March 13, 2012


The adventure contined today as we watched a herd of 1 year old alpacas have their first shearing. On Mallkini, the process is completed using an electric shearing tool and it takes only 2-3.5 minutes for each alpaca. On small farms, a number of hand shearing tools would be used and the process would be much longer.


Each alpaca produces around 2-3 kilograms per it's yearly shearing. Around the age of eight, the alpacas fiber production decreases substantially. After the alpacas are sheared, they look so, so much smaller than with their coats! Once the fiber is sheared, the fiber is seperated by fineness, packed into bags and eventually shipped to Arequipa where it will be separated further. Malkinu produces 50 tons of fiber (more or less) a year! The cria's fiber is typically very soft and one of the most prized fibers.


After the shearing an lunch, we visited the school again. The children were estatic to see us. We played volleyball during a recess period before visiting each classroom again. All the students drew pictures featuring the mountains, alpacas and other farm animals for us to take home. And each is beautiful. The third and fourth grade class was especially interested in us and asked us many questions. On boy asked me how old my father is... When I answered the ENTIRE class gasped! I wish I had it on film. Don't feel left out mom, they did the same for you! Another little boy asked Jesse and I if we had boyfriends and was heartbroken by our responses (how cute!).


Before leaving the school, we promised to stay in touch. The children are so beautiful and I hope the best for them. We asked what they want to be when they gro up and their answers included doctors, arcitects, chefs and teachers.


Tomorrow, we leave for Cusco. The majority of our Peruvian alpaca adventure is over and now we will be sightseeing.


-Leah

Sheering

 Llama crias

 The best road block

 Morning snow melting

 Alpaca herd

 Sheering time

 Sheering time

 Sheering time

Sheering time

Sheering time

Fiber from one alpaca

Alpaca fiber

Llamas

Fiber waiting to be shipped to Arequipa

 Fiber waiting to be shipped to Arequipa

Two thumbs up

Alpacas by the guest house

Alpaca

Jesse, Cynthia and  I

Vicuna

Washington College

Lunch

 Recess at the school

Drawings by the children

Fifth and sixth graders

Third and fourth graders

Third and fourth graders

First and second graders

First and second graders

First and second graders