Peru

Souvenirs from Peru

Peru is a South American country with a firm grip on its past, reflected in the mountain villages and Spanish Colonial styled cities. Charming Andean themed sweaters, scarves and Chullo hats are made from Alpaca wool, as well as intricately woven tapestries and fabrics. The fuzzy alpaca can be found on postcards, key chains, t shirts and other souvenirs from Peru. Pottery is another popular gift, shaped into mugs, vases, platters and bowls, painted in vivid colors. Sterling silver jewelry is very affordable here, fashioned with gemstones and uniquely designed. Leather goods can be found for a steal as well, turned into bags, belts and art pieces. Looking for a vegan Peruvian souvenir? A carved gourd is a unique item to display on an office desk. A new arrival in the arts/crafts sector is patchwork art. These adorable wall hangings use locally produced cloth to create pastoral scenes of the Republic of Peru.

The Mystery of the Peruvian Nazca Lines

Over 1500 years ago, the Nazca tribes of Peru dug a series of lines and shapes in the Nazca desert. Visible from nearby hilltops, they created hundreds of geometric shapes and figures, including a monkey, spider and dog. They were first noted in modern times in 1927, and studied in depth in the following decades. Scientists have determined that the lines were created by using shovels to remove the red layer of pebbles on the ground, revealing the white ground. Why the Nazca created them is another matter entirely. Some believe that they served as navigational points for travelers, while others say that they are an astronomical calendar. Each symbol on the ground might be linked to a constellation. Conspiracy theorists claim that they were created in homage to alien visitors, as a way to entertain the extraterrestrials. Human tourists can get an eagle eye's view of the lines on chartered airplanes, and take posters to decorate their homes.