Another busy week to report: sandboarding, duning, AARP, and dancing... 

Last weekend, I was in Paracas. Truly a desert[ed] region: population 250 families that function mainly around tourist business and fishing. For the most part the land is flat, flat, flat, it stretches for miles without anything in sight.

Theresa, Maura, Jen and I drove to the dunes to go boarding and dune-buggieing. We were taken out in these rickety dune-buggies or "boogies" as the Peruvians call them, which rumbled and shook as we drove. The driver would accelerate up the side of a dune (all of which were gigantic and some which seemed to be on 90 degree angles) and then sortof free-fall over the otherside. The effect was much like that of a roller-coaster--stomach clenched and fluttering, screaming and laughing uncontrollably were all side effects... All was good until our boogie suffered some problems (an engine that seemed to wheeze, cough, start and stop frequently). We were stranded out in the middle of the desert and writing SOS in the sand when the engine caught on fire. Ha, after much drama and many concerned glances, we eventually convinced the driver to move onto the next item on the itinerary--sand-boarding. I'd say sand-boarding is the equivalent of sledding for the daring: it consists of waxing a wooden board, clutching onto a strap for safety and flying down the sides of dunes headfirst. The rush is amazing, the only downfall is that a mouthful of sand is not as pleasant as a mouthful of snow.

Stranded....

 The next day we took a 40 minute boat ride out to the Islas Ballestas (Ballestas Islands). They were beautiful--massive eroded caves and arches, home to hundreds upon hundred of birds (the guide mentioned that there were more then 150 species of seabirds including penguins, cormorants, boobies, and pelicans) and sea lions.  Pictures don't do this place justice....

11 volunteers funded by AARP came down this week to volunteer, so the week was jammed with activities and dinners and late-night discussions. The ages in the house ranged from 18 to 80. Just to get an idea of the activity in the house: Monday we went to the Incan Market (a market that sells fun trinkets and dobobs from Peru). Tuesday a speaker came to talk about racism in Peru, which was extremely interesting. I was not aware of the racial divide and subjugation that goes on within the Peruvian population. I found it most interesting that the racisim is not between whites and hispanics but with in the Hispanic population itself. Wednesday the group went to the Nacional Museum. I learned a lot about the ancient pre-incan civilizations of Peru (Wari, Nazca, and Mochi). The museum housed beautiful handcrafted and painted pottery, woven ponchos (some even made out of cotton and feathers) and extravagant silver and gold pieces. Thursday we visited Huaca Pucllana, a pre-incan ruin site. The bricks were all handcrafted and made out of mud. The tourguide even said that sometimes archeologist find that remains of fingerprints and fingers in the mud bricks. I saw my first Peruvian hairless dog!

Last night I went dancing. I am fascinated at the way Peruvians are able to move, so effortless and fluid.

Note to Claire-definitely look into CCS. The combination of rich volunteer service and experiences (both free-time, and organized activity) is wonderful. I have heard really good things about India and Costa Rica, if Peru doesn't strike your fancy.

Note to Don-A post all about the school that I work at is to come, I'd like to have some pictures to accompany the post though, so give me a week or so to collect some :)

Note to Mr. Kirkpatrick-Thank you for making me smile with everyone of your posts. Tell Julie I miss and love her and of course, the same to you!

Jose Cielo

It's Friday and I can't believe another week has gone by...how is it that the things one enjoys pass by in a blink and the things one abhors seems to last for an eternity?

I guess time is best felt in a schedule; I have kept busy, so time moves fast. I've started to develop my own lesson plans for the ninos (ages three and five) where I work, which I find surprisingly gratifying. I usually try to have some type of craft prepared which is tied to the teachings of that day and a song or rhyme to accompany as well. This week was dedicated to the days of the week and the numbers one through ten. Numbers were a little rough but I can proudly say all my five year olds can say "Good morning, Good Morning/ How are you, How are you?/ Very Fine, I Thank you, Very Fine I Thank you/ Let's Begin, Let's Begin/ to the tune of Frere Jacques with gusto.

Other then school I took a tour of the older parts of downtown Lima. Most of the photos I took were from the "Colonial Era" of Peru for all you architectural lovers. The Colonial Era is marked by decretive balconies that stick out from their edifices. A true Colonial building is never more then one or two stories due to the earthquakes that Peru has. My favorite building was a small yellow church famous for it's underground catacombs (note to self: must go back and see). Outside the yellow church were maybe a hundred pigeons or so that all took flight as we arrived. The mass of flapping wings and the way that the light hit these seemingly majestic birds was enchanting.

Colonial Balcony 

Detail 

Thursday night I met up with Callum and his tour group. It was really nice to see a familiar face. What are the odds that you still see friends halfway around the world?...I accompanied the group to a park known for it's impressive fountains. That night, there was a light show, which consisted of lasers and music and images projected onto the water. The shimmer of the water on the trees, the dusk and sound of falling drops was beautiful. After, we went out for "Peruvian" dinner and drinks.

Callum dodging water: First person to run to the center of the fountain and back, three time without getting wet got a free drink...last person had to pay for everyone else...

Boy (left) with balloon (orange ball).... 

Pictures of Peru:

 

 Tomorrow I head off to go "sandboarding" in the Dunes of Praccas. Wooooooo