Megan Petrill

"Well, the trip has been interesting, I honestly missed home, but I am having a lot of fun again. Which is good, to be honest, earlier I wanted to go home cause I got sick but then things were better and now I am ok. "

Lana Poljak

"The trip is cool, I wish I had a shower that didn't electrocute me, but overall is like a really cool experience, and a really nice bonding time for us kids. My favorite thing? When I woke up alive in my tent yesterday! I survive the night, a new appreciation for life. I learned that even though they say 'you have a tent" don't trust it, you have a 'semipermeable membrane'."

Pau Alvarez

"Hola! This trip is very "mind changing" I think we will all leave with a different impression of Peru. I think is a very sacred place. I liked Machu Picchu a lot. Probably it was what I liked most from the trip. "

Asset Y

"I really like this trip, it has been really good so far. I like the home stay, is fun to be with the family. I really didn't think that before.  I like the Peruvian food here that gets cooked for us. I also like helping in the different activities and learn about the culture. I think my most favorite thing was Machu Picchu. We took photos of llamas, me and Mateo talked a lot. Also Oh! I really liked the camping, I had a great time. 

Mateo Batol

" Machu Picchu has been an amazing experience, I enjoyed seeing that. My favorite experience? I think going to Machu Picchu and hanging out with my home stay family. Me and my host brother played soccer on the street and that was a fun experience I really enjoyed it! "

Alexa Montenegro

"Hi mom, I am having a lot of fun in Peru, I am really starting to appreciate simple things such as toilets, water pressure. I am really learning a lot about sacred things, I am starting to believe that I am sacred! I am enjoying the food, the food is amazing here, I probably gained like 10 pounds or NOT. I don't want to go back and eat the dorm food but I will live with it. It is a great experience, I am having a lot of fun. I really liked the food, and my home-stay family is super sweet, and they are all women and they are really nice and they cook amazing food. Machu Picchu was really fun but I was kind of scared because it was up really high and I didn't like walking up the stairs. We went camping and that was a very interesting experience because it started raining at night, I slept really well but woke up bit sick but it was very fun. I will never do something like this in my life so I really appreciate that. I will probably just go to Kiholo with a port-a-potty and not a hole in the ground. I am very happy I came!"

Post Campout and Preparing for Machu Picchu

Last night we camped at Puma Marca (Place of Pumas--though pumas are nearly extinct now). Students seemed totally acclimatized even at 3,310 meters high (nearly 11,000 feet).  We traveled in comfort, having most of our gear carried by truck, tents set up for us, and cooks that prepared delicious meals.  Today's lunch was probably the highlight with trout fished from the river just down below and choclo (Andean corn/hominy) delivered by an indigenous woman, steaming hot as they came out of the shawl wrapped to her back.  

Yesterday we did a team building jump rope activity in the afternoon and a "vision quest" that allowed for silent personal time.  We turned in just as it began to rain and it was before 8pm.  This didn't mean everyone went to bed however.  Students enjoyed piling into a few tents and talking until late.  It rained all night which was soothing for some, while others were wishing for snorkel gear.  Hah!  

This morning after breakfast we hiked the short trek up incredible ruins and again there was time to just sit an enjoy the breath-taking views and silence.  After our trout lunch we set out for the walk down, down, down to Ollantaytambo.  Everyone did a fantastic job and there seemed to be a sense of accomplishment.  This evening students were asked to take it easy and get to bed early.  Tomorrow we meet at 5:20 for a 6am train to Machu Picchu.  The group continues to grow tighter and spirits remain high.  Many commented this afternoon on how much they looked forward to getting back to their host families and for a hot shower.  

Here are several photos that hopefully capture some of what we've been up to.  Enjoy!

Camping in the Andes!!!!

After going to briefly see some Alpacas and Llamas, the kids went in a short uphill two hours hike and arrive to a beautiful camping site where they will spend the night. (fancy camping even the tents were set for us :)