Archive for February, 2006
A large portion of Lima looks forward to Thursday, 9 March, when Joaquín Sabina will go onstage at the Jockey Club del Perú, in the district of Surco.
A brilliant songwriter and inspired musician, Joaquín Sabina is probably to Spain and Latin America what Bob Dylan is to the English-speaking world. His poetic lyrics and daring songs, a fusion of rock and Spanish and Latin rhythms, have gained millions of fans since his debut in 1978 with Inventario, his first album.
Several Sabina’s songs have become all time classics, so many he could create 2 or 3 different “best of” compilations. Some of these include: Peor para el Sol, Princesa, Medias Negras, Calle Melancolía, Cerrado por Derribo, Con la Frente Marchita, Peces de Ciudad, A mis 40 y 10… and the list goes on.
Born in 1949 in the city of Úbeda (Jaén Province, in Andalusia), his father a policeman, he started writing poems and composing music with friends at the age of 14. In 1968 he enrolled in the University of Granada, but went into exile in London, using a fake passport, to avoid Francisco Franco’s persecution. In 1975, he started composing songs and singing at local bars. When the dictatorship ended in 1977 he returned to Spain and enrolled in the military. In 1978 his first album, Inventario (Inventory), debuted with the number-one hit single Pongamos que hablo de Madrid (Let’s say I’m talking about Madrid).
His later albums Esta boca es mía (These Lips are Mine), Yo, mi, me contigo (I, Mine, Me With You) and 19 días y 500 noches (19 Days and 500 Nights), won him recognition and multiple platinum albums. After recovering from a stroke, he returned to the stage in 2002 with Dímelo en la calle (Let’s Take It Outside). He later released a double album called Diario de un peatón (Diary of A Pedestrian), which included both his previous album and 12 new songs, along with a book illustrated by him. In 2005 his new record Alivio de luto (Mourning Relief), put him in track to being one of the biggest names in Spanish musical stardom.
An absolute must.
Joaquín Sabina, Thursday, 9 March, 9pm, Jockey Club del Perú (Av. Javier Prado 4500, Surco). For ticket information check e-teleticket.com.
February 25th, 2006
The Inca Trail, the legendary trekking route that links Cusco city to the old Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, reopens on March 1st, 2006 after being closed during February for maintenance.
The maintenance period and reopening date where scheduled according to the Regulation for the Usage of the Inca Trail. Fernando Astete, the chief officer of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, said the maintenance allowed both the natural recuperation of the Sanctuary’s vegetation, and a technical evaluation of the route’s erosion.
It is estimated that at least 53.000 trekkers transited through the Inca Trail in 2005.
According to Astete, at least 10 archaeological sites all along the route need to be maintained to eliminate the risk of deterioration, in particular regarding the Inca walls. Furthermore, many tourist facilities must be repaired and upgraded for optimal service.
The monthly closure is scheduled yearly, between January and February, in coincidence with the rainy season (that goes from November to March) and the consequent decrease in tourist flow.
During high season, some 500 travellers trek the route each day.
The Inca Trail, one of the World’s most popular trekking routes, runs for more than 40km and reaches 4,200 m.a.s.l. at its highest point, the Warmiwañuska or Dead Woman’s Pass. The stone-paved trail, discovered in 1960, crosses through an impressive range of natural landscapes and eco-systems, from thick tropical jungle to the bear, unwelcoming rocks of the Andean mountains. All in all it’s probably the most beautiful walk in South America.
February 20th, 2006
The 17th edition of the Lunahuaná Adventure Sports Festival will take place during February, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26, in the Lunahuaná valley (a 3-hour drive from Lima).
Organized by ALDEA -Asociación Latinoamericana de Deportes de Aventura-, the festival includes three different competitions: rafting and kayaking, artificial rock wall climbing, and mountain biking.
The event features a huge party on Saturday night, open to everyone: journalists, athletes, and spectators.
The organizers have arranged for everyone interested in participating a camping site (Camping San Jerónimo), for free. However, you’ll need to bring your tent and other camping equipment with you. The Camping San Jerónimo, located in the Km. 33 of the Imperial-Lunahuaná road, next to the Cañete rivers, is 20,000 square meters and complete with all basic services: baths, showers, parking, restaurant, etc.
The almost 2-decade long experience of ALDEA, the Latin American Association for Adventure Sports, assures that the festival will be a success. The association has been promoting and making popular the practice of adventures sports and eco-tourism in Peru. The Lunahuaná Festival, with its 16 previous editions, is the prime adventure sports event in the country.
The Lunahuaná district is located in the Cañete province (Lima department), some 40 km east of the provincial capital, San Vicente, and 180km south of Lima. To get there, drive to the km. 143 of the Panamericana Sur, and turn left (east) following the road signs to Lunahuaná (after passing by the cities of San Vicente and Imperial).
Lunahuaná, besides an adventure sports paradise, is a nice tourist destination for its cultural and archaeological attractions. It’s located along a fertile valley plenty with vineyards and orchards, and includes the Incahuasi archaeological site, the colonial church of Apóstol Santiago, and the suspended bridge of Catapalla.
For more information about the festival, contact ALDEA (phone +51 2214428 or +51 98944978).
February 1st, 2006
