One massive part of Peruvian culture, especially around the regions of Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, and the Sacred Valley (where Cusco is located) is cultural dance. From a young age, and as a part of their schooling, boys and girls partake in annual cultural dances at their schools and across the city during certain times of festivity. The dances are complex and usually of a group type. The costumes are all varied and full of colour. 

One dance that is quite unusual is one in which the girls play whip the boys and stand over them. Another that is quite unusual is one in which the participants play in herding animals. 

Theatre is also a varied and large tradition in the country used not only as a form of entertainment, but as a way to tell about histories between the Incan's and the Spanish, and to pass down Incan traditions, beliefs, and ways of life. Of course, now there is also a mix of more contemporary theatre. 

In Cusco every year during the festivals of Into Raymi - the sun solstice - many theatrical pieces of reenactments of Incan beliefs and culture take place through the walled city. 

In regards to music, dance, and theatre, Peru really is a treasure trove - there is so much, and so much of it is quite different. And it is not just for those into dance or theatre, or for the elite; these things are for everyone and they happen in the small villages all the way through to the big cities. It's a beautiful thing. 

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska

In the districts of Barranco and Miraflores, Lima is really really safe. Miraflores is more of an upity district full of all the rich peoples, and high end restaurants and stores, and very cleanly kept. Barranco is just a tiny bit grittier, and full of gorgeous graffiti and street art.  

The graffiti and street art in Barranco is pretty, meaningful, and full of love and colour, and I'm wishing I'd taken more pictures of it - which often happens when the prettiness is sooo much that one is just in that moment and the idea of coming out of that moment to capture a picture all but disappears. Anyhow, if you are ever in Lima - make that trip to Barranco and check it out!! While your at it grab a coffee or ice cream and take in the wonderful performances from the local street musicians. 

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska

Due to the influence the Spanish culture and Catholic religion have had in Peru, much of the country's artwork reflects as such. There are many ornate churches and religious paintings, as well as plazas, fountains, and park sculptures. The works are often colourful or littered with Incan designs and patterns giving a dutiful nod to the more ancient culture of the country. 

Some of the most ornate, beautiful, and unique pieces of art can be found in the church - La Merced - in Cusco - in which there are housed many paintings in the style of Cusco, and in the parks of Lima - such as the Love Park - in which the artist Victor Delfin drew from the works of Spanish Architect Gaudi - and created a colourful mosaic park over looking the ocean and centred with a large sculpture of two lovers. As for plazas, I would say that some of the most beautiful are in Cusco, Arequipa, and Lima - namely the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, the Plaza de Armas in Arequipa, and the Plaza de Armas of Barranco in Lima. These plazas are not only beautiful, but laid out so well that they are always teeming with people coming to enjoy the plaza, the people, the ice cream, and just be.

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska

This has been quite the year for learning and growing and because its always good to reflect, I am going to list what I've learned and done over the year - what I've pushed for and what I've accomplished - this way I know what I am capable off, good for someone like me who often forgets especially when bogged down, or dealing with depressive weather. 
August 2015 - August 2016

1. Taught university courses in another language - Spanish 
2. Devised and created curriculum 
3. Headed a project with an NGO 
4. Helped to edit a cook book 
5. Created 25 mid to large sized oil paintings 
6. Researched the lives, techniques, and styles of many artists 
7. Lived and worked in another country 
8. Gotten my driver's licence 
9. Painted a couple of smaller murals 
10. Taken university courses in advanced anatomy and art history in Spanish 
11. Changed a diaper 
12. Packed and transported paintings over continents 
13. Cooked for larger groups of people 
14. Translated papers and recipes from English to Spanish 
15. Written and illustrated a book 
16. Gotten packages ready for publishers (have been kindly declined twice already - with recommendations to keep writing and sending out :) 
17. Further developed my painting techniques 
18. Consulted on interior design work 
19. Participated in Karaoke - one of my greatest fears 
20. Given a few seminars to mid to large groups 

So far, so good.

​Now, its about working to live and also keeping the art up - at least for a couple of years until I can further break into the arts and let it take on more time 

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska

I am back in Calgary - It has been officially 2 weeks - I am transitioning and looking over all I've done over the past year. I feel incredibly blessed, and very happy. I've had so many incredible opportunities, and experiences, and I've spent a lot of time with wonderful people, and I've eaten a lot of good food. I've made good strides in painting, and I have a mentor. I want to thank the universe, greatly. 

This painting, below, was creatively based on the work of Salvador Dali - the surrealist Spanish painter whose works were often personal and symbolic. I created this painting in August when I was getting ready to say good bye to Peru and my friends and family there, and also to my life there - to which I had grown accustomed. I was feeling surrounded but alone. I am in the salt flats, my favourite place to go and ponder, when I had been living in Urubamba. On the way to them - the hike up, there were Cactus along the way, covered in furry almost fluffy cloud like looking cochineal bugs - white and powdery. Being a clumsy person I often fall into things - and things like cactus hurt - and the cochineals bugs are filled with a deep red blood like my own - reminding me on my way to the calmness and before the storm, that there will always be struggle, but to keep grounded, and to take time to be and think. The others in the painting are people from my present and past - acquaintances and friends. They go on with their lives, as I go on with mine. The calm is in the being, in the contemplation of the being, in the being with oneself. 

Tahira Nusrat Karim
​Tauska