The vegetation is lush and green during the rainy season, and the region is supported by numerous lakes, springs and rivers, as well as beautiful waterfalls. Cajamarca is also known for its unique production of dairy and cattle compared to other regions of Peru.
As mentioned, I live in the mountains. This means we don’t have easy access to the ocean or many big cities, and our diet is dependent upon what is grown locally in the chacra (farm) and what is brought to the local markets from the surrounding towns. In fact, my host parents and all six of their adult children have land in the chacra! They all plant and grow different crops year-round. My region is known for producing a lot of grain. Because of this, we have different types of corn, wheat, barley, flaxseed and beans. Many people in the community make a living from growing and selling their crops, or, like our family, they use these crops to eat and survive. These grains are the base of many of our dishes here, which is great since we don’t have a grocery store to get our food from.
Further, the lush vegetation supports the life of many animals. It is common to see cows, bulls, donkeys, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and pigs, sometimes even when you’re taking a walk through the neighborhood! All these animals are either directly used for their meat or their products like milk, eggs and wool. They are both a source of nutrition and income for those who raise the animals to sell. However, none of this would be possible without the rainy season; from September to April, we experience lots and lots of rain.
