Carnival
and arts
One of the
most important events held by the city is the Blacks and Whites' Carnival
(Carnaval de Negros y Blancos in Spanish), with outstanding displays of
craftmanship in floats portraying legends and traditions, often mixed in with
references to current political events in Colombia. During the carnival the
city goes wild and unleashes all the joy it has bottled up all year. It is not
advisable to wear nice clothes during this festival, as during these
celebrations people have fun painting each other's faces with cosmetics colors
(skin safe and created for this special purpose) and throwing talcum powder and
party foam. The carnival takes place between January 2nd and 7th each year.
A
speciality of this region is a pre-Columbian art technique called Barniz de
Pasto, or Pasto Varnish in English. This uses a type of natural rubber
(extracted from a tree called mopa-mopa) which is colored and then stretched
over woodwork pieces; finally the skillful artisan uses a special knife to cut
and create the many beautiful designs that characterise this artistic
technique.
Tourism
The main
attraction in the town of Pasto is Lake Guamuez or La Cochalake, located 27
kilometers from the city, 45 minutes by road, and 2800 meters over the sea
level. On the site you can enjoy the scenery, food (especially rainbow trout),
fishing and boating. In the middle of the lake there is the Island of La
Corota, a National Forest Sanctuary.
For lovers
of cultural tourism, in addition to its museums mentioned above, the city
offers visitors a wealth of churches among which stands out the Church of San
Juan Bautista of the eighteenth century, the cathedral, the Church of Our Lady
of Mercy, the Church of San Felipe, the Church of San Sebastián or "the
Bakery", Temple of Christ the King, St. James, and the Church of St.
Augustine.
For
ecotourism, the Chimayoy Environmental Center, meaning in Quillacinga "go
to meet with the sun." Located 4 km on the road between San Juan de Pasto
in Colombia's interior is a space provided for education, tourism and research
environmental and ecological conservation, has long nature trails and diverse
activities that seek methodologically integration of individuals and the community
with the environment, promoting and strengthening ecological projects.
Gastronomy
The dishes
representing the cuisine of San Juan de Pasto (Colombia) are the product of
miscegenation, and expression of the fertility of the land and the diligence of
the people. The most representative dish is the cuy grilled roast; between
stand highlights desserts ice cream and candy pan chilacuán, and bakery as
quimbolitos and the pie s of old.
One of his
representative and typical drinks are called "Hervidos", which, as
the name refers, is a hot drink fruit juice base that can be made from
pineapple, blackberry or passion fruit. Through this preparation and infusion
of cinnamon, the finishing touch is a traditional liquor called
"chapil" or spirits.
On January
7, the festival of the guinea pig in the village of Catambuco as the
culmination of the beginning of the year festivities.
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