We are fine, a little shaken but where we are staying in Lima there is no damage.

It was a really strange event, even now it still seems almost dream-like or surreal.

We had just started to eat our evening meal when it started. We were first aware of the rattling of the windows and all the doors. It took a little while to actual realise it was an earthquake. We stood for while in the house under an arch while the floor turned into what I can only describe as jelly. The whole house was moving from side to side and it was like a bunch of maniacs where trying to get in through every window and door. We decided the garden was the best place for us so we then went outside. Even outside the garden surfaces were rocking. Our neighbour, was there with her 2 kids who were understandably really upset by what was going on so we helped calm the children. The quake lasted about 2 minutes but it seemed much longer. We then waited outside for aftershocks for about an hour after it had finished. There were about 15 aftershocks during the evening and night. We kept our power and water unlike some friends who lost theirs for a couple of days. We did not see the strange red light that a lot people witnessed at the end of the quake.

The devastation 100 miles further south is awful. A lot of the houses are adobe and crushed  onto the people inside. A church collapsed and killed all the people who were at a funeral. At work there was a brilliant response to the  request for the collection of  food and clothes to send to the victims.

Shock waves continue as I write this. People have been really scared by the severity of what happened. Peru's equivalent of the Galapagos Islands at Paracas have been devastated with huge rock falls and the beautiful hotel near the coast was completely flattened.

Thanks again for messages of concern.

David and Cathy
 

Susana Baca and Cristina Branco Concert - 29 August 2007

Portuguese singer Cristina Branco and the Peruvian singer Susana Baca - both gifted with extraordinary voices - played at the small and wonderful Zone Jazz club this week.

Cristina Branco is a young singer who, after cultivating folk, blues and bossa nova, discovered the wealth of the Portuguese fado traditional and she has dedicated herself to re-interpreting these songs for a modern audience, whilst respecting their tradition. She has lead, along with other singers like Mariza, the rejuvenation of fado music in Portugal and the rest of the World. In addition to fados, the repertoire of Cristina Branco also includes folk and popular poems.

Susana Baca's long career started off in her afro-Peruvian roots but this has been nourished by influences from blues, reggae and jazz. With her soft sensuous singing and dancing Susana Baca has made her own unique version of the Croillo music of Peru.

A fantastic night was had with friends at the Jazz Zone. One of our hopes for the year in Peru was that we would be able to hear Susana Baca so we were very excited to find out she was playing this week in what has got to be one of the best places we have ever heard live music. The Jazz Zone has a great atmosphere with tables arranged in front of the small stage, good food and cocktails. As usual things didn't start until late when Susana and her 3 musician band took to the stage. We had seen her twice in England before and knew some of her material. She sings with such passion, depth and warmth. After  a short break, Christina Branco took to the stage. A name new to us, she won the audience over completely with her wonderful voice and the lyricism of the fado music. Relaxed on stage her performance was truly memorable. The evening finished with a second set from Susana Baca when the musicians really got warmed up and played and sang some fantastic songs.

This was definitely the musical highlight our time in Peru so far and concert that we won't forget for a long long time.

Click to hear music from the Christina Branco

Click to hear music from Susana Baca

To see some video clips go to Cristina Branco - Água e mel and Susana Baca - Una Copla Me Ha Cantado