Our time in Peru is coming to an end. We are just about to get on a bus in Ollantaytambo and begin our long journey home. We are all thankful for the experience and looking forward to sharing our stories.

Please meet us in the United baggage claim area on Tuesday. We are flying from Houston on flight # 1126. We are scheduled to land at 10:32 am.

See you soon!

Machu Picchu!

This morning, we had to wake up at 4:30 to make the train to Machu Picchu.  We had to start packing and say goodbye to our host families and move back to the Ollantaytambo Lodge.  We got on the train at 5:45am to Machu Picchu.  When we arrived, it was raining and cloudy.  Then we met our tour guide, Paul, who gave us a tour and told us about the Incas and their history here.  During the tour, the sun came out!  We then took the train back and are about to enjoy our last night in the Ollantaytambo Village!!!

Saturday June 11th

We hope everything's going well in Colorado, we are having an amazing time in Peru.  We have been playing lots of soccer and seeing many beautiful landmarks.  This morning, we spent time with our host families, playing games and experiencing their daily life.  We all met the the local school's soccer field for games with the host families and a delicious lunch including: guinea pig (cuy), chicken, pork, rice pudding, cake and many more delicious treats.  We have a learning session now and then we will head home.  We are VERY excited about Machu Picchu tomorrow.

Adios,

Eleanor, Maria, Wyatt and Houston

Friday 10th

Today we worked at the school for the last time and we moved dirt.  The parents were there again today digging deep trenches.  After the work we played soccer and relaxed in the shade.  We went to the plaza to watch the Peruvian Earth Day Parade and were invited to march with Manco Inca, the school where we have been doing our work.  We met with the principal, Felix, who told us how grateful he and everybody is for our work.  He told us it would never be forgotten, thanked us many times and wished us safe travels.  We were proud of our hard work and thanked him for the opportunity to help.

In the afternoon we gathered for the Chaski Challenge.  We split into four groups and there were five stationed around the town, each with a different challenge.  The Chaski Challenge is based around local and Incan traditions.  We had to use a map to find the locations where we would then have to participate in an activity such as cooking, dancing, recalling history or the Apu Pinkulluna (mountain granaries).  Tomorrow we will find out which team worked the best together to meet the challenge.

Keaton, Tristan and Macy

Teachers previewing the Chaski Challenge for sunrise.

Thursday June 9th

Today in Ollantaytambo, the students had their first breakfast with their homestay families and her having an amazing time.  We all met at the plaza at 8:30am.  We then headed to the soccer field at the school and played some fun leadership games.  Later, we went to the work site and moved soil for the project.  After the project, all the students met at their homestay 's for lunch and met back at the plaza at 2:00. Our groups from yesterday switched so each group could do both activities.  SOme wove baskets and others played leadership games and explored.   We all then met yet again at the plaza and had our evening activities/meeting.  We are now with our homestay families until tomorrow when we meet again in the plaza.  We all having such an amazing time and can't wait to tell you more about it soon! Buenas noches!

Graylin, Logan and Evelyn