2019 Peru 15 Day Service Adventure – Session 1
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Written by Koe Gonzales – Program Leader
Today was a great day. We went to the known of Pisac, known for its markets and artists, where we first stopped by a jewelry shop. The local owner explained how jewelry was made and how to distinguish between real and fake products. What was most interesting though was that the process involved a mix of traditional jewelry making methods with some modern methods. Afterwards, we were able to shop around before heading out to explore some of the remaining ruins in the region. The group learned how the Incas had established an advanced society, learning about mathematical methods, ways of communication, as well as their religious beliefs, including how they preserved bodies in a sitting position to prepare the person for the afterlife. We then gathered with all the host families and ate the famous guinea pig, or cuy, to celebrate our week our successes here.
As we wind down this Peruvian adventure, there does not seem to be a better way to end than to go to one of the many wonders of the world – Machu Picchu. Tomorrow the group will head out there for a the spectacular site. It has been a pleasure to see the group opening their hearts and minds. Every member of the group is unique in their own way, but one thing they all have in common is their willingness to learn about another culture. Even if that means sacrificing certain comforts and going through awkward moments of language barriers! These students have been determined to learn in more ways than one. What this group has taught us is that despite cultural differences, there is a universal language of curiosity which opens the doors to new experiences and a greater understanding of the world around them. We have no doubt that every student will have something positive to take away from this experience, and will use it to their advantage in their future endeavors.
Last Day of Service
Written by Koe Gonzales – Program Leader
Today marks the last day for our service at the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus school here in Urubamba. The past few days were occupied by painting their courtyard for them to use. Today we painted the railings between the patios and classrooms, and also finished the remaining sectors of the courtyard. It was a busy day because over 350 students from Ollataytambo and Urubamba had attended the school! We got to play with some of the kids, and it always amazes us how much energy they have. Especially since they start even earlier than most schools throughout the United States. Before we left the school we were able to play some volleyball with the locals, who ended up winning most of the time. Our final stop on the way home was visiting the Incan ruins in Ollantaytambo. Students were not only fascinated with the views overlooking the town, but also the mysterious history of how the Incans were able to move such heavy stones over a steep mountain to where they reside today. During this time in Urubamaba, and neighboring Ollantaytambo (where we are staying), the locals have been preparing for Andean celebrations, which feels very fitting as we prepare the celebrate the amazing time we have in this community. As the trip comes to close, the students will write letters to themselves about their experience which will be sent to them three years n the future, so they can reflect on the impact this trip has had on them. They have grown tremendously and without a doubt have become more culturally minded global citizens.
Celebrations for Days
Written by Claudia Horning
Today marked our third full day staying with our host families and getting to know them and the way they live. We woke up early to the sounds of the town’s third day of celebrations. I was able to think about how much love this small town has for both each other and their religion. We ate a good breakfast with our families and then walked to the town square. We then boarded the bus and headed off to our second day of service work. We did our best to finish painting the school’s courtyard. We started by sweeping and painting and then enjoyed a nice little break and ate cake and drank soda, prepared by the lovely faculty at the school. We were able to listen to music and continue to talk and learn about one another while doing tiring work in the hot sun. It ended up being very fun and we definitely changed the look of the school for the better, even with our mediocre painting skills. After a long day, we walked to the bus stop and returned to our host town to spend the last full night of the town’s celebration party with its lovely people and host parents. They had put so much time and work into this four-day-long fiesta, and it is amazing to be able to participate in the final product. I am so grateful for all of the host families and all of our daily activities for teaching and showing us so much. I look forward to the last few days.
A Long, Interesting Day
Cleaning and Painting
Written by Leanne Levine & Layla Goodarzi
Today we had breakfast with our host families and took a bus to a local middle school. There we met the principal, who explained that we would clean and paint their basketball court. Cleaning the basketball court took a lot of patience, as there was a lot of dust. Eventually we finished cleaning and started painting the court. Halfway through painting, we had a snack and a drink. After relaxing and talking for a while, our host families sent us lunch! Once we finished eating, we continued painting. To our surprise, when we had almost finished painting the court, a large band of students began playing loud music. It was funny because we had forgotten to bring a speaker for music and they ended up providing us with live music. Once we returned to Ollantaytambo, we ate ice cream and watched the local parade. The parade was filled with bright colors and lively dancers. Afterwards, we returned to our host families and enjoyed dinner before resting for the evening.
A Beautiful Day
Written by Leanne Levine & Layla Goodarzi
Today, we woke up at our hotel in Cuzco and had breakfast there. Then we drove to our host families and during the trip, we played with our bus driver’s four-year-old son Jorge. Once we arrived, we met our host moms in the town square, and all were warm and welcoming. We walked to their houses, met other family members, and enjoyed a delicious home cooked meal. Many of us were pleased to learn that the host families spoke Spanish at a speed we could understand. Then we returned to the square and explored the town. Afterwards, we decided to go on a hike to see ruins that predate the Incas! We loved traveling as a group and experiencing the beauty of the mountain. Once we arrived at the top, we explored the magnificent ruins and the breathtaking view of the town and hillside. Although the hike was a bit difficult, it was rewarding when we saw the view from the top. Then we went to the local market, where we bought some snacks and drinks. Koe bought a cherimoya for us to try, which was unexpectedly sweet and delicious. After a long day, we returned to our host families to have dinner. We are excited to start our service project tomorrow.
On to Ollantaytambo!
Written by Koe Gonzales – Program Leader
Today marks the day that the group left for our host community of Ollantaytambo, about a two hour drive from Cusco. We arrived to happy, welcoming host families who fed us all very well. Ollantaytambo is a small town where everyone knows each other and is connected, making it a great place for students to socialize and experience true cultural immersion. Our service work starts tomorrow at a nearby school, so today we focused on orienting ourselves to the town and community. The group also had time to climb a nearby mountain which had some stunning Inca ruins. Although it was steep to climb, the view was incredible. Looking over the sunset, listening to the wind blow, and taking time to experience natural beauty has shown us all that there is more to life than the routines we are so accustomed to. Countries like Peru have much to teach us and we will continue to discover new lessons as the week progresses.
Host Families
Written by Leanne Levine
The day before we left to arrive at our host families, we had a group meeting to discuss the upcoming days. First, we talked about our goals and expectations for our homestay. These included improving our Spanish and getting to know our host families. Afterwards, Natalia and Koe talked about the town’s economy, social norms, and described some features of the town. We were fascinated when we learned that the village’s economy is dependent on tourism and agriculture. Lastly, we learned about the service project we will be participating in, and got some background information about the families we will be staying with. For our project, we will be painting the walls of a middle school near the village. We are so excited to get to know our families over the next week!
Exploring Cuzco
Written by Dominic Douglas
Over the past two days we’ve been touring Cuzco, seeing the local culture with its many influences. The trip to Cuzco in itself was an experience. Being in the middle of nowhere for a while has a way of getting people to talk to each other. The long ride opened us up to one another a lot more, and we got to see a lot of Peru we wouldn’t have otherwise. The small towns and farming communities we pass along the way each had their own character. Despite a detour due to a strike, it gave us a more realistic face to Peru and was great for bonding. The tour of Cuzco and the ruins brought the long history of the Peruvian people to light for us. Not only again did we get to know each other better, but the narrow colonial indigenous streets and architecture showed the cultural blend of Peru. The simplicity yet structural integrity of Incan buildings was fascinating. The roads were a little bit anachronistic, as traffic laws aren’t really a thing and the random placement of rocks in the cobblestone streets lead me to trip… many times. The whole city and it’s people as well as animals were all vibrant and inviting. Lastly, dinner was really fun as we all talked about so many things – from where the sun sets to Koe’s improvised journey to the post office.
Puno to Cusco
Written by Koe Gonzales – Program Leader
Today the group took the long trip from Puno to Cusco. This was a good time to get to know one another through conversation and games. We passed by a lot of the rural areas, and got a glimpse at local life in these regions. A lot of us thought of it much like a long road trip in the United States, except of course there were different, unique geographical features to see along the way. The biggest highlight was when the group stopped by a very small town in search of a restroom. Almost all of the locals were looking at us, and we later found out not many tourists past by this area. We were laughing at how much we stood out here, but the highlight of today was meaningful. Travel is about exploring our curiosity. The Peruvian locals in that small town were curious about us, just as we are curious to learn about the people of this culture. It was this type of open-mindedness that lead these students to travel and become brave enough to venture out into cultures unknown. It’s always a pleasure seeing students growing through these experiences, and more is yet to come!
A Day on the Lake
Written by Anne Martz
Today we started by eating breakfast at the hotel at around 6:45am. We had some jam and toast, fruit (kiwi, pineapple, and watermelon), and scrambled eggs. After breakfast we got ready and met up with your tour guide, Gerson. He was a very knowledgeable and kind man. We left the hotel on bicycle taxis and it was a lot of fun. When we got to the boat that took us on Lake Titicaca, Gerson started telling us about the lake and the islands on it. The tectonic plates on the two sides of South America collided which pushed this massive body of water to the surface. It is one of the most well known attractions in Peru, but Bolivia also borders the lake. We could go onto the top of the boat and look around while we were cruising to the island of Taquile. On this island of Quechua-speakers, we were greeted by a little girl and a toddler. Once we got to the top of the stairs to the dock, we learned about the social traditions of the people on the island. For example, you can tell if a man is married, or single and looking/not looking by his hat, and you can tell if a woman is married by the color of her shirt. We watched some of the women weave and passed around their clothing that was woven very finely. The men are the knitters, while the women weave and they always seem to being doing things whether it be spinning wool or knitting. Then the people of Taquile showed us a traditional dance and after about 5 minutes we joined in. After this we had some time to look at their creations, and buy their products if we wanted to. Many of us went to play with a 5 year old boy named Jack. He loved kicking and passing the ball around. On the way back down to the boat we were able to wade into to the lake and enjoy the sun and the breeze. For lunch we went to the mainland called Capachica. This time we were greeted with a pig that we got to pet. A traditional prayer was performed before our food was taken out of the underground ovens. A man thanked Mama Cocha on behalf of all the men, and a woman thanked Mama Cocha on behalf of all the women. For lunch there was quinoa soup, about 4 different kinds of potatoes, vegetable salad, beans, chicken, and fish. After our lovely meal we went to one of the floating islands or Uros islands, (there are 90). The islands are made of reeds and khili, a floating root. These people ended up in Lake Titicaca because of persecution from colonial times. It takes about a year and eight months to build an island. There is a boat on the island which they use to get around and bring the kids to school. After touring one of the homes and the space on the island, some of us were able to go for a quick ride in one of the woven boats that they make. It was very comfortable and sturdy. After leaving the lake, we stopped at a market and picked up some fruit and snacks, then went back to the hotel and rested for about 2 hours. For dinner we went to La Casona and spoke in Spanish for about 25 minutes (a fantastic record). When we got back to our hotel we had a brief meeting about tomorrow’s events and then went to bed for the night. It was an amazing day filled with new cultures and experiences.