After living in Chimbote for 6 months I was transferred to Huaraz (high in the mountains of Peru) where I stayed for about 5 months. Going straight from Chimbote to Huaraz was like going to heaven. Clear blue skies, fresh air, trees... for a while it was nice. Huaraz is one of the biggest tourist hot spots in Peru. Its famous for the Huascaran, which is Peru's highest mountain, and one of the taller mountains in the world. Each year thousands of climbers climb the Huascaran. Huaraz was completely destroyed by an earthquake and flash flood from a nearby lagoon in 1940. It was completely destroyed again in May of 1970 by the famous earthquake that caused a chunk of Huascaran to fall ontop of the city of Yungay, completely covering the whole city and killing almost everyone (well over 20,000 people). Since the complete destrucion of the Incas in the 1600's, Peruvians haven't become any smarter... just sloppier. So if you plan on going to Huaraz and seeing all the classic Inca culture and architecture with the ancient cobble stone streets like you'll see in Cusco....forget it because Huaraz looks like nothing more than a pathetic landfill, unless you go outside of the city.
             I was lucky enough to not have to work in the middle of Huaraz. I actually worked on the outskirts, so some of the pictures I have actully have real beautiful scenery. Huaraz is surrounded by mineral mines, such as lots of gold, silver, copper, and the list goes on. Who owns these mines?? Not Peru. Every mineral mine in Peru is owned by outside 1st world countries like the U.S., Canada, Germany, and so on. Most of Perus big business arent even owned by Peruvians. aaaahhh yet another explaination of why such a poor country. Peru has enough natural resources to make them a powerful country. They just dont know how to use them.
             Huaraz is definately the most apostate town I've seen in Peru. Its an every day thing to see some group of people parading some idol down the street. They call their idols 'saints'. Its funny, because there is nothing religious about it. "Its not a baptism if you cant get drunk!"
             Huaraz warm and dry during the months of June, July, and August which is the time of year of most tourism. The rest of the year is filled with lots of rain. The people in Huaraz are quieter, and keep to themselves a little more. They are also less friendly than other Peruvian people in most of Peru. If you want souveneirs, definately go to Hauraz. You will be able to find good quality souveniers really cheap.