Isla Amantani

Isla Amantani...No electricity, no means of transportation, no America that's for sure. Yesterday we took a 4 hour boat ride to Amantani Island located in the middle of the highest navigable lake in the world...Lake Titicaca. When we got to the island, we hiked up a hill that seemed to take an hour at least...the locals were passing us left and right as we were hyperventilating with each step. Once we made it up the hill, I thought we were at least at the top of some mountain..I was wrong...It was just where we were eating lunch. We ate lunch at one of the local families houses that Raul knows from years past. We had trout straight out of Lake Titicaca.

After lunch, we got divided up into groups of 4 so we could spend some time with our individual families. I am already missing mine. Bex and I were in the same family so that was a plus as well. Our "Mama's" name was Dona Augustina...she liked laughing at us quite often. She spoke little spanish and mostly quechua which in the indigenous language of Peru. We helped her peel potatoes( Mom would be proud, you taught me well) and other vegetables. We also grinded some type of maize with a giant rock. She made it look so easy...It took 3 of us to do what she was doing in twice as much time. Yesterday, we also got to hike up to the highest points on Isla Amantani...Mama tata and Mama Pancha. We could choose to do one or the other...so Bex and I decided to do both. A breathtaking and rewarding experience to say the least. We could see Bolivia from both points. It was awesome. After the hike, we ate dinner with our families and then joined the rest of the group for Lake Titicaca dancing in the traditional outfits they dressed us in... Don't worry, I have pictures :-) I had a ball dancing with all of the little kids. They were better than all of us hands down.

Today we did some work around the house and then played a game of futbol. We didn't last that long since we were at 12,500 feet above sea level but it was a lot of fun.

After saying an emotional good bye to our families we took a 3 hour boat ride to the Uros Islands or the floating island of reed. It was like a dream. What a life. The people were awesome as well...but that's the norm here in Peru.

About to go out to dinner in Puno...the folklore capital of the world. Tomorrow...a 9 hour bus ride to Cuzco...this is where Raul is from and I think we get to meet his family. Looking forward to it. Thank you to all who are reading and enjoying...this is for you. Wish you all were here.

Love always. T

Psalm 90:12..Colca Canyon to Lake Titicaca

Sorry about the delay of blogs the past couple of days. Our last hotel didn't have internet and we've had a lot going on as you've been reading. Anyways...Every night in Peru, I think to myself, there is no way tomorrow can get any better than today...and you know what? I'm wrong every time. Now I know why Peru is called the land of extremes. We started off at the beach, moved to the desert, now we are high in the Andes at 12,500 feet...Lake Titicaca. Oh how I fail to recognize how extravagant God's creation really is...

Before we got to Puno/Lake Titicaca here's the summary of yesterday and today. We left Arequipa 2 days ago and drove straight up the Andes to 16,000 feet. It was a stuggle for me to get up the mountain even though we were on the bus. I got light headed for a couple of hours and felt as though my lungs were closing by the second. We first drove through the National Park full of Vicunas, Llamas, and Alpaca. Vicunas are my new favorite animal. They are a mix between a llama and a deer, except softer looking.

We stopped at the top of the National Reserve at 16,000 feet so we could get adjusted to the altitude and drink some specially made coca tea that helps with altitude sickness. I drank 2 cups..however, I added about 3 scoops of sugar to drain out the taste of the 20 actual coca leaves floating in my tea. I actually quite enjoyed it though. Next stop, the land of permafrost. It went on for miles. Large and small puddles of water from the ice capped mountains surrounded by beautiful patches of grass. A girl on my trip sprained her ankle jumping across one of the puddles. Elly has taught me well...I wrapped her ankle, made her do the ABC's, ice, elevate, and then I massaged the swelling out as best I could. It's all because of you Nor. By the way, 16,000 feet above sea level is cold...very cold.

Then we stopped in Chivay(Small town in the Andes) where we were droppped off by the bus so we could hike the most beautiful trail to our hotel down in the valley of Colca Canyon...Colca Lodge...the hotel I want to aspire to own one day. It's in at least the top 3 of my favorite hotels...and that's saying a lot coming from me. The hike made me feel like I was in Ireland times a hundred. Gorgeous green pastures with crops that go on for miles, Andeans transporting their crops to town by donkeys, and stoned walls lining every corner...unbelievable. We got to our hotel a couple of hours later and went straight to the hot springs until dinner. At dinner I tried alpaca for the first time...it was surprisingly awesome.

The next morning(today) we had a 5:20 a.m. wake up call and out the doors we went. We drove through multiple agricultural villages around colca canyon, on the side of the biggest mountains I've ever seen. The dirt roads don't have gurard rails so if you're afraid of heights I wouldn't recommend the window seat. Anyways, we drove 2 hours into the canyon to get to the Cruz del Condor...this is where we sat for hours, waiting for the 8 foot wing spanned condors...the birds of the Incas. I'm not a big fan of birds, but these are big and beautiful soaring high over the Andes..what a life. We then hiked a ways with our Colca Canyon guide Pedro...so cute. Then we ate lunch in Chivay and continued our trek to Puno, the town next to Lake Titicaca. Our hotel is right on the water. I can see the city lights glimmering across the way.

Tomorrow we have a native home stay with families on the Amantani island on Lake Titicaca. Hopefully will be able to write the day after tomorrow. I love you all. Sweet dreams from Puno.

Arequipa

Yesterday was a 5 a.m. wake up call to start our voyage up the Andes to around 8,500 feet above sea level. ..Arequipa, Peru. It was at least a 12 hour drive up the Pan American Highway but we had multpile stops in between to make it seem a little better. The drive was beautiful. The highway is carved into the mountains on the coast almost the entire way. It's nothing like driving down I-40 I can tell you that.

First stop..the Nazca fault line. It's the equivalent to the San Andreas fault line in California. It was huge. Once again, I've never seen anything like it. Next stop...45 minutes later...the walking dunes. There were miles and miles of different size dunes you could walk across. However, it was like sinking sand, therefore, a little difficult to walk across. It depends on which way the wind is blowing as to which direction the dunes face. Next was my favorite stop of the day...Puerto Inca. It was a civilization built by the Incas in the 1400s/1500s on the coast. You could still see the foundation of their houses. Some of us decided to take our first hike of the trip with Raul. We climbed up the rocks, passing the ancient civilization on all sides. We finally got to the top where we could see the beautiful white waves crashing into the rocks and bright blue water for miles. It was worth the trip in itself...I can't even imagine what Macchu Picchu will be like. After our hike, we dipped into the Pacific very briefly due to the cold water. Most people at Elon are from the North so they thought I was being a wimp since I live on the warm Atlantic. Next was a power nap and then time for lunch. We pulled off the highway and sat on some rocks near the coast..so simple yet so beautiful. Found lots of shells and the bus driver had to fix the speedometer on the bus.

Today, we had our first Spanish class at Maximo Nivel school about 1 minute down the calle(street) from our hotel. Bex and I are in the same class which is awesome. We just look at each other and laugh half of the time. We love our teacher and pretty much want to be her one day. Her name is Kris. After our awesome spanish class, we had another sociology class and then were off to explore the city. Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru full of 1 million people. It's full of cobble stone walkways and Spanish architecture. Much different from Lima. It reminds me of Spain in a way...historic, beautiful, unique.

Keep warm for me in North Carolina and where ever you may be. LOVE.

Nazca...

Quote of the day: "Adventure is worthwhile in itself." Today was another adventure to say the least. We woke up to llamas outside of our window alongside a beautiful mountain. Our hotel is full of animals roaming the property. Last night when we got here, a llama walked right into the lobby and proceded to come up to us. It was so friendlly and so awesome. Anyways, the other animals I have seen are ostriches, deer, roosters, cows. It is a beautiful valley oasis full of flora and fauna.

For the afternoon, we drove to the Nazca airport. We then proceded to board around a 12 passenger plane...the smallest plane I've ever been on. It was so hot in plane but we were in the air before we knew it...with a lot of turbulence. There were trash bags in front of each seat because it's a common tendency on these tiny planes to throw up. First, because they are not air conditioned and it is 85 degrees outside. Second, because in order to see the Nazca lines, the pilot steers the plane almost on its side and circles the figure in the sand with the wing of the plane. They are still a mystery to everyone, however, there are multiple theories behind them. After the first two lines, I started feeling nauseous along with the rest of my plane...it was a bonding experience.

We then had lunch in Nazca and walked around the aquaducts near our hotel. We then had a friendly game of futbol/soccer in a nice green field in the back of our hotel. We have a 12-14 hour drive up the Andes to Arequipa...8,000 feet above sea level...only the beginning.

Love to you all.

Pslam 139: 3

So we've only been here a few days and I feel like I've lived here my entire life. I've already decided I'm coming back...Today we took a boat to the Ballestas Islands to see penguins, sea lions, and birds...lots and lots of birds...more birds in one place than I've ever seen before. The animals around the islands are protected by guards who switch out monthly...what a job that would be :-) The sea lions were my favorite, with babies on every rock you looked at....also, the penguins were awesome. Who doesn't love penguins?

After getting off the boat, Bex and I had an unbelievable experience with a few of local children of Paracas...Abril and Mel were the names I remember. The highlight of our trip so far...I have probably said that about everything, but today was extra special. We saw these precious little girls playing volleyball in the street when we got off the boat...Bex and I simultaneously looked at each other and said " Let's go!" We walked over to them and asked them kindly if we could play with them and they welcomed us with open arms. The smiles on their faces were priceless. Although their smiles were not quite as big as Bex and I's...:-) We wanted to stay all day...

Unfortunately, we had to leave our new friends with hope of returning again someday. We then traveled about  an hour to Ica where we ate lunch at the oasis. The Ica oasis is full of enormous sand dunes that look like huge mountains. On to the next adventure...dune buggying and sand surfing...Dune buggying was like an hour and a half rollar coaster...except better. We stopped at the top of the dunes for the ones who wanted to sand surf...I was a little hestitant at first with visions of tearing my ACL dancing in my head. The first time down the dune, I slid down on my stomach...I had to work my way up to conquering my fears. Then we drove to the next dune...this one was even bigger...Even though Mom and Dad probably wouldn't have approved with fear of me getting hurt, I conquered my fears and sand surfed down the enormous dune in the Ica desert...what a blessing. After not being able to do anything this time last year, it was pretty awesome to surf down a hill...let alone even being on this trip. Although my muscles are already sore, it was well worth it. I felt like I was on Fear Factor.

After a long day at the dunes, we took a 3 hour bus ride down to Nazca. Tomorrow we fly over the mysterious Nazca lines and have class in the morning. Now that I'm sore and a little sunburn, however content, I will be going to bed. Thinking of you all.

P.S. I'm not sure the next time I will be able to write, but until then, love from Nazca.

Lima to Paracas...

Today we had a 6:30 a.m. wake up call to depart Lima for Paracas. Paracas is about a 6 hour bus ride down the Pan Americana del Sur( Pan American Highway) which extends all the way down the coast of Peru. In route to our destination, we passed the slums of Lima. They are all piled on top of each other on the mountains surrounding Lima. Supposedly the Peruvian government gave them different colors of paint so they could make their tiny, concrete houses look better in pictures of the city...wow. There is no other way besides walking up the mountain to get to their houses because they are all piled on top of each other. They each built their own house by carrying what they could find/afford of concrete and stones/bricks up the mountain that they call home. Looking at this place that they call home convinced me of taking what I have for granted. I've never seen anything like it...

We drove for miles out of the city watching house by house pass us by. These aren't houses like I'm familiar with back home with yards full of grass and growth. These are houses side by side. In Lima, grass is considered a sign of growth and you only see it in wealthier parts of the city or towns that finally have enough money to plant a patch of grass. After passsing the slums, we drove through 2 different shanty towns or "pueblos jovenes(young towns)." First, we drove through Villa de Salvador. It used to be undevelped full people and bamboo houses who migrated there after several natural disasters in the Andes and their homes were washed away. Villa de Salvador is only a 40 year old shanty town, but now it is built up into a place full of business and smiles. It is the same as the slums where the people build their own homes. The first floor always has to be some kind of business where they can make money, and the second floor is their living quarters. I've never seen a harder working group of individuals. Imagine building your own home while also trying to work to get by. Be thankful.

The next shanty town we visited was "Lomas de Marchan." Probably my favorite part of the trip so far. We actually stepped off the bus here instead of just driving through. Raul said in Villa de Salvador, "they will take your socks off before you even notice your boots." Shanty towns symbolize community. They believe they couldn't get by without each other. There is a sense of unity among these families. The children are overjoyed with excitement if you take a picture of them and show it to them...to them, happiness comes from the simple things. They are the most beautiful children I've ever seen...not concerned with anything else but smiling. Even though they have nothing, they don't beg for your money because they don't need it, they have each other. I want to go back already. Maybe one day...

We are now down the coast in the beautiful town of Paracas. Traveling to the Ballestas Islands tomorrow to see penguins, sea lions, condors, etc. Should be an eventful day.  Sending summer love from the coast of Peru.

Full Day 1...

I quite possibly might be the most tired I have ever been...but in a good way. Lima, Peru...population...9 million. Population of Peru...29 million. That means around one third of Peru's popluation lives in Lima. Although there are much more people walking around the streets of Lima than the streets of Elon, I thought there were going to be many more Peruvians walking around the streets than we saw today. However, Don Ernesto, our professor, told us that the city of Lima goes on for miles and miles, hence why I can't get a clear picture of it yet. Now I'm not saying this city doesn't feel like a city with people walking, cars honking, and street vendors on every corner...because it is the epitome of a city, but with much more history and culture than any American could have thought possible.

Instead of Raul taking us around the city today, we had a friend of his, Shayla, a native of Lima, show us around the city. She knew everything anyone would want to know about the city. They say Lima is combined of 3 different cultures: Incan, Catholic, and Moorish.  We visited St. Francis Monastery which is open to the public and also still used by monks. Besides the Moorish architecture, the most thought provoking part of our tour were the catacombs. I was too tall to fit through most of the passage ways so I was slighty hunchback for most of our time under the church. There were thousands of bones and skulls of all sorts just piled on top of each other....it was a sight to see.

We then watched the changing of the guards in front of the "Palacio de gobierno," where the President of Peru lives. While watching, we were sitting in the Plaza de Armas/Plaza Mayor which is the city center of Peru. It has a beautiful fountain in the middle with yellow buildings and the rather large Palacio de gobierno surrounding. We then went to lunch at "Los Escribanos," for our first real Peruvian meal. We first had "Chicha morada," which is a special drink of Peru made out of purple corn. It somewhat resembles grape juice but not quite. No food that I've tasted in peru is quite like anything in the States. We then had our appetizers( mine was potatoes with peppers in the middle), our main dish( Bex and I got a dish with beef, onions, peppers, and french fries all mixed together) and desert( the most delicious vanilla ice cream you've ever tasted). This is the way every meal is...which is convenient for Bex and I who are constantly hungry. They say for lunch in Peru, if there is no rice, potatoes, or noodles, then it is not lunch. We then went to El Museo Larco which contains artifacts from pre-Incan civilations...pretty cool.

Now Bex and I are back in the hotel for a short break before we go see "Circuito Magico del Agua," which is a fountains display in the Parque de la Reserva and attend our "Welcome to Peru" dinner. Supposedly there's dancing involved in our dinner. I'm going to see if I can pull a few strings and get Bexy up on stage :-)

Hasta Luego! Mucho Amor a todos( Much love to all)