AAVE Trip BLOG » Peru & Machu Picchu
August 11, 2008
Peru & Machu Picchu #2 Update
Posted by AAVE Camper in : General, Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
Hola mis amigos!
We’re just chilling in Cerro Azul, a tiny beach town a few hours from Lima. After some surfing this morning, we came back to a delicious lunch and are now getting ready for round two of catching some waves.
The biggest challenge since the trek has definitely been the homestay on Lake Titikaka. We arrived in the afternoon and had the rest of the day to get to know our new families– we played soccer with them, ate dinner and went to a dance party at the local school. The general opinion of the group was that they were great people who were willing to help us and get to know us in any way they can, despite the sometimes frustrating language barrier.
“The homestay was an experience of a lifetime. The chance to stay, eat and interact with a different culture of people was great. Also, building the chimneys made me feel like I was giving something in return for their hospitality.” –Vicky
“The homestay was challenging yet very rewarding. I enjoyed the fact that I had the opportunity to give back to my family by aiding them in building a chimney.” –Jade
“The homestay was a very memorable experience. The families were very friendly and accepting, and it was great to give back to them in a very helpful way.” –Noah
“I felt that the homestay was a very interesting way to experience the life that many people of the world live. I liked that they were not concerned with material things and only had what they needed to survive.” –Corey
“The homestay was a very memorable and great experience. Staying in the home of those families made me appreciate more and take advantage of all the opportunity I have in front of me.” –Jennefry
“The homestay was an amazing experience. Even though my communication with the family consisted of points, grunts and the use of a picture book I feel like we understood each other just as well as if we were always friends.” –Zuri
“The homestay was great! I will never forget my family. They were so nice and caring. It was a very big disappointment when we had to leave. The kids did not want us to leave. The families will always be in my heart.” –Alex
“The homestay allowed us to experience a way of life we normally wouldn’t. It made us appreciative of what we have, and opened our eyes on poverty we don’t normally see. We also got to meet some amazing people who are truly generous and kind.” –Ashley
We’re leaving for Lima tomorrow afternoon, which will be our last full day together. The beach is a great place for us to all reflect on this awesome trip and the friendships we’ve made.
Hang ten from your fearless leader of the day (plus Skyeler and Kaitlin),
Ashley
August 5, 2008
PMP2 - Conquering the Sacred Valley
Posted by Nate at AAVE in : General, Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
Que Haciendo Familias?
PMP 2 here, checking in after a wild handful of days tromping around the Sacred Valley. There were thrills and spills while biking, endless uphill while trekking and endless views from the lofty tops of 15,000 ft passes, and the whole time our students did not disappoint in pushing their limits and overcoming one obstacle after another.
From the comfort of a glass ceiling train we watched the landscape shift from vast and arid Andean Highlands to the chasm of a cloud forest canyon where cactus was replaced by lush canopy clinging to each neck-bending cliff. Within the cloud forest awaited Machu Picchu (and another 3,000 travelers…) where we walked with wonder through ruins resilient to time and our attempts to pierce their mystery.
Tomorrow we brave the mighty Urubamba River. Do these kids have any idea what’s in store- what adventure lurks within those cold cerulean rapids? I don’t think so, but something tells me they’ll rise to each new challenge with the same zest and verve that brought them across each high altitude pass. Do they have what it takes? A better question is this: Is the river tough enough for THEM??
One Love,
Las Pirahnitas (our new group name)
Peru & Machu Picchu #2 - Amazon Adventure!
Posted by Nate at AAVE in : General, Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
Hola hola!
I am sure you are all waiting to hear if we made it out of the jungle alive, and we did…barely. The jungle was absolutely incredible! We got to see more caymans than ever before, we did a lot of hiking, and we got to hang out and chill in the hammocks by the Tambopata river
Our guides fit right in with everyones goofy senses of humor, and everyone fell in love while we were there…don´t worry, with the lodge´s pet monkey, Llana (cutest thing EVER). I apologize now to the parents if your kids come home begging for a new tropical pet.
We just arrived in Cusco and everyone is eager to get out and explore this beautiful city. Monday we mountain bike, and then it is off on the trek! Everyone is doing great so far! Ring ring…Oh! Adventure is calling…got to go! We will update everyone soon.
Log into: photobucket.com
account to see all of our jungle pictures! Log in is at the top of the page!
username: PMP2
password: aave2008
Hasta entonces,
Kaitlin and Skyeler
July 18, 2008
PMP1 - July 18, 2008
Posted by Skyeler in : Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
Hi Everybody,
Here are some highlights from our trek that went on the back burner for a few days … the kids had such a powerful experience that thought we should post them anyway (even if it was a week ago)!!
Eduard: Because of my knee mishap I got to Sit and watch movies for two days with the coolest guy ever…Harold
Emily: Realizing strengths I never knew I had
Marissa: Completing a challenge I never thought I could
Shaylyn: Looking back from the highest elevation, at how far we had come as a group
John: How everyday brings us all closer
Emma: Seeing how little things we need to have such good times and attitudes together
Skyler: Gaining respect from the Peruvians by helping them move a large rock from the road that was blocking our bus.
Harold: Being able to be flexible and find a solution to the Strike
Kaitlin: Constantly laughing and watching the group realize their own potential
Ally: Extreme mountain biking over extreme boulders at extreme altitudes with extreme padding.
Sarah: Accomplishing anything that’s hard for me is a good feeling
Will: Waking up to snow in July
PMP1 - July 16, 2008
Posted by Skyeler in : Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
Hola a todos!
After traveling together for two weeks, we experienced a break from each other and send them with host families! The past three days have been spent with Aymara families on Lake Titicaca installing chimneys, eating lots of potatoes, and learning some traditional dances and customs. Seeing the kids interact with the locals was incredible, and everyone did their best to try new things and communicate the best they could. The kids did a great job working together to figure out on their own how to install chimneys in the different houses, and all were satisfied with the final product. We had a couple of intense soccer games against people in the community, and I think it’s safe to say that we lost every time. We like to blame it on the altitude. 
Although it was rough at times, staying with people who live off of their own land and survive with no running water was an amazing experience for everyone in our group.
On our way back to Puno from our home stays we stopped on one of the floating islands to check out the way people live there compared to the other places we’ve already visited. Walking on an island made of only reeds and dirt was a strange feeling, but the houses, boats, and people were beautiful! It was interesting to learn the history of such a unique place. Now we are back in Puno and the kids are off on a scavenger hunt! Tomorrow we will be flying back to Lima where we will begin our final adventure - surfing! Time is flying by but we continue to have a blast. WOW, we are missing the adventure but looking forward to home sweet home!
Hasta el proximo,
Kaitlin and Skyeler from the AAVE life
July 16, 2008
Peru #1
Posted by admin in : Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
We spoke to Emma today and she is having an absolutely amazing time! When we asked her on a scale of 1 to 10 how is the trip, she said “10 plus!”. Thanks for taking such good care of Emma on this trip.
Best,
Jan Tuttleman
July 14, 2008
PMP1
Posted by Skyeler in : Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
Que Tal Familias!
Greetings from the “Navel of the World”- known to most of us as Cuzco, Peru! In spite of heat, rain, bugs, altitude, and a pesky nationwide strike that made travel impossible for 48 hours, we practiced a little flexibility and perseverance and reached the northern slopes of the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the mist shrouded cliffs that hide Machu Picchu. Our foray into the Cloud Forest was arduous to say the least and the strike filled the roads with rocks and our minds with doubt, but with a group as determined, upbeat, and downright impossible to deter as us, we made decisions, adapted to the changes, and finally climbed (with the help of a, uh, bus) the steep hill to The Lost City of the Inca.
Because no one REALLY knows what Machu Picchu was, (and because every tour guide seems to tell a slightly different story) we decided we would let the student’s natural imagination and deduction explore the ruins and figure out how different chambers and buildings were used. Small groups each created a unique story to explain the ruins they discovered. Then we let the tour guide give us the “Real” story. We preferred our explanations.
Current theory has recently determined Machu Picchu to have been a royal retreat and/or vacation home, not unlike Camp David in our society. Pretty boring compared to our story about Alien Rapunzel.
Well, now we’re back in Cuzco enjoying a much needed break from travel and early mornings. In the afternoon we explored this very cool, cobblestone city with winding alleys and lots of shopping opportunities and ventured to a church plaza overlooking the city where we played soccer with a local kid and relaxed.
Next we head off to Puno and the birthplace of the Inca: Lake Titicaca. Stay tuned for more pictures and stories of our adventure!
Check the Photobucket page for more pictures:
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/skyelercongdon/Peru%202008/
Including Mt Biking, the Lares Trek, and Machu Picchu- as well as a couple pics of the rocks we had to navigate through the day after the strike! All’s well that ends well!!
Hasta Pronto!
Skyeler, Kaitlin and the Peruvian AAVE Team
July 10, 2008
PMP1 - Oxygen is SOOOO Over-rated!
Posted by Cielito in : General, Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
Hello World,
Cielito again- a name which, by the way, makes EVERY Peruvian laugh out loud! I’m trying to give a quick shout out before going rafting in 15 minutes (Does the fun EVER stop?)
We’ve had quite an adventure down here in the land of Inca. We taunted and teased the laws of gravity on our mt bikes one day- only to be owned by those same powers the next day on our endless uphill hikes. To put things into perspective: last summer only 1 student cowboy’d up to attempt the downhill on Bike Day. This trip we had 5 students scream down the epic single track. I was impressed.
<a href=”http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/skyelercongdon/Peru%202008/?action=view¤t=IMG_0450.jpg” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/skyelercongdon/Peru%202008/IMG_0450.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Photobucket”></a>
Our trek was intense from the get-go. I warned the kids on day 1 that is was gnarly- did they think I was joking?? No way, bro-seph. This trek kicked our butts with ascents of 3 passes over 14,000 in two days!! It was so rad to see these kids push themselves to their limits and not give up. Blisters? Whatever. Pulmonary Edema? Bring it on! Who needs oxygen when you’ve got a group singing “I Will Survive” at nearly 15,000 ft!
<a href=”http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/skyelercongdon/Peru%202008/?action=view¤t=IMG_0521.jpg” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/skyelercongdon/Peru%202008/IMG_0521.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Photobucket”></a>
So this internet connection is like mad wicked slow and I can only upload a couple new pictures. Keep posted for more imagery.
-Skyeler
July 7, 2008
PMP1
Posted by AAVE Camper in : Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
The trip so far has been great. I loved the soccer and swim day. The leaders are great. I hope the rest of the trip is like it is now.
-edouard simoens
PMP1 - Hey Everybody back home and greetings from Peru!
Posted by AAVE Leader in : General, Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
This is Skyeler, reporting live and direct from beneath the equator. We just arrived in to Cuzco after spending 4 days deep in the Peruvian rainforest. It was absolutely amazing!! Not only is our group super awesome, funny, and fearless (when was the last time YOU swam in a jungle river filled with caiman, piranhas, and a certain shrimp that likes to swim into a certain place??) I’ve been really impressed with this group- they are mature and and interested in what they see here in Peru and they also know how to goof off. Definitely a rad trip so far!
Its difficult to describe with words the sheer beauty of the tropical rainforest we tooled around for the last few days. Hopefully these pictures do it some justice. The jungle can be a frightening place- three words: fer-de-lance- but these kids jumped right into the experience had even had fun!! Thank you for sharing your kids with us!
Skyeler, Kaitlin and the Peru Crew
If you put this link into your browser you should be able to see a slide show from our trip!
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/skyelercongdon/Peru%202008/?albumview=slideshow