Hats

Everyone has settled back into their routine. Emma and Hannah are going to school, participating in their after school activities, going to parties, visiting the orthodontist, etc. The adults are working, volunteering and dealing with everyday life (cooking, cleaning, getting older, buying new glasses, etc.). We are very settled in our life here and do not have as much to blog about as everything seems well....normal. This is the perfect time to blog about hats.

Yes, hats. We really love Peruvian cultural and its fascinating combination of Spanish, African, Amazonian and Andean traditions. The food, music, customs and of course the hats are all interesting and wonderful. Hats are a big thing in the Andes. Some have important social meanings (i.e., marital status, class, etc.), some are fashion statements, and others are just practical. I cannot tell you much more about hats in Peru, but here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Some of the hats you find in the Andes have been worn for a thousand years and others are from modern times.

The chullo has been worn since pre-columbian times and is a bit hit with the tourists

The bowler has been popular with Andean women since the 1920s

The cristina is pretty modern too and is supposed to be worn every Monday at school

 Here are some hats that are common in the Arequipa area.

Very traditional hats that are common in rural communities

Traditional costumes from the Carnaval parade

Dressed up for a visit to the big city

These are the hats we saw in the Lake Titicaca area.

This type of hat is only found on the heads of married women in the community of Llachon

Other hats in Llachon are just to keep the sun off

Woman from the reed islands of Uros

Only single women wear this type of hat.

More cool hats

Every region in Andes has different types of hats.

Young girl outside of Cusco

My favorite hats can be found in the Cajamarca region and I am bummed that I did not buy one when the opportunity presented itself.

 

I hope you enjoyed the hats as much as we do. Next week is a short one due to Easter and we are planning a trip way off the beaten track; we are also planning a Peruvian Passover Sedar. All this and more will be part of our next blog so stay tuned for some more more rip-roaring tales of high adventure and comedy.

Jeff