Traditional Clothing of South America

Traveling around the countryside and markets of Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, we have had the opportunity to see many of the local people wearing traditional garments. Many of the people are Quechua who are famous for wearing the bowler hats, but you will find people wearing various different styles of hats and garments depending on the area where the people live.

Traditional Bowler Hat
Standing Outside the Visitor Center of Incallajta in Bolivia
Colorful Clothing in Lima, Peru
Woman Drying Coca Leaves

From what we understand, the style of dress of the indigenous people is based on the period of time when the countries were under Spanish control and the people were required to wear European clothes. It has been adapted over time, and some are more colorful than others, but there are similarities across all of them. Although you will find people wearing the traditional outfits in the markets visited by tourists, people wear them in the countryside and are they do not just wear them for the people who visit the country.

Sitting in the Doorway of Her Home
Peruvian Woman
Women from Cochabamba
On the Side of the Road in Ecuador

When you consider how much time the people spend in the sun in the altitudes of the Andes mountains, there is a lot of practicality to what they wear as well. We try not to offend anyone by taking their pictures, so we try to catch them in candid moments.

Waiting for the Bus
Heading Home from the Fields in Bolivia
On the Islands of Lake Titicaca

Seeing Street Art When Traveling

We have seen some truly interesting and beautiful art on the sides of buildings during our travels. Obviously not all of it is good and there is still plenty of graffiti to be found, but the work done by true artists can be quite wonderful. Art is something that unites all of us and the feelings that the images generate are not limited to the culture in which they were created. With that said, the culture also comes through in the art in the representations of the people, the colors, and at times the political message represented. More and more, as we travel we actively seek out street art in order to capture images of them to be part of our record of our visit. We are sharing just a sampling of that art and we don’t have a particular favorite. Do you capture images of street art and, if you do, do you have one that speaks to you more than others?

Tigers Getting Colorful Stripes in Carlsbad, California
A Woman Looking Like She is Peeking Through the Trees in Budapest
Building in Quito, Ecuador
Restaurant Wall in Prague
Fish Mosaic Wall in Vietnam
Chinatown Mural in San Francisco
Artwork in Cochabamba, Bolivia
Painted Building in Reykjavik, Iceland
Street Art in Panama City, Panama
Side of a Building in Denver, Colorado
Sandhill Cranes Painted on Wall in Southern Colorado
Surfing Mario at the Beach in California

Skyscrapers and City Skylines

Traveling provides such a wonderful opportunity to see historic locations as well as the ingenuity of the human race. Cities have evolved over time and each generation has added to their splendor in a variety of different ways. We certainly enjoy seeing the historic old town areas, the beautiful cathedrals, and the grand architecture of castles and manors. With that said, we also love views of modern skyscrapers with their glistening windows. In many cities, the local citizens work in the modern section of the city that is filled with tall buildings that are away from the historic, old town sections that have kept their original charm. Sometimes the two exist right next to each other with historic buildings sitting next to modern structures.

Sunrise Reflecting on a Skyscraper in Frankfurt

Glass Building in Cologne

One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) in New York City

Glass Tower in Amsterdam

Reflections of Vienna

Reflections on Skyscraper in Chicago

Las Vegas

Cityscape of Panama City, Panama

San Francisco Skyline

Nile River and Skyscrapers from Our Hotel Room in Cairo, Egypt

Old and New Side-by-Side

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