Potato Farming

Okay let me just first say that I am now officially a Peruvian: I spent a day slaving away cultivating potatoes in a farm. And a week later my hands are still full of blisters.

Last weekend my Peruvian family took me up to "la puna" which is the Quechua word for farm/land in a high place. Going to "la puna" usually first requires transportation in some kind of taxi or bus to take you to the mountain base, and then it requires hiking up the side of a mountain before finally arriving.So my Peruvian mom and four little siblings and I got up at 5 am, took a bus to the base of the mountain where they have their farm, and hiked up to the top to arrive to the farm. 

My Peruvian mother (Benita is her name) grew up on this farm and her parents still live there. Her parents are in their 70s and they climb up and down the side of a mountain every time they have to leave their home. Incredible, right?! On their farm they grow potatoes which is the only crop they can naturally grow because the altitude is so high. They build their own green house in which they can grow other vegetables. They also have a huge flock of sheep, pigs, guinea pigs, cows, horses, and chicken. Not only do they care for everything on the farm at their age, but they also care for 3 of their grandchildren who live with them. 

I even got the pleasure to help them cultivate potatoes! They didn’t want me to help because I was the guest, but I insisted. We spent most of the day planting potatoes and it was hard work! By the end of the day, I had blisters on my hands and an aching back. Benita’s father is 79 years old and still works so hard every day on his farm. When are you are a farmer in Peru, you don’t get retirement. You work hard until you can no longer move. It truly amazes me because they work SO hard and they literally live almost completely off of their land with out having to buy any food from outside the farm.

The Peruvian culture and people continue to amaze me and teach me new life lessons about simplicity and humility. I am so blessed!  

Their home. Just look at those mountains!

A very large guinea pig! It's the size of a small dog!

The guinea pigs live on the floor in the kitchen

Planting potatoes! 

To cultivate a potato you literally plant an entire potato in the ground

At age 79, Benita's father works so hard every day on his farm.

A family photo in the potato field. 

The youngest grandchild playing in the kitchen

The beautiful view from the house

Another view of their home

Riding their cute little donkey

On of the older grandchildren

It was a very fun weekend on the farm! I am so thankful for all the amazing opportunities and wonderful people that I know in Peru!