Huancayo is the capital of Peru’s Junín region and one of the most tourist friendly Andean towns in Peru. It is best known for the Maté Burrilado, a hand carved gourd found sold all across Peru, and for the spicy potato dish, Papas a la Huancaina.

Tiempo Santo, or Holy Time, is when god comes down off his pedestal and cannot see the sins of man. On Good Friday, after acknowledging the crucifixion of Christ, the townspeople begin a festival of decadence where, since Jesus is gone, all sins cannot be seen until he rises again on Easter Sunday.

The South American camelids, the Alpaca and Vicuña, produce some of the fnest quality fiber on the planet. Here’s the lowdown.