Chocolatada

Around Xmas time, various organisations provide some Xmas cheer to selected communities - Chocolatada!  The event usually involves hot chocolate (hence the name), some sweet bread with dried fruit, and toys for the children.  Last Saturday, I was fortunate to be allowed to tag along on such an event.  Tucan have a connection with a remote community where some of their porters for Inca Trail expeditions come from.  So we set off early Saturday morning, Tucan staff, Inca Trail cooks, transport driver, families and me - with all the necessary ingredients for a 'Chocolatada'.

 

 This particular community certainly is remote - out into the Sacred Valley, across the other side and then up and up.  A 3 hour trek, through winding roads, sharp hairpin bends, well above the tree line, and into the clouds.  But the scenery was some of the most spectacular I've seen.  Stunning, but so pleased I wasn't driving.  It was sooo green.  The hillsides were dotted with ploughed sections, stone wall fences, alpacas and the occasional farm house.

 

It seems that no buses or taxis service these remote areas - people travel everywhere on foot.  The Inca Trail porters told us that it takes 5 hours from their community to main Sacred Valley Road.  Amazing!!!! Took about 2 hours by car for this section.

The small village near the top of the mountains - over 4000m, was really peaceful, and COLD!!  No cars here ... and no roads other than the one that passes by their community, so carry the gear down to the village.

 

 

We were shown into the school grounds - food was taken into the kitchen where big pots of water were already heating up.  More heat needed, so a couple of small fence posts were sacrificed for the the fire - no ready source of firewood at this altitude.

 

Like kids everywhere, a group of small boys were keen for a game of footy.  They are so much more acclimatised to this altitude than the visitors - they never seem to tire!!

 

And when the big boys joined in, the smaller kids were relegated to the goal posts - seen that elsewhere before too.

While Zac was playing with the kids, the kitchen crew (aka Tucan staff ) were working away in the smoky kitchen environment.   It wasn't long before the hot chocolate was ready - it has other nutritious additives and is quite a thick mixture.

 

Rico, no?

A small crowd had been gathering just inside the school gate, but news must have spread rather fast because groups of small children began streaming towards the school dining room, carrying containers of all shapes and sizes.  

The dining room filled up quickly, and hot steaming chocolate and large fruity bread rolls were distributed to eager hands. Some devoured theirs quickly, while others stored theirs for later consumption.  Kids filled the tables and some young mothers and smaller children joined in along the back of the room.  Many of the small girls seemed very shy, while the young boys seemed more outgoing.

Adults outside were not forgotten either - I'm sure the hot chocolate was very welcome in this cold climate.  I kept thinking to myself - this is summer!!  I also wondered how often they would get fresh bread out there too.  Maybe if they make their own.

It is quite a sight to see people wearing traditional clothing as part of their everyday life- rather than dressed for tourists to take photos as we see around the Plaza in Cusco.  It really happens!!

Papa Noel arrived and it was obvious that the kids were excited, although still very reserved.

Toys were distributed - cars for the boys and dolls for the girls - with little regard for the rain that had started outside.

 

Small boys soon found places to drive their cars and girls checked out their dolls.

Everyone was delighted - rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits.  I was thrilled to be included in the day - it was sheer joy just to be there.  I was welcomed early in the day by some of the villagers, attempted to interact with some of the kids with my limited Spanish, and invited to share small shelter from the rain.  

Shortly after, the community showed their appreciation by offering us lunch - large servings of lamb and potatoes.  It was a plain meal by our standards, but also very, very generous.

Just before we left we were invited to see their greenhouse project.  What an achievement this is - at an altitude of over 4000m they are growing lettuce, cabbages, spring onions, etc  Amazing

An amazing day for me - such a privilege to spend a few hours in this remote community.  Thanks Tucan and thanks to the community for such an amazing experience. And thanks for Chocolatada.   

On the way back down to the Sacred Valley road, the last remaining toys were distributed to small children seen in the fields with their families.  The look on the faces of small girls and boys when someone stopped and handed them a doll or a toy truck, was absolutely unforgettable. No pictures unfortunately, as it was raining - but the pictures are printed in my mind forever.