Arequipa Wedding Guest
In March, El Fotografo, El Hijo and I went to a wedding in Arequipa, an old colonial city in southern Peru. The wedding reception was held at a sort of an ecological/conservation site, which included a mini farm with typical Peruvian animals: llamas, alpacas, sheep and a lone vicuna. There were about 250 people at the wedding, and when you got tired of being with them, you could head out back to hang out with animals. Most of them were friendly, except for the vicuna, who was high-strung and had a pen all to himself and liked to spit at people.
This photo is either of a llama or an alpaca: the difference has been explained to me, but it’s gone out of my head. If you can identify the camelid, please do.
Barbara
I am an American writer who lived in Lima for seven years (2007-2014), where I covered Andean traditions, melting glaciers and daily life in the capital for Miami Herald, MSNBC and Huffington Post. I now live and work in northern Florida where I champion climate change advocacy and compassionate, affordable eldercare.
8 Comments
JV
This is certainly an Alpaca. One can tell by the smile. Llamas do not smile and wll spit at you if they feel their territory is being compromised.
Barbara
Llamas don’t smile?
eva
llamas maybe smile sometimes, if they have a reason…
Barb
Reasons, such as?….
Joann
Hi Barbara,
So tell us what if anything you are homesick for.
Love,
Joann
Henk
I am high-strung, have a pen all to myself and like to spit at people. Maybe I am a vicuna?
(Say what you like, them is some tender eatin, mmmh, huh).
Barb
H, perhaps you are. Did you know that the people of the high Andes consider llamas, alpacas and vicunas to be the ancestors of human beings? They name all of their domesticated camelids and cry when they die, according to anthropologist Inge Bolin.
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