Chao Tortas

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

We´ve said goodbye to our Peruvian home and friends in good fashion: stretching out our goodbye party over 2 nights. We´ve found a wonderful community in Trujillo and while we can´t wait for our travels to start, it was hard saying goodbye to everyone: the kids especially. While our role in their lives was small, we were able to make small, positive changes. The kids in my class now play games that I learned at Outdoor School like ¨Rock, Paper, Scissors, Splits¨ and ¨Evolution¨. I learned a ton from the kids and I hope the best for them: Jorge Luis the artist, Sergio the poet, Manuel the comedian, Fiorela the independent-six-year-old (she may end up president of Peru one day... once she finally starts to recognize the numbers 3 and 7), Diego the scientist and Julissa the artisan worker. So much potential. Then there´s Erika and Cintia - the biggest challenges of the class. They need more help than I was able to give... while they were total pains in the patoot, they were also the hardest to say goodbye to. They have a tough road ahead of them. The class is being left in great hands, however: a commited teacher and good friend, Deisy; and a Canadian volunteer, Ivanka, whose energy, non-profit experience and brains are the amazing combo to keep the class in shape. I´m excited to hear about how the class comes along in the future.

I guess that´s it. During our last week in Trujillo, Brian and I tried as many cakes from Amaretto as possible, ate at our chicken sandwich place almost every day, and finally tried all the flavors of ice cream at our Huanchaco ice cream spot. I know Dad: ¨A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips¨... but hey - Brian and I are doing a 5-6 day trek here in a couple days so I figure I should pack on the calories while I still can. Mmmm.

Chao y Gracias

Our going away party! Party decorations, Aji de Gallina, Torta de Tres Leches, corsages in American flag colors, and hats identical to the ones that Señor Bruce himself wears every day. Dinner followed, of course, by dancing: it was quite the party.

We´ve made some amazing friends.

Pelo Bonito

"Best Hair" 2001 Libertyville High School

(See comments in this blog from a couple days ago)

Happy Mother´s Day From Cajamarca

Plaza de Armas, Cajamarca

This weekend we decided to check out Cajamarca. It is about a 7 hour bus ride into the mountains northeast of Trujillo. We arrived early Saturday morning and read about the sights to see around Cajamarca, and quickly learned there is a lot of history. Our first stops were to check out the colonial church and hospitals of Belen. We hired a guide (in Spanish) and it was very helpful to learn a bit more about the history. Our last stop of the morning was the El Cuarto del Rescate (¨Ransom Room). This is where the Incan king, Atahaulpa, was held ransom for gold and silver. The Spanish conquistadors captured Atahaulpa in Cajamarca. The history of the Spanish conquest and downfall of the Incan Empire is fascinating and it began right in Cajamarca. Here is a link if you want to read more (we recommend it!).

After grabbing a snack we hopped on a micro to the Baños del Inca. This is where Atahaulpa was before being lured to meet with the Spaniards in Cajamarca. Now it is a complex of different rooms with hot water from natural springs directed into bathtubs. It was amazing. We soaked for about an hour. Next we went for an hour long walk through the countryside to the pre-Incan ruins of Ventanillas del Otuzco. These were burial sites carved into a cliff face. It was interesting and the walk there was a lot of fun. We really appreciated being able to speak Spanish because we asked for directions about 8 times. It was a great day.

Today we woke up early and booked a tour to Cumbe Mayo. This is another pre-Incan archeologic site located about 12 miles from the city of Cajamarca. It consists of an aqueduct that strectches for 9 kilometers. There is not a lack of water in Cajamarca. The aqueduct was made for ceremonial purposes. Much of the 9 kilometer aqueduct was cut into rock! Once we got back to Cajamarca we decided since we are only here once we should take advantage of it. So we went back the to the hot springs at the Inca Baths (after calling our Mom´s, of course). The rest of the day was spent walking around Cajamarca. This town is really nice. Tons of history and archeology, cheap, and barely any tourists. In a few hours we´ll be heading back to Trujillo for our last week of volunteering.

Here are some pictures from today. We hope everyone had a great Mother´s Day.

Pre-Incan petroglyphs on the aqueduct at Cumbe Mayo.

Colonial church on the Plaza de Armas.

A rainbow at sunset!

Sunset on the street.