The Taste of the STONES

Location: Perú

Just one family dwells among the Stones.

High in the Stone Forest of Huayllay, over 4,000 meters above sea level, warmth and sustenance are precious commodities. Elba and Alcibíades Cristóbal, guardians of this rugged land, declare, “I was born here, I grew up and I got used to it.” Yet, they know well that the harsh embrace of the Andes is foreign to those from Lima.

In this stark realm, life struggles to take root, but they STAY; no fruits, no vegetables, no mushrooms thrive in the unforgiving soil. They gather compacted earth to shield themselves from the chill, for wood is a memory lost to the distant horizon.

Until recently, running water was but a dream, and solar panels flicker like fragile stars in the dark. Existence here is a relentless battle against the cold, the scarcity of food, and the silent prowlers that stalk their sheep and llamas.

Though the family appears calm, a deeper gaze reveals the silent strength of women, who bear the weight of survival on their shoulders, their resilience woven into the fabric of their daily lives.

In their story lies a haunting beauty, a testament to the spirit of isolation, where profound connections bloom amidst struggle, illuminating the grace of rural life in a world that often turns away.