The Spinner

Now turn around and take a look at this beautiful street-art mural brightening the bold green wall. The piece pays tribute to the ancestral craftsmanship of Andean women. At its center is an artisan caught in the middle of spinning with a pushka, the traditional drop spindle.

Look closely at the motion of her hands: the spindle hangs vertically, suspended from a strand of wool that is being twisted into thread. It’s the very same technique the Incas were using centuries ago to spin alpaca and vicuña wool. The mural also offers a wonderful glimpse into traditional Andean dress.

On her head, she wears a montera, that flat hat trimmed in red, typical of the Chinchero and Pisac regions. Her dark jacket is richly embroidered with floral designs that evoke the cantuta, Peru’s national flower. And her skirt, known as a pollera, is finished with a wide band of traditional woven fabric.

It’s a small moment of urban art along your route—but also a vivid tribute to living Andean tradition.