AAVE Trip BLOG » Peru & Machu Picchu
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 AAVE Trip BLOG, 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 AAVE Trip BLOG, 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
July 2, 2008
PMP1
Posted by AAVE Leader in : Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
Hello from Peru!
We have all arrived safe and sound and completely psyched about starting out on this adventure together. Our first day and night together was predominantly bonding for us. It is so great to learn of where everyone comes from and all that we have on common as a group! We all share the same love and excitement for what’s in store for us in the coming weeks! Most, if not all, of us are really intrigued by the Inca culture and the environment that is all around us. The weather is great and we love our guide - Harold!! He’s a blast + he speaks the native language and that’s helpful.
Check back with us and we’ll share more about the Rufigo Amazonas (beautiful lodge where we are staying - like a 5 star hotel!!!) and Cuzco!
Can’t wait!
A thank you from Mom!
Posted by admin in : Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
Hello Abbott,
Thanks for the email .
I am happy to hear that Edouard arrived well in Lima.
It was his first oversea flight alone. A trip from 12 hours .
I am very proud of him.
I am sure they are going to have the time of their life over there.
My other son Maarten did the trip before and it was one of his best
experience.
My boys learned a lot from your organization , so thank you for everything !
Regards,
Christina
January 31, 2008
Teen Summer Camp Heads to Peru
Posted by AAVE Parent in : General AAVE Trip BLOG, Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
From the very start we were extremely impressed with the seriousness, responsiveness and diligence with which you sent out information, remained in contact with us and answered our inquiries. I felt very much at ease with Jacob in your care. The supurb organization and forethought were evident each step of the trip. You worked hard to make sure that the kids had a wonderful experience and learned something about the world also. For this we are very grateful. For Jacob, it was a life changing experience. He understands something of others who have so little but are so very gracious. You did a great job!!!!-Josi Hausner, parent, PMP
I had much fun and it really opened my eyes to what happens in less economically powerful countries.-Jacob Abrams, camper, PMP
Casey and Jake had the most amazing summer ever! Each day was a new experience due to the excellent itinerary that was planned. I would have to say that the highlight was the people on the trip, both the other “campers” as well as the trip leaders. From what Casey and Jake told us, the leaders were just perfect. There was not a problem they could not solve, a situation they could not handle, or a request that was not met. I would highly recommend AAVE and Peru/Machu Picchu to anyone who would listen! Thank you for taking such good care of my kids! Thanks again!-Susan Fromm, parent, PMP
The group dynamics were great, and the leaders made the trip amazing. Nothing stands out as being unsuccessful.-Jacob Fromm, camper, PMP
The leaders were fantastic, and I was never concerned with Sara’s safety! One of the leaders came to Portland for a teacher conference, and we had dinner with her. She is such a lovely young lady. Once again, AAVE has proved to us just how much they can make a difference in the life of a teenager.
I went to Thailand summer of ‘06. Had the best time possible, with the most memorable friendships. This summer, I went to Peru. I am speechless because I don’t think anyone who has not been on an AAVE trip can understand just how amazing it is. The experiences are ones that have to be experienced! I learned things about myself that 12 years of school could never teach me.-Sara Sebastian, camper, PMP
Becca enjoyed the trip very much. She went on a trip with another company last year and thought your trip was much better. Well organized, excellent leaders, good mix of activities, service project very interesting. She had nothing negative to say.-Sandra Sebastian, parent, PMP
I loved everything we did in AAVE. I felt it was extremely organized and prepared for anything that could go wrong. Our trip leaders were fantastic and I overall had one of the best summers of my life!-Becca Sigal, camper, PMP
This trip was very successful, even better than the one Sean interpreted last year. The pictures were incredible, the stories were fascinating and everything turned out well. I really do not regret having sent Thomas to this wonderful adventure, its qualities and unforgettable moments will stay in his memories forever.-Niels Christensen, parent, PMP
The AAVE summer trip to Peru and Machu Picchu was amazing. There were too many successful and good things going on to even notice the unsuccessful ones. I have done many trips in my life, but not one so packed and rich as this one: with new things to discover, three amazing and reliable trip leaders, and a group of awesome people (none of which i knew in the first place), i had a wonderful time. Despite the teachers’ protests, traveling around Peru was still very possible and we enjoyed even more. I am so glad I chose this adventure, I will never forget it and it will stay in my memories forever.-Thomas Christensen, camper, PMP
July 6, 2007
Returning from the Amazon!
Posted by tracy in : General AAVE Trip BLOG, Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
We had so much fun in the Amazon! It was a wild start. After the group arrived, we flew to the Amazon only a few hours later. It was hot and sunny and fun. WE have a whole list of wildlife that we saw, including cayman, monkeys, tarantulas, toucan, macaws, capabaira, agouti, and many more birds and insects. There were lots of great hikes, including one in the dark, where we got to turn off our flashlights and listen to the sounds of the jungle. The Fourth of July was spent learning jungle dances and celebrating with Peruvian chocolate - mmmm! The whole group is doing really well. Jeff got help with his fear of spiders, he even put one outside. Becca and Paulina are doing an awesome job of entertaining the group with all their silliness. All of them love the food and are having fun.
Today we flew to Cusco, where we are getting ready for the days to come. Tomorrow we go mountain biking, and the following day we start our trek to Macchu Picchu. Wish us lots of luck!
Tracy and PMP1A
Peru is SWEET
Posted by Skyeler in : General AAVE Trip BLOG, Peru & Machu Picchu , add a comment
What up Blog-reading Homies,
So far this trip has been off the chain!! The Amazon was SWEET, we saw all kinds of cool animals, including a cayman crocodile that we caught and passed around (okay, so it was baby cayman but it was still creepy and super-cool)! We saw some huge spiders, monkeys, and - well I´m not gonna list all the animals ’cause there were like 30 different ones, but all in all it was prrrreeettyyy rad! We went swimming in this cool jungle lake and that was super warm and even had piranha!! Apparently, piranhas aren´t as dangerous as all the hype, but it was still spooky and totally awesome!
Alright, thats enough from me, I gotta go pack for our mtn biking and trekking section we got coming up next. Stay tuned.
This trip has been sooo fun! This group is totally awesome, easily one of the best groups I´ve ever worked with! Too bad the trip leaders are such dorks…kidding!
Peace,
Cielito