We started off the day with going to the school and playing with the kids before their classes. They all loved the camera. When they went into their classes we went and AMPed the day. This stands for Analyze, Manage, and Prepare so that we can assess our risks for the day. Then we started to move wood for the school’s kitchen using a fire line. Then all the kids got out for recess and we played our chosen game. After they went back into their classes we got into groups and joined them in class. After class we were excused and everyone when to their homestays for lunch. In the afternoon, we returned to the school and learned a new Spanish game, tomo tomate. The day concluded with more firewood stacking and journaling. Ethan U While in a 6th grade math classroom, we helped with a lesson about place value. During recess, we learned a few new games such as taps, spinning tops, and jacks. Some of us learned how to count to 5 in Quechua, the native Incan language. We also learned how to work together as a team to move and stack a pile of firewood for the school kitchen. Yesterday, we learned about how the Incans quarried extremely large granite stones from the other side of the valley miles away and hulled them by rope up a ramp to El Temple del Sol. It was amazing how precisely the stones fit together and were polished by other rocks (hematite). Brenon R “During that time we felt that we could do anything, however it wasn’t just that. Part of it was also knowing that what we were doing was truly making a difference.” A wise man once said that. While I wouldn’t say that completely applies here, I will say that it has some relevance. A few things we are doing contributes to the community here and some parts of this trip will stay in our minds for a good while. That’s what inspires us. Owen M Day 3
We woke up in Lima at 1:00 am to go to the airport to fly to Cusco. I was very sleep deprived but I tried to keep a positive attitude. Once we got on the plane a lot of people tried to go to sleep but unfortunately I was not able to. When we landed in Cusco we were greeted by Joy and Chris, our World Leadership instructors. Then, we drove for 2 hours on a bus to Ollantaytambo. The drive was gorgeous and I felt so grateful to be there. We checked into the hotel and I stayed with Cassidy. We walked over to the Full Moon Lodge where the boys were staying for the night. We played some games while learning about what we were going to be doing on the trip. This got me very excited. For lunch, we ate an interesting pumpkin soup. Afterwards, we walked down to a Festival. It was beautiful!! Each woman wore a different ornate outfit and different hat depending upon which village they are from. They would dance and sing along to the music. There were also men who rode horses down a line trying to grab a cob of corn that was dangling from a rope. The prize for the corn was a chicken for their family. There was a small vending stand where I had the best churro I’ve ever had. They were soooooo good! I have no words. Afterwards, we went to our wonderful welcome dinner. Avery F. Day 4 Today we went to El Temple De Sol, met our homestay families and participated in a Despacho ceremony with Hermano De Vida. We started our day by visiting the local school where we will be spending the next few days working on our service project. At the school, we got a chance to play with the kids. Next, we went to the temple, where the guide told us a lot about the history of the ancient Incans and their breathtaking ruins. There were many cool carved rocks and sculptures that represented various gods and values. We met our families who are wonderful, welcoming people. We ate lunch with them and enjoyed a nice conversation getting to know each other. For lunch, they served us rice and eggs with meat. It was delicious!!! After lunch, we went to the Despacho ceremony which was a learning ritual about society. There, the local healer told us about our futures and explained various positive attributes we would possess in our future. It was very different but cool. Following the Despacho ritual we made offerings/prayers on coca leaves covered in sugar which were then burned in the fire. Lastly, we ate dinner with our homestay families and met more people in the family. For dinner, we ate soup. Today was a very fun and interactive day. Mia S. Good morning!! After an early morning flight, the students have arrived in Cusco. Although the travel delay was disappointing arriving into Cusco as the sun was rising is a view they will soon not forget. The group was greeted by the WLS instructors and are going to breakfast before heading to Ollantaytambo. They will start updating the blog once they are settled.
Erin Hawk Executive Director Hello family and friends of the ACDS program in Peru! The students have arrived safely in Lima, but after a travel delay, had to be rebooked on a later connection to Cuzco that would have gotten them into Cuzco tonight. Unfortunately because of an airline over-booking issue the students weren't able to make their flight this evening and will be on a flight tomorrow morning. The group has been exhibiting such flexibility with these unfortunate delays and are in great spirits. The airline is treating them to dinner and booked them overnight at the Sheraton in Lima. The group will take an early flight to arrive into Cuzco at 6:30am. We don't anticipate having to make any changes to the itinerary because of this delay. They will start updating the blog tomorrow. Please don't hesitate to call with any questions 303-679-3412. Thank you for your trust and support. Erin Hawk Executive Director |
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