Not only Machu Picchu: 10 facts that will surprise you about Peru

Peru, the beating heart of South America, is a destination unlike any other. It combines snowy peaks at a height of thousands of meters and wild jungles that make up 60 percent of the country’s surface. After conquering the pace of Jamaica, the couples of the Race to the Million (Saturday, after the news) are about to be tested in the kingdom of the Incas. Prepare yourself for a country where the food is considered the best in the world, genetics leave hair black forever, and history is hidden in every stone.

Did you think a potato was just a side dish? So in Peru it is a vegetable that is almost sacred. Peru grows over 3,000 (and some say even 4,000) different varieties of potatoes in every shape and color you can imagine: long, round, red, purple and even black. The locals eat them with every meal: from potato bread to a combination of potatoes with rice. There is even a dedicated “Potato Park” in the Holy Valley that celebrates this crazy variety.

Although the mighty Amazon River is mostly associated with Brazil, it actually begins high in the Andes of Peru. One of the biggest wonders that can be found in its waters is the pink dolphin. These beautiful creatures are born gray and change color to pink as they mature. According to local legends, these are magical creatures, and the opportunity to swim alongside them is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

It may sound strange to the western visitor, but the most famous national dish in Peru (besides the ceviche) is the “Cuy”, which is actually a vulture. It is usually served roasted and crispy, and often comes to the table completely intact (including the head and legs). For the Peruvians it is a luxury delicacy that is usually reserved for special occasions.

Travelers who visited Peru and mingled with the locals noticed an amazing phenomenon: people of Inca descent have coal black, smooth and shiny hair that stays like that even when they reach the age of 90! While the teeth may rot and the back may curve, the pigment in the hair simply refuses to turn gray. Genetics which is the dream of every hairstylist.

Lake Titicaca, located at an altitude of 3,812 meters, is the highest navigable lake in the world. But the really crazy part is the “Oros Islands”, artificial islands that float on the water and are made of dried reeds. The locals build from them not only the islands themselves, but also their houses and boats.

Peruvian textiles are considered one of the most colorful and high quality in the world. A traditional poncho is not just a garment, but a work of art that can take between 500 and 6,000 hours of work! Some ponchos are woven for more than a year, and are supposed to last the lifetime of the wearer. According to the patterns and colors, the locals know exactly which community you came from.

In 1928, extremely elongated skulls were discovered on the Prakas Peninsula that sparked a global uproar and theories about visitors from outer space. The historical truth is no less fascinating: it is an ancient tradition in which wooden boards were tied to the heads of babies to lengthen the skull, which is considered a symbol of nobility and beauty among certain tribes.

The Andean condor is the largest flying bird on Earth. With a wingspan of over 3 meters, it is so heavy that it prefers to live in areas with strong winds (like the deep Colca Canyon) so that it can simply float on the air currents without any effort at all.

In every corner of Peru you will see the “Chakana”, a symmetrical cross that symbolizes the three worlds according to Inca belief: the upper world (of the gods), the everyday world and the world of the dead. Peruvians worship Mother Earth (“Pachamama”) and this cross appears on buildings, jewelry and clothing as a symbol of the cycle of life.

While in the West we are sold quinoa, chia seeds and maca in small, luxurious bags in health food stores, in Peru these are basic products that are sold in piles in the market. Quinoa is an integral part of everyday soups and dishes, and the local fruits, such as the creamy avocado or the “Chirimoya” fruit, are considered the tastiest in the world thanks to traditional organic cultivation.