Edith Romo was Craig's pensionista (cook) on his mission so while he served in Cajamarca he ate every meal at her home with her husband Javier and their kids.  He got to know them very well.  Soon after Craig returned from his mission Javier & Edith moved their family to Provo, UT.  Craig introduced me to them before we were even married.  We visit them whenever we are up that way.  While in the Plaza Craig ran into Sara, Javier's mother.  We dined with them for lunch both on Sat. and on Sun.  It was wonderful to meet most of the Romo Family.  I met all of Javier's brothers and his nephews as well as his parents.  Sara was a wonderful cook.  Lunch is the big meal in Peru so we were stuffed beyond stuffed when we left their house. 

Dining with The Familia Romo.

Afer visiting with them for a while we were able to surprise the Familia Porras who had no idea that we were in Peru.  Craig taught and baptized this family while on his mission.  It was wonderful to finally meet them.  Amparo and Evelyn were just little 4 & 5 yr old girls back then.  Now they are teenagers and doing so well.... both on their way to scholarships in medicine.  They have also added a new addition: Gloria Nicole who is Jace's age.  She was a beam of sunshine and reminded us of Brooke.... so happy to be alive.  Craig was happy to see that they were still active in the church.  He could see that they were blessed beyond measure both spiritually as well as their physical circumstances.  Gloria has a small bodega shop that she runs and her husband is doing well in business as well.  She was so happy to see Craig and screamed and gave him a HUGE hug when she saw him.  They took us to the new mall in town and we played in the game room.  It was great to reconnect with them. 

Familia Porras: Evelyn, Gloria, Gloria Nicole, Amparo,  Gloria's husband was away for work so we missed him.



Gloria Nicole in the game room at the mall.

 We ate dinner at Abraham's home (Javier's brother) and didn't get back until 10:30pm.  We were both beat but what a wonderful day.  It really strengthened my testimony to see this family that Craig taught... change and grow because of a seed that he planted.  How more members of their family have been baptized since.  I'm so proud that he chose to go on a mission and serve. 

The next day we attended church and Craig again got to meet up with familiar faces.  Even though the meeting was all in Spanish and I didn't understand everything, I felt the spirit very strong.  It was a wonderful ward.  After church we walked through his old area and he showed me where he use to live and where Edith & Javier lived.  We ate again at the Romos again for lunch.  They were very welcoming.  We had to be to the airport by 4pm and the Porras Family met us there.  We exchanged hugs once again and chatted before we had to board.

Javier & Edith's old home and Craig's old mission apartment.

Saying goodbye at the airport.

What a lovely trip to end our time together.  Once we got back in Lima we had planned to go to La Rosa Nautica once again but Craig got really sick so we didn't make it.  It was sad to leave him at the airport to head back to the states but he only has 3 weeks to go.  He will be back on Brooke's birthday on August 13th.  That will be a great day!!  I loved my time in Peru but was happy to get back to the states and see my kids again.