Today with tears in our eyes and love in our hearts, we spent our last morning in the village of Umasbamba. Peru has been like a garden to me. We all came here as small seeds, and this environment has helped us grow. We have been nurtured and fed with knowledge and love. We have also learned to prune the parts of ourselves that do not give life to those around us. Not only have we learned to understand different people, we have also gained a deeper understanding of ourselves. I have learned to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of a culture different than my own.
Today, was the last day of service work and our last full day in the village. Yes, many of us are exhausted, but our hearts are full. We have been able to complete many small projects that will make a significant difference for families. Our last day, we were able to finish the wall that we had been working on for many days, after finishing this wall, we were so proud and amazed. Seeing the wall smooth and finished was a great moment. Without modern tools and materials, it was difficult and time consuming.
For four days we lived in the village that we had been visiting for the last couple of weeks. This environment was completely different than what I have been used to. Yes, change is scary and it can be uncomfortable. However, I am choosing to embrace the experience. Since the moment we landed in Peru, we have had to adjust to new foods, new traditions, new social norms, and a completely different way of living. We have been challenged in class to reflect and notice our own biases and change the way that we think.
During our trip, a group of students and I took an excursion to Lake Titicaca. We were able to meet many people and learn about the history of the islands and the techniques used to make them. On this lake, there are 36 natural islands as well as 87 man-made "islas flotantes" or floating islands. Totora reeds grow in the lake and they are essential for making the islands, building their homes, and the reeds can even be eaten. It was amazing seeing these huge islands floating in the middle of the lake and I was fascinated to learn about the process.
The village of Umasbamba is an hour bus ride from the city of Cusco and today we came here for the first time to start our service learning project. We partnered with Kaya Responsible Travel in order to help build sustainable cooking stoves and restore the kitchens. After being welcomed with music and dancing from the community and getting to know the people we would be working with, we received training on the work that we would be doing for the next two and a half weeks. We used "ladrillos" (bricks) and "barro" (mud) to build the stove and the chimney.
After one flight, two busses, and one train ride we are finally here in Machu Picchu and I must say I am amazed. Upon arrival, we were informed about how ancient Incan people constructed the city with the use of advanced engineering, building, and farming skills. Then, we hiked a mountain that the locals call "Wayna Picchu" (mountain peak pictured directly behind the ancient city).
After a long journey from Machu Picchu, I arrived at my homestay in the city of Cusco. After knocking on the door, my classmate and I were greeted by our new family for the very first time. Our house mom warmly welcomed us with one kiss on each cheek as our new brother carried our bags through the indigo outdoor courtyard into our new rooms. As I settled in and started to take in my new surroundings, I began to embrace the change that the next few weeks would bring.
Yesterday, we woke up at 4 o'clock in the morning to head to the airport in order to board our short flight from Lima to Cusco. Although I was tired on the plane from waking up early, I was energized by the view of the Andes outside of the window. It immediately became real to me, this place is beautiful and I am able to be a part of this amazing journey. This was my reminder to be present at every moment. A week has already passed, and I will do all that I can to make the remaining 3 weeks count. I will start at Machu Picchu tomorrow morning.
It is unbelievable that one week has already passed since I landed in Lima! It was truly amazing visiting the beach, museums, cathedrals, and historical sites in the city. Our class discussions have also been eye opening for all of us. Through these conversations we have gained insight about one another and have learned to try and understand others and empathize with the different experiences that people have being from various cultural backgrounds.
Today after meeting for class and discussing culture, we visited The Cathedral of Lima. During our tour we were able to learn about the large influence that the church has had on the history of the city, as well as present day cultural elements. Learning about the intricate infrastructure as well as the time and creativity that it took in order to build the cathedral was my favorite part of this trip. The inside is filled with beautiful wooden pieces as well as detailed paintings.