Colca Baskets

Due to popular request, and questions about what things are in the caves overlooking Tuti I have uploaded my photo of the baskets that are imbedded in the grounds of the caves. This type of basket in Quechua is known as Colca. It translates to something like a refrigerator, where these baskets were used as storage units for food and since the Colca baskets probably sit at an altitude of about 12,800 feet and out of the sunlight, they stay cool enough to preserve food. From these baskets derives the name of the cold, windy, and sometimes feels like a refrigerator valley that I live in, Colca Valley. Food storage was the primary use of these caves, and there is ample drinkable mineral water trickling down the cave walls. Of course some of the locals had scribbled their names on the walls, but other than that the majority of the caves looked untouched and Colca baskets worn down by the age of time sat in each cave we visited.