Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Janaq Chuqibambaand the PC 5

Hello again!
Last week was a huge highlight from our time in Peru
We spent it with the PC 5 and some other volunteers who came with Ascend, and these were the greatest group of people
They were so fun, everyone worked hard and had a great attitude, and we had a blast


The week started at the girls orphanage which I didn't get pictures of.

This is the child abuse refuge center, we played a game of volleyball and they killed us

We passed out a new set of clothes and shoes to each boy at the boys orphanage, which was desperately needed. 

Then we went to Janaq Chuqibamba! (Ha-knock Chew-key-bamba)


They had all there children line up and shake our hands

The the entire community lined up and told us their names

These were the pet chickens at our house, they followed anyone moving



Then our host dad, Billy and I planted sustainable trees that grow fruit 

We spent a few days building the school, which was a blast. 
The locals working with us were hilarious

These girls greeted me and Billy every morning. The youngest didn't speak much Spanish (only a few of the men speak Spanish, the rest speak Quechua the Inca language) so every morning she told us "Estoy bien!" 

This is the sheep pen at our house, the sheep look out when there is noise and try to see who is talking (so funny)

Our host's backyard

We had two soccer matches with the locals, we won the first time, they won the second
Billy heading the ball

We did a health fair at the school, the teachers all round up the kids with big wooden sticks just like sheep 


No one in the village owns a toothbrush, so most of them lose their baby teeth and grow in rotted adult teeth. We gave them each a tooth brush
A lot were scared to do it, though these were the cool kids brushing their teeth behind the school


Then we cut down trees for the roof of the school

doing my part



We went on a sweet hike, we're about 14,000 feet up

The kids had never seen a picture of themselves, so much of the week was spent taking a picture and then everyone fighting to see it

The last day we particpated in one of their farewell traditions, dancing around a tree taking turns swinging an axe at it

When it falls the kids run to get things that were hung up in the tree, mostly toilet paper

Iegdio (ee-he-dio) I worked mostly with him building the walls of the school
He called me Anita, or little Annie

Us with our host family (we are missing our host mom and brother) and Ryan, another Ascend intern

Sorry for the picture overload!
We just had so much going on and it was all so fun

This is our last week here and we can't believe it
Luckily we got to do pretty much everything on our list, and are ready for some good food at home!



Sunday, June 17, 2012

Busy at Work

This past week has been a lot of prep work for the group that is now here
They are a fun group of high schoolers and it should be a great week

So these are mostly photos that didn't make it to the previous post

Cuy farm - these guinea pigs are destined for dinner

So last week we went to the community Amaru and it was amazing
(if you are planning on going to Peru, talk to us before - we have really awesome things for you to do!)

They welcomed us with loud music, the Peruvian version of a lei, and covering us in flower petals


These guys played for hours without stopping
we were especially impressed with the guy playing the flute

Then they dressed us up in traditional outfits


He fit right in

And we had a dance party with the locals for about an hour
It was a blast and hilarious

Milking the cow

2 day old calf wandering through the quinoa 

Gregorio showing Billy how they harvest

All the women sat weaving bracelets, table cloths, etc. 
This three year old fit right in
And even though it looks like she's dressed up in costume, this is what the women wear every day 

Lunch in Pisac

We bought the fam a chocolate cake to say goodbye

June!


June is party month in Cusco and we are so lucky to be here now

Everyday there is a parade, dance contests, live loud music, and huge crowds celebrating. It is so fun everyday. 

We only have two weeks left - and it is bittersweet! We'll be sad to leave Peru and happy to be in the USA

And finally, a video of us having fun!




Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Machu Picchu + 1 Year Anniversary

We had our 1 year anniversary!
And we spent it at Machu Picchu!


 We took a train (1.5 hours) through the mountains which were covered in jungle and really beautiful


It was one of the most amazing things we've ever seen
I couldn't get over how big it was, it's the size of a small city
and a lot of it is still standing

Billy taking calls at one of the wonders of the world

Looking good


Machu Picchu is actually lower than Cusco, so we were a little dizzy when we got back
Luckily the family's hotel had coca mate
Those are coca leaves on the left

We celebrated a few days later at a restaurant recommened to us by our friend Tim
Fallen Angel
It was a crazy, new age restaurant and it was so good! 
The table you see is a tub acting as an aquarium with glass over it, there were several of those



I can't believe it has been a whole year since we got married
We've done a lot of fun stuff, and are so lucky to be in Peru now
It has been an amazing year with Billy