waiting for turistas

waiting for turistas

indigenas in costumes

pose for a foto

Wherever there are tourists, as at this big open-air market in Pisac, there are bound to be groups of women and children dressed in bright native costumes, waiting for a camera to turn their way and then politely asking for Soles in return. Indigenas everywhere in Peru wear the striped shoulder cloths called k'eperinas, but each locality has its own distinct traditional dress, like this group from the Ausangate region. The girls are wearing elaborately adorned wool jackets called juyuna, flounced skirts called polleras and hats that look like lampshades. The boy wears a traditional cap with flaps called a chollo, but the rest of his outfit is modern. The costumes are certainly eye-catching, but if that's not enough to entice the photographer, one of the children will cradle a puppy or a baby llama and the woman will carry a baby on her back. From what I'm told, sometimes the woman will borrow a baby as part of her props. Still, it seems to be a fairly harmless and rather charming way to earn some income, especially since they don't follow the tourist around with hands outstretched.