¿Cómo se Llama?

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!