Hotel Rwanda

My mosquito net fell from the ceiling last night so I was exposed…. and, needless to say I got some bites and lost some sleep. C’est la vie. And, anyhow, who cares?.... it’s our first official day of our Development Tour in Rwanda!

The Jeffrey’s made it safe and sound, and tonight Nicole and Christina will arrive. After breakfast at the Blues Café, we took care of some logistical business and exchanged our money. Then we walked just minutes up from our hotel to visit the Hotel Milles Collines, also known to most foreigners as ‘Hotel Rwanda’.  This is the famed hotel depicted in the movie Hotel Rwanda where the manager, Paul Rusesabagina, saved hundreds of lives during the Genocide by harbouring them inside.

WE MADE IT!

We made it to Rwanda! 

It’s 5:20am and I can’t sleep. My internal clock is still a little mixed up, but I am actually feeling quite well and don’t feel that jetlagged.  After 5 horizontal hours and a mercifully hot shower, I am ready to take on the world.

Hookers, Drugs, Sex Shows...nah, TAKE ME TO RWANDA!

After nearly missing our flight because of a ticket error (don’t ask), we (Shannon and I) hopped on our 9 hour flight.. a mere hop skip and jump over the Atlantic. Because of our ticket issue, we got “upgraded” to a nicer seat..... in economy of course. I should say, in all my years of travel, I have yet to experience a harder and more uncomfortable seat than the one on KLM. Arg. My least favorite part of travelling is ending up on a flight with a bad seat. Oh the pain... the horror. I joke, but I honestly think that having to sit for 9 hours on a hard seat is a mild form of torture that should be made illegal.


So, as I descended on Amsterdam demoralized and frustrated, the only think I could think about was finding our hotel. After the usual lineup through immigration and collecting our bags, we literally walked over to our hotel called the CitizenM. Hello swanky! I’ve decided I want a shower that has its own glowing lights in variable colours... with a remote control. But, I think I will pass on the toilette with glass doors - what’s the point.

On our way to Rwanda

The fact that I will be returning to Rwanda just became a reality for me. At long last and after much planning and anticipation, I will finally be hopping a plane to return to one of the most intriguing places I have been.  Now  all I have to do is finish my packing and take a couple of deep breaths as I endeavour to fully absorb myself in the experience. I am officially incredibly excited!

Testimonials and Questions

What did you think of the trip? What do you want other people to know? Or if you are thinking about this trip, what do you want to know? Write a comment below!!!!

Day 10 and Trip Review

Welcome home!!! Welcome home for most I should say. This is being written in an internet cafe in Mendoza (this is Ted writing). I am experiencing a little bit of Latin time...meaning that my plane leaves sometime....just not when it was scheduled nor has there been any advisement of when it might take off. That said, with ash preventing it from leaving, I think I may just take a bus.....

So the last day. Different people did different things. As for me, I travelled with Jess to drop off donations for the group helping the street kids. I had a great meeting there with Elvira (the Directora of Development Tours' non-profit partner in Peru) and discussed the possibility for future projects, including some more possibilities for volunteer educators. As it turns out we already have volunteers from NAIT (many from the group are ready to go back already). And anyone from NAIT reading this...there are LOTS of opporutnities! Email me at tedn@nait.ca

Most of the group took time to relax and even shop. Some people slept after a number of very full days!!!

The follow up to this will be a number of things.

1) More Development Trips!!! Just ask Bev Bruyere (Bev I hope you don´t mind me dropping the name) beverlyb@nait.ca . I heard rumblings that she and her husband are ready to go with Jess, our mighty leader, to Rwanda in April 2012.

I am also wanting to take a group of students down to Peru in May as well. If anyone reading this is interested or wants to help out please let me know!

And yes, I am also putting in a plug here for my friend and Development Tours owner Jess Rothenburger. The experience he offers is one of a kind....you won´t come back the same person as when you left.

2) A NAIT - Peru Connection There are a lot of opportunities for educators in Peru for NAIT teachers to volunteer. I have had some great conversations with groups in Peru regarding what they need and where we can help. I will be upfront....NAIT folks can expect to hear from us! If you have any interest at all email me at tedn@nait.ca

3) Permanent NAIT Projects Some of the business instructors (Irene, Gerta I am looking at you) are thinking of ways to get involved by including NGO education into our program. Is there an opportunity to have an ongoing Peru project that our students can take part in?

4) Photo Page I poromise to set this up as soon as possible so that everyone on the trip can share their photos.

In the meantime, I am going to do a Testimonials/Comments post after this. PLEASE those on the trip if you could leave a couple of sentences regarding your experience, either positive or negative, for others to read. And those whom have been following along please leave questions! I know I am curious and I know that Jess would love the feedback.

Thanks for a great trip folks!

Days 8 & 9 - Chasing Tail and Getting Burned

Hello all! It is the morning of Day 10 and this is Ted. I had the chance to sleep in today but instead have chosen to write. Which is to say, I am awake after being in bed since 9pm last after having done battle with a pork sandwich I bought on the street. Yes, even I can see my obvious downfall in the words "bought on the street". Pork 1 - Ted 0.

So the last two days have been a descent out of the mountains as we wrap up our tour. I am not the only person whom has felt ill. There have been a variety of symptoms and maladies as people battled colds, sinus trouble and lingering altitude sickness amongst other things. Once again though, the spirit of adventure is alive and well in this group. Very few times is there even any sort of complaining. Most people seem determined to battle through. They (to quote Arrowsmith in the inexplicably-overlooked-by-Oscar movie "Armageddon") don't want to miss a thing.

Day 8 saw us pack up from Chincero. No snow which is perhaps a good sign! We visited the local ruins with Puma before heading down in Cusco. A lot in the group expressed that they were able to get some altitude relief when we reached Cusco's lower altitude. The rest of the day was spent individually exploring Cusco and getting in some shopping (something that members of the group have been reluctant to do....and when I say reluctant I mean that people are perhaps buying extra luggage to fit all of their new treasures). For me, as I think for many in the group, it was a nice time to reflect a bit on the trip and what we had seen over the last few days. It has been a lot packed into a short period of time!

That night we all got together to go to a dinner theatre in Cusco. It was our last meal to spend with Puma and Revelino as they would head back to Chincero while we took off for Lima the next morning. Usually I don't go for these things, as I find them a little corny, but there was something about this one that I really liked. They did all sort of dances from around Peru. Included in these was an afro-latin dance where the women wear a tail-like cloth and the men try to light it on fire with a candle. I wish I had paid more attention to that part...but  I will tell you about it later. It is the woman's job to with their hip movement stop the man from doing this (and even put out the flame if possible). After a bit the roles are reversed and it becomes the man's job to get the hips-a-going and the woman's to light them on fire.

It would have made for a great picture or even a great video. So why haven't I posted a picture of it? Well, it is hard to take a picture of the show when you are IN THE SHOW!!!!! I was sitting and enjoying this when down into the audience the women came and low and behold before either of us knew it, Zane and I were in the show! Try as we did, neither of us was able to light the tail on fire. And I have to hand it to Zane, he managed to last longer than I did before getting our tails lit on fire. Our group was laughing hard and gave us a huge cheer as we left the stage. The show ended and some people hit the town while others hit their pillow.

Day 9 and back to Lima. We went to the airport, said our last good byes to Puma and Revelino before boarding our plane and descending into Lima.  The afternoon was down time, with people going to shop, visit some of their favourite places in Lima before meeting at Cafe de la Paz in Parque Kennedy for dinner. This was of course where I had my ultimately fatal meeting with the pork sandwich I had been longing to find since arriving in Lima.

For me, I had one more meeting before catching up to the group at the restaurant. I met with Vanessa, whom had talked to us earlier in Lima, and her colleague Toni from Ankay. They are an organization which finds scholarships and support for kids whom otherwise wouldn't be able to go to college. They are both very passionate and inspiring individuals. This is what the dedicate their spare time to. I had a very interesting conversation with them about the possibility for volunteers and help from not only me but NAIT. I was energized by listening to them and discussing the possibility for further educational collaborations.

I arrived late to dinner for which I took a razing from the group. But as I shared the possibilities of my meeting for NAIT instructors the rest of the table (at least at my end) also became energized. The chance to come back and help in a teaching capacity, to donate equipment, to start up scholarships....I knew  that when I thought about organizing this tour with Jess that we were going to attract people who wanted to help, to get involved. I was not let down. A warning for NAIT colleagues reading this - you are about to receive some super energized instructors, people passionate about coming back and lending a hand. I am committing to follow up, which is going to include awareness campaigns and with any luck in the years that follow we will start sending students and instructors here to make a difference and to have the same sort of life changing experience that a lot of the group has had. Stay tuned, while today is the last day I feel though it is the beginning!


And that brings us to today. Day 10. We will be soon getting ready to go home. For me that actually means heading south to Argentina and visiting my "framily" (friends who are like family) there. I look forward to it, but I will be looking forward to getting back to Edmonton/Canada to share the adventures of this trip in person with all of you!

Day 7 - Let it Snow! Let it Snow1 Let it Snow!!

Jimbo attacks our snowman

You must be kidding me….you must be freakin’ kidding me….snow? SNOW!! I did not come all the way from Edmonton for this!!

We woke up to a very un-Latin American experience…a blanket of snow covering the ground. We also woke up to a very Latin American experience – no power and no hot water. In retrospect perhaps it was Canada giving us a quick hello on Canada Day.

The sense I got from the group today was of a bit of frustration with the circumstances. Understandable after having not slept much having had the physical pains of adjusting to altitude and especially not being able to have a hot shower after climbing Machu Picchu! The last one in particular got to me (and perhaps was a minor annoyance to anyone whom had to sit or stand beside me). It is also not unusual to come to the end of a week away and begin to want the comforts of home. This trip (every trip I seem to have a different one) it has been my variety of socks and reliable internet!

That said, there is still a spirit of adventure with our group that can’t be quashed! With the snow and lack of power in the city our itinerary had to change a bit. It didn’t look as though we were going to start at 10:30 as planned. I thought people were going to be glad for the extra rest. But by 10am people were gearing up and asking what was next on the agenda…what were we going to see today?

While we waited Gerta and I (with the help of an American guest at the hotel) built a snow man. Culture shock for the dogs at our hotel who wouldn’t get near it. The exception was one small pup who was brave enough to go tug at its scarf. By 11am our itinerary was back on track and we headed to Puma’s house again.

There we were greet by what felt as though it was all the women in his extended family! They gave us a wonderful demonstration of how many of the Peruvian tapestries that we will be bringing home are made. They showed us how the yarn was died, spun, put on a loom and then crafted into different textile goods. They explained how the designs symbolized the region and the different beliefs there. They also told us how the colours used often reflected the artisans mood (note to boyfriends and husbands – their mood is reflect in the motif so best behave!) Most of us were amazed at the quality of their work.

We then got our chance to BUY some of their wares. Dangerous! I believe a lot of money was spent. Most, though, felt though they had to restrain themselves from spending more! We stayed to enjoy a special improvised Pachamanca lunch – improvised because cooking in the earth and snow covered ground don’t tend to mix. Again, the “give it a try” spirit seem to prevail…I think everyone tried the guina pig and most even enjoyed it!

After lunch was a special shaman ceremony. Puma, in addition to being a good tour guide, is a shaman. We gave an offering for prosperity. The group found it interesting how candy cars and houses made up part of the offering. We all received a blessing from him which ended with him blowing tobacco smoke on our head and watching as it lingered then left. Despite Jess’s worries everyone left safe!

The afternoon was one for relaxation. In the evening by chance we all ended up sitting by the fire and enjoy each other’s company. A good way to end a good day.

Day 6 - Machu Picchu!

Overlooking Machu Picchu atop Wayna Picchu

Today was EAR-LY!!! The group even joked even that it was in fact still night-time of the day before….3am tends to feel like that. Why such an early wake-up? Well here is the story.

Wayna Picchu is the mountain in behind the famous Machu Picchu postcard shot. But, only 400 people a day are allowed up, 200 leaving at 7am and another 200 at 9am. As the permits are first come first serve , working backwards dictates you want to leave on the first bus at 530am….and in order to make sure you get on that first bus you want to line up at 330am. This is a vacation some might say? Waking up to make a 330am bus?

I have to hand it to our group. There really is a spirit of adventure here. People aren’t here to be bystanders…they want as much of the experience as they can get. People are constantly pushing past mental, physical and emotional comfort zones to try new things. This has been the case with food, trying new language, new customs. In this case, the hike up Wayna Picchu is fairly demanding. But people in our group wanted to challenge their limits and in fact did. From a personal stand point, there was inspiration to be drawn from seeing this spirit amongst the people I was travelling with. Some people surprised themselves by making it to the top. Others did the same by even trying and going as far as they could. I was reminded that often it is the journey and not the destination that matters.

Donna taking in the view of Machu Picchu

Well maybe that is only partly true. I mean it is Machu Picchu…this destination matters!! Those of us whom climbed our way on Wayna Picchu were in awe of the views from the top. We enjoyed what felt like a hero’s welcome back to the base as the rest of the group whom had “slept in” until 630am was waiting and greeted us with applause. Onto the main Machu Picchu tour.

There is so much to this scared temple that I don’t know where to begin. The shape and the spirit of the condor was definitely present. The weather showed us a bit of everything. Again, those whom you know on the trip can either share with you their particular experiences. With any luck, they will also share those here online in a comment or a “guest” post (ask me about how to do this). For me, it was when passing through one of the energy filled temples. I am not one to believe in mystic powers, but as I found myself scooting through the narrow crevasse of the temple, my head then my chest started to fill and tingle with life. It was amazing.

Perhaps the last personal reflection I will share today is one where I took a moment for myself.  Yes it is a group blog in a sense, but permit me this moment of personal indulgence. Often when travelling with a group it is easy to forget to take time for oneself and one’s own spirit.

The tour was finishing up but I knew I still had unfinished business. In Machu Picchu the Incans believed it was more important how you left the place than how you arrived. I turned to one of our accompanying guides (who went by “Son of the Sacred Mountains” and with whom I had become very easy friends with over the course of our journey) to ask for his help. As the group turned for the exit I asked my friend if he wouldn’t mind taking me to the astronomical temple. I felt though I could not exit properly without paying it a visit.

I felt it wouldn’t be proper because of my trip with my father to Machu Picchu 10 years previous. To make a long story short, our experience was a shared one, shared in way that perhaps can be done only by a father and son. And the astrological temple, with it amazing mathematic precision, was a place we had both admired a great deal. Our tour hadn’t had a chance to visit it. Not going there felt wrong.

I told my new friend this story as we went up. When we arrived at the stone marker which delineated not only north, south east and west but also our precise latitude on the globe, he suggested we close our eyes and put our hand on the rock to feel its magnetic energy. In doing so I thought of my Dad, honouring the man he is and the journey we had shared 10 previous. In silent reflection and accompanied by my new friend, I then felt that I could make my proper exit of Machu Picchu.

Guy and Jenn ready to conquer Wayna Picchu

So a quick lunch and onto the train. Tired legs and tired eyes. We arrive back at Ollantamytambo and boarded our bus. Our group had but one request….no more climbing! Puma indulged us at our next stop and assured us that at the Ollantamytambo ruins we would not have to climb the stairs of the step terraces in front of us.

On the bus and to Puma’s birthplace Chincero. Up and up and up and up.  By the time we arrive we were higher than we had been even in Cusco. We stopped quickly at the hotel and then all went to Puma’s house for dinner.

And what a dinner it was! Soup, trout, quinoa, vegetables, mango, pisco sour…gang what am I missing? I personally thought the soup was amongst the best I had ever tasted. Anyone in the group care to give their opinions? At 830 we piled back into the bus and headed home. It was a long day and merited the sleep in we will get tomorrow!

The Altitude Didn't Affect Us at All

Day 5 - Following the Incas

Zane unaware that the female condor is about to take off

Another day full of adventure….this entry is actually going to be posted one or more days after it is written. But I (Ted) wanted to get this down while it was fresh in my head! As I write this I am seated in a hotel below Machu Picchu. That will be for tomorrow.

So today we got up a little later than usual. Most people were looking a little bit better than the day before, having adjusted to the altitude. As with a lot of trips of this nature, the original adrenaline high was beginning to wear off. People were starting to settle into a routine.

Puma met us at the hotel. For me at least I find his energy very interesting. He is charismatic yet calming at the same time. He gathered us up on the bus and started us along our journey from Cusco to Aguas Calientes (the Machu Picchu base). We stopped at one of the many Incan posts along the way, chosen not only for its physical location but for its magnetic properties. Some of us swayed with Puma as we felt the magnetic energy.

Next was an amazing stop at an animal sanctuary. They had “recovered” animals that ranged from parrots to pumas (recovered from a Lima nightclub where they were drugged so people could take pictures of them), to alpacas and llamas. The most impressive of all were the four condors. We all watched in awe as these animals with their 10ft gave us a brief flight demonstration.

Puma telling us about the terraces at Pisco

We carried on into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We learned of the paths the Incas used (religious, social and military), saw ancient burial grounds and started our acquaintance with the three sacred animals of the Inca - the condor (symbol of the divine), serpent (inner spirit or the “inner world”)  and puma (manifestation of the physical). Puma, our guide, showed us all of the ways in which the Incas reflected the important symbols in their architecture.

On the way there were nicknacks of all sorts for purchase. We have become accustomed it seems to vendors rushing our bus before we even have the chance to get off!! Bargaining galore and deals to be had by all. Lunch was next. Donna in particular was happy to finally get her Peruvian rice and beans! We also had a chance to stop by a local “chicha” (corn liquor) maker to find out how this sacred drink was made…and of course sample a little bit!

Leilah and Puma waiting for chicha

We arrived Ollantamytambo to catch our train at 4. It took us out of the dry Scared Valley and towards the lush eye of the jungle…Aquas Calientes! A long day of travelling and an early morning awaiting meant most of the group grabbed food and hit the sacks…next day was early up to Machu Picchu!!

Day 4 - Breath Deep

Ooops! This is gonna be quick as I (Ted) was unable to get a wireless connection until this morning.

Bev and Guy taking pictures of their new friends Zane and Leila

So day 4 was moving day! We got up early, got in cabs and headed out to the Lima airport early. Onto the plane for what proved and exciting flight in Cusco and the start of the mountain portion of the trip.

Why exciting? Well, Cusco is in a bowl in the mountains. And to get to the runway, one takes a VERY steep left hand turn to dip down into the bowl. Some of us enjoyed its. Others not so much. The latter of these opinions was perhaps summarized best by Jennifer's phrase regarding the need to have her stomach as a checked bag because it wasn't going to be accompanying you. Not even singing of "Soft Kitty" (the song that Sheldon and Penny sing on The Big Bang Theory) was sufficiently calming.

And Cusco! We were met by Puma, who will be our guide in the mountains, bright sun and cleaner, thinner air. The latter especially had an affect. In preparation for the altitude of Cusco most of the group had taken medication. I hadn't and I won't lie, the range of response to the drug was kind of funny to watch. Tingly was describe. There were some vacant deep stares. Arriving in Cusco, I wonder how many felt it was useful (a lot of the group has abandoned the medication as they found they were affected by the altitude regardless). The altitude affect was mild for most, describing some grogginess. Some had more troubles than others. It is too bad that its affect can't be well predicted (fitness doesn't help only time). The affects of the altitude has also proved to give us some of the funnier moments on the trip (stay tuned..I don't think I will have time to upload the video today).

Susan making friends and shopping

Puma took us to the Inca fortress Sasywyman (that is an incorrect spelling but I am coming up against time barriers to get this post done). Then it was to the Sun Temple upon which the Spanairds built a monestary. Curiously in earthquakes it is the monastery that crumbles while the Incan walls hardly move. As we left the sun disappeared and we were all surprised at how quickly the temperature cooled.

One of the things that the group has noticed and found interesting I think is the number of street vendors who are fairly insistent. I wonder how many of us are growing tired of the chant "Amigo, amigo!"

We are on the move again today. Sacred Valley and Aquas Calientes today. The Machu Picchu tomorrow. Whether I will get to post in the next couple of days I am not sure.....but stay tuned as some of the most exciting parts of the trip are about to occur.

Los Chicos de la Calle y su Musica

Pleases forgive the camera work and bad sound (acoustics and microphone on camera) but I think they sound pretty good!

Day 3 - Sleep, Economics and Music

Ted here! Geez I realize that as I write "sleep" and "economics" together that many of you will think going to our economics lecture and sleep perhaps happened at the same time (okay perhaps they did). Lets go to the morning to explain.

It was a chance to sleep in as the group wasn't getting together until the afternoon. Some went off and enjoyed the ruins down the road from the hotels, others chose to explore the city by foot (perhaps more exploration than was expected as they "re-found" themselves on the map and then eventually back to the hotel). All sorts of different individual experiences that I was privileged to hear about!

For me the morning was about getting as healthy as possible with rest (the scratch in my throat turned into a full on fever which seemed to break at about 10am this morning).

On with the day! We grabbed cabs and went to the offices of Hernando de Soto's Institute for Liberty and Democracy. There we met Jess's friend Gabriel Arrisueno. He told us about the impacts of regulations (or lack of) in informal economies and how they are related to the inability of people to escape poverty. For me at least it helped put into context what we had seen in Vista Alegre (I think that I have finally spelled that correctly). We then had a brief presentation from his colleague Vanessa Banchero about her work with Anyak in getting scholarships and providing support to kids whom otherwise would not be able to attend university.

Ted and his two instructors

Donna rockin' out Peruvian style

It was then onto another meeting with Luz and her merry band of street kids / musicians. We had the chance to listen to them play. They then taught us individually to play instruments. Again, a chance to experience a part of Peru that most people only see from the outside. In talking with some of the group, we commented on how these kids (boys/men mostly between the ages of 17 and 22)  acted very much like our students / other Canadian kids their age! From being able to speak their language with them I can tell you that they TALK very much like our NAIT students. However, most of them already have one child they were trying to support (if not more or at least more on the way). They had held two sessions to decide whom would come meet with us, ultimately choosing those with the best combination of musicianship and financial need.

Everyone Together!

 Some members of our group seemed to be stuck between how to "pay" them...would it be all right? Should it be through Luz?  Many wanted to give more beyond the donation that was incorporated into the cost of the trip here. I would be curious to hear people's opinions on this. I felt myself stuck in the middle of competing thoughts and idealogies as to what would be best. I don't think I was the only one that didn't know quite what was best.

Making our way through the rush hour traffic (pedestrian and automobile), we again saw the drastic change between the culture of the streets and the the culture of the more well off at the nearby mall. There we enjoyed dinner at a french-esque restaurant. Some even opted for ice cream afterwards!

Now, most of us are at the hotel, getting ready for an early flight to Cusco and the beginning of our time in the mountains!!

Learning Spanish - Would You Go to This Hospital?

Day 2 - Open Air Busses and Underground Cemetaries

Paul while on the city tour

Hello folks this is Ted! What a time to come down with a cold/flu (scratchy throat and fever so we will see how this turns out......and no I didn't catch scurvy). I have decided to call it an earlier night tonight and have decided to relax and write in the blog while I have a chance!

I didn't get as much of a chance to expand on the visit to Vista Allegre yesterday. I will leave it until later perhaps so I can get down what we did today first. I do want to say two things. First, thanks to Susan for posting a great picture of the view looking back from Vista Allegre. Second, to say that I almost feel embarrassed to give my opinions on it and have them stand as some sort of objective testimonial. Especially considering the range of experiences with that sort of poverty amongst the group members (okay I guess I am talking about it). I mean we range of experiences from Jess, whoou had lived and worked in these conditions for years, to other members of the group who were travelling not only outside of North America for the first time but perhaps making the harder journey outside of their comfort zone. If anyone of the group has a chance to added to this or do their own post with whatever reflections you had it would be great.

Unfortunately the only photos I have of us with the kids are Jess's and they are in RAW format....hope to get them downsizde to post here.

For me, it is something that I have seen and experienced before but am never "used to". Entering progressively poorer and poorer neighbourhoods I began to feel less and less comfortable. Again having some experience I was able to use rational thought to recognize that there wasn't really anything to be scared of. The group was amazing though. I did get the sense that there was some trepidation amongst people as we got off the bus. Not only because of the physical aspect (the stairs were STEEP) but the emotional one as well. I had to commend people because everyone seemed to make a conscious decision to go experience it. I think everyone was reassured by the appearance of local social worker and neighbourhood "guide" Luz, but I could be wrong. Regardless, most breathed a physical and emotional sigh of relief when we got to the top to see school age children waving flags and awaiting our arrival.

Again, I hesitate to generalize or speak for others. One of the comments that did seem universal was the hesitance of the group to take pictures out of respect for the people who live there. I think many in our group struggled with what was okay to do. Again, the group needs to be commended on their sensitivity. And it is a sensitive issue. Ironically, most of the kids seem to want to have their pictures taken and certainly Luz wanted the rest of the world to know what life was like there. She and the other school "mother" Blanca (who loans out one of the two rooms of her house as the local school) kept inviting us back, inviting us to come work there. To the extent that people's minds were completely changed about the conditions of poverty I am not sure. But conversations on the bus seemed to reflect that most of us were (oops I accidentally put werent the firt time) thinking about what we had seen and felt. I am sure that your friends/family whose trip you are reading along with will have their own stories and perspectives! Would LOVE to hear from those of you in the group who would like to post yours here.

So today! First was the National Museum. We had a guided tour of some of the pre-Cololmbian artifacts of the people whom lived there. Then, most went to the 6th floor of the museum where there was an exhibit regarding the "Shining Path" uprisings that saw tens of thousands killed. Again, a lot of questions from the group (these are an inquisitive bunch). It was a confusing time and was hard for me as an outsider to sort out who was fighting against whom and why. Others in the group expressed the same.

|City Hall in the Plaza de Armas

Gerta and Susan in the Plaza de Armas

Lunch and then the city tour! we saw pre-Incan ruins, went to the main plaza, and walked through the underground cemetery of the Franciscan cathedral. No photos allowed. and who would want to. Interesting that the excavated bones of those buried beneath had been displayed for tourism purposes. Back on the bus (but not before buying gum from the street kids) and to the Larcomar mall. We had to bid good-bye to our Habla guides Alberto, Roce and Pati and people went in different directions to enjoy dinner.

And tomorrow? Well, again a chance to mingle with some of the local street musicians...why do I think that we aren't going to just be spectators? Then Tuesday it will be off to Cusco on our way to Machu Picchu!

Peru 1 - Wow are Actucally Here

This will be a short update as we are getting ready to hop on the bus for the city tour and the NaTIONAL MUESEUM.A fun start to the trip! We started off our day a little tired (some from having arrived late into Lima, others from spending a  night late out in Lima)

First Spanish lessons....and our first 'word of the day'. Guy, in his group asking the teach how to say '%$#t out of luck! Some good laughs and good sketches.

Some time to show and garden in the market followed. Then to lunch!

We had a great lunch before going off to Vista Alegre visiting, the informal school run by Luz and Blanc in one of the squatter neighbourhoods. Just about everyone had to buy a treasure made by these kids.

On the way back, Jennifer came up with the second phrase of the day 'shrubbery'. How a Monte Python reference made it in I am not sure.....

A meal then a wander through San Isidrio to overlook the tide rolling in and have the evening ocean air sooth us. Early nights for most (I think although faces on the bus might tell a different story)...Hope to have pictures up of Vista Alegre soon!

Peru or Bust

Peru Photo Album

It’s Jess here. Ok, here we go, my first official blog entry on the first day of this journey. I can start by telling you that it feels surreal to be at the Vancouver International Airport with only a few other people – it’s a total ghost town here. The only people in sight are those lined up at Tim Hortons’s which I can see is now finally open! – be back in 5 mins.

Ok, I’m back and with a Timmies in hand the universe is right again. I am not one for corporate imperialism, but I do wonder when Tim Hortons will take Peru by storm. Wouldn’t that be great? (just kidding… sort of).

Anyhow it’s almost 6am and people are starting to come out of the woodwork. It was an odd and novel experience not to have to wait in a single line up so far, notwithstanding the 30 second line up at Tim Hortons. I breezed through security and if this keeps up I may even have some free space or an empty seat next to me to spread out in. Wishful thinking, I know.

I am enjoying my last few fleeting minutes here…. this airport is amazing, really. Everything is so new, so clean and seemingly so organized. There is even free wireless internet.

But, I am soooo excited to get on that plane to meet the rest of our group in Toronto. Experiencing a trip like this with others necessarily means the forging of new friendships. I know from experience that the next few weeks will afford me knew experiences, new friendships and a ton of personal development.

Tim Hortons will be here when I get back and soon it will be Inca Cola and Pisco Sours instead.

Vamos arriba Peru! See you soon,

Jess

June 22, 2011 (6am)

Up, Up and Away!!!

The first group is headed out today!!! Good luck ladies and gentlemen!

We will see you on Saturday!

Ted

This is the Way We Go We Go, This is the Way We Go!

So our intrepid travellers are getting ready to leave in less than 48 hours! For those of you whom are reading this at NAIT (say around, oh I don't know 10:00 am when the 'NAITUser Messages" appears in your Outlook inbox) it will be less than 24! You can see that I (Ted) have posted a tab with our itinerary on it.....BUT, I though I would give you a preview here.

Arriving - Most of the group is arriving a couple days before the start of the official tour. That means after what will most likely be a 14 hour trip from Edmonton to Lima, they will make their way through customs in the wee hours of the morning of the 23rd. A few select ones (yours truly included) won't get there until Saturday the 25th at about 12:30am.

Lima - June 24th to June 27th
This is a part of the trip which will involve most of the 'Peru today' type things. We will of course be touring around some of the museums, important buildings and locations of the city and experiencing some folklore music and dance shows.

This is also where we are going to be visiting some of the poorer areas and seeing what daily life is like for most Peruvians and "Limeños" (is that what they are called?).  A lot of people have expressed that this is the part they are looking forward to the most. It isn't often that we get a chance to get a glimpse of what the experience of life is like for those less fortunate.

Andes Mountains - June 28th to July 2nd
I say Andes because there are a couple of different things going on here.

Cuzco (June 28th, July 2rd) is the old Inca capital whose stone masonry the Spanish built upon (and whose design hardly moves while more modern structures crumble when there are the inevitable earthquakes).  It is quite a contrast from Lima, with is green mountains and red earth. It will be our first foray into what life was like for the Incans. We also get a chance to see how their descendants lived. Cuzco will serve as a "home base" for all of our adventures in the mountains.

Machu Picchu & Aguas Calientes (June 29th & June 30th) Machu Picchu is always a highlight. A lot of the group has been doing their own research into its significance. Anyone care to share what they have found? Aguas Calientes is where we stay - a village just below the ruins. The train ride up from Cuzco itself can be interesting (especially the switchbacks coming out of the Cuzco bowl!)

Chincero & Pachamanca (June 30th & July 1st) These, like Lima, are our days to truly interact with local people and experience their culture. In particular we will visit with a local shaman and get a glimpse of Andean spirituality - often a highlight for many. It also promises to provide some interesting culinary delights in the form of roast guinea pig. I wonder if it will taste like chicken?

Departure - July 4th
After getting back from the mountains, we have one last day in Lima. A chance to go see some more sights, perhaps even re-visit some of the places we were before and put into context the entire journey. I imagine most of us will be excited to get back to life in Canada and share our adventures with our friends.....this PARTICULAR adventurer will still have another 11 days in South America as he goes on to visit friends and framily (friends whom are like family) in Argentina!