Final installment of my summer 2012...
Once our time in Lima was complete, some of the group went home and others went to Machu Piccu. I was really excited to be in the second group! We flew to Cusco and stayed there. Upon arriving I was not feeling too well due to the extreme altitude change...Lima is at sea level and Cusco is at 10,000 feet...but after sleeping all afternoon in a comfy bed, I was ready to explore.
I may or may not have mentioned the unique foods that I tried in Peru. Ceviche and alpaca were two of them. The first is a raw fish that is marinated in lemon juice and the alpaca is related to a llama, a meat without cholesterol. We were also able to finish our shopping in Cusco as well as a beautiful street market in Pisaq. Unlike the markets in Zambia, these shop keepers are willing to bring down the price and only sell you the item that you ask about. No stress for this buyer!
After finally getting our bearings, we were leaving again for the ruins of Machu Piccu. To get there you must take a train down to a town called Aguas Calientes at 6,000 feet, then take a bus on switchbacks up to 8,000 feet. Too much change at once is hard for the body. Despite that, we were all extremely thrilled to see this place that we had only seen in books. Out tour guides gave lots of information and took good care of us. My group went up onto the peak that overlooks the ruins first, then made our way down into them. Look at my pictures on Facebook. It was uncharacteristically warm that day and I did not dress correctly, but it was still worth it. There is one peak that they only let 400 people climb a day. The oldest person that our tour guide took up there was 82 years old...my sister and I want to go on my 83 birthday...haha! It will probably happen before that day but oh well.
At long last, it was time to return back to the U.S. or at least we thought. There is only one United flight that leaves Lima for Houston. Once our plane arrived that night, the rumored "strike" came across as a dud fuel filter in our plane. Four hours later, after waiting/sleeping in the terminal, the attendants told us that we needed to leave and come back tomorrow. Another 2 hours later, we were watching the sun come up as we stood in line for hotel vouchers and food vouchers. That was the least they could do for all the trouble. But wait...there's more. We had to figure out how to get to the Sheraton. A charter bus came to pick us up:
Problem 1: It was very old and should have retired.
Problem 2: Not enough luggage space
Problem 3: Not enough seats
Problem 4: As it pulled out of the parking lot with all but 10 people on it, it dropped its transmission never making it out the gate and everyone had to pile off again.
Now it was just funny!
We finally got into taxis (the VIP taxis if I'm not mistaken) and made it to the hotel (quite an accomplishment in Lima traffic). Running on naps that we took in the terminal and the taxi, we ate and fell into our beds. Whew! Never wish to do that part again.
The rest is history. We made it home a day late and my sister and I were surprised with new (to us) cars! I sadly was sick and waited another 3 days to enjoy it. All is well now and I am digesting it all. What I learned, what I enjoyed and what's next.
This "World Traveler" is tired and content. Who knows what this last year of school holds for me.
Thanks for reading!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
Running Cry
Continuing my Peru adventure....
The mornings was when we had lesson times and in the afternoons there were special activities. Monday was the Rodeo...complete with roping, killing bugs, eating smores, singing around a campfire, herding pigs and dancing. Such fun!
Tuesday we were able to hang out with the girls. Paint nails and braid headbands is what I did. Erika and I can't resist playing soccer, so we played a little and promised to go to the fields with the boys on Thursday.
Wednesday was the Scavenger Hunt....all running...but it was a blast. On Monday and Wednesday, Erika and I were in charge of a different group of girls than we have in the mornings, and loved them just as much.
One of my favorite moments was when they asked me to sing songs for them. As the "face" up on stage, I should of expected it, but I was still blown away by their overwhelming desire to sing with me. I can now thank God specifically for the gift of song in my life. I pray that he used me and the lyrics to convey a deep love that the girls can have as well!
Thursday, as promised, Erika and I went to play soccer with the boys. It was extremely hot, but worth it. We did not win, but held our own and enjoyed every minute we held the back line. :)
Friday was a difficult day. We had to say goodbye to our girls. They were like leeches the whole afternoon while we hung banners and took as many pictures as our cameras could hold. I was not expecting to fall in love as quickly as I did. We only spent a week there...not six weeks, not three months, or a year...a week and I almost couldn't hold it together. The tradition in South America is touching cheeks and giving a kiss, so that's what we did over and over until pulling away. The kids lined both sides of the path and I went down the entire girls side giving those precious kisses. It didn't help the matter that two of my girls followed me to the end, not letting go of my arms. I could not express my thoughts accurately in Spanish, so I quickly hopped on the bus as they held each other, waving to me.
I made it to the first row on the bus before I had a gut wrenching cry. What just happened, I thought? How did that happen?! Wait...I have a God who touched my heart again that week. Every time. Why am I so surprised? He is still working on me and going to Peru was just a small part. I learned a lot that I am still processing though and putting into words. All glory to God!
Stay tuned for a post about the tourist part of my trip....
The mornings was when we had lesson times and in the afternoons there were special activities. Monday was the Rodeo...complete with roping, killing bugs, eating smores, singing around a campfire, herding pigs and dancing. Such fun!
Tuesday we were able to hang out with the girls. Paint nails and braid headbands is what I did. Erika and I can't resist playing soccer, so we played a little and promised to go to the fields with the boys on Thursday.
Wednesday was the Scavenger Hunt....all running...but it was a blast. On Monday and Wednesday, Erika and I were in charge of a different group of girls than we have in the mornings, and loved them just as much.
One of my favorite moments was when they asked me to sing songs for them. As the "face" up on stage, I should of expected it, but I was still blown away by their overwhelming desire to sing with me. I can now thank God specifically for the gift of song in my life. I pray that he used me and the lyrics to convey a deep love that the girls can have as well!
Thursday, as promised, Erika and I went to play soccer with the boys. It was extremely hot, but worth it. We did not win, but held our own and enjoyed every minute we held the back line. :)
Friday was a difficult day. We had to say goodbye to our girls. They were like leeches the whole afternoon while we hung banners and took as many pictures as our cameras could hold. I was not expecting to fall in love as quickly as I did. We only spent a week there...not six weeks, not three months, or a year...a week and I almost couldn't hold it together. The tradition in South America is touching cheeks and giving a kiss, so that's what we did over and over until pulling away. The kids lined both sides of the path and I went down the entire girls side giving those precious kisses. It didn't help the matter that two of my girls followed me to the end, not letting go of my arms. I could not express my thoughts accurately in Spanish, so I quickly hopped on the bus as they held each other, waving to me.
I made it to the first row on the bus before I had a gut wrenching cry. What just happened, I thought? How did that happen?! Wait...I have a God who touched my heart again that week. Every time. Why am I so surprised? He is still working on me and going to Peru was just a small part. I learned a lot that I am still processing though and putting into words. All glory to God!
Stay tuned for a post about the tourist part of my trip....
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Peru: 6th South American Country
Hey friends!
I am finally getting a chance to document my trip to Peru from July 14-25(26). It was exciting to be back in South America again. Can't believe its been almost 4 years.
This trip was on the mission trip side of things with some of my friends from Southern Hills. We met up with a group from Westover in Austin and some others from the Houston area. Cade Allen, my sister and I flew from Dallas to Houston first. We definitely had our fair share of airport time on this adventure.
The only two people we really knew were Cyndy and Malena (the ladies in charge) but we were excited to meet new friends. When we arrived it was time to get organized and see the area that we would be working in.
Another thing we had a lot of was bus time. Each morning we rode charter buses to the community for an hour and a half. Most people slept or listened to music but we also had time to talk with our Peruvian Partners. These were the friends that would be translating for us if needed and getting to know the kids as well. What a cool opportunity to work with kids and older students at the same time!
One of my jobs was to help Ricky up on stage in the mornings to lead songs in Spanish. While I am not fluent in Spanish, I can quickly pronounce the words and put them into the tuned songs that I know well. Some people even thought I was a translator because of it, which I politely had to explain was not true. With "Britney" mics on (awesome), we had a blast singing, doing the motions and seeing the kids faces light up each morning. There was a Bible lesson all together, then we split into our groups. I was with the Calcutta girls, age 14-16, for this time.
Most days looked the same, just related to the story of the day. The theme centered around how God will change our name. Abraham, Jacob, Esther, Paul and Peter.
So everything is not in one post, I will pause and write again....keep reading.
I am finally getting a chance to document my trip to Peru from July 14-25(26). It was exciting to be back in South America again. Can't believe its been almost 4 years.
This trip was on the mission trip side of things with some of my friends from Southern Hills. We met up with a group from Westover in Austin and some others from the Houston area. Cade Allen, my sister and I flew from Dallas to Houston first. We definitely had our fair share of airport time on this adventure.
The only two people we really knew were Cyndy and Malena (the ladies in charge) but we were excited to meet new friends. When we arrived it was time to get organized and see the area that we would be working in.
Another thing we had a lot of was bus time. Each morning we rode charter buses to the community for an hour and a half. Most people slept or listened to music but we also had time to talk with our Peruvian Partners. These were the friends that would be translating for us if needed and getting to know the kids as well. What a cool opportunity to work with kids and older students at the same time!
One of my jobs was to help Ricky up on stage in the mornings to lead songs in Spanish. While I am not fluent in Spanish, I can quickly pronounce the words and put them into the tuned songs that I know well. Some people even thought I was a translator because of it, which I politely had to explain was not true. With "Britney" mics on (awesome), we had a blast singing, doing the motions and seeing the kids faces light up each morning. There was a Bible lesson all together, then we split into our groups. I was with the Calcutta girls, age 14-16, for this time.
Most days looked the same, just related to the story of the day. The theme centered around how God will change our name. Abraham, Jacob, Esther, Paul and Peter.
So everything is not in one post, I will pause and write again....keep reading.
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