Saturday, April 19, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Inca Trail!
Today we got up at 5:00, had breakfast early at our hotel in Ollantaytambo and after our tour guide arrived we literally made a run for our train to our Inca Trail starting point, but we made it, found our seats as the train started moving and we were off!
We were accompanied, educated, entertained, and aided in our seven hours of hiking by Miguel and Russell, our guides. We climbed slowly out of the valley and were surrounded by steep-sloped mountains. The sun was hot when we were in it, but we went in and out of forest cover, and we passed several impressive Incan archeological sites along the way, where we rested and learned some stuff. It was a difficult hike, and we climbed sooooo many stairs!! I wish I could post a picture of some of these hundreds and hundreds of steep stone steps that we climbed, but it pretty much took all I had just to get up them, and it didn't occur to me to take photos, though I imagine some of the students did. All in all, it was amazing, and when we reached Inti Punku, the sun gate, we had a view of Machu Picchu below us. We rested there for a while, enjoyed the incredible view, and took some photos. We're in the tiny town of Aguascalientes for the night, and will do our official visit to Machu Picchu tomorrow morning.
Hasta mañana!
Highland Weaving!
I wanna to tell you all about yesterday and our workshop and hike. Yesterday was probably one of the most eye opening and interesting days we have had yet. We hitched a ride from Ollantaytambo up to a village several miles up the mountain. Here we learned about traditional weaving which has a rich history of over 5000 years. Unfortunately due to machines and technology no one buys these awesome pieces anymore and when they do, they pay a fraction of their value. Threads of Peru is a NGO which helps facilitate the sale of textiles to other countries so that these women can continue their tradition while making enough money to survive. We sat in and saw every step involved in the making of their traditional textiles (except the shearing of the alpaca.) All the ladies were very nice and gave great demonstrations. I can tell you I felt much better about spending a lot on one of their pieces instead of bartering down a street vendor who clearly got his sweater from some factory along with 100 others. All the kids loved the process and the heart involved in this weaving technique. I'm sure many of you reading this will be receiving a gift from these weavers.
After the workshop we went on a BEAUTIFUL hike back to town. It was great to stretch our legs and prepare for the hike to Machu Picchu. All in all, we had an awesome day!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Ollantaytambo
Today we made the trip from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. It is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful drives you can take in a lifetime... Almost the whole time you have the Sacred Valley on your right side with intimidating mountain peaks looming over you. Not only was it beautiful to look at, we got to stop at three really amazing locations along the way.
The first location was this sort of experimental greenhouse that the Incas used. Our guide explained that they would use these terraces to test what grew best at different altitudes and temperatures. Using this method they could find crops that grew at low altitudes and adapt them to grow at higher altitudes (and vice versa.) It was amazing how well built they were. The steps leading to the bottom were really hard to get used to. They were just rocks protruding from the wall. I consider myself fairly coordinated but even I needed to use my hands to steady myself. They kids loved them!
I was trying to think, "Have I ever wondered where Salt comes from?" and the answer was, probably not. I use it all the time (too much probably) but the thought hadn't really crossed my mind. Our second visit was to a salt mine between Cusco and Ollantaytambo. It was INCREDIBLE. They use naturally occurring hot springs which bring salt water down the side of the mountain and channel them into flats. They then block the little channel and let the sun bake out the water. After they do this several times they have a thick layer of salt. Our guide said you could actually find the salt in Whole Foods in the US. They said that families owned specific beds and that was how they supported their families. Our of the hundreds of little flats families owned several at a time that they would work. Our guide told us that while the sight was something to behold, during the hot summer months it was even more spectacular, all the beds would be shining a brilliant white. He tried to convince us all to come back in June or July.
Our last stop was in a small town outside Ollantaytambo. We first had a great lunch then went to two workshops. The first was regarding the production of Corn Beer which has been an integral part of the Incan society for generations. Ladies of the house walked us through the steps to make this corn beer then we learned about how the families used it for everything to cleaning wounds to offerings to their Gods. We also learned about how the men working the fields would drink it for its nutritional content. They explained how after a day of fermenting it had MAYBE 1% of alcohol but usually they added sugar and let it sit longer to ferment more. During our little workshop the kids got to see the production and try a sip at the beginning stage of the fermentation. They were asked to give an offering of the drink to the gods before they tried any, wishing for anything they wanted. It was great to see their reaction to this cultural experience which somewhat conflicted with their New England ethos (especially considering it tasted like warm flat beer ;) I didn't tell them that though.) Everyone was very respectful and either tried a very small amount or passed altogether.
After that we went to a workshop for the production of coffee. The families had to drive over 8 hours to get the coffee but they explained to us the preparation and roasting process involved. After we learned all about everything, the kids ground some of the roasted beans and we drank some of the grounds. EVERYONE who drank the coffee loved it, granted they did add a lot of sugar.
After all that we arrived in Ollantaytambo. It is just like Cusco only smaller and quieter. As much as I loved Cusco, Ollantaytambo may have surpassed it. We have only been in town for a few hours so I won't say this place is my favorite YET, but tomorrow should help me decide...
Right now our Wifi situation is sketchy so you may not hear from the kids for a couple days but we will try anyway. I am currently sitting in a pizza parlour while the kids are sleeping and the internet is still snail speed.
Adios everyone! Hope you are all enjoying the snow!
~Senor Newsted
I recently learned that the direct translation of Senor is "Lord" which makes me enjoy signing off that much more! ;)
The first location was this sort of experimental greenhouse that the Incas used. Our guide explained that they would use these terraces to test what grew best at different altitudes and temperatures. Using this method they could find crops that grew at low altitudes and adapt them to grow at higher altitudes (and vice versa.) It was amazing how well built they were. The steps leading to the bottom were really hard to get used to. They were just rocks protruding from the wall. I consider myself fairly coordinated but even I needed to use my hands to steady myself. They kids loved them!
I was trying to think, "Have I ever wondered where Salt comes from?" and the answer was, probably not. I use it all the time (too much probably) but the thought hadn't really crossed my mind. Our second visit was to a salt mine between Cusco and Ollantaytambo. It was INCREDIBLE. They use naturally occurring hot springs which bring salt water down the side of the mountain and channel them into flats. They then block the little channel and let the sun bake out the water. After they do this several times they have a thick layer of salt. Our guide said you could actually find the salt in Whole Foods in the US. They said that families owned specific beds and that was how they supported their families. Our of the hundreds of little flats families owned several at a time that they would work. Our guide told us that while the sight was something to behold, during the hot summer months it was even more spectacular, all the beds would be shining a brilliant white. He tried to convince us all to come back in June or July.
Our last stop was in a small town outside Ollantaytambo. We first had a great lunch then went to two workshops. The first was regarding the production of Corn Beer which has been an integral part of the Incan society for generations. Ladies of the house walked us through the steps to make this corn beer then we learned about how the families used it for everything to cleaning wounds to offerings to their Gods. We also learned about how the men working the fields would drink it for its nutritional content. They explained how after a day of fermenting it had MAYBE 1% of alcohol but usually they added sugar and let it sit longer to ferment more. During our little workshop the kids got to see the production and try a sip at the beginning stage of the fermentation. They were asked to give an offering of the drink to the gods before they tried any, wishing for anything they wanted. It was great to see their reaction to this cultural experience which somewhat conflicted with their New England ethos (especially considering it tasted like warm flat beer ;) I didn't tell them that though.) Everyone was very respectful and either tried a very small amount or passed altogether.
After that we went to a workshop for the production of coffee. The families had to drive over 8 hours to get the coffee but they explained to us the preparation and roasting process involved. After we learned all about everything, the kids ground some of the roasted beans and we drank some of the grounds. EVERYONE who drank the coffee loved it, granted they did add a lot of sugar.
After all that we arrived in Ollantaytambo. It is just like Cusco only smaller and quieter. As much as I loved Cusco, Ollantaytambo may have surpassed it. We have only been in town for a few hours so I won't say this place is my favorite YET, but tomorrow should help me decide...
Right now our Wifi situation is sketchy so you may not hear from the kids for a couple days but we will try anyway. I am currently sitting in a pizza parlour while the kids are sleeping and the internet is still snail speed.
Adios everyone! Hope you are all enjoying the snow!
~Senor Newsted
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
school day!
Hola!! I said to my Lama, Pedra when I woke up. We both knew it was a new day, but just how different was it going to be? that was the question. So far for each day we have become both indigenous and foreign to eachother and the places nearest to us. Every street is to be different with another vender doing their job, and quite well might I add. Everyone be so nice so nice and so different from us. But anyways for being the 5th day in Cusco, on Tuesday the 15th, we all were to meet at the language school around 8:20 to go see another Peruvian school. So knowing we had to leave by 8:20, me, Ryan, and Maxwell all got up around seven to have breakfast with our host mother, Claudia. We had the chance to eat fresh fruit with yogurt and bread on the side. Que Rico!!
After breakfast we met our teachers and friends to start our day. We all crowded into a mini bus and off we went to the Ausangate Bilingual School just on the outskirts of Cusco. I honestly had no idea what was to come, what to expect. But it was great! we arrived and everyone was so extatic to meet all us foreigners from the Americas and we were also exited to meet them. Our main person was Zoe who was from Chicago and showed us around the school. We were led to the math room where even more 10th graders greeted us. They started out by giving a quick presentation about themselves with including their hobbies, families, and where they are from. After presentations we all went outside to play a few quick, get to know you games. But we mainly split into groups of 5 with 2 Americans and 3 Peruvians. It was really interesting how much chararistics and hobbies we all had in common. Cars, music, and mainly video games, I guess they're all the same all over the world, who knew? After our groups we went back to the math room to finish up presentations, but this time it was our turn. We created slides of ourselves before coming to Peru so we could have this moment with these students. It was really great though, getting to present ourselves through pictures and memories. We hope they learned alot about us!! we learned alot through them! Before leaving we played soccer and some volley ball and then to wrap it up we took many photos. We were all sad to go, but we knew it was a sencere goodbye when everyone decided to give a hug, and exchange their facebook names! That was good news, yeah. After leaving we went to the Ninos hotel for lunch. That was that part of the day, now its time to start the other. Hasta luego!
After breakfast we met our teachers and friends to start our day. We all crowded into a mini bus and off we went to the Ausangate Bilingual School just on the outskirts of Cusco. I honestly had no idea what was to come, what to expect. But it was great! we arrived and everyone was so extatic to meet all us foreigners from the Americas and we were also exited to meet them. Our main person was Zoe who was from Chicago and showed us around the school. We were led to the math room where even more 10th graders greeted us. They started out by giving a quick presentation about themselves with including their hobbies, families, and where they are from. After presentations we all went outside to play a few quick, get to know you games. But we mainly split into groups of 5 with 2 Americans and 3 Peruvians. It was really interesting how much chararistics and hobbies we all had in common. Cars, music, and mainly video games, I guess they're all the same all over the world, who knew? After our groups we went back to the math room to finish up presentations, but this time it was our turn. We created slides of ourselves before coming to Peru so we could have this moment with these students. It was really great though, getting to present ourselves through pictures and memories. We hope they learned alot about us!! we learned alot through them! Before leaving we played soccer and some volley ball and then to wrap it up we took many photos. We were all sad to go, but we knew it was a sencere goodbye when everyone decided to give a hug, and exchange their facebook names! That was good news, yeah. After leaving we went to the Ninos hotel for lunch. That was that part of the day, now its time to start the other. Hasta luego!
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