Day 15: Macchu Picchu

We boarded Inka Rail, en route to Aguas Caliente at the base of Macchu Picchu. The train followed along the Urubamba river through the Sacred Valley of the Inkas and with windows all around, we had a spectacular view of the Valley. We watched as the mountains went from dry, and brown with tall eucalyptus trees, to lush and green, and almost jungle. The mountains here are somewhat different then at home. Our mountains have a much larger base to them, these ones here shoot straight up. We arrived in Aguas Caliente around 5, grabbed our luggage and walked through endless markets up steep and narrow cobblestone streets to our hotel. Our hotel here was called, " Plaza Andina". We went to grab a bite and then call it a night because we had to get up at 3:30 to get in line for the bus to Macchu Picchu. I dawdled a wee bit before going out eat and walked into a jewelry store. There was a man sitting at the table making jewelry and when I walked in, he looked up to greet me, with sparkilng eyes and a kind smile he winked and said, "hola". I loved him. He just had a soul that drew you rignt in... He had long hair about mid back, and just a kindness and gentleness about him, im sure everyone who met him loved him. He told me he made all the jewelry, stone and silver, and other beautiful stone work. He introduced himself as Sara, followed by a hand shake and kiss. (it is a traditional way to greet here in peru, with a kiss on the cheek.) He then decided to show me another part of the store, which seemed to be closed at the time, but it was a gallery full of all his beautiful paintings. They were paintings of Macchu Picchu, Inka triology symbols with condors, pumas, and snakes. spirits, the sacred valley. Very spiritual artwork. What a talent. How I knew to walk into the right store... Anyways, it seems everywhere I go I just fall in love with the people. Its so easy... I would have loved to buy a painting from him, but I just cant afford to keep buying paintings!

Karin and I (and everyones else) had requested a wake up call for the next morning. We had also attempted to set the alarm clock... Our wake up was to be at 330. The alarm never went off, and the phone never rang. We woke up to the sound of a rooster crowing. I guess that was our wake up call! We packed our bags and walked down to the bus stop. There was already people in line and more on their way. The bus ride was quite an amazing climb up a switchback up to the high andes. when we got to the check point, we got out and walked. up a few flights of stairs.. but that was nothing. The most beautiful and overwhelming feeling I have ever had happened when we reached the top of our climb. I have waited and waited, and come all this way. And there it was the anceint Inka city of Macchu Picchu. All I wanted to do was cry. About 20 minutes had passed before I even took a picture. I just sat and stared in awe. Soon enough, Pursy gathered us up for our history lesson. He is such a thourogh and informative guide. We learned many things about Macchu Picchu. one thing being that the city itself is not named Macchu Picchu, but that is the name of the mountain to the ?north. The City's name in still unknown but there are some thoughts on what it might be however. The man who discovered it in 1911 was told buy a local farmer that their might be some ruins up there (pointed) on Macchu Picchu. It wasn't, but was in the middle of three mountains. But he decided its name was Macchu Picchu. The man was an american by the name of Hiram Bingham. He found many artifacts, such as pottery, textiles, tools, etc. and He brought them all back to the united states with him and still today they remain in Yale universtity. Which is tragic for Peru. Thier history should be preserved in their own country not the united states.... :( More and more things we learned... the Inkas had an irrigation system running through the entire city, trenches carved out of the stone running down each street and into beautiful fountains. And then, while we were in one of the houses and pursy was telling us what each room was for he showed us a small room with a small hole in the floor... it was a bathroom! There was a completely different plumming system running through the city for sewage. How fantastic is this place!!

Next we climbed up Waynapicchu to get a fabulous view of Macchu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Waynapicchu is the tall tall mountain in the background of Macchu Picchu when you see pictures... the Inka trail goes all the way to the top. It was the most difficult hike I have ever done. Mind you I dont do much hiking.... But it switch backed all the way up one side. Inka stonework made stairs all the way up... it was so rewarding getting to the top. This hike was so dangerous too, its not like in Canada where we have regulations and such, where railing will be placed where its dangerous or boardwalks will be built where the footining isnt safe... no no nothing like that here. It was straight over cliff edges and sometimes extremely narrow pathways... the stairs ranged from narrow short steps to steps that were a foot tall! 5 foot wide to 1 foot wide... some steps were tilted so you never really could get your foooting on them. Near the top were more ruins. there were a few houses and agricultural terraces.. who lived all the way up there? I dont know but they were crazy. The stairs going throught the terraces were so steep that you had to climb up and down them like a ladder. At the very very top, there was a cluster of large boulders that people were climbing all over. You could easily slip on the smoothh side of these big rocks and with all the people, with huge backpacks and what not, its not a surprise that people have fallen off. I got out of there as quick as possible, didnt even get a picture. I really didnt feel like falling off of Waynapicchu. But mind you, if I was going to die, that would be a not so bad way, right? In macchu picchu? I can just see the headlines now...

Day 11: When in Rome

Today is our second last day of working on the school. We finished the walkway we started last week and feels great to be done. A few of us went to help Maestro Augusto lay bricks on the second floor of the admin building, as well as finish off the roof. Laying bricks is kinda fun, we wet the bricks really good, mix up some cement and dirt and water, slop it on ans lay the bricks. After the walls are done they get covered in a layer of cement for a smooth finish which can be painted later. this is a very common way to build here. Haven't seen any 2x4's and drywall yet. Before the walls can get covered, the bricks must be soaked in water. So I had the lovely job of hosing down the walls of the bathroom upstairs. After a bit, Augusto was ready to start wiring. So he tosses up an extension cord and brings up a little circular saw. He motions to jeff to dry his hands so he can hold the plug in the socket so it wouldnt fall out. It properly fit and had to be held in place in order for it to work. I told him my hands are already dry so I would hold it for him. Augusto grabbed a bucket, turns it over next to the wall and stands on it. I follow him over to the wall with the plug and extension cord in hand right into the massive puddle of water on the floor from wetting the bricks earlier. (but its a good thing my hands weren't wet) I held the plug in place while he dug out a place in the bricks to put the wires for the light, hoping he didnt fall of the tippy bucket. Im pretty sure they teach you in elementry not to do this kind of thing. Haha.. when in Rome...

After work today we were going to a resturant to eat and learn how to salsa! Yessie brought a friend of hers who knows how to dance really good to teach us how to salsa and merengue. we had the whole upper floor of the resturant. It was so much fun! we invited everyone from the office and they brought along some friends with them too. Just a we bit into the dance lesson Nancy's husband and little girl came. We see this sweet little girl about 7 or 8 run up the stairs and right to her mothers side and announce, "HELLO MY FRIENDS!" in her bestest english ever! She had so much fun dancing with us. as did everyone! Cristian came, Augusto came all dressed to the nines, and few other friends from the office also showed up. It was really great time with everybody and I have lots of pictures to remember it. Tomorrow will be our last day working at the school. I am really sad to not be returning monday and also a little sad not knowing when it will be ready for the kids to start attending. But Im happy knowing we helped to get it closer to that point.

 

This is Andrew helping the boy get his wheelbarrow out of the cavass.

This is the farmlands near Torre Torre

 

This is the little boy I spotted on the hill who tipped his wheelbarrow and hurt his finger. This is just before Andrew went up to help him get unstuck and bring him the rest of the way down the hill. This is in the farmlands near Torre Torre.

 

Shot out the bus window leaving Torre Torre on the outskirts of huancayo. The kids work hard helpoing out on the farms.

 

This is Diana, the littlest of the three sisters who followed us up the hill to Torre torre. A little worn out from the hike :)

 

 

 

Typical street scene in Huancayo. People drive these bike/cart things around everywhere.

 

 

This is group 1 at identity park (except for Karin) up in the kids tower. And... Jeff next to the sign that says.. that we are not allowed up in the kids tower... after climbing off the tower of course..

 

This is Isaac, standing next to his mom. They come to visit Lizette and Kimberly almost every day. Great soccar player!!

 

This is lizette and little Kimberly doing dishes in the morning. I admire the simplicity in there peoples lives here. Whether by choice or not... I admire it.

 

The beautiful catherdral at sunset in Constitution park in the city center. Our hotel is right behind and to the left.

Day 5: Antojitos

After work we relaxed at the hotel and then met the group in the lobby to go for supper. We were going to go out to a pizzaria with live music. On our way there we stopped on front of the church in costitution park where we heard loud music and a saw a crowd of people. We wondered over and there dancing in the street lights was Micheal Jackson!! Well, a peruvian version anyways. He was the most fantastic impersonator anyone had seen. A fabulous dancer, just as good as MJ was himself. He had the outfit and even the facial expressions he had down. We stopped and watched for a bit and took a video, so when I get my hands on it, you all will get a chance to see it.

We walked three blocks to Antojitos and finally and 8 oclock we managed to sit down for dinner. Inside this place was a really nice atmosphere, pub like with wood floors and beams. Decorated with antiques such as lanterns and pots etc. We ordered a couple pizzas and soon after the band started. Most of the group got pisco sours, I however am still ify on the raw egg part of it... although it is delicious I think i will hold off for a while... the pizza was some of the best pizza I had ever tasted, others thought so too. Cristian came to meet us a while later (have I mentioned Cristian yet? Cute guy works for Arguidiandos as accountant and as our translator/chaperone) as well as Jessie (Yessie) and her sister ?Lizbeth? (I think its actually Elizabeth but is pronounced different in spanish) Jessie is our real translator, Cristian was our substitute). we all ate pizza and listened to music. after a while the place started to fill up and there was lots of dancing going on. We got up to danced and tried to salsa lol and had a ton of fun. Two peruvian men in suits smoking cigarettes asked to dance with lizbeth and I and I got smoke in face for the longest song ever.... :( Yes, they still smoke in the bars down here. I was tired so I went back to the hotel when we left. The others went to another bar with a group of people we met at Antojitos. Saturday night, there will be more dancing and pisco sours to come...

Day 4: Hugo and the pisco sours

The next day we went back to the work site and finished laying stones. It was pretty much the same day as the last. Afterwards again, we cleaned up, relaxed, and met up for dinner. this one was especially special :) A few days ago we met a man in the lobby named Hugo. He started chatting with Nicole and we found that he was fluent in english, and from a nearby village but was staying in Huancayo for a few days. Hugo is about 70 years old, well traveled, well educated, and about the friendliest person you'll ever meet. So we invited him for dinner with us to La Lenas. During dinner he bought us a round of Pisco sours. Pisco sour is a famous Peruvian drink. And a must have when visiting Peru. The drink is made using 3 ounce of pisco, which is a white brandy, lime juice, egg whites and bitters (whatever that is) and blended until frothy. Its really delicious and I intend on bringing home some pisco and learning how to make them. P.S. Pisco sour makes you really silly really fast :) We learned a lot about Hugo. He worked as an engineer but is now retired. The village where he lives are full of very intellectual people and half the town has been abandoned because when people finish school they travel and often dont come back. I guess thats what happens when the majority of the people are intellectuals and not many are working class. Hugo was never married, the woman he going to marry was killed in an accident when he was about 25. He claims he was never married because he had no time for marriage, but I think its because he was heartbroken. He has three sisters who lives in Lima. He said the one sister is crazy and he really admires her husband because he puts up with her. She showers many times a day and changes her clothes many times a day too. But apparently is borderline genious. The other sister has a really controlling husband, and the other is boring, she doesn't ever want to leave the house. After dinner we had so much energy from pisco sours that we decided to roam around and see the city and the markets at night. Hugo came with us to show us where to buy cheap phonecards because on the street sometimes they sell phoney ones. He also showed me where to buy postcards at the post office. And then we checked out a couple stores. He said young people give him so much energy and he felt so good hanging out with us. And that we had good vibes, he said. lol. He was also a big fan of the Beatles in his day :) I like that tid bit.

The next day while standing on the corner of the market with Jeff, Nicole, and Jamie, we ran into Hugo. He was going to get a phone card. So we all walked together. Its so nice to have a friend here and someone you can trust. He is wonderful to take shopping because he knows what is a good price to pay and can translate so well. And he is coming dancing with us Saturday night! Hugo really reminds me of my grampa, he looks like him when he smiles. He leaves for Lima on monday.. we will miss him he goes...

Day 3: working in Huancayo

We started worked early this morning after eating breakfast at the Coqui cafe. We got there and met a man named Augusto. He is assistant to the foreman, Alejandro. And brother in law. He showed us how to ix up cement and lay the stones on the walkway. I can get used to this!! It was really fun and very satisfying. It was similar to weeding a garden for me, very therapudic and can work on it all day :) The whole group ended up working on the walkway, Shay put some music on and away we went. On the property there is a little house lived in by a small family. They look after the place when no one is there. the woman is lizette and her little girl is Kimberly. not sure of the husbands name, we have not met him. But lizette and Kimberly are there every day. There is a tap that comes out of a pipe in the ground and Everyday Lizette and Kimberly come out to wash the dishes in a little wash basin. Afterwards she washes up the clothes. She sits on a little paint can and Kimberly plays nearby and gets into trouble. She is 15 months old. The place where I go and cool off is inthe stairwell of the school, and is right next to where Lizette does her washing. Kimberly wared up to Karin and I in no time. we love to take breaks from working to play with her. Sometime in the late morning Lizette has a visitor come by with a little boy named Isaac. They sit together all day while the kids play together. Isaac is about 2 1/2 I think. Karin and I played ball with the both of them. Isaac is sure a good little soccer player! He can kick that ball better then I can! Little Kimberly is still to little to kick so mom helps her. But she rolls the ball really good :)

At noon, Nancy brings us lunch and we eat in the admin building. She brings fresh buns, chicken, tomato, lettuce, avocado, rice, tea and inca cola. It is a little bit different everyday but mostly its that. we eat and relax out of the sun. about mid day the sun gets very hot. I dont think it feels any more hot then home but the truth is, if I were outside at home working all day in the direct sunlight It would be just as unbareable. I know that the sun is much stronger here so I did make sure to wear sunscreen. But at home, it seems I can be outside for a few days in a row without sunscreen and not even tan. Most people likely burn in one day out in the sun. So I thought if I wore sunscreen, by the end of three weeks I might have a nice tan. But it only took half a day to get a good tan, and a burn on the back of my neck and shoulders. Even with sunscreen on. So by day two I wore long sleeves and a hood.

We only work until 2 because the sun is so hot. So after work we have free time to roam around, shop, eat, sleep, do whatever we want. We meet at 6 or 7 for supper. The whole group decided to check out the artisan market that Karin and I stumbled upon the first day. Karin and I decided to go down some of the streets to explore a little further. There a lot of street vendors, some with food or candy or, whatever really. We walked by a little place and could smell something really delicous so i thought I would investigate. Right there in the doorway of this little shop was a stove top of some sort with a pan cooking up something wrapped in corn husks. They smelled so good!! I didnt know what they were but I knew they cost only one soles (less the 50 cents) cant hurt to try it for one soles. This sweet little old lady came out to wrap one on up for me. Once I walked away I opened it up and saw that is was the most delicious warm fresh piece of cornbread. I walked back to ask her what it was called and that it was "muy bien". She called it Humitas. which seems to be a version of the tamale.

That evening we went to eat in a place called Donatellos. Pizza and Pasta. I ate a veg pizza and it was delicious. I have to say, we a very well fed here. And are very very lucky. When going into a third world country you never know what you may get. But here we have a clean hotel room, great food and friendly people. I had a little bit of wine with supper.. and it didnt mix well with the altitude...

Day 1: Lima

I arrived at 11:50pm on sunday and was picked up by a man named Ronal and a driver. Ronal is the manager of the Casa Rodas hostel which I stayed at. He often helps out the DWC groups when they come to Peru. Very kind and charming... The Hostel was nice, very cold inside though!! its all tile floor and the windows are just glass on hinges, no frame, no screen. its kinda cool. In the morning i ate breakfast and took a cab to the bus station to meet the group. The buses were very nice big buses. which was very necessary because we had a 7 hour drive ahead of us... we winded up mountain roads and saw all sorts of villages... dwellings at the side of the road, women washing clothes in tubs outside, children playing, dogs, lots of dogs, stray and scavenging. Chickens, sheep, donkeys, pigs, cows, goats. Not a single llama!! Yet...

We all started to feel the altitude on the climb up the mountain. My face started to feel like I had a bad sunburn. I had not yet been in the sun at all. It was interesting. I started to have difficulty breathing but was overall okay.

We arrived in Huancayo at about 8pm and we met by the Arguedianos host partners, Violetta and Alejandro. Piled our luggage in the truck and walked to the Hotel. Checked in. Sleeeeep.

The altitude is funny. We are all huffing and puffing just to crawl into bed at night! heart racing, the whole works. Some have headaches and we all seem to be experiencing cold like symptoms, stuffy runny nose and sore throat. But coca tea is the key. And thankfully it is very available. In our hotle lobby for example, always hot coca tea ready to be drank. It is so helpful, tasty and addicting... go figure, haha. Not only is it good for altitude sickness but it is good for digestion.

Day 2: Huancayo
Today we slept in, went for breakfast at the Coqui Cafe next door to the hotel. Fresh made waffel and fresh juiced papaya! yum! Afterwards we were met by two lovely ladies, Fabiola, and Nancy who are part of the host partner group, Arguedianos. They took us in a cab around the city center and to the jobsite. I will talk more about the jobsite tomorrow. We went to a hat park... yes, a hat park.. Their were giant hats (used as umbrellas over the benches) in a beautiful park square with bidges and fountains. It was very unique... :) Afterward we walked around a mall, which, Im not going to lie, was really boring. I didn't come here to shop in a mall with fashions and prices the same as what I can find in Red Deer. Even though I get easily suckered in 'cause I do enjoy shopping... but I have to remind myself what things exactly I wanted to buy while in Peru... and it wasn't that. But it was helpful to learn were the supermarket was. And was, I admit, a good way to get used to the city.

Before dinner, we had some time to kill so Karin and I decided to take a little walk around city center. Got some great photos of the children chasing pigeons in the park as well as some beautiful photos of a colonial church. (will post later) We stumbled across a little artisan marketplace with beautiful andean crafts. Including of course, woven textiles and knitted sweaters. I bought my first ever alpaca sweater :) for 32 soles. Which is roughly about 15 buck cnd! Heck ya!
On the way back to the hotel I was takeing some photos of the sunset light against the church and a woman with a child stopped me and asked, foto? pointing to the child. I thought she may have been giving me a photo op for of course a small fee. (tourists tend to get that) Of course I said ok sure.. But then she handed me the baby!! and explained again, no, we want a photo of the baby with you!! For no money of course, and we both felt bad for thinking so.. So i got to hold this sweet wide eyed pudgy cheeked little peruvian baby :) Filled my heart with joy!!
We finished the day off With a good meal at a fine Restaurante! Tomorrow morning, off to the jobsite!

Destination: Peru

The flight was long and uncomfortable. But I did pass through American immigration without any hassle and my bags were checked all the way through, so there was no hassel there either.Two of my flights were like flying in a sardine can... minus the smell, thank God. But the flight from dallas to miami was nice. we got a substitute plane for some reason.. it was a 777. it was larger and more comfortable seats. we had our own tvs with movies and video games!! but my controler didn't work so I couldn't play tetris :( I sat beside an American Eagle airline captain who was returning home to west beach. And one point we got to talking.. He asked me if I was from Dallas and I said no, Im from Alberta. And he asked if Alberta was in BC. I said no.. Its beside BC... we're neighbors! and after a few seconds of silence ( and here's where I think i embarrassed him) he asked if Alberta was a province and I replied, "yes." He said "sorry I don't know all the Canadian provinces... you probably don't know all the states..." and I said, "actually I do.... and the capitals..." Sorry captain. Its not normal though.. most canadians probably don't, Im just a nerd. Its funny.. on all flights you sit next to someone for hours and you dont' say a word to eachother until you start to land... at least in my case. Each and everyone one of those people have a story. Maybe their journey has just begun or maybe it is finally over... On the first flight I sat next to a man from Guatamala. We chatted for a bit while descending and talk about where each of us were going. He mentioned how long his flight would be but said after, "It doesn't matter though.. cause I get to go to my home" and he looked so peaceful when he said "home". Isn't that such a nice feeling though? going home? Although Im so excited to be here, I still can't wait to get home...