My Vacation & Wayuu Mochila Bags

I'm sure you guys have been wondering where I have disappeared to. Posts were still appearing everyday but I stopped commenting on blogs. Sorry, but I was on vacation! Most of you know that I am currently living in South America so I took a vacation to the coast, staying at my aunt's condo for a few days. The trip was fantastic. One of the highlights was a hike through the forest to the most gorgeous river you can imagine. We then rode the river currents down towards the ocean on tubes. There really are no words to describe how beautiful it was and the pictures don't do it justice. Along the river bank monkeys played in the trees and birds flew over us.

Palomino River

Of course there was also plenty of laying on the beach, $5 foot massages, mojito drinking and lobster eating.

View from the Condo

Sunset on the beach

And shopping...there were some indigenous women down the beach selling mochilas (bags). If you have been to Colombia bags made by indigenous people are a common sight and somewhat of a trend. I spotted a few that I loved and everything ended right there. I ended up walking away with a truck load of bags. Two for myself and the rest with the intention to sell. After I bought them I borrowed my aunts computer to do a bit of research and turns out the Wayuu mochilas are becoming somewhat of a trendy "it" item in North America. Even J. Crew was selling them but has already sold out. It's almost like I'm psychic. LOL.

The mochila that started it all (this ones not for sale)

Each bag is hand-made by a Wayuu woman. The particular bags I purchased were made by a group of 60 women working as a co-op. They all live together as a clan in what they call a rancheria. Each women has her own signature style and the bags all signify something special. For example certain design mean "the path of love", "wind", "rays of the sun", "coming of age" etc.

Extra Small Mochila

Extra Large Mochila

Extra Large Mochila

Large Mochila

Large Mochila

Extra Large Mochila

If you want more info, prices, photos etc. leave a comment here with your email address and I'll send you a PDF file with all the bags I have for sale.

I'm working on setting up a website to sell these mochilas and others not pictured. I thought I'd give my blog friends first dibs before the website is set up.