Cumbemayo. An incredibly photogenic site about an hour-drive away from the city of Cajamarca. The Cajamarca district is mapped as one of the poorest regions of Peru, and this became painfully clear during a day-trip to Cumbemayo. Many locals, mainly children (who should be in school), seat themselves at the side of the path leading along the impressive (naturally shaped) rock formations. Some of them are selling artesania or food, others let their picture be taken in return for a ‘propinita‘ (tip), and some of them are just holding up their hand asking for money and/or medication to fight their fever. Their bodies showing the signs of malnutrition (red eyes, bad skin), encountering them brought my friend from Lima to tears and I felt powerless, heartbroken, angry and ashamed.
