Peru with a Purpose
Featured Writer: Cheryl
http://lifeasmodernwife.com/
In February, 2010 a group of fellow post-grad classmates and I decided to spend our Spring Break doing something a little less cliché than Miami Beach and wet t-shirt contests; so we flew over 3,800 miles south to Peru to embark on a South American adventure. Not only did I have the burning desire to see Machu Picchu up close and personal, but this trip would provide the ultimate privilege of working with a small community that had been devastated by an earthquake three years prior.
Few things are more pleasant to a Canadian escaping winter than stepping off a plane and basking in the heat of a warm, tropical night. Lima was bright, busy, and fantastically loud. We arrived at our lodgings for the night and were happy to see we wouldn’t have to go far to enjoy our first night in Peru; the hostel was brimming with travelers, music and cervezas.
We had just one day to explore Peru’s capital before heading out and beginning our volunteer work. After negotiating cab rates before hopping in, we travelled to the downtown square to take in the presidential building, flea markets, and everything in between. One of the highlights of Lima is the coastline and sipping Pisco sours on restaurant balconies at the infamous Larcomar mall was in my opinion, the best way to appreciate the Pacific Ocean coast.
Interestingly, the city for which Peru’s favorite drink was named after was exactly where we were headed to begin our volunteer work. The lingering impact of the earthquake in Pisco was apparent. Rubble, damaged building, craters and cracks made travelling by rickshaw exceptionally bumpy and confusing.
For a week, we worked on a community greenhouse to set up walls, build shade structures, install a water-tank, pour concrete, and plant seedlings arranged through the local agency Awaiting Angels. Did I mention I had picked up a hammer twice before this? Besides the construction, every day we looked forward to hanging out with the local children, playing soccer, playing pranks, and exchanging language. Our lives our different, but not as much as people seem to think.
After a farewell dinner hosted by the Pisco community, our group headed out for the final “touristy” leg of trip. Sand-boarding anyone? In the middle of a desert, you can find the Huacachina Oasis where the biggest attraction is roller coaster-like dune-buggy rides complete with sand-boarding down the hills. Surprisingly, you do not end up with a mouthful of sand even when going down belly first!
A short flight later, we were in the heart of ancient Incan civilization, Cuzco, gateway to Machu Picchu. Unfortunately, for the first time in ten years (as luck would have it) a major mudslide had shut down the world heritage UNESCO site for a period of three weeks. (Insert groan of despair here). But when the Incan gods close a door they open a window; that window happened to be a series of less famous, but equally impressive ancient ruin sites collectively known as the Sacred Valley.
Sacsayhuaman (pronounced “sex-say woman”), Ollantaytambo, and Pisaq were just some of the inspiring locations we were able to glimpse into the life and intelligence of the ancient Incan peoples. Nothing made us feel more Peruvian than enjoying all these sights with the company of a few choice alpacas. On our final night, we were able to enjoy alpaca in an entirely different way at the Cicciolina restaurant. I don’t know how many people can say they have eaten cow tongue, alpaca meat, and cuy (guinea pig) all in one sitting, but I’m proudly one of them.
Like all good things, the Peruvian adventure had to come to an end, but not without new friends, cherished memories, and an affinity for Pisco sours. Next time, I’ll go when mudslide season is over.
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Now this is a place I would love to go. Machu Picchu. The spiritual beauty of the place just mystifies and enchants me. Again, thanks for the vicarious pleasure!
Laura
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Love Peru, been to Macchu Picchu twice, but never made it to Huacachina Oasis. Someday maybe. Plan to spend time in Peru regularly now that my son is moving there permanently. If anyone knows a hotel owner in Lima that would let a solo artist sing for his room and board, please let me know!
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I love Peru! When young I visted there many times.
Great post.
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Hi,
I would love to go and see the ancient ruins, a magical place, and what magnificent photos, you were so lucky to have gone to Peru.
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I felt lucky to be there! Need to go back and see Lake Titicaca 🙂
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Wow! Seems like you had lots of fun! Very Beautiful photos — Refreshing and Terrific! Thanks for Sharing!
Regards,
Amrita
(www.amritasinha.wordpress.com)
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Wow, sounds like a can’t miss country when I make it to South America … excellent guest post!
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nice.. south am is in my list of dream destination.. 😉
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What a wonderful story – thanks for sharing! Machu Picchu is on my bucket list to visit! Loved the photos.
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very good article! Its always nice to see people take the bull by horns and help out. And if you can have some fun along the way its a real plus!
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Pingback: Featured on Lesley Carter’s blog! | Life as Modern Wife
Definitely a winner here, Leslie! Sharing and caring mixed with culuture explorations and native livestock interactions! Peru has fascinated me since geography class in the fifth grade back in the 50s.
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Well… to be honest I didn’t read whole thing…. but the pics are really amazing….:)
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That’s ok! Here’s a nutshell summary: Lima, volunteering in Pisco, sand boarding in Huacachina, and due to a mudslide Machhu Pichu was closed so we did similar sites in the Sacred Valley!
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Hi Leslie! I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award and think you really deserve it. Have fun! Rules and picture to copy at http://pullingitupbythebootstraps.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/my-second-versatile-blogger-award/
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Nothing Wrong with WET T-SHIRTS hehe…… thank you for you comments on my blog and i wish you luck with yours MALCONLAW.
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Peru is losing a great resource, you have made us all fall in love with it.
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Excellent post and excellent adventure!
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Great pictures…..wonderful story!!
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Peru is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing!
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Great post thank you! Heart and Fun!
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Impressive pictures. They doubtless have a story to tell.
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Machu Picchu is one of the destinations I am considering for my 50th next year! Thanks!
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Reblogged this on New York City – M1 Marketing and Promotion.
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Nice pictures and nice gesture out of your group to help those in needs. That is one of my goals to accomplish yet. Go on vacation and help others in need while having fun. Great job to all of you. God bless.
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I so envy your adventures. I’ve wanted to travel all my life, but haven’t made it further than Mexico yet…and it’s getting late to start! Thank you for giving me glimpses of the places I’ve always wanted to go. 🙂
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Wow, it’s always great to hear when people put their holidays to a good use like you did when you decided to work with those people affected by the earthquake. I have a friend who was born and raised in Peru and I’ve seen some of the pictures she took recently when visiting her extended family – it’s like you said: the lives of the people over there are different in some ways and the same in other ways as ours.
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Peru is a beautiful country. I friend of mine loves it so much he takes tours there every year. Amazing sights
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My husband and I just returned from Peru & Bolivia in October. I can’t wait to go back. It was a life changing experience and so exuisitely beautiful and special. This post brought back so many memories! Thanks for sharing!
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Great Post.. I NEED to visit one day ^_^
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Your Peruvian adventures sound amazing! I am forever jealous! Take me with you next time? 🙂
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Definitely! lol
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It’s so great to see that there are still young people willing to give of themselves for the sake of others! Thanks for a great post.
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That sounds so amazing!
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Hi Leslie,
I am so totally interested in this program. I’ve always wanted to see Peru and this offers a legit way to do so while making a difference. Can I ask how many weeks you stayed in the program?
Thanks,
Caitlin
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Hi Caitlin,
I was the featured writer on this one and I can tell you a bit more about the trip:
We volunteered through a North American organization called Students Offering Support who liaisons with local agencies. In Peru, this local agency was Awaiting Angels – and we were impressed! When we were in Cuzco, it was actually at the rep’s home that we stayed in! Even after our volunteer part was over. Links to both these organizations are found on my blog: http://lifeasmodernwife.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/featured-on-lesley-carters-blog/
We were there for just under two weeks. Trips can be customized for your own needs.
Best regards.
Cheryl
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What an amazing adventure!
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Pingback: Sleeping in a Wheelbarrow « Kweschn!
Great post! Peru is an amazing place.
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Great pics! I have the same burning desire to see Machu Pichu and the surrounding area. Good post!
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Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂 You’ve got some neat posts on here. I can’t imagine rock climbing on my wedding day. Sounds like you have alot of fun 🙂 I’ll have to keep up and live vicariously through you lol. God bless & have an inspirational week! ~Amber D.
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Wow! Amazing how you done things as good as that. One of the best posts Ive ever read. Obviously by the smiles on your face on the photographs really means you did enjoyed the trip. Well done you.
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Wow what an amazing trip!!!
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Great Post!! This trip looks fantastic!! I loved that you did something less traditional and more geared towards helping others!! Thanks for sharing, Cheryl and Lesley!!
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Fatastic post. Sounds like it was a rewarding adventure.
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This is such a wonderful journey! I love the idea of travelling with a purpose…
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Loved this post! I enjoyed Pisco sours in Chile many years ago and still remember them fondly. Stopped only briefly at the airport in Lima on the way home and bought a rug. Love the volunteer aspect of your trip and your respect for the culture. You make me want to replicate your trip!
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I love it that you and your group went off and did something that helped others. It’s amazing how the giver always receives more than the receiver. At some point in our lives each one of us will have to be the recipient of help. God bless you!
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This is so wonderful Leslie and special kudos to you and your friends for caring so much for a community so far remote from your worlds.
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Great story and pictures, too bad about Machu Pichu’s closing but it seems you managed to have a great experience nonetheless.
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Hey Cheryl, great post! Peru is an amazing place to visit and very versatile. I really hope you can make it Lake Titicaca next time, it’s always a great time, soroche included!
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Great post !!
Planning to visit my friends who just moved to Peru and this already gives me a head ups on what to expect.
Thanks alot
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wonderful pictures and definitely sounds like a very interesting trip!
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The boy in the wheelbarrow is terrific – you don’t get more laid back than that.
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That’s probably my favourite shot of the trip. He had an older brother and cousin who really babied and looked out for him. When he dozed off, they put a blanket in the wheelbarrow and placed him in it while their fathers helped us with the construction project.
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