Peru Program 2018
Peru Day 8
Our week in Peru went by so quickly! We accomplished so many activities and site visits in such little time. It seems like we arrived yesterday, eager to work with students and explore the rich country of Peru; yet, sadly, our last day had to come.
We started our last morning hiking Tambomachay. Tambomachay allowed us connect with nature. It consisted of canals and waterfalls that ran through traced track. Our awesome tour guide, Michael, explained that the water originated from a nearby thermal spring, which contained very clean water. It was wonderful to start the day hiking in the muddy mountains and learn that Cusco is actually spelled and pronounced “Qosqo”.
We then toured Q’enqo, Tambomachay, Saqsayhuaman, and the San Pedro Market. Q’enqo was a scarifying temple where the Incas would honor Pachamama (mother nature). We learned about the mummification process during which a corpse was placed on top of a flat stone in a cave and the calf veins were cut off. The chest was cut open to remove all of their organs, and then calcium was added to shrink the body into a baby fetus, since that’s what they believed the body should revert to. The Incas also kept the dead body inside the cave for about 3 days to stay cool, and then it was moved around the cave where the body would receive sunlight as a sign of rebirth.
Saqsayhuaman was an unfinished archeological site constructed by the Incas. 25% of Saqsayhuaman is original and 75% of it is restoration. Historians say that the Inca leader jumped from the high stone before being captured by the Spanish. However, the Spanish did not want to kill the Inca leader because that would portray him as a hero to its people.
The San Pedro Market was full of artisans and vendors selling various types of foods such as hot soups (caldo de gallina, lengua, ojos), herbs, potatoes, meats, fruits, vegetables, and handicrafts made by local artisans. It was nice walking around to experience shopping at a local market in Cusco.
Not to mention, some of us tried roasted cuy (guinea pig) for the first time! Peruvians usually eat cuy during special occasions or holidays, and it was special for us to try it on our last day in Cusco. Even though we did not eat the whole roasted cuy, we can finally say we gave it a try (which makes us feel Peruvian enough). J
Although our program was short, we learned so much over the past few days. A few takeaways from this program were inspired by the children we worked with and the Peruvians that accompanied us during our stay in Peru. We discussed the differences and similarities between both the U.S. and Peruvian culture, education, politics, water system, and healthcare. One of the major takeaways relates to the principle of happiness and how we can apply our experience in Peru back in the States.
It was amazing to learn how the Incans had a strong connection with Pachamama (Mother Earth). They believed in the after life and wanted to keep Pachamama nice and clean. That is why they praised it so much.
Overall, our experience made us reflect on the way we live our lives in the States and how our experiences in Peru can help us become a better person. The majority of children we worked with came from poor neighborhoods and some even walked between 45 and minutes and two hours from the mountains to get to school. It made us appreciate the little things we have in life. Seeing the kids smile as they worked with the activities we planned was priceless and worth spending every second with them.
Nevertheless, we would like to thank our parents for their support, our hosts families, UARM students, local volunteers, and Dr. Ceo-DiFrancesco for making this program possible. We would also like to give a shout out to Lenin (our liaison) and Michael (our tour guide). Without their presence and help, this program wouldn’t have been the same. We hope to encourage our fellow Muskies to apply next semester by sharing our amazing experiences and great time in Peru.
Peru Day 7
Today was one of our most exciting days of the program, visiting Machu Picchu! Machu Picchu was founded by the Incans in circa 1450, but was 'discovered' by an archaeologist named Hiram Bingham in 1911 with intel from a Peruvian family who were avoiding paying taxes. Machu Picchu is located in the village of Aguas Calientes, which is the most popular tourist destination for many people around the world.
Machu Picchu was seen as sign of power for the Incans and was believed to be the center of the universe. This was also a resting place for nobles in the Incan culture. Once the Spaniards arrived, the Incans left and destroyed a quarter of the path in order to prevent any foreigners from visiting their sacred land. Every structure in Machu Picchu is based on constellations, especially since they worship the sun and Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). The Incans praised Pacha Mama because every life revolves around nature (including sacrifices). The Incans had a sun temple which included three steps, all aligned to constellations. There was a condor temple, which had a structure of a slab representing the wings and part of the rock was carved to represent the condor’s head. The condor is one of the most sacred animals in Incan culture. While it can only be seen approximately 15,000 ft. above sea level, the Incans created a masterpiece for tourists to admire.
Our group split up to see two of the other side-attractions of the main site, Puerta del Sol and El Puente Inca. Puerta del Sol has one of the beautiful views of all of Machu Picchu. You are able to see the whole structure as well as admire the beautiful scenery around the area. The hike was strenuous, but was worth it! As you crossed El Puente Inca, you have an unobstructed view of Machu Picchu. Some also saw an important sundial that demonstrates that demonstrates the advancement of technology of the Incans.
Machu Picchu was seen as sign of power for the Incans and was believed to be the center of the universe. This was also a resting place for nobles in the Incan culture. Once the Spaniards arrived, the Incans left and destroyed a quarter of the path in order to prevent any foreigners from visiting their sacred land. Every structure in Machu Picchu is based on constellations, especially since they worship the sun and Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). The Incans praised Pacha Mama because every life revolves around nature (including sacrifices). The Incans had a sun temple which included three steps, all aligned to constellations. There was a condor temple, which had a structure of a slab representing the wings and part of the rock was carved to represent the condor’s head. The condor is one of the most sacred animals in Incan culture. While it can only be seen approximately 15,000 ft. above sea level, the Incans created a masterpiece for tourists to admire.
Our group split up to see two of the other side-attractions of the main site, Puerta del Sol and El Puente Inca. Puerta del Sol has one of the beautiful views of all of Machu Picchu. You are able to see the whole structure as well as admire the beautiful scenery around the area. The hike was strenuous, but was worth it! As you crossed El Puente Inca, you have an unobstructed view of Machu Picchu. Some also saw an important sundial that demonstrates that demonstrates the advancement of technology of the Incans.
Peru Day 6
It's hard to believe this program is nearing its end! Today we began visiting Incan ruins of the Sacred Valley, starting with Pisac (Pee-sak) and then Ollantaytambo (Oy-yan-tie-tahm-bo). We had the absolute pleasure of meeting Mike, our guide, for the Sacred Valley tour. Mike gave the group a ton of insight about the history of these sites as well as some basic knowledge about ancient Incan and modern Andean cultures. One of the biggest takeaways from Mike's lessons was how the Incans believed in the three realms, the living world, the world above the living world (AKA heavens), and the underworld. The Incans represented these realms with the Puma, the Condor, and the Serpent, respectively.
After leaving the ruins we spent some time in the Pisac market. Our deal of the day went to Grace, who bargained a painting from S/250 (a little more than $80) to S/50 (less than $20)!!!
Between our visit to Pisac and Ollantaytambo, Michael took us off the beaten path to a local's house where she brews "chicha," a common drink made from fermented corn. After watching her give a brief demonstration on how she makes her drink, we paired up and played a game of Sapo (similar to cornhole). After a fierce competition, the winners were Carter and Profe Ceo!
After our trip to Ollantaytambo, we then took the scenic route to the highlight of our program, Machu Picchu! For the night we're staying in Aguas Calientes, otherwise known as Machu Picchu village.
One of the main tenets of this program has been a daily reflection of what we observed and did during the day's activities. Tonight's reflection was probably one of the best ones yet. Some of the topics we discussed were the challenges associated with providing a quality education to children in Peru, especially in the highlands region. This was prompted by seeing a child attempting to sell us souvenirs as we were coming back from lunch. According to Mike, this was a violation of child labor laws, and caused us to think about how many children we have come across attempting to sell us something during our time in Peru.
The other portion of our reflection centered on how Incan culture can still be applied today. One way that it can still be applied is how the Inca valued their relationship with Pacha Mama, Mother Earth. Mike mentioned how the Inca did not destroy lands to build their civilization, but rather accommodated to the lay of the land. The Inca valued the land in more of a give-and-take relationship, something that seems lost in today's society.
After leaving the ruins we spent some time in the Pisac market. Our deal of the day went to Grace, who bargained a painting from S/250 (a little more than $80) to S/50 (less than $20)!!!
Between our visit to Pisac and Ollantaytambo, Michael took us off the beaten path to a local's house where she brews "chicha," a common drink made from fermented corn. After watching her give a brief demonstration on how she makes her drink, we paired up and played a game of Sapo (similar to cornhole). After a fierce competition, the winners were Carter and Profe Ceo!
After our trip to Ollantaytambo, we then took the scenic route to the highlight of our program, Machu Picchu! For the night we're staying in Aguas Calientes, otherwise known as Machu Picchu village.
One of the main tenets of this program has been a daily reflection of what we observed and did during the day's activities. Tonight's reflection was probably one of the best ones yet. Some of the topics we discussed were the challenges associated with providing a quality education to children in Peru, especially in the highlands region. This was prompted by seeing a child attempting to sell us souvenirs as we were coming back from lunch. According to Mike, this was a violation of child labor laws, and caused us to think about how many children we have come across attempting to sell us something during our time in Peru.
The other portion of our reflection centered on how Incan culture can still be applied today. One way that it can still be applied is how the Inca valued their relationship with Pacha Mama, Mother Earth. Mike mentioned how the Inca did not destroy lands to build their civilization, but rather accommodated to the lay of the land. The Inca valued the land in more of a give-and-take relationship, something that seems lost in today's society.
Peru Day 5
This morning we visited the Fe y Alegría school in Andahuaylillas. It was different from the other Fe y Alegría in San Martin de Porres because of the amount of buildings. The Andahuaylillas school had an initial school from ages 3-5, a primary school for ages 6-11, and a secondary school for ages 12-16. Some of the children walk more than 45 minutes to get to school each day while the children in San Martin de Porres live a lot closer. In Andahuaylillas most of the students' first language is Quechua (the native language to the region) and learn Spanish as a second language. The school work they do is in Spanish but most times the students communicate in the classroom in Quechua. There are also houses within the school for the teachers.
We also visited a sustainable house in Cuyuni, a town in the mountains at 18,000 ft. above sea level. The community uses the animal waste to create fertilizer for their plants and bio gas to be used in the homes for cooking, therefore leaving no waste. They grow medicinal herbs, vegetables and flowers in their greenhouses and keep guinea pigs (cuy) in the building next door to be sold in market. The people in this community weave placemats, hats, scarves, mittens, and other textiles with brilliant colors and patterns to be sold.
After the sustainable house, our guide Antenor brought us to a restaurant where we had a delicious meal of quinoa crusted chicken, arroz morado, and alpaca saltado (yes the animal). Outside of the restaurant we were able to take part in an Andean ritual offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth). The people presented Pachamama with an offering of gold, silver, rice, quinoa, herbs, flowers and more to be burned in hope for a plentiful growing season and harvest.
Following the ritual we had some fun interactions with llamas and celebrated a big win for the Xavier basketball team against St. John’s today all the way from Peru. LETS GO X!
We also visited a sustainable house in Cuyuni, a town in the mountains at 18,000 ft. above sea level. The community uses the animal waste to create fertilizer for their plants and bio gas to be used in the homes for cooking, therefore leaving no waste. They grow medicinal herbs, vegetables and flowers in their greenhouses and keep guinea pigs (cuy) in the building next door to be sold in market. The people in this community weave placemats, hats, scarves, mittens, and other textiles with brilliant colors and patterns to be sold.
After the sustainable house, our guide Antenor brought us to a restaurant where we had a delicious meal of quinoa crusted chicken, arroz morado, and alpaca saltado (yes the animal). Outside of the restaurant we were able to take part in an Andean ritual offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth). The people presented Pachamama with an offering of gold, silver, rice, quinoa, herbs, flowers and more to be burned in hope for a plentiful growing season and harvest.
Following the ritual we had some fun interactions with llamas and celebrated a big win for the Xavier basketball team against St. John’s today all the way from Peru. LETS GO X!
Peru Day 4
5 highlights from Peru Day 4
1. Today we left Pueblo Libre and took a plane to Cusco. On the flight, we saw amazing views of the mountains (pictured below).
2. We got to work with the kids today in Andahuaylillas. The dialect is different here, as many of the kids speak Quechua as well as Spanish. We had a great day filled with plays, puppets, reading the books we wrote, and butterfly crafts.
3. After spending time with kids at the Literacy Center, we headed to the nearby San Pedro Iglesia. Our tour guide pointed out different architectural and historical details about the Jesuit church, first constructed 400 years ago.
4. Since we are staying in the mountains, the clear sky’s gave us the opportunity to see the stars! (Something us midwesterners never get to see at home). They were mesmerizing.
5. We had the opportunity to meet the Georgetown students who are on a similar program as us, led by a Jesuit. The Jesuit traveling with them and the Jesuit Volunteer Corp workers here in Andahuaylillas shared their career insights and inspirations.
1. Today we left Pueblo Libre and took a plane to Cusco. On the flight, we saw amazing views of the mountains (pictured below).
2. We got to work with the kids today in Andahuaylillas. The dialect is different here, as many of the kids speak Quechua as well as Spanish. We had a great day filled with plays, puppets, reading the books we wrote, and butterfly crafts.
3. After spending time with kids at the Literacy Center, we headed to the nearby San Pedro Iglesia. Our tour guide pointed out different architectural and historical details about the Jesuit church, first constructed 400 years ago.
4. Since we are staying in the mountains, the clear sky’s gave us the opportunity to see the stars! (Something us midwesterners never get to see at home). They were mesmerizing.
5. We had the opportunity to meet the Georgetown students who are on a similar program as us, led by a Jesuit. The Jesuit traveling with them and the Jesuit Volunteer Corp workers here in Andahuaylillas shared their career insights and inspirations.
Peru Day 3
"¿Van a venir mañana?" ("Are you all coming tomorrow?") the students at Fe y Alegría asked as we wrapped up our last day working with them this morning. The students were more confident with us and the activities we planned. We started off with ice-breakers (as new students attended), bingo, arts and crafts, sang a few songs, and played soccer (and this time we didn't win. Guess our A-game off today).
The main event consisted of our play, "Elefante tiene hipo" (The Elephant has hiccups) and our puppet show, "Un lazo a la luna" ("Moon Rope"). The students kept giggling and you could tell they loved and enjoyed it. All smiles on their faces said it all.
After we (sadly ='[) left Fe y Alegría, some of us tried seafood (cevichería) for the first time! A new day and a new experience right? We went to a seafood joint in the barrio of El Agustino, followed by a visit to MLK, which is a school that keeps kids off the street and offers programs to kids until they turn 13.
After our visit at MLK, we headed to the soccer filed, where the Spanish soccer team Real Madrid, helps MLK with soccer training camps. We split into different group categories to help kids train and have fun playing fútbol.
Our last day in Lima and working with kids couldn't have ended better with hugs and kisses we received from students at Fe y Alegría and MLK.
The main event consisted of our play, "Elefante tiene hipo" (The Elephant has hiccups) and our puppet show, "Un lazo a la luna" ("Moon Rope"). The students kept giggling and you could tell they loved and enjoyed it. All smiles on their faces said it all.
After we (sadly ='[) left Fe y Alegría, some of us tried seafood (cevichería) for the first time! A new day and a new experience right? We went to a seafood joint in the barrio of El Agustino, followed by a visit to MLK, which is a school that keeps kids off the street and offers programs to kids until they turn 13.
After our visit at MLK, we headed to the soccer filed, where the Spanish soccer team Real Madrid, helps MLK with soccer training camps. We split into different group categories to help kids train and have fun playing fútbol.
Our last day in Lima and working with kids couldn't have ended better with hugs and kisses we received from students at Fe y Alegría and MLK.
Peru Day Two
Today we went to the Fe y Alegria school and Barranco. Above is a collage of all our adventures! The kids are from economically marginalized areas, but the school is regarded as a well known and established institution. We started the day with splitting into groups by age and getting to know the kids with the introduction games we prepared. They really enjoyed the crafts of creating masks and the pipe cleaner butterfly’s. We ended the day with playing some soccer (the kids couldn’t beat us today) and they can’t wait to come back tomorrow. They are particularly excited to learn some English with us tomorrow, as the curriculum for English as a second language is not as well developed here in Lima, as it is in other parts of South America. After our service project at the school, we traveled to Miraflores, one of the most elite suburbs of Lima. While there, we enjoyed traditional Peruvian chicken-¡qué delicioso! We concluded the day by exploring Barranco, a hipster district best known for its bright colors and artwork.
Peru Day One
10 Things we learned today in Lima
1. We went to the San Francisco Monastery and Catacombs. They had a depiction of the Last Supper that had Jesus and the Disciples in a round table. Unlike the traditional rendition, this Peruvian painting included a traditional meal of cuy and potatoes.
2. Lima's Palace rivals the White House. With colonial architecture, the palace spanned several blocks and was heavily guarded by military.
3. Lima's National Bank was burned down by a corrupt government leader. Government corruption continues to plague Lima, according to the students and host families we have interacted with so far.
4. Today we learned the term "water park" did not refer to a place filled with water slides and pools. Rather, the water park we visited featured elaborate fountains with spectacles. During the shows, the water not only changed color and pattern, but it also served as a medium to watch visual projections and images of traditional Peruvian culture.
5. Always apply sunscreen! Some of us discovered this lesson the hard way after becoming as red as a lobster from all our time in the 75 degree weather today. Needless to say, lesson learned!
6. Catholicism transcends language. Today, some of us attended a Catholic Mass in an open-air church within walking distance from our host families in Pueblo Libre. While we may not have known all the responses, we certainly were able to follow along and witness a one month-old baby's baptism.
7. Due to some translation issues, a statue in the center of town depicts a "llama," or traditional animal. Turns out, the Italian sculptor was instructed to create a flame, not a llama, but due to translation issues, the animal remains in the town square.
8. Let's talk about Syncretism--today we discussed how this ideology depicts both Catholicism and other indigenous influences that are present in culture.
9. Architectural roots stem from 16th century southern Spain, particularly the region of Andalusia. Tiles with this style lined the walls of San Francisco.
`10. Marapuya, or passion fruit, is a flavor popular in Lima. While none of us were adventurous enough to try this fruity flavor, we enjoyed coffee, strawberry, and chocolate flavored ice cream in a local cafe today.
1. We went to the San Francisco Monastery and Catacombs. They had a depiction of the Last Supper that had Jesus and the Disciples in a round table. Unlike the traditional rendition, this Peruvian painting included a traditional meal of cuy and potatoes.
2. Lima's Palace rivals the White House. With colonial architecture, the palace spanned several blocks and was heavily guarded by military.
3. Lima's National Bank was burned down by a corrupt government leader. Government corruption continues to plague Lima, according to the students and host families we have interacted with so far.
4. Today we learned the term "water park" did not refer to a place filled with water slides and pools. Rather, the water park we visited featured elaborate fountains with spectacles. During the shows, the water not only changed color and pattern, but it also served as a medium to watch visual projections and images of traditional Peruvian culture.
5. Always apply sunscreen! Some of us discovered this lesson the hard way after becoming as red as a lobster from all our time in the 75 degree weather today. Needless to say, lesson learned!
6. Catholicism transcends language. Today, some of us attended a Catholic Mass in an open-air church within walking distance from our host families in Pueblo Libre. While we may not have known all the responses, we certainly were able to follow along and witness a one month-old baby's baptism.
7. Due to some translation issues, a statue in the center of town depicts a "llama," or traditional animal. Turns out, the Italian sculptor was instructed to create a flame, not a llama, but due to translation issues, the animal remains in the town square.
8. Let's talk about Syncretism--today we discussed how this ideology depicts both Catholicism and other indigenous influences that are present in culture.
9. Architectural roots stem from 16th century southern Spain, particularly the region of Andalusia. Tiles with this style lined the walls of San Francisco.
`10. Marapuya, or passion fruit, is a flavor popular in Lima. While none of us were adventurous enough to try this fruity flavor, we enjoyed coffee, strawberry, and chocolate flavored ice cream in a local cafe today.