October 25, 2013

El Carmen, is a small district settled in the outskirts of Chinchero.  This is where the Afro-Peruvian music plays.  

I took a walk in the early morning light to snap some photos on my last day in Peru before I hopped on a bus to Lima.  I came to a home and as I was shooting the man opened the door and invited me in to listen to some music.  His name was Guillermo Marcos Santa Cruz.  He asked me what I was doing in El Carmen as I was the only tourist in town, I said I came for the music. Guillermo performed with his violin and as his 4 year old granddaughter woke up, she gave me a hug and started dancing as her dad accompanied her on the cajon.  I had a private show all before 8am.  It was magical.