2019 Lakeridge Peru Program

A Final Note

One final post from Sra. Pacheco, your Group Organizer. I think I can speak for all the adults on our trip when I say that we loved getting to know the students over the last 3 weeks. For me, it was a pleasure to get to know them better and in a new context, and for others it was a pleasure to get to know new young people. This was a wonderful group to work with and there were many moments when I was filled with pride in my students, inspiration for the future, and gratitude for the opportunity to witness the growth and life changes that many students experienced on the trip. But what I want to share with you here as our final blog post is the lighter side of our fun together, in the form of funny quotes overheard by the adults, so we can enjoy a final laugh to wrap up the experience.

I would trust Mario with my life [Editor’s note: Mario was our driver in Cusco and surrounding areas].

We’re cold but we’re in Peru so it’s cooler.

What?

Alp is the dog whisperer.

That warms my scrappy heart.

I’m a strong Incan woman!

…in Peru.

It was like a waterfall of kisses. [Editor’s note: we’d had our first very hot shower after 10 days in our homestays]

This water is so wet.

My bladder feels amazing.

It’s really freaking bright in Peru.

We’re not allowed to drink, we’re not allowed to get tattoos, but are we allowed to get married?

I’m going to put this on my job resume: beat Mete in Connect Four.

Marco Gang [Editor’s note: Marco was one of the 4 local guides we had in the Amazon]

I’m just here to see penguins.

Are we in Disneyland?

Food in Peru

Written by Sophie

Over the course of our trip we were exposed to the vast variety of cultural foods present in Peru. While traveling to different hotels we typically dined on a breakfast including juice/coffee/tea along with bread, fruit, eggs, and yogurt. All of which was mostly similar to the style of food we eat at home. For lunch and dinner we would go out to eat at different restaurants around the town we were in (not the case during the homestay). The food at the restaurants consisted of a variety of more typical Peruvian dishes. Many meals included fried rice/rice, potatoes, meat (chicken/beef/fish) and vegetables. When it came to drinks, many students enjoyed the classic Inka Cola soda or other unique fruit juices. When it came to the homestay we were introduced to the reality of Peruvian cuisine. Our amazing host families did us the favor of suppling all of our meals. During this time we had meals including new meats, different styles of potatoes, rices, steamed vegetables, unique fruits, seasoned eggs, and many more traditional foods. Along with this we were introduced to new cakes and sweet corn drinks. There were a few nights during the trip where we were given Peruvian styled American food, including pizza and burgers (alpaca burgers were an option as well). The wide spread of food that we got to try while traveling around Peru helped to deepen our understanding of true Peruvian culture. While at times we hesitated at the idea of trying unfamiliar foods, the exposure and contrasts to our typical meals really added an unforgettable aspect to our trip. And, yes, for those wondering we did eat cuy (Guinea pig)….. so be prepared for the stories coming! See you all soon!

An Amazing Day

Written by Tia Lempert

This whole trip has been so incredible, and yet still, today didn’t fail to amaze me. Today was such a good day! We had another great day in the Amazon rainforest!! (It’s still so crazy to me that we are actually in the real life Amazon rainforest that I’ve only ever read about). Today we woke up bright an early, to catch the sunrise on our boat. We took the boat from our lodge to our hiking destination for the day, and watched a beautiful sunrise! The colors were amazing, it really was super beautiful. Then we arrived at our hiking destination. We hiked for almost an hour, and on the way we saw beautiful blue and yellow macaws, howler monkeys, tons of funky looking bugs, and lots and lots of different types of birds!

Then, after our hike, we got on a canoe, and canoed through a beautiful river which was home to so many different types of wildlife. There were otters, herons, tons of birds, cayman, and then we were told about the piranhas, sting rays, and electric eels that were swimming beneath us, but we didn’t get to see those guys. The views were so lovely from the boat. You could see the reflection of the trees on the water perfectly. It looked like it must be fake since it was so beautiful. After our time on the boats, we hung out on some hammocks for a while. It was really nice to just relax for a bit. After our hammock time, we hiked and boated back to our lodge. We had some free time for a while once we returned, and then we started our next activity. We floated across the river! The canoe took us way up the river, and then dropped us off at inner tubes which we floated down the river in all the way back to the lodge. It was great!! My boat was with me, Matigan, Anna, and Mackenzie, and we had a great time. I loved being outside just peacefully floating down the river! When we got back we pretty much relaxed for the rest of the day. We had some dinner, hung out with more friends, and played some games. Overall I’d say this was the best way to end our time in the Amazon. It was incredible to be able to have stayed in the Amazon rainforest for three days and I can’t believe we’re leaving this beautiful place tomorrow : ( This is a memory I will always keep with me forever and ever, and this stay in the Amazon has really been the highlight of my trip!

Lago Sandoval

Written by Katie

Armed with blankets from our bungalows and layers packed on us like we were about to brace for a winter storm, our group started the 18th day of our trip at 4:30 in the morning. The lovely kitchen staff of Amazon Planet sent us off with a prepackaged lunch filled to the brim with healthy snacks, such as apples, tangerines, cereal bars, and sandwiches. With sweatshirts and snacks aplenty, we climbed aboard motor boats and braved the freezing cold 40 minute boat ride to Lake Sandoval. Getting to watch the sun rise over the tropical rainforest was definitely a check off the bucket list for me!

After we climbed aboard the dock, our large group split into our smaller groups lead by guides and hiked inland for around an hour until we reached the lake. Along the way we had the opportunity to spot the wildlife of the Amazon waking up for the day. My group even spotted a male Howler Monkey calling out to other male Howler Monkeys in the area to mark his territory. Once we got to the lake, we boarded canoes and paddled around for about two hours observing all of the wildlife. My favorite thing that I saw was the Cocoi Heron standing in the shallow water near the shore.

We took a short break from the tour of the lake to use the restroom and relax in hammocks on the shore before climbing aboard once again to head back to the Madre de Dios river. After getting our passports stamped with a special stamp from the National Reserve and quenching the humid heat with a bar of ice cream, it was time to return to the motor boats in order to make it back to the lodge for lunchtime at 1 in the afternoon.

A Big Day in the Jungle

Written by Emily

Today we had breakfast at 7 then quickly started our day. We had a very big day ahead of us. Our group is very big so they split us into four smaller groups, each with our own guide. Each group went on a hike after breakfast to see the animals that Amazon Planet has in their rescue center, called Taricaya. Some of the animals there are sick and cannot be released into the wild yet, some were endangered species, and others we pets or circus animals that do not know how to live in the wild. We saw bears, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys, macaws, toucans, baby turtles, a tapier, a cougar, turkeys, and wild dogs. There was also a butterfly house. The guides explained about all the animals and how the rescue center is helping each of those animals and making their lives better. We also saw wild birds and monkeys while walking around the jungle to find where the different animals were.

After seeing all the animals we went into the jungle on the paths and looked at the many different trees, plants, and animals that are here in the Amazon Rainforest. We saw many different birds and monkeys and trees on the hike. Then we walked on suspension bridges to get to a platform in a tree called an Elephant Tree that was one of the tallest in the rainforest. The platform we were on was 42 meters above the ground and the tree got up to 60 meters tall. We were able to see vultures and a beautiful view from above the canopy.

We had lunch at one, and then we walked more in the rainforest and went to another shorter platform that was in more of a swampy area and this tree was a focus tree. It was not as tall but still very cool to see from above. We all came back from our hikes by 3 to watch the Peru vs Brazil soccer match in the Copa Americana. It was very exciting, though sadly Peru lost 3-1. Many of us had watched other matches while we were in Peru and were very invested in the game.

Before dinner, two of the four groups went on a night hike to look for nocturnal bugs and animals, and the other two groups went on a boat ride to look for caimans, which are similar to alligators. We had dinner at 8 then we were told to go to bed early because we would have to get up at 4:30 the next morning.

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Into the Amazon

Written by Anna Seely

Today was our first full day in the Amazon! After breakfast we split up into our groups and started exploring. First we went to a nature reserve and saw a ton of animals. There were macaws, monkeys, and even pumas. Then we had the opportunity to see the jungle from higher up. We went on a rope bridge canopy up to a view point, and were able to see the jungle from a 360 degree view. It was stunning! After lunch we went on a shorter walking tour. We saw a ton of wild monkeys and a tarantula. Then after a quick soccer game with some of the staff, we went to look for some caiman. We saw over 5 of them! Tomorrow we are going to Lake Sandoval and we are all super excited!

Ollanta -> Amazon

Written by Evan

We began this day in the same way we ended the last—heading toward the penultimate stop on our trip, the Amazon rainforest. The overnight bus ride featured an abundance of bathroom stops, countless instances of jolting awake, and just as many times where the students on the trip bonded. As the sun began to rise, the landscape had changed dramatically from Ollantaytambo. Dryness had become comfortable humidity, dusty browns had become luscious greens, and we were in the Amazon. Nearing the end of the bus ride, we were more than ready to get off and eat! After a quick lunch at a hotel in Puerto Maldonado, we hopped in a van for to pick up a couple snacks, and got dropped off at the Amazon Planet office. We repacked our bags into all we could carry on our backs plus a small duffel bag for our three day excursion, and were off on a boat, crossing the Rio Madre De Dios for an hour boat ride to our final Amazonian destination!

Machu Picchu

Written by Emma

Hola from Peru!!

Today we made the journey up to Machu Picchu starting with breakfast at 5:30 a.m. We walked from our hotel to the bus station to head up the mountain. Once we made it to the top we hiked up Waynapicchi which overlooked the Ruins. We all made it up and down safely with no falls. After, we enjoyed a tour of the Machu Picchu Ruins with some lovely Oregon rain to make us feel at home. Heading back down the mountain was interesting with an hour wait for the bus, but we made it fun by singing and dancing to music. When we made it back down we had lunch and free time to explore the city before dinner. We are headed to the Amazon tonight with an overnight bus.

-Emma Spitzig (love and miss you mom and dad)

*Note: The group will be enjoying some time in the Amazon over the next few days where there is very limited access to wifi, so it may be a couple days before you see another blog post from us. Rest assured we are making the most of our time left in Peru, and we will be adding an update on this portion of the trip as soon as possible!*

Exploring the “Picchus”

Written by Mere

After 7 hours of sleep, I was up at 5. Breakfast was at 5:30 and there was a heavy blanket of tiredness covering the room. We left for the bus at 6:20, only to wait in the rain for 40 minutes, but the day was about to get better…

Upon arriving to the mountains, we began the hour hike to the top of Waynapicchu. Apparently, people hike that trail everyday, but it was fairly arduous. Unfortunately, there was no water refill station (or toilet for that matter) on the trail, but I had packed my Nature Valley bars.

While Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the view from Waynapicchu was the true prize. The view was the second best I’ve seen in my life. The vastness of the green treetops was mesmerizing, and being among the clouds made me feel super human. Down below a few hundred feet, Machu Picchu was visible as well. The clouds made way for us to see the ancient ruins in all their glory.

Coming back down was a more daunting task. Using the energy we cultivated at the top of Waynapicchu, we returned to the base. By this time, it was probably noon, and we were all ready for lunch.

We embarked on another adventure into the ruins of Machu Picchu, the ones we’d seen with the incredible view from Waynapicchu, and learned about the history of the ruins. We learned that Machu Picchu was a relatively isolated place, and the colonizers did not destroy the site. In fact, 60% of the original construct remained intact. Machu Picchu was an astrology site, and the small town consisted mostly of priests and astronomers.

After waiting in an hour long bus line, we headed to lunch. The food was incredible; the proper reward for a hard day’s work. We then had free time, with which I exchanged money and bought alpaca pulseras. I headed back to the hotel, and everyone still seemed amazed at how special the day was.

We went out to dinner, and wrote letters to ourselves for three years in the future. I included funny stories from the trip, and lessons I’ve learned so far. For dinner, I ate bowl of pasta. We then took a train back to Ollantaytambo, the first overnight train I’ve been on. We reluctantly went on the bus, knowing, though, that adventure awaited us on the other side.

Stairway to Heaven

Written by Shelby

We had a final breakfast with our host family then we were walked to the plaza by our host grandmother and it was a tearful goodbye. Then we were taken to the train station and sent to Aguas Calientes. The train ride was bumpy but beautiful as it was filled with beautiful ruins. I mostly played cards, worked on making a bracelet, and listened to music. When the train arrived in Aguas Calientes, “Stairway to Heaven” came on and I felt that was very fitting for the place. The outside was green and lush and looked like a jungle with huge mountains around us touching the clouds.

We went on a hike later in the day which took us to more jungle. A dog wasn’t too happy to see us though! The jungle was filled with pink flowers and huge trees. It was a steep uphill climb to a beautiful waterfall! We took many photos and took in the beautiful scenery. The mist of the waterfall filled the air and the sound of the water hitting the rocks was very tranquil. We finished the day with pizza and great conversations!

Off to Aguas Calientes

Written by Elizabeth

Happy Fourth of July everyone! Today we said goodbye to our host families in Ollantaytambo and rode the train to the bustling town of Aguas Calientes. On the train we could see some more Ancient Incan ruins and new Amazonian plants. After some time to explore the city the group took a hike up to the top of a waterfall. The falls were located in a new growth forest, and the wildlife was incredible. From there we went to pizza and now for an early night before making our way to Macho Picchu. I can’t wait!

Last Full Day in Ollantaytambo

Written by Matigan Williams

Today was our last full day in Ollantaytambo! I have had an amazing time at the home stay and am sad to go. We went to service project for the last time today. While there, we participated in a Zumba class with some of the students! We then went back to Ollantaytambo for a goodbye lunch with our host moms and siblings. At the lunch, we had the opportunity to try cuy (Guinea Pig)! We then played a fun soccer game with some of the host siblings. At night, my host family and I watched the Chile v Peru soccer game. Peru won! I can’t believe that our time in Ollantaytambo and with our host families has come to an end, but I can’t wait for our next adventure!

Service Work and the Llama Shaped Ruins

Written by Carolyn

School is back in session today so the work site was lively and noisy. It was nice to see and talk to the students again. Before lunch the majority of us worked on making and pouring cement, while a small group painted poles. After lunch we began to sand down wood for the benches as well. After finishing the cement we joined the students in a game of volleyball.

After work we drove back to Ollantaytambo and explored more ruins. There we learned about the Quechua calendar. We also were fascinated by the shapes of the ruins. They were built to look like a llama from far away. Today there was also a partial eclipse which took place on our way back from the service project and while we are at the ruins.

At night we met up at the plaza and went to the local soccer stadium to stargaze. You were able to see a surprising amount of beautiful stars!

Pisac

Written by Dylan

Today the group went to Pisac, which was a two-hour bus ride from Ollantaytambo. When we arrive in Pisac, we explored the huge artisan market. A lot of students bargained for items. For lunch we ate at a cafe called Ulrike’s. Most people had hamburgers and fries, but there were other options such as Alpaca sandwiches, vegetarian burgers, and pizza. Lunch was very tasty, and afterwards we headed to the ruins of Pisac. We learned about the Inca burial rituals, medical practices and web of roads connecting the ancient towns to Cusco. The best part of the day was walking around the town with ‘mis amigos’ and bargaining with the locals for traditional instruments, alpaca blankets, leather bags and other souvenirs.

Workin Hard

Written by Keely

Today was probably the hardest working day of the trip. We went to the school to do our service project, but because it was Sunday there were no kids playing, and it was unusually quiet. Most of us spent the day mixing concrete and pouring it where the eating area was being made, which was a tedious process. A lot of progress was made with the murals as well. We ended work a bit early and got to play volleyball with some of the workers at the school, which was a lot of fun. Then we went home after a quick group meeting!

Festivities

Written by Cameron

Today we had free time in the morning and we each got to choose what we did. Some of us watched movies with our host siblings, some of us watched the parade, and many of us went to the Inca drama and festival. We all went back to our host families for lunch. In the afternoon, we met the whole Walking Tree group and walked to the nearby soccer field. Most of us played soccer and a couple locals even joined us. Around 6pm we headed back to our families for dinner, and then some of us went back into town afterwards. There were many more people than usual in the plaza and around town for the Inti Raymi festivities. In addition to the reenactment during the day, Peru played Urguay in the Copa de America in the evening and Peru won! Many people were celebrating and my host family was very excited about the victory.

From Blankets to Biking

Written by Ben and Joey M

We started off the day by going to a tapestry market where llama and alpaca wool is harvested and made into clothing or blankets. We learned how the wool is cleaned, dyed and woven into a final product. Blankets made of alpaca wool were a popular choice to buy among our group. Next, we went to the salt pools. We learned the process of the salt coming down from a stream and filling up the pools where it would then evaporate, leaving behind the salt. The workers that harvest the salt get paid very little for their hard work. They often have to transport 100 pound bags of salt on their backs from the salt pools to a storage area. At the salt pools, members of our group were able to buy several different types of salt. After that, we went to the Moray terraces which were created by the Incas to serve a variety of purposes including farming and astronomy. Once done walking around the Incan structures, we were given bikes and mountain biking gear to precede our final activity of biking downhill across a mountain range. For two hours, we all had a great time riding down a bumpy road and enjoying the grand views of mountains and the city below.

Performance Prep

Written by Hope W

Today we took a half day break from the service project at the school to participate in a rehearsal for the local festival that is this weekend. We met at the Plaza de Armas, at 9 and walked down to the main ruins. The ruins are incredible and breathtaking. The mountains have ruins all throughout them. It was interesting to see the amazing architecture that the Quechua and Incan people were able to build without modern technology. The performance is a reenactment of how the town was founded and created. The director talked about the history of the town and how it was a privilege and an honor to participate in the performance. Our group was separated by genders and then lined up by height. We followed two young ladies that where the line leaders and ended up on the ruins. We then ran through the performance, stopping every once in a while to correct anything that was wrong. It was hard to understand the history and ideas behind the reenactment as the entire thing was in Quechua. Although it makes sense the performance was in the native language, it created a bit of a barrier for us and any other visitors.

Around noon we were done and left to the Plaza de Armas to grab the lunches our host families prepared. The buses came soon after that and we piled into two vans. As soon as we got there we ate lunch on the stairs. The kids at school are preparing for an anniversary, so all week they have been practicing dancing, it’s been super fun to watch while we eat. After lunch we all split into groups, one group helped plaster the walls, some kids helped cut sheets of metal to make into gutters, the group I was in, and others learned to weld while our two artists, Mackenzie and Nicole started to paint their murals today. By the time it was four’o’clock all the sheets were cut, the plaster group was covered from head to toe in plaster and the roof supports where mostly in place.

We ended around 5pm after a group meeting when we got home. The bus ride was long and bumpy and we got back to Ollantaytambo around 5:30, and dinner was soon after. The rest of the evening was free to explore and spend time with our host family. After dinner and talking for a while with our families, a bunch of the kids in our group met up in the center square, where we had great ice cream and brownies. Today was an amazing day and I can’t wait for more like then!

Painting the School

Written by Mackenzie

After another pleasant morning with our host families, it was exciting to know what our jobs would be for the second day of the service project. The 20-minute drive to the school from Ollantaytambo is very pretty because the route curves between the mountains that completely surround the villages. Upon arrival, the main focus of today’s project was painting. Some people painted the bricks on the front of the school red, some painted the newly-installed poles for the outdoor eating area, some people painted the walls of the school that had been worn down over the years, and Nicole Konike and I had the special opportunity to paint our own artwork on the walls of the school which was so exciting!!!

The principal of the school requested Nicole paint boys and girls as indicators for the bathrooms and so far her concept art is amazing and adorable. The painting I am working on is a mural of a student holding the reins to a llama. The llama is carrying a huge load of all her school supplies, instruments and other items. The student, Luana, that I am modeling the painting after is very excited and flattered. It’s so cute when her friends say “Luana, that’s you!”

After an early end to the work day, we were introduced (while at the foot of the Quechua ruins) to a dance that we will be performing for a festival this Saturday while dressed in traditional attire. After dinner we all congregated at Jaqui’s house (the local homestay contact) to celebrate Kelley’s birthday with brownies, Inca cola and corn cake. Happy birthday, Kelley!

Off to Ollantaytambo

Written by Eliza

Hola Parents!!! Today in our beautiful Cuzco hotel, we ate another breakfast of Peruvian coffee, delicious bread, fresh fruit, and filling quinoa pancakes. Unfortunately some of our travelers were feeling a bit unwell this morning, but luckily they are feeling much improved now! Once it was time to leave for our home stay, we packed up quickly, and dragged our heavy suitcases through the busy, cobble stone Cuzco streets. When everyone was situated on the bus, we took a gorgeous ride through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, our host families’ town. It was absolutely spectacular to be able to see all of the gorgeous mountains, and to also get a view of Cuzco as we were leaving. Upon our arrival, we met our sweet, sweet host families. Our host mothers cooked us all a delicious lunch that left us feeling extremely satisfied! Then, as a group, we toured the town, stopping at the market and the train station. We bought a soccer ball, and played with some Peruvian boys near the plaza. Although they beat us by a LOT, we all had a lovely time. Then, we went back to our host families for dinner!

-Eliza (ps love you mom and dad!!)

An Adventure Filled Day

Written by Kalista Marandas

Hi friends and families!

Today we had an amazing adventure filled day! We started nice and early this morning with breakfast at our hotel where we got to experience the incomparable coffee and quinoa pancakes.

From there we headed by bus to the ancient Incan ruins of Saksaiwaman that was formerly known as a temple for the sun god. There we were able to slide down the ancient stones that were a part of the landscape and also learn more of the history between the conquistadors and the Incans and how their religious differences eventually led to the destruction of their temples. We went to a viewpoint at the top of the ruins for a little bit after walking around the former temple, and the view of the whole city of Cusco was breathtaking.

After seeing the ruins, we took a bus back to Cusco, and were given a paper with a list of things we had to take pictures of as a part of a scavenger hunt. There was a variety of things from taking a picture with a baby llama, to finding a specific Incan rock in a wall with 12 corners. The best part of the experience was probably stepping out of our comfort zones and having to speak in Spanish to strangers about the locations of things, but through the scavenger hunt we (or at least my group: The Very Berry Hibiscuses) became a lot more familiar with the city and its landmarks. The only thing making it partially difficult was the parade going on in the Plaza de Armas (the main plaza) in honor of the Day of Cusco that’s celebrated on the 24th of June. All of the traffic made it particularly hard to go directly from point A to point B, but we definitely got a lot of exercise so that’s good!

Directly after our scavenger hunt finished, we walked to a local salsa school where we were able to learn four basic salsa steps. After mastering those, we moved on to dancing with a partner and attempting to complete all the spins and dips that the instructor taught us. The class was a very pressure free atmosphere that allowed us (or maybe just me) to feel comfortable getting out of our comfort zones and just going all out, all while trying to keep the rhythm of the beat.

After our very active salsa lessons, and a steep inclined walk back, we rested in our rooms for an hour or so before meeting in the lobby for a little check in and information sharing. There we were able to all go around and talk about our days and what we learned before going over the next day’s itinerary.

Following the meeting, we made our way to a local Amazonian restaurant and stopped by a mini mart for a couple of snacks on the way. After buying all the treats we needed, we walked down to the Amazonian restaurant. The decorations inside the restaurant were very unique and well made, some elements even making the room we ate in look jungly. For an appetizer, we had the option of either salad or an yucca empanada, and I heard both were delicious. Regarding the main course, there were three options: fried rice and veggies with a side of plantains, two balls of mashed plantains with some sliced pepperoni-like meat, and fried chicken with plantain chips and a couple pieces of the sliced meat. I, and my table mates, thoroughly enjoyed the food and it made us even more excited for our time in the Amazon (if that’s even possible).

Overall, today was a long day, but it was full of adventures, fun, and learning more about the Incan culture along with Peruvian culture.

Shout out to all the parents reading this, thank you for this opportunity you’ve given us, we are soaking it in and loving every minute of it!

Arriving in Cusco

Written by Nicole Coronado

Today was our first full day in Peru. We woke up and had some breakfast at our hotel in Lima before returning to the airport and flying to Cuzco. At 1 hr 45 min, it was a total breeze compared to our flights the previous day. We arrived in Cuzco and it was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen. Tall mountains with houses creeping up the sides and actual sunshine (compared to dreary Lima).

After arriving at our hotel we went on a tour and saw the Convento de Santo Domingo with some Quechua ruins. We toured around and I happened to learn the difference between an alpaca and a llama (a burning question of mine for quite a while) so I thought I might enlighten readers.

Alpaca: smaller, longer neck, used for their fur and eaten occasionally

Llama: exclusively used for transporting cargo.

After dinner at a pizza restaurant, it’s been a long day and we are all exhausted. Tomorrow we’re going to tour again and take a salsa class! More to come soon!

Let the adventure begin!

The group arrived in Lima after a long travel day. Students were tired yet excited! All were looking around with wide eyes, taking in the movement and activity of this capital city. We made our way to the super cute Mama Panchita to get some rest. Students remarked at the colorful tiled walls and open air centers of the hotel. Tomorrow we make our way back to the airport for our flight to the historic city of Cusco. Stay tuned!

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