Pisac

"Bright Andean Mantas and Monteras One of the best things to do while in Cuzco is to visit the Sunday farmer's market in the nearby Andean town of Pisac, taking either a taxi or a more economical bus to get there. The villagers surrounding Pisac come from miles around to sell their products - vegetables, fruits, cheeses, handmade alpaca products, colorful dyes - or barter with other villagers for the things they need. I was struck by the beautiful colors of the clothing that the villagers wore, like these bright "mantas" worn around the shoulders and ornate "monteras" decorated with intricate embroidery patterns. Interestingly, the style and colors of an Andean woman's montera indicate the specific village from which she comes. No trip to Cuzco is complete without taking time to visit the fascinating Sunday farmer's market in picturesque Pisac!"