She doesnt speak good English

      Hello everyone!! How are you? If you´re reading this than you must care about me a little bit and in that case I miss you dearly! So much has happened since the last time we´ve talked! Where to begin, where to begin.

      Monday, Emily and I got up at the early hour of 6 am to go on an adventure! Julio´s friend is a professor and is part of the program PorEso (http://www.poreso.org/POR_ESO%21/HOME_POR_ESO.html),  which goes to rural communities high up in the Andes, who have barely any professors, and teaches once a week to fifth and sixth graders the importance of farming. They have this little oasis of a garden and greenhouse, which the students get to work on and harvest. A lot of the food actually goes to the student’s family which is really nice. Ive never seen kids fight over peppers and carrots the way these did. I also saw a kid stuff a whole head of lettuce into his backpack which was a site.

      After visiting with the students we had a little afternoon break where I decided to play volleyball with all of the professors. They take volleyball very seriously down here in Peru. I was singled out because I was so bad, but we still won! That night we then played B.S. aka bullshit with the teachers, a card game for those that don’t know it, and I won 20 cents. They loved it and it was fun yelling LIES in different languages across the table. That night Emily and I shared a children’s bed of a friend of Juan’s, the same place we had lunch and dinner and the same place I got to hold their baby pig. I was so excited. Only downside of that night was when their creepy dog who nearly bit me creeped into the room and made a bed out of bales of hay that were inside. I don’t really like getting stared down by angry dogs.

      The next day was an early start, our breakfast being of rice, onions and potatoes. We hopped on the motos and hit three towns during the day that Juan needed to visit. It was wonderful visiting all of the little kids, all of which schooled me in soccer. Although I am bigger, they are much faster. I find it so great what Juans doing and loved being able to tag along with him. We finally made it down the mountain midday and stopped on the side of the road for a picnic of granadillas, oranges, pan, crackers and jam that I brought with me from the mountains. Afterwards Emily and I hopped of in Pisac to explore and check on the scene for we knew we would be returning.

      Wednesday and Thursday were pretty mundane in the life of Emily and I. Don´t get me wrong, they were amazing, but nothing like the week of fiestas that we had. Yesterday Emily and I harvested some more lettuce seeds, which is a painstaking process, but we made it fun by singing songs that both of us knew. The Beatles and The Head and the Heart were very popular. We also double dug some more beds right after we weeded them. There is something very therapeutic about tearing out bad plants in a bed you´re trying to protect. At night Juana made some amazing spaghetti, my favorite meal from home that she makes, and we all watched The Motorcycle Diaries. If you haven´t seen it, you should. It´s incredible.

      Friday was even more chill than the day before. I got up at the early hour of 7:30, early for me but late for Emily who gets up at six and goes for a run. She´s amazing and I hate her for it. Kidding! Really though, she is amazing and I wish I could do that every morning and still be as wonderful and smiley as she is throughout the day. I decided to get up early because I needed to go into town and buy a calling card for I had run out of minutes and today is my dad’s birthday! He´s left on a plane at 2:22 so I had to catch him before he left. Emily had to send some letters so she tagged along and we took the 3 km walk to town. Everything was wonderful until we had to actually find the calling card. No one, not even the police, knew where to buy one. We were finally successful after about an hour and headed home. Before lunch we collected some Huacatay seeds with Julio, while talking about the death penalty and our views of life. I then took a shower, my first in more days than I’d like to reveal, and did some laundry.

      Now the fun really begins! Emily and I decided that we were going to have a little weekend adventure/getaway, amiga amiga on our own! Got up around 7:30 on Saturday morning, packed, had a quick breakfast, and were off! We decided, on Yesicas suggestions, to buy these 2 day passes to visit 4 archaeological sites for they were cheaper than buying passes at each location. The first stop was Pisac, by far my favorite, even though it was the hardest. Instead of doing like all of the other gringos do, Emily and I decided NOT to take a taxi to the top and walk down, but instead hike ALL the way up then loop back down. My camera does this thing where when it takes pictures it will take a clip so that there will be a little movie slideshow of all that happened during the day. The lovely background music for all of those pictures that morning? My wheezing/panting. The ruins were AMAZING though and really worth it, being able to see an old watch tower and old agriculture fields. Emily and I, or at least I felt, pretty badass doing the whole hike and decided to reward ourselves by spending some time at the market at the base of Pisac.

      We wandered around for a while looking at all the beautiful artesian work wanting to buy everything. The perusing was priceless though for Emily started talking with a llama-yarn dealer for a while and he asked her for a favor. He wanted to know how to say molestar in English. Emily said that it was to annoy and NOT to say molest for it is far more serious in English. When she asked why he needed this specific translation he merely said that he had a problem with this girl that didn’t really speak Spanish. Priceless. After Emily’s funny encounter we dined on granadillas and an avocado for lunch, along with crackers and nuts, and hoped on the bus for Urubamba!

      On the way there we made a friend, Elio, for I wanted to make sure that we were all set on transportation to go to Moray which was next. He was from Chinchero and was wonderful in directing us in the confusement that is Peruvian transport. He also asked if we had boyfriends and maybe wanted to meet up the next day. We politely declined. Once at Moray, or second archaeological site of the day, we met this lovely Australian couple and decided to share a taxi with them. On the way the husband asked us if we knew the significance of the rainbow flag down here, which is the flag for Cuzco. We explained such to him and he said ¨Ohhhh. We were at the top of Machu Picchu and saw that there and were like WOAH they are really big in to gay pride. How awesome!¨ Although that would have been awesome, we had to direct him to the right meaning.

      Moray was also at the top of my list of amazing places. Its circular irrigation on a massive scale that the Incans perfected. I’ve decided the Incans are also pretty badass when it comes to about everything. Emily and I walked around and relaxed after our long day and took it all in. Afterward we headed to Urubamba where our Hostel was waiting!

      The hostel that we stayed at is run by Javier, a native Peruvian and all around hippie. It was only 10 soles a night and the idea was that while at the hostel you could help garden and work. The idea of it was community. Sadly, Emily and I got in late and were the only ones staying so we only got to visit with Javier for a short while. While we made dinner of lentils and onions he played on his guitar and sang beautiful music. He also had paintings all around the house, all his, and he kept asking me what I thought of them. His mood and the atmosphere of the place was very surreal and magic. Oh yeah, and there was a hot shower. After our full day Emily and I retired pretty early to our little house, the bottom floor consisting of a mattress sitting area with pillows, a lantern, and books about permaculture, women, and sex, while the upstairs was lofted and had two mattresses for us to sleep on. It was like being in an adult tree house having to climb a ladder to our beds. I loved it.

      Being way too excited to start our final day of adventuring Emily and I got up around 7:30, left a note for Javier thanking him for everything, and were off again! We went into town for the local market and dined on street tamales and strawberry yogurt for breakfast. It was lovely. We then walked back to the bus station and hoped on the bus for Chinchero! Chinchero is also another archaeological site with some Spanish influence for there is a church also built on the site. We walked around the ruins and listened to morning prayers over the loud speaker, then wandered down to the market before you enter the site to peruse for gifts. I didn’t end up getting anything and instead decided to save my money for some lunch that was not vegetables or fruit. It was so worth it. We found this little local joint where I dined on spaghetti and potatoes in this peanuty sauce. When I asked how much it was and found out it was only 3 soles, I WAS SO EXCITED, I got a second helping. I was definitely a happy camper.

      What I wasn’t a happy camper about though? The typical cramped bus ride back to Urubamba where I stood the whole way for an hour. Fun times. We were the only gringas on the bus though so I feel like we at least got a little bit of street cred. After the bus ride though we were ready for the last part of our trek: Ollantaytambo! We were happy to actually get seating room on the taxi ride there, and even more happy that we got ice cream right when we got there. We had been craving it all day.

      This place was a lot busier than the other sites that we had seen so we decided to try and make our own path to the top, of course the hardest. After about a million stairs that was basically a long ladder we got to the top and were able to look over the beautiful city. We walked through these impressive ruins too that dangled on the side of a mountain, and I somehow ended up posing with a Peruvian woman’s husband for a picture. They asked, I don’t know why, and I thought why not. After a while exploring we walked back down, back through the markets, and wandered around the forgotten streets of Ollantaytambo. Once it hit 4 we realized we better make our way back to Calca, and took our last taxi ride back to Urubamba.

      The bus ride to Calca was uneventful, a first in our adventure, except that I made a Peruvian friend who was a tour guide who not only wanted to take us out to dinner, but also wanted me to come on his camping tour. Thanks, but no thanks. He did give me his train ticket though from earlier that day with his name on it just in case I decided to contact him. Really sweet, but sadly not going to be used. We came back to Calca without any electricity and dined on arroz con leche by candlelight. The electricity came on right before bed though so Emily and I did some light reading and made a few phone calls.

      Now I bring you to today! After such a crazy adventure we took it pretty slowly, double digging some beds and watering some little baby seeds and plants. We watched Independence Day celebrations throughout the day and then went into town, exactly where you find me now. I will try and post more frequently so that these blogs aren’t so long winded. I also did not read over this so sorry if it is a little confusing. Thank you for staying along and will post soon!

Besos!

Calca, Cuzco, Caramba

      Hello everyone!!! I´m backkkkkk. Sorry it has been so long. It´s been very hard to get internet in Cuzco. Oh yeah, I´m in Cuzco!! Actually, Calca, in the sacred valley, but Cuzco is the nearest known town. I don´t even know where to begin on all of my crazy adventures over the past week plus. So if I start to ramble, and things might not go in correct order, please excuse. Also, I hope to add some pictures to this post once I´m back in Lima in 2 weeks time!
      So Emily and I arrived 2 Thursdays ago at Yesica´s home in Calca. There to greet us was her brother Julio, her sister Edi, her mother Juana, and her son Inti. Also there to great us were 4 dogs, 4 ducks, 2 pigs (one of which became a meal later on during the week), guinea pigs, rabbits and lets not forget chickens. My least favorite farm animal. The beauty of the chickens? First, the rooster has an odd sense of time and can´t for the life of him get the whole ¨when the sun comes up I should crow¨ and instead does it all throughout the hours of the day. Second to this is that one of the windows to my room is open to a ramp that goes behind the house, one in which the chickens and other farm folk love to travel throughout the day. The cat did this one day for I opened up my chest of drawers to get ready for the morning and it jumped out at me. Good morning and let me scare the crap out of you!!!, thinks the cat.
      Anyways, the first weekend Emily, Julio and I ventured to Cuzco for we only saw it for a couple of minutes in passing. What a busy, lovely city! It´s also full of tourists, which is nice for you almost feel a somewhat common ground with them in this different, beautiful world. We went to a lot of artisan booths and toured the city, Juilo showing us a lot of old architecture while locals were selling little llama keychains or were walking around with goats and traditional wear for tourists to pose with. It was also a lovely lunch for I caved and got some french fries and grilled cheese. I needed a little bit of something fried. I´m from the South, aren´t I? We went back late in the afternoon and had a homecooked dinner by Juana. I´m actually very fortunate for all of our meals are homecooked hear and they are amazing.
      Can´t really recall what we did on Sunday, but on Monday we traveled with Yesica to a very rural community high in the mountains to talk with them about bioentensive agriculture and about how their crops are doing. It started in the house of the leader of the agriculture group where his wife served us hot mate de coca, or hot tea which cocaine leaves had been soaking in. It really helps with altitude and doesn´t get you high for those that think it does! We then walked around the fields for an hour or two with Yesica in the cold rain when finally the group called off the meeting BECAUSE of the rain. Oh, well. We all loaded into a first taxi, which had two sheep in the back. You know, the usual. Then for some reason we loaded into another taxi because we couldn´t find the first taxista. This taxi, all said and done, had 13 people in it when it should have only had 5. This is the only instance where I feel YOLO is appropriate.
      With our day short I then watced Ice Age 2 and 3 and Shreck 1 with Inti. All the DVDs here are really nice for all of the Ice Age movies or all of the Shrek movies come on one DVD. Very convenient. Juana laso made us arroz con leche which was amazing and comforting after a long, cold day. I think it was the slowness of that day that set the mood for the business of the next couple.
      I forgot exactly what the festival was for, so I will have to get back to you on that, but there was a three day local festival that happened in Calca. It was a little ridiculous to say the least. Before the festivities at night, Emily, Juilo, Inti and the crew planted to fields of corn with some cerveza/chicha break. Chicha is another alcoholic drink made from corn. This is one thing I love about this country. There is always time for a drink. Then that night we went to the fiesta! It consisted of lots of traditional dancing, music, food and anything you can imagine. It was at this big hacienda and everyone from town was there. More exciting stuff happened the next night though.
      The next day was also pretty mundane. Emily and I harvested lettuce seeds and sunflower seeds in the morning on our little doorstep. Music was playing and all of a sudden, in the middle of a small town, in the middle of Peru, Coldplay started playing. Come to find out Julio is a big fan of that type of music. That said, I played some Angus and Juila Stone and some Miike Snow for him, him liking the first one better. It was a perfect scene of being outdoors, listening to music and saving seeds. While this was going on, Juana had been busy preparing a meal for the dancers for that nights fiesta. Members in the community take turns throughout, so Juana was up early that morning killing chickens and killing rabbits. She´s a bit of a beast. She also made this cornbread-type thing filled with vegetables which is so far my favorite thing in Peru. Not my Nannies cornbread, but a very good rendition.
      After all of the cooking, Emily, Inti and I arrived at the festival a little earlier than the night before. We sat around and greeted the children we had played hand games with the night before. They were fascinated with my camera so a lot of me-with-some child selfies insued. Emily and I also explored the inside of the hacienda, which we actually weren´t supposed to, and got some good pictures before we were actually, politely asked to leave. I like that when they kick you out of places here, it´s with a smile. Once it got dark, it was dancing time! When you party down here, you party. Everyone was drinking, even my host grandma, and everyone was having a good time. Laughing, eating and making new friends. Emily and I even got dragged into one of the traditional dances and were swung around my complete strangers. A lot of dancing with elders too. I love that they are so loving and accepting here. Everyone slept in that morning after, except me and Emily though! We decided it would be a good idea to climb a mountian after a night of partying. We aren´t the best decision makers.
      We got up at 6:30 the next morning and climbed the beast of the mountain behind our house. Good times. The altitude and out of shapeness got to me early so it was a slow go. Julio did come eventually with his moto and was going to take turns taking us to the top. While he was taking Emily to the top, Murphy´s law rang true. The moto broke. When anything can go wrong, it will. After about 3 hours climbing we finally reached the top and what a view! I wish I could share it with you right now. At the top are ancient Incan ruins whose name translates to ¨Old Cuzco¨. They were a site to see and perfect for we were the only ones there. I suppose others were deterred from the mountain, but not us! We conqured it! After we climbed down the day was mundane again, and we hung around the house planting and digging. Actually, it was mundane until the dancers from the fiest from the past couple of days showed up at the house, them going door to door for one last celebration. More dancing and shenanigans ensued at 2 in the afternoon. Oh yeah, and shots. Can´t forget that. I´m telling you, partying is serious here.
      Friday consisted of the same thing minus the partying. Emily and I double dug some beds and planted onions and other vegetables throughout them. It is wonderful to be in the dirt all day, the soil crushed between your hands and toes while you tell funny stories. I think Emily and I now know more about each other than we probably should but that´s alright. We then went into town later in the afternoon to check emails and talk with family.I promise, we are almost done with this post. So much to say!!!
      Saturday, Emily, Edi and I ventured to Lares which is about 2.5 hours away to go to the thermal baths. It was one of the best days for I hadn´t showered in more days than I wish to reveal. The baths were lovely and soothing and I finally met someone in Peru from the South! Yes, it wasn´t North Carolina and instead Georgia, but he knew what boiled peanuts were and where Asheville was so I was happy. After our eventful day we returned home and watched ¨3 Meters Above the Sky¨, a Spanish movie, with the family, and we called it a night.
      And so I bring you to today! We helped water some corn fields of the family early in the morning and Juana, love her, brought us some lunch out in the fields of lentils and rice and fresh lettuce. It was beautiful having a little picnic today in the sacred valley with our small little family. After work Emily and I washed long overdue clothes and then came to town. This is where you find me now!
      Now because this blog is so long, and because I am pushed for time, I will apologize and say I am not going to read through this. Some of the stuff may not make sense, and many things will not be spelled right, but thankyou for those that held on for this long. Till next time!!!

Besos :)

Lima's gone, but not forgotten

      Last day in Lima! Yes, I'll be back in a month, but I'll miss it so! This hostel has become my home, while the people working here as well as the other stewards have become my family. We will go our separate ways for a month, but we'll see each other soon!
      The last day was pretty uneventful, a very chill one to get our thoughts in order and stuff together. Maya, Margaret and I decided to go on an artisan adventure where I ended up purchasing a beautiful hand-crafted ring of a turquoise type origin. Maya, on the otherhand, purchased a baby-alpaca sweater. No animals were harmed in the making though. Hopefully.
      Midday, though, was the best part of the day. My first motorcycle ride. Don't tell mom! (But really, hey mom. Know you're reading this too.) Juan, one of the hostel leader/owner/people over here took me down to the beach, only about 5 blocks away on his motorcycle. I'm addicted now! Seeing the city on the back of a bike is amazing, and so much fun!! I may have to get one of my own now. Once we got back though, things took a turn for the worst. Sancho is lost! Everybody, please cross your fingers for him. Some not so nice surfers tried to capture him and he ran away. He's a tough street dog though.
       Tonight we had a final dinner at a Krishna restaurant where I actually had a veggie burger and fries. I know, very American. But hey, I don't know my food situtaiton for the next month so I was just planning. And for dessert? Pisco sours! Its a mix of lime, egg white and sugar. I guess the only way I like egg is in my alchohol! They were really good though as everyone made a sample.
      It is really sad/exciting to be leaving. I'm sad to leave all my new friends, but so excited to make new ones! So excited for everything I'm about to learn, not only about agriculture but about myself. With a month without much access to internet I'll be absent but DON"T WORRY READERS. I'll be back soon with many stories of llama adventures and Incan ruins.

Besos!

Bonus pic of Emily sleeping over our many readings. Very interesting, but very long! 

Cultiva Lima!

      Another day, another dulce. Today we experienced another sweet treat, not only by new experiences but by literal sweets.
      The day started off as wonderful as it did yesterday, all 9 of us squeezing into a car that should only fit 6. It's ok though, we all love each other and don't mind invasion of personal space. We first headed to the Spanish Cultural Center that is funded by the Spanish embassy. There, Tete does some little seed and plant demonstrations to inspire people to plant gardens at their homes. Tete's baby, Cultiva Lima, does a lot of great work and this is one of the many examples. Want to know more about Cultiva Lima? Of course you do!!! So here is this --> https://www.facebook.com/CultivaLima
      After our stay at the cultural center, the gang ventured to a nearby girls reformatory where Cultiva Lima is also helping out. This reformatory is a juvy/orphanage for girls who are just trying to get by. To help inspire them, Cultiva Lima is working with the reformatory so the girls have something hands on to do that is both rewarding and educational. One can learn a lot from growing a garden, not only physically but emotionally. They also have guinea pigs around as little pets for now but, who knows, maybe they may be eaten one day. 
     For lunch we went to a little cafe and dined on tamales, sprouts, tomatoes, avocado, bread and a hot peruvian drink that reminded me a lot of hot chocolate. Very sweet, and VERY good. We also had some coco ice cream that was TO DIE FOR. Jaclyn can attest. She couldn't handle it. 
      And now we are back where we've ended so many nights. Since we are leaving in only two short days, we are taking it pretty easy. 

As always, besos! 

Caca-Cola

      Every day gets even better and better. I can't even begin to describe the love I have for Peru and it's people. I feel like right when I make a new friend, I meet another. Right when I fall in love with a new place, I find another. It is a very busy city, but the Hostel and the people I'm with make a home in this big city.
      Today the gang, this time including Tete and Nico to the gaggle of girls, travled to Casa Blanca, about at 45 minute ride out from Lima. Casa Blanca is an organic farm that was started by Carmen and Ulises, the cutest old couple that you will ever meet. I fell in love with Ulises at the start when he started explaining his love for the earth, for his home and how even though they may not be millionaires by money, they are millionaires in their way and quality of life.
      On their farm, Carmen y Ulises grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, my favorite being granadillas. Now the fruit here in Peru is BANGIN. Granadilla looks like an orange in size and color, but eating it is much, much different. You squeeze the fruit and it pops for it is hollow. Inside the fruit are wonderous, jelly seeds that you suck up. As Rosi said, it's like eating brains. If brains tasted like granadillas do, I may have to induldge in them more.
      After a tour of their extensive garden, we were introuduced las cuyas, aka the guinea pigs. Although I have yet to try them, they are supposed to be a delicacy. I'll just take their word for it. From the guinea pigs, not only do they get meat, they also get power and fertilizer! Once a month they clean out the guinea pig houses from which they get about 3 tons of shit. I refer to it as shit for that's what Ulises kept saying. Hearing "guinea pig shit" over and over again from a sweet old man is one of the more funny experiences in my life. Anyways, apart from the manure that they get to make the fertilizer, they also dump the poo into a huge stomach-like compartment that bakes and gets eaten by microogranisms which release methane. This methane helps power many things around the farm, making it self-sustaining. Such a wonderful idea that I hope we can somehow one day incorporate into larger city areas that have no use for their poo but to dump it, contaminating everything in sight.
      Anyways, after our lovely tour and poo talk, we dined on a homemade meal of fresh greens and fish, with lucuma ice cream for dessert. Again, lucuma is a Peruvian fruit which is AMAZING and should immediately be adpoted in the U.S. After our lunch, and after our goodbyes, we all fell asleep on the way to Lima with bellies full and smiles wide.
      For dinner? I was SO lucky to meet one of my dad's friends, Ada, who is a born and raised Peruvian. From Cuzco, she now lives in Lima just blocks away from the hostel and was nice enough to take me out to dinner and dessert. You haven't lived until you go all out with Peruvian food. After Ada, the girls and I then watched Edible City: Grow the Revolution, which is about Urban Gardens in the U.S. A wonderful end to a wonderful day.

Besos!!!!

Ulises and all of his glory. Love him. 

     

MalaMalaMalaMala Rocking everywhere

      Excuse for the lack in posts! The past two days I have been sin internet/without my iPad in Mala, Peru. Even though they didn't have internet they had EVERYTHING else. I am SO exhausted but SO awake with new experiences. Now two days ago we arrived in Mala which is about an hour away from Lima.
      We started off in Mala at Pedro's organic farm where we harvested apples, played with goats, and he told us of his life story of becoming an organic farmer. His daughter made some AMAZING homemade chocolate desserts so we dined on that and fresh fruit. We then were invited into his home for a HUGE lunch that would make any mouth water, then decided to take a hike in his backyard of bones and rocks. Yes, I said bones. Not sure how long they've been there BUT still exciting. After our day at Pedro's we headed to our friend Maria's farm where we would spend the next two days.

Pedro from the day before harvesting at his Organic Farm.

   

      The morning after we arrived we started with harvesting all kinds of vegetables. I opted for the kale and spinach for two reasons. One, I wanted to now how to harvest leafy greens and two, it was closer to the puppies. Yes, I said puppies. Two little fluff balls which, once they decided to make their appearance in the early morning hours of 7:30, I decided to stuff down my shirt to keep me warm. Also, puppies love to be snuggled and played with so it was a win for both of us.

Pedro's grand daughter with a fresh pomegranate.

      After greens, Leah and I moved to help Maya, Margaret and Emily who were digging out beets. After Jaclyn washed these and became better friends with Henry, a worker and fan of 50 Cent from the farm, I asked Henry if he was a "jugador de los mujeres" aka player, to which he laughed off. The question was relevant for his ringtone was PIMP. After all of our hard work we dined on peanut/potato soup, spaghetti and some leafy greens. Once our bellies were full we again went to the fields to gather carrots and make new friends. After a hard days work of being exhausted, as well as our early wakeup call, we went to bed at the late hour of 8 PM.

Pedro pouring some homemade wine. Yummmm

      At four PM the next morning we were ready to go with our harvest to BioFeria! All loaded into the truck, who was driven by an old bilnd man, most of us hopped in Rosi's car yet I opted for the more exciting ride with Henry and the driver. Although it was scary, swerving in and out of lanes, I did have an enjoyable converstaion with Henry who asked if 50 Cent was still popular in the U.S., as well as him being a fan of Wiz and Snoop Dogg.

Dank lunch of corn, goat, pig, potatoes, sweet potato and fava beans. 

      Once out of my roller coaster of the ride, the food as well as us traveled by bus then taxi to finally arrive at the Bioferia. At 8 am we were then dropped off one by one to various stands at the market to help out with vendors. Lucky me, I got to help out with an organic coffee vendor which helped me power through my 8am-1pm shift. All of the vendors in this market were/are organic too, which is great not only for the environmental reasons, but also because all of the food was so tasty and fresh!

Puppiessss 

      After our long day we vegged out at the hostel until our AMAZING dinner at night where we got to meet stewards from years past, as well as friends of stewards. We dined on guacamole, quinoa and grilled veggies. Oh, and sangria. Sooooooo amazing. As for today? We toured around other markets and chilled for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Now I shall post some more pictures of my journey thus far with some lovely captions for I must run off again!

Besos!!!! 

Rosi's dog Chuqi in a pancho :)

Market we attended today. (Non organic)

Bioferia!

Bahhhh Rammmm Youuuuuu (At Pedro's farm)

Such a Bonobo

      The days are flying by! As Jaclyn stated, it has felt more like 14 years not 3 days, but in a good way! Peru has been so welcoming to us gringos and this has been a wonderful pseudo home. This will be a short post for I am exhausted from the last couple of days. When we get back from Mala, though, I promise a more substantial post.
      We went back to El Huerto today where we learned about how farms are able to become certified organic, how to transplant trees and how to make good compost. There are some cotton plots right beside El Huerto where I picked my first piece of cotton, which is hilarious seeing as I'm from the South.
      After our day at El Huerto, we again had lunch on campus then went to our spanish lessons. Once our "advanced" Spanish group was finished, and while the not so advanced took their lessons, Maya and I took a walk with Nico and Jared. Jared, who I have yet to introduce, is an Aussie who also works at the hostel and teaches surfing lessons. I'm telling you, this place is paradise. We all walked down to the shore along with Sancho as the sun went down. A perfect end to a perfect day. But lets not forget the amazing communal meal we had of quinoa and stir-fried veggies.

Besos!

Besos de Sancho

Lima Day 2 for you!!!!

      Good afternoon friends and family! Que tal y como estas? I would do the upside down ! and ? but sadly my keyboard is very limited. The second day in Peru was just as exciting as the first! New friends, new locations and much, much more!
      To begin, we started off our brand new day with the same eggs, oatmeal and tasty rolls with jam. We also got introduced to more members of our tribe, Maya and Leah. Maya is another steward while Leah is a director of this great organization! They fit right in which makes me so happy. Yes, it can be good to fit into situations, but I'm just happy because they are already so much a part of our family.
      Rosi took us, seven in all, up to the University of Molina, about thrity minutes away, where she actually did her undergrad. There we took a tour of El Huerto, the on campus organic farm where stewards, and Rosi back in the day, studied and still study on to this day. There, students in the agriculture program get there own little piece of land which they must take care of LIKE IT"S THEIR JOB. Which, I mean, it is. Anyways, they must help expell all pests as well as weeds in order to get the highest marks. A little bit intimidating, no?
      Once investigating the pieces of land, we were taught how they irrigate these large fields of brocolli and other assorted vegetables in a sustainable, clean way. Another previous steward on the farm is growing over 300 kinds of peppers collected all over Peru! Some were sweet, some were spicy, but ALL were delicious.
      After our 10 to 3 tour of El Huerto, we sat down at the campus cafeteria where I ordered veggies and spaghetti, yet was given a lo-mein type dish instead. Expected? No. Delicious? Yes. We also shared two plates of papas fritas while discussing our exhausting, rewarding morning. A huge success. After our lunch we went straight to our 1.5 hour Spanish lessons at 4:30, then went back to the hostel to collect ourselves. It's been a long day.
      For dinner? Margaret, Maya and I went to this wonderful Arabic restaurant where we enjoyed falafel and sangria and talked about our long, wonderful day. And now? Now I am vegetating over a LARGE dinner and blogging. A wonderful end to an amazing day.


As always, muchos besos.

Lima day 1

      Hello friends! So I did write this REALLY amazing blog today BUT being iPad illiterate I accidently delted the whole thing. There is nothing more frustrating. So instead of giving you a not so good one out of frustration, I shall give you the run down of today.
      Met Nico and Pancho, Nico being the human and Pancho his companion, who both work at the House Project, the hostel where we are staying. Nico gave us a rundown of his garden and composting projects after we had a lovely breakfast of eggs, oatmeal and rolls with jam and honey. After that, Rosi, Tete and Jaclyn (the leaders of this expedition), Nico, Pancho and I along with Margaret and Emily who are also stewards, went down to the shore for icbreakers and role playing situations. These included WHAT NOT TO DO if you are a vegetarian and your host parents give you meat.
      After that we did lunch, a small tour of the Mila Flores where we are staying, slack lining, and a bit of relaxing. We also visited the beach where rocks were collected and sand was crushed. For dinner, we enjoyed a communal meal of avacado, tomatoes, baguettes, spinach pasta and lime. We talked why we decided to do MESA as well as our basic life philosophies. Nico is already convincing me to do permaculture eventually at the family farm. I smile at all of this because I have never felt more at home away from home than this little tribe.
      Once finished with dinner, we did a tour of old Lima with beautiful buildings and beautiful people. All in all, soy MUY contento y estoy cansada.
      Highlights of the day? Bonding with all of my new friends, listening to "Eye of the Tiger" on the way back from the shore, and enjoying some chocolate helado with espresso after a long day while listening to John Lennon over the cafes speakers. It was wonderful. To make up for my lack of good information, here are some awesome pictures! Enjoy!

Sancho, Tete and Nico! 

The coast!

Old Lima!

The shore!

Sancho y un perro de Peru

As always, muchos besos! I promise once I get this iPad figured out, these will be MUCH better.