Coca and Conchas

Coca and Conchas
Orin Story
By

Jan Skarzynski

Version 1. April 2008

“I’m bored!” announced Andrew.
“I’m also bored, bored, bored,” repeated James.
“Go and play football in the garden,” suggested Mum. “Go on then!”
“We left our ball in Egypt as you know Mum,” pleaded James.
“I went to see Mr. Brown next door and he hasn’t seen your ball. What have you done with it?”
“It’s in Egypt Mum just as James said. We left it there.”
“Anyway, shoo! Outside with you I need to do some housework!”



“Let’s go and see if Orin’s around,” whispered James to Andrew out of Mum’s hearing and they ran off to the end of the garden to look behind Dad’s smelly compost heap.
“Orin! Orin!” shouted James and a squeaky, angry voice replied, “Oh, it’s you two again. What do you want? I’m busy.”
“Don’t be like that Orin!” answered James to the funny little man sitting on a log fiddling with something.
“Of course I’m angry! I have every right to be angry. Who put all these logs in my way? I’ve damaged the left fin when I landed this morning. You people should be more careful,” shouted the little man and waving his arms.
“Sorry Orin,” answered Andrew. “It’s Dad’s fault. He had a load of logs delivered and dumped them there. We can move them if you like?”
“Can we help Orin? Can we help you mend your space craft?”
“No you can’t” said Orin gruffly, “Go away and leave me to get on!”
“But Orin, we can help,” answered James.
“Yes we can hold the tools for you and hand them to you as we do for Dad when he’s mending our bikes or his lawn mower. Go on Orin let us help?”



Orin’s a bit like this but without the hat


“I suppose it would be a help Andrew. OK, just sit on those logs there and hold these tools,” relented Orin and continued, “don’t dawdle and be quick about it!”
“Thanks Orin,” said James, “but we can’t see the tools you’re using.”
“Of course you can’t see the tools silly boys. They are invisible just like my travel machine!” said the little man irritably.
“But how can we hold them if we can’t see them?” asked James.
“Oh bother, I haven’t a big enough tool to straighten this fin. All my tools are fine instruments and I need something larger to fashion the fin back into place,” said Orin in dismay.
“It’s OK Orin, I’ll get a large hammer from Dad’s tool box in the shed,” shouted Andrew and ran off whilst Orin shook his head and nodded. Andrew came back with an assortment of hammers.





“Here you are Orin. Choose your weapon!” said Andrew.
“My, your Dad has a fine selection of heavy tools. Does he use these on your bicycles? Bit heavy handed I would say?”
“Orin, he only uses them if we’ve bent our mudguards or for hammering in nails,” answered Andrew. “One of these should bend your fin back in place.”
“OK,OK, pass me that big one. What does your Dad use that one for?”
“That’s his geological hammer Orin.”
“That would crush the specimens, wouldn’t it?” replied Orin.
“No, no Orin. He only uses it on hard rock like granite,” answered Andrew.

They saw Orin swinging the large hammer and heard the hollow ring of hammer on metal but couldn’t see what he was hitting since Orin’s travel machine was invisible. A few bangs later Orin put down the hammer and eyed up the invisible fin he had been straightening. “I need to get a tool like that myself,” said Orin. “I can see how useful it could be. Do you think your father could lend it to me?”
“Dad doesn’t use it much since it’s a bit heavy. You can borrow it and if he needs it we will ask you to return it,” said James.
“That’s very kind of you James. I may have a few adjustments to make to that fin but I think it’s OK for the moment,” said Orin putting the hammer into his tool box and the boys watched it disappear from sight, only hearing the clink of the lid closing.
“Orin, we are bored and we left our ball in Egypt on our last trip. Can you take us somewhere? Please Orin?” pleaded James.
“OK you two. I suppose you deserve some reward for helping me out.”
“Thanks Orin, thanks,” shouted Andrew excitedly, “where are you going to take us?”



Are these big enough for Orin?


“I need to go to some mountainous region to check out the altimeters.”
“What are altimeters?” asked James.




“I know,” said Andrew. “They are instruments that measure the height above sea level, aren’t they Orin?”
“Yes Andrew. Correct, but mine are special and more accurate and measure the distance from the centre of the Earth or a planet, but you are correct,” answered Orin. Come on then! Get in and don’t touch anything will you?”
“Thanks Orin but where is the entrance? We can’t see it,” said James excitedly.
“Of course you can’t boy,” answered the little man irritably. “Just push there. There, just to the left of that holly bush and be quick about it. Don’t dawdle!” as Andrew rushed forward and pushed against something and fell through out of sight. James was more careful and pushed with his arms and then pushed a leg through as if there was some resistance and slowly disappeared into thin air.



Could it look like this?????

Inside Orin was there fiddling with dials and Andrew was sitting on a bench by the wall. James joined him as Orin looked at them and said, “We’re off to a mountainous region so hold on tight.” They felt a slight shudder, followed by a strong vibration. “Bit more tapping with your father’s hammer needed to get rid of that noise, I’m afraid,” said Orin to no one in particular.
“How long will it take?” asked James.
“We are already there boy. Just let me do some adjustments and you can look outside.”
“Where are we?” asked Andrew. “Do they speak English here?”
“Well there are no high mountains in England so I doubt it,” answered Orin.
“Well what about the Rockies? They are high mountains and not in England,” said James.
“Yes but they are in America and they speak American there!” said Orin gruffly.
“We can understand American Orin,” countered James.
“Is that so boy? You must be very clever then. Take these necklaces anyway. They will help you to understand and talk in the local language, boys,” added Orin.
“Thanks Orin. Can we go out now?” asked Andrew
“Yes of course but don’t go far. I’ll join you when I’ve finished a bit of delicate adjustments to the fin with your Dad’s hammer,” answered Orin.



These are magic

They pushed against the door which felt like pushing against a rubber balloon and then suddenly they broke through to the outside and the travel machine was no longer visible.
“Let’s mark the spot with a stone and put some marks on the earth,” suggested James.
“Good idea James and then we will know where it is.”






That’s not a Llama nor an Alpaca, it’s a sheep




“Hello, where have you two come from,” asked a tall boy wearing a brown shift and carrying a long stick.
“Oh we just dropped in to have a look around. What are you doing here?”
“What do you think I’m doing? Can’t you see? I’m looking after our Llama and Alpaca herd,” replied the tall boy.















“What, Llamas and Alpaca? Where are they?” asked James searching about. “Oh yes I can see them. Which are the Alpaca?”


This is a Llama

“Don’t you know anything? The big ones are Llamas and the smaller ones are Alpaca,” answered the boy with contempt. “And the small wild ones over there are Vicuna,” he added with a smirk. So Andrew pulled out a model plastic dinosaur from his pocket and handed it to the boy and said, “Bet you don’t know what this is then?”
“No what is it? Never seen anything like this before,” answered the boy with an astonished look on his face. “Is it real? Have you seen one?”



Diplodocus I think
“No. of course it’s not real, only a miniature model of a dinosaur, one that probably roamed around here millions of years ago,” said James with a knowing look.
“You can keep it if you like. Anything to see around here?” asked Andrew.
“Thanks. I’ll treasure this gift,” said the boy with a pleased look on his face. “You must be strangers around here. This is the agricultural establishment near our village of Moray and my Dad works there. Would you like him to show you around?”
“Thanks very much but where are we?” asked Andrew.
“Well the Sacred Valley is over there beyond that hill and in that direction you come to a large city called Cusco,” answered the boy playing with his model.
“We must be in Peru then,” said Andrew. “Mum and Dad have been here and visited a place called Machu Pichu.”
“That’s a holy city and a long way from here,” answered the boy.
“What is your name? I’m Andrew and this is my brother James.”
“Pleased to meet you Andrew and James, I’m called Picos because I’m so tall. Look there’s my Dad. Let’s go and see him and he will show you around the hollows. Come on! Run!” They ran after Picos to catch up with his father and were introduced. They were puffing and panting hard just after a short run.
“Pleased to meet you Andrew and James. You must be from the lowlands. You have to be more careful up here in the high plain. We are over three thousand metres high here and the air is thinner. We have to do things more slowly. Now Picos says you want to go down and see our agricultural set up here?” said his father.
“Yes please if you have time,” answered James.
“Follow me slowly and I shall show you into one of the three colosseums we have here for our experiments.”
“What are ‘Colosseums’?” asked James.
“You will see. They are huge natural hollows in the ground and we have constructed a ring of terraces going right down to the base. We grow crops on each terrace to see where they will grow best because each one has a different micro climate.”
Much bigger than this

“What’s a ‘Microclimate’?” asked Andrew.
“Well at each level the climate is cooler until you get right down to the bottom where it is very cold. Crops like to grow best in a certain climate and we can check this out in this open air laboratory.”
“Why does the climate differ so much here?” asked James puzzled. “It’s all in the same small area!” he added.
“Yes but at night the cold air sinks to the bottom of the pit and collects there. The lowest part is the coldest and as the sun warms the air it is the last to warm up.”
“But that must be in reverse to normal. Our teacher says it gets colder as you go up the mountain,” said Andrew.
“Correct. At the bottom we grow crops that can only be cultivated on the high slopes and plains, the alti-plano. The ones we grow near the top need more warmth and have to be grown in the valleys. We are just checking out precisely which are the best conditions for them.”









“What’s this crop with the red fronds?” asked James.



It’s a bit like wheat growing in our fields

“This is quinoa, a very valuable crop here and very nutritious. Take some seeds and have a look at them.”
“It is like the stuff we feed to our hamsters isn’t it Andrew?”
“Take some home with you,” said the man as James filled his pockets with seed.
“Go and talk to Picos now. He gets lonely looking after the herds. I must go to work now. Don’t rush up the slopes now. Take it slowly.”
“Thanks,” said Andrew and shouted, “Picos! Picos, wait for us!” as they climbed up the terraces and out onto the plain above.

“Ah there you are boys. I was looking for you. Where have you been?” asked Orin in a concerned manner.
“Picos and his father have shown us the collosseums where they experiment with crops,” shouted James struggling to catch up and panting heavily.
“Do you boys know where we are? I haven’t the foggiest idea. All I know is that by your calendar must be about 1490 or 1492,” said Orin scratching his head.
“I think we are in Peru Orin. Picos here mentioned Machu Pichu and Cusco,” answered Andrew.






These are Peruvian shepherds and shepherdesses with their Llamas

“Let me check ‘Peru’ in my black box. Ah, yes we must be in Peru at the time of the Incas. Don’t pester me boys. Yes it must be before the Spaniards arrived. Now what was the name of places you mentioned?”
“Machu Pichu and Cusco,” said Andrew, “and our parents have been here on holiday.”
“Ah yes, Machu Pichu is a holy city built on top of a low mountain, worthy of a visit says my black box and so is Cusco, interesting. Well don’t just stand there gawping like that. Get in and let’s go there. If the black box mentions something interesting then I want to see it too. Come on. Just here, that’s it Andrew.” As they disappeared leaving poor Picos behind, he wondered if he had been dreaming. That wasn’t the case because the boys had given him a miniature model of a strange creature and he was holding it in his hand.




A shudder followed by a slight vibration which quickly disappeared to the satisfaction of Orin. Within a minute Orin was ushering them out and eager to see the fantastic sight of Machu Pichu. They got out and found themselves on a ridge looking down on a city below.
“Hello good fellow, is this Machu Pichu?” asked Orin of a passing workman.
“No, that is Cusco below and this is the fortress of Sacsayhaman, was the reply and there he is being carried by his slaves.”



Bow down before me or you will be sacrificed on the alter



“Sorry boys, the infernal machine got the directions the wrong way round. Just can’t trust computers can you?” said Orin looking rather embarrassed.
“Look Andrew, they are building those special walls that Dad showed us in the guide book. They don’t use any cement and these walls don’t fall down in earthquakes.”


Hey, what’s he doing in this story?

“Just a moment boys let me check. Ah yes you are so right. Let’s go and see how they do this. My box says that they work without any iron tools. Let’s go and watch how they do it. Hey good fellow, where are the building works?”
“Orin, Andrew, I can see some masons working on a wall over there,” shouted James.
“Come on boys, don’t dawdle. Let’s get over there.”
“Orin, slow down! The air is so thin around here and we have to go slowly at this high altitude,” warned Andrew.
“What nonsense are you talking about boy? Oh sorry Andrew you are correct. My health monitor tells me that the amount of oxygen here is much lower than at sea level and over exertion can lead to dangerous health conditions. Are you two OK?”
“Yes Orin we are fine but we have to go slowly and not rush,” added Andrew as they approached a large stone wall covered by wooden scaffolding.

“Hey keep your distance you three! It’s dangerous to be here,” shouted an important looking man.
“Are you the man in charge here? We are from the Ministry to inspect the progress and I have two apprentices here with me. Please explain to them how your masons cut and fit those stones together so well. Without cement I hear,” said Orin, putting on an important air.






Look, just like lego blocks

“Oh, sorry Sir. I wish ‘They’ would advise us of your coming. Come over here and we can see the masons at work in a safer place.”
“Look James! Over there. They’ve got a large stone raised above another on scaffolding and slings. Why is that?” asked Andrew as they all looked over to where Andrew was pointing.
“Let me explain. You obviously haven’t seen this type of masonry before. All the stones or conchas as we call them, come here from the quarry and are of different shapes and sizes. To make them fit together perfectly we shape the base of a conchas then lift it up in a sling over where we want to place it. We then have to shape the top stone surface on the wall so that it matches the stone above which fits perfectly into place.”
“How do you cut the stone or conchas?” asked Orin.
“The usual way Sir. Just by bouncing lumps of granite on the top and gradually wearing the base away. Look here. If I drop this stone onto this rock below it bounces off and leaves a small chip. The masons are adept at this and can do it quite quickly without a lot of effort. The man with the measure just keeps checking until the right amount of stone is removed. Then we lower the top stone into place and attack its top for the next layer.”
“So no cement is used by your Masons?” asked Orin.
“Sir, are you trying to test me? If we used cement the whole wall would be too rigid and would rock, crack and collapse in any earthquake,” said the man shaking his head in disbelief at how little the man from the Ministry knew about his profession.
“Can we get something to drink around here?” asked Orin, which was an excuse to get away from the pompous foreman.
“Yes, there is a very good place for the likes of you just over there. It’s expensive enough,” said the foreman dismissively and walking away.

Orin walked them slowly up the road to the restaurant and took the boys inside. A waiter quickly found them seats at a table and asked what they would like to eat and drink.




“Bring me some local delicacies and some milk for the boys. I will have some of your best chicha drink please, and be sharp about it,” said Orin rather rudely.
Milk was brought out for the boys in pot mugs and a large gourd was placed in front of Orin with a small pot tumbler. Orin tested the milk and the liquid in the gourd and proclaimed that the milk was good and creamy. He thought the chicha beer was too alcoholic for his liking but was going to try some. A large tray of food of different kind was brought out and placed before them.
“Looks like a barbeque,” said James. “Bits of different meats and what looks like baked potatoes.”

I hope they don’t eat me !!!!!

“Try this crackling stuff James. It’s what Mum serves on a Sunday with the roast.”
“Oh it is good. Better than Mum’s but don’t tell her that will you Andrew.”
“Try this meat James. There’s no fat on it at all. Tastes like beef.”


Nothing like the taste of a good Llama steak





“I wish Mum would serve meat like this. I like this. You’re right Andrew, there is no fat on it. I can’t stand fat. Orin, why aren’t you eating?”
“Oh I can’t eat food like this James. I have to have pure food, what you might called a mixture of chemicals but don’t let me stop you. Eat up. I just wanted to know what they nourish themselves with around here.”
“Tastes good Orin, You should try some.”
“Sorry boys but I don’t have taste buds like you do. I don’t eat for pleasure. Hey waiter, come and explain to us what we have on the platter.”
“Yes Sir, I hope you are enjoying it.”
“Of course they are enjoying it. Look how much they have already eaten!”
“Well this brown meat is from the Llama and this darker from the Alpaca. These are different types of potato and…..”
“What is the crackling?” asked James.
“Crackling? Ah yes, I see you’ve eaten all of that. It’s Cuy young man.

Am I that tasty????
Shall I bring you some more?”
“Yes please,” said Andrew and James eagerly.
“When you two have finished we must go down to Cusco and see the Golden Temple and the Garden. Hurry up now. Transport is waiting behind that large pot jar,” said Orin and he gave the waiter a gold coin in payment. “Andrew you are looking very pale. What’s the matter?”
“I’m feeling a bit groggy,” answered Andrew rather meekly.
“I know what the problem is,” said the waiter. “Altitude sickness. I shall bring the young gentleman some coca tea. That will revive him. We are very high here.” Off he went and returned with a small basin of green leaves, a beaker and a jug of hot water. He put a handful of leaves into the beaker and poured over the hot water and handed it over for Andrew to drink the coca tea. Andrew took a sip and pulled a face. The waiter rushed off and brought back some honey and added it to the beaker. Andrew drank the brew.
“The tea without the honey was foul. It was bad enough with the honey but I feel better. We can go now. Thanks,” said Andrew and they left after James put a few coca leaves in his pocket to inspect later.




They got out of the travel machine and found themselves in a garden surrounded by large golden shiny plaques and in the middle of the area was a huge golden face with golden lines radiating out to the edges.






“This must be the Temple of the Sun according to my black box. Take a good look because the Spaniards melted it all down into Gold Doubloons when they invaded,” reported Orin. “Over there we should find the Golden Palace which is just laden with gold. Quick boys, the guards are coming, into the machine, quick. I don’t think we are allowed to wander around here uninvited.” They were pushed into the travel machine by Orin and he turned to his dials. A small shudder, followed by even less vibration and they had escaped the guards.

“Oops, sorry guys, the computer’s done it again. I’m afraid it’s missed out on the Golden Palace.”
“We’ve arrived at Machu Pichu at last,” said James with a sigh.
“Err, don’t thinks so,” said Orin sheepishly. “Got back to your dad’s compost heap but luckily just missed the pile of logs, I’m afraid.”
“Thanks for the super trip Orin. I don’t feel too good, Maybe next time,” added Andrew as he and James disembarked and trundled off into the house, Andrew looking decidedly pale.


“Hello you two, what have you been up to?” asked Mum as they arrived in the kitchen and sat down at the table. “You’ve been quiet as church mice. I hope you haven’t been bothering Mr Brown next door. What do you want for your tea?”
“Nothing Mum we are full up. A drink would be nice though,” said Andrew.
“Squash, milk or water?” asked mother as she was peeling vegetables. “Mrs Brown hasn’t been feeding you her cake has she?”
“No Mum, we’ve just come back from Peru and eaten at a restaurant at Sacsayhauman,” said James.
“That’s a ruin just above Cusco I think. Did you see the fortress of stones there?” said mother laughing.
“Yes Mum we really did and saw how they put the stones together without cement,” piped in James.
“They do that so they don’t fall down in earthquakes and the stones are called conchas,” butted in Andrew.
“My, they teach you clever things at school these days,” said their mother trying to look serious but smiling, “What do you want to eat then?”
“Mum, we said we have eaten and we are not hungry,” repeated Andrew, I could do with a drink of water Mum please.”
“Mum we had a large platter of barbequed meats and different potatoes. We had Llama, Alpaca and some gorgeous crackling. Andy ordered seconds of that,” said James.
“I hope you didn’t eat any Cuy,” said their Mother with a grin.
“How do you know that, Mum?”
“Yes Mum, how do you know we had Cuy crackling?” added James.
“Do you boys know what Cuy is? I shall have to write to your teachers if you don’t know,” said their mother laughing.
“Tell us Mum please and stop teasing!” pleaded James.
“Well Cuy is the Peruvian name for guinea pig. You haven’t eaten the hamster have you?” asked mother accusingly.



I’m too nice to eat

“Ugh, Ugh Andy, we’ve eaten guinea pig crackling. Ugh,” shouted James pulling faces.
“Is that why you are looking so pale Andrew? What have you done to your hamster? You haven’t barbequed him have you?” asked mother with a horrified look on her face.
“No Mum, but I’ve got altitude sickness. Orin said it would go away quickly once I’m back home.”
“You do look bad Andrew I suppose this garden gnome or fairy you talk about took you to Machu Pichu then? What did you think of it?” asked their mother with a smile on her face.
“No, the computer went wrong and we went to the Temple of the Sun instead.”
“Dad and I visited there in Cusco. Did you see the magnificent stone wall then?”
“Not sure Mum because the walls were all covered in shiny gold plaques when we were there. The Spaniards hadn’t taken them yet,” answered James.
“And the area on the ground was a golden sun’s face with golden rays,” added Andrew.
“You two have been doing your homework on Peru. Just make sure you put Dad’s books back where you found them. Andrew you look better already. Sure you two don’t want anything to eat?”
“Sure Mum!”
“OK, go and play then and you can have cereal later,” said their Mother.
“You don’t believe us do you Mum?” asked James.
“Go and play and you can impress you Dad later with your knowledge of Peru. And I shall be checking on your hamster later. Off you go then.”
The boys wandered outside and to the hamster cage. “Here you are Hammy, some quinoa to eat, all the way from Peru. Andy, do you think Mum would notice if we put these coca leaves from Sacsayhuaman in with her bay leaves in the herb jar? They look the same,” said James.