Return to Cuzco and Yawarmaky Ceramic Shop (Friday, December 29th, 2017)

On our way back to Cuzco from Machu Picchu, we stopped at a family owned ceramics shop for a demonstration and some shopping.

The ceramic shop was a part of their house, which is quite common in Peru, so the whole family could be involved in the family business.

Even their kitties got involved in entertaining the guests.

There are 64 natural colors of clay found in the Sacred Valley.

The clay is mixed with silica sand, then the mixture must sit for ten days before it can be used to make pottery.

After 10 days the clay is kneaded to remove any bubbles from the clay.

He then turns the clay on the potters wheel to form the vessel he wants.  The vessel must then sit for another 10 days in the shade to dry.

After drying for 10 days, the potter will carve a design in the vessel and add the desired natural colors.  It must then dry in the shade for another 10 days.

The potter can then add a porcelain glaze and fire in the kiln at 900 degrees celsius.

Once our demonstration was complete we had a chance to walk through the shop.  

Then we headed back over the mountains into Cuzco, enjoying the sights along the way.

In Cuzco, we stayed at the Xima Hotel, which was in the process of becoming the Eco Hotel.

Tomorrow will be our last full day in Peru.  We have a big day planned and are excited to see what it has in store for us.