Things to take home
Ayacucho produces some of the best crafts in the whole of Peru, and many people who visit the city do so with the purpose of buying these. Many different items are produced, but certain products stand out above the rest. The textiles, which are woven in wool or alpaca with Wari or other pre-Hispanic designs, are often of very high quality, and many of the weavers have mounted exhibitions in Europe, North America and Japan. Figures carved in the local Huamanga stone are also very good, and the nativity scenes are justifiably famous. Another Ayacucho tradition is the retablo. This is a wooden box that opens out to depict traditional Ayacuchano scenes. In recent years, retablos have been used to represent the political situation in Ayacucho, with the horrors of the years of conflict between the Sendero and the army graphically shown.
All of these products are available throughout the city, although the best examples are to be found in the showrooms of the artists themselves. Almost all of these live in the Santa Ana district, and products at different prices are available depending on their quality. The attractions section above lists several of the more renowned artists who crafts are of a very high quality, although these are also the most expensive. However, wandering around Santa Ana you will come across many different workshops and show rooms. There is also a crafts market near the Molina Unión bus office.
Supermarkets
Maximarket, on 28 de Julio, on the corner of the Plaza de Armas, has a reasonable selection of groceries.
Markets
The market is on the 4th block of Jr. 28 de Julio.
Photography
There are a few basic shops offering films around the Plaza. Alejos, on the first block of Jr. 9 de diciembre, sells Kodak slide film.
www.peru-guide.com - the most comprehensive travel guide to Peru available on the Internet.
The Peru Guide is © 2004-2008 Llama Travel
Peru Holidays from Llama Travel