Day 9

After a delicious breakfast of corn flakes, yogurt, granola, and sweet bread we departed for the Sacred Valley at 9am. We drove 30mins through Cusco until we reached a 50ft white statue of Christ which overlooked the city of Cusco. The view was breathtaking and we learned that Cusco is actually shaped like a puma. On our drive to the next stop we saw many different animals roaming the land such as llamas, alpacas, cows, horses, and donkeys. We also saw many small towns located throughout the Sacred Valley. Our next stop was at an animal sanctuary called Ccochahuasi Animal Sanctuary. There we got a tour by an animal expert who taught us about each of the species in the sanctuary. At the sanctuary we saw llamas, alpacas, parrots, mountain lions, condors, and guinea pigs. We also got to see how they make colored wool and textiles. Our next stop was at a local market where we stopped and shopped for about an hour and a half before climbing back on the bus. We then drove to a park within a small town in the Sacred Valley. We picnicked on delicious lunches packed for us by the kitchen staff at the school. After another long bus ride we reached our next destination which were salt wells on the side of a mountain. We learned that each family from a town owned a small well and salt water was carried into the wells by water ditches. The water then evaporated within 10 days leaving the salt behind which is then dug out by the families and then packaged and sold at local markets. After exploring the wells we boarded the bus for the final drive and drove about 2 hours back to Cusco and the school. After putting our things away we had an amazing dinner of broccoli tempura, meatballs, rice, and salad. We then took a break for an hour in our rooms and rested before playing a game of pictionary with the kids. It was a great day and tomorrow we get to paint the rooms that we reorganized yesterday!
We miss y'all!
- The Peru Crew

Day 7/8

¡Bien Venidos a Cusco!
 Our flight was short but accommodating. Although the plane was small, there were many empty seats so we were able to lounge comfortably. When we landed, the first thing we all noticed were the sheer amount of orange and blue lights dotting the mountains that encased the airport. We had finally reached Cusco. After grabbing our luggage, we hopped onto our designated bus and drove to the school we would be living in. There, we were met with comfy beds and a delicious dinner of mashed potatoes and chicken fingers breaded with quinoa. We were introduced to our new Globeaware guide, Rocio, and she explained the work we would be doing at the school. Immediately after, we met our buddies and got to know them better. At nine, we went back to our rooms and slept in preparation for our work the next day. The next morning, we awoke to a hearty breakfast of corn flakes, strawberry yogurt with granola, and eggs. When we finished eating, we split into three groups: one for cleaning and painting the kitchen, another for creating and decorating a living room, and the last for clearing out the sewing room and dusting off the library books. Meanwhile, a couple of girls left to help their buddies with homework and a few others went into the city with Rocio to buy paint for the rooms. we settled down for a big lunch consisting of pumpkin soup, spinach tempura, and steak. Halfway through lunch, our other Globeaware guide arrived. His name is Fernando and he is a student here in Peru. After lunch we grabbed our money and took a bus to the biggest market in Cusco. There we shopped and bargained our way through the different stalls containing sweaters, socks, bags, keychains, headbands and many other items. Later, we went to a much quieter market and shopped some more. We went back to the school, had some wonderful fried rice for dinner, and rested for a bit up in our rooms. At eight that night, we brought out the gifts and toys we had packed for our buddies and spent time playing games, making bracelets, and chatting. After an hour, we all went back to our rooms to get ready for bed. Tomorrow we hit the roads and head for The Sacred Valley.

Adios,
the Peru Crew

Day 6/ Day 7

After saying our goodbyes to our new friends in San Pedro de Casta, we boarded the bus along with about 10 other Peruvians who sat in the aisle. Our 2 hour ride down the mountain was nauseating  at every switch back. We finally arrived in Chosica and switched buses on our way to Lima. The dramatic change in architecture and size astounded us all, coming from a town with 1,100 people to the capital of Peru with a population of 9 million. We settled into The Flying Dog Hostel and fought over our 1st available warm water showers in a week. For dinner we walked to an Italian restaurant and devoured our pizza and pasta, thankful for something other than potatoes and rice. After dinner we enjoyed ice cream from a nearby shop and headed back to the hostel. We ate a tasteful breakfast with the choice of eggs and toast or a yogurt parfait with papaya juice at a nearby café. We explored the city for several hours, viewing the ocean and playing on plastic playgrounds. After an early lunch at Subway we piled onto the bus to head toward the airport for our flight to Cuzco.

Chao,
The Peru Crew  

Day 4-5

Hola Amigos,
Everything is great in Peru! Yesterday we finished laying all the pipes in the trenches for the water project. There was also a big monthly festival all day which consisted of fireworks, a dance contest between the local indigenous groups, and lots of celebration. It was a really neat experience to be able to see this festival! Today we took a break from working and road horses up to Marcahuasi, which is a rock formation at the very top of the Andes. The ride up was beautiful and the rock formations were incredible. The view was breathtaking at 14000 ft elevation and it was so cool to be higher than the clouds! This afternoon we hiked down the mountain and now are resting up in our hotel rooms after a long trek up and down the mountain. Hope all is well in Dallas and we miss you all very much!
-Peru Crew

Day 4-5

Hola Amigos,
Everything is great in Peru! Yesterday we finished laying all the pipes in the trenches for the water project. There was also a big monthly festival all day which consisted of fireworks, a dance contest between the local indigenous groups, and lots of celebration. It was a really neat experience to be able to see this festival! Today we took a break from working and road horses up to Marcahuasi, which is a rock formation at the very top of the Andes. The ride up was beautiful and the rock formations were incredible. The view was breathtaking at 14000 ft elevation and it was so cool to be higher than the clouds! This afternoon we hiked down the mountain and now are resting up in our hotel rooms after a long trek up and down the mountain. Hope all is well in Dallas and we miss you all very much!
-Peru Crew

Day 3

Hi Family and Friends,
So on our third day in Peru we got up, had breakfast, and immediately went to work on the project,
digging holes. We dug all morning until lunch where we again went to the same lady's amazing restaurant. After lunch, we had free time where we could write in our journals or do whatever we want. Then, we spent a lot of time exploring the town and experiencing a new way of life in looking at how they lived. Later, we went to the school and played volleyball and ping pong. After an hour and a half of playing with the children, we went to the local museum and saw many skeletons and mummies found at Marcahuasi, a place in the mountains that the townspeople believe was created by aliens or unearthly beings. After analyzing all of the artifacts we went back to the hotel and had fun washing each other's hair because we hadn't showered in a really long time. We washed our hair in a sink on the roof. Then we went back to the school and watched the college boys play a soccer game against the locals. After the game, we processed to a dinner in our honor held by the principal and all of the teachers. We got to try this delicious dessert which was basically fried dough covered in honey.  After dinner we went back to the hotel, bonded for a little bit, and went to sleep.
Bye!
The Peru Crew 

Day 2

Hey folks,
On our second day here in Peru we woke up and immediately went to the local high school where we got to experience a little bit of what school was like each morning and were also introduced to the students. They ranged from kids from 5-16 years old. Next we had breakfast at the hotel made by a gentleman who works there. After breakfast some of us carried buckets of sand up the mountain while the rest of us carried heavy black pipes that were to be used as replacements for the current water pipes. They were very heavy!! We them climbed further up the mountain and helped the college students who were heading the project filter water using sand. Then we had lunch at the  same lady's restaurant. The food was incredible and all of us were amazed at the many flavors.  Next we started digging trenches where the future pipes would go, for the pipes that are carrying water to the village currently are very thin and have many holes in them.  They new pipes are very durable and are expected to last for a very long time. Then we went over to the school and played volleyball with the children. Surprisingly they were really really good and we were creamed. Then we went for dinner and again had the AMAZING food. After dinner we went back to the hotel and bonded.
That's all for now!
The Peru Crew