One Cusqueña’s COVID Journey

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes and challenges to people all over the world. In countries like our beloved Peru where tourism plays an essential role in sustaining the economy, this meant a startling shift in daily life. In our first blog post of the new year, we share personal perspectives of those on the ground – starting with our colleague Boneth.

Boneth is a native of Cusco and has historically found work in the tourism sector. With tourism at a standstill, she and her family sought out new opportunities and ways to overcome challenges – some uniquely Peruvian and some more familiar than you would expect! Take a look:

How has COVID-19 and the lockdown in Peru impacted your daily life?

I was initially prepared to work very hard in 2020, to make up for time spent at home helping my son prepare for school. In the very beginning of the quarantine I didn’t feel too much economic pressure, but after 9 months of no work, circumstances began to feel more desperate. I’m thankful to people like Karen who made a conscious effort to provide work in these difficult times. From a personal perspective, the quarantine gave me an opportunity to explore my creative side. I began weaving whatever I could – sweaters, scarves. It was only after I finished that I remembered my son is allergic to the wool I was using!

Is there anything that you think is uniquely impacting Peru and its people as a result of COVID?

Like many countries that depend heavily on tourism, COVID-19 had a devastating economic impact on Peru. Most people consider only the needs of the day-to-day as a result of poverty, which is often exacerbated by the need to feed large families. There was some income as a result of unemployment policies former President Vizcarrra put into place, but that dried up quickly.

How have you been spending your time in lockdown/quarantine? Any new or unexpected experiences?

Quarantine has given me a chance to experiment and expand my skills. I’ve been weaving of course and experimenting with new food in the kitchen and in my garden. I planted apples, beans, sunflowers and lemons. Our family grew as well – we used to have two pet guinea pigs, but now we have four!

Has the pandemic shifted your perspective/ priorities? If yes, how so?

It definitely shifted my perspective. I’m now more focused on both how to live and enjoy life while making sure I can save money for the future. I’m also looking into new opportunities to build my vocational skills in things like carpentry and fashion design.

Have you seen any “silver linings” as a result of the pandemic

I can think of a few. In 2020 our planet (our “Pachamama”) got a chance to rejuvenate and renew. I saw that firsthand as I noticed more birds and wildlife just in my backyard. It also took the pressure off of tourism hotspots like Machu Picchu that were on the brink of collapsing due to over-tourism. The Peruvian National Institute of Culture was already planning to close Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail for over one month to alleviate some of the pressure caused by large crowds but were hesitant because of the income it provided. The pandemic took care of that for them. Machu Picchu also saw the return of a lot of wildlife – bears, deer, chinchillas – all animals that you wouldn’t see normally. Personally, I enjoyed the emptiness in Cusco’s plazas – it was nice to be able to sit and relax again without anyone crowding to offer you a souvenir or a shoeshine!

How can people help from afar?

My best suggestion would be to remember us when it is finally safe to book your next vacation and come visit! Peru prospers on welcoming visitors from all over the world and has so many wonderful things to experience and see. And of course, make sure you book your trip consciously so that both the communities and places you visit can continue to thrive! I also hear that Native Tours will be offering some ways to contribute to our communities from afar, so I would say stay tuned for that!

Editor’s Note: In addition to our commitment to providing opportunities for ethical travel as a way to support communities, we also partner with several charities that provide essential services to Peruvians in need. Learn more on the Our Partners page