by Abby, Jonny & Shuntavi
This past week the group got a choice between four different businesses we could take lessons with and see the behind the scenes of their work. On top of a seriously cool lesson, we also had to interview them (secretly) and learn more about their lives and the decisions that got them to their current profession and lifestyle. Our mentor was Mario. Though our initial mission was to discover more about him, our experience was much more valuable. Mario has lived in the region of Cusco all his life. Though his favorite town is Machu Picchu, because it is where his mother is from. He has nine siblings and has been a jeweler since he left high school. He slowly became entranced with the artistry by going to demonstrations by local jewelers. For thirty-five years he has now been infatuated with his work and his profession. He currently has a small shop open here in Urubamba, which is named Juanita after his wife (which is absolutely adorable if you ask me). He finds the hardest part of his job to be polishing the pieces as the machine he uses can be very dangerous. With the easiest part consisting of adhering different pieces of silver to a flattened silver band to create designs in rings.
Our Take Aways:
Abby: Learning from and working with Mario was an experience like no other. Besides a cool new lesson, he was such a sweet and caring individual. Being completely honest, I didn’t fully know what “silversmithing” entailed before signing up for it. HOWEVER, I have never been more pleasantly surprised. Mario was so patient and helpful with the three of us. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to teach your craft to people with no previous knowledge. It’s lovely seeing how others live in the community around me; it helped me feel more connected. I think my biggest take away from the experience was the broadening of my perspective of the community around me and how many wonderful people reside in it. Everyone no matter their background has something beautiful to share and teach.
Jonny: Mario is genuinely so kind and was so happy to teach us what he knows best, silver smithing. Going into the experience, I didn’t know what to expect but the process was interesting and interactive. Admittedly, I was not the best at silver smithing as my hands shook while trying to carefully place each piece of the ring and cutting each piece of silver but in the end, the ring still looked as beautiful as any other piece of jewelry in the shop (the ring even represented the river in Urubamba). I think what I enjoyed the most was how many people would come in and out of his shop and how friendly each one of them were. There was someone who needed to buy a clock, someone who needed their glasses fixed, and even his godchild that came in. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience where I learned so much about someone who lives just a few blocks away.
Shuntavi: When I found out silversmithing was an optional activity I jumped on the opportunity to participate. In high school I led a jewelry making club, but we never had the budget to do metal work. I have always admired those in handmade jewelry and the patience and creativity it takes to master an art like that. Mario was patient with us as we learned words like “unir” and as I, with only 3 months of Spanish in my belt, attempted to ask questions to learn about him. He was very confident in his work. Even as he handed me a torch to melt the silver (even though I looked terrified), he remained self-assured and certain. It was truly a gift to experience his art and get a chance to take home such a beautiful reminder of our time in Urubamba (now Abby, Jon, and I all share these “friendship” rings).
In just four weeks abroad I feel that I have learned so much about myself and made such spectacular connections with my peers–from late night movies, to bonfires, silversmithing, Paru Paru, NGOs, and talking with random people in the market. I feel grateful to share this experience with such intelligent, passionate, kind individuals and feel that they have already begun to shape the vision I have for my college years–in communities of people who keep me learning, laughing, and questioning the world around me.
Since arriving in Urubamba, we have been learning about what it means to be international travelers and the reality of traveler privilege. Within the first few weeks of arriving I had already bought multiple pieces of jewelry, having bargained them down until I reached a “reasonable” price. I am a student and don’t have a ton of money to spend while I am here, but Mario’s course got me thinking. Looking around his shop, I was stunned by the intricate, small pieces in his personal display, which appeared to be factory made. After witnessing the process of making my own ring–which involved melting the metal, molding it, cutting it, burning it, joining it, putting it in acid, joining it, cutting it, polishing it, and a million other complicated steps–I began to rethink my own purchasing. The process of making even the smallest pendants requires special equipment, machinery, technique, and time. It made me wonder if it’s worth always bargaining down the prices on items that are legit (like those at Tika or Paru Paru, where traditional weaving patterns, which sometimes take weeks to finish, are preserved). In a world full of big money-driven companies mass producing items and ripping off consumers, I have begun to appreciate those who refuse to give up their craft and continue to share it–regardless of the time and energy it costs them and price they may have to charge. Thank you, Mario!
With gratitude,
Abby, Shuntavi, and Jonny