Carmen's Comments
8/8/04
It’s hard sometimes to remember that I am in Peru. The trip from Lima made me realize just how polluted the area is, and worry about the people’s health that live there. Once we left Chosica and got our transport sorted, it was a skew and windy road to San Pedro, with steep edges and beautiful views. When we arrived it was sunset, and I just thought how much nicer it was here than in Lima, (no pollution, magnificent scenery…). One of the first persons that we met was the mayor, and the mayor is a woman. She’s really friendly, actually everyone that we’ve met has been very nice to us, and it’s amazing how much you can get out of gestures. It’s really nice that Sharlene is always translating for us. I think I am beginning to understand a few more words now. I am so glad that Sharlene, Jeanie and I get along so well! There are tons of things to do, and I hope that in addition to doing fun stuff like the hike, we get lots of work done too. I am a bit nervous about teaching tomorrow morning, but if I can give any information that might be useful, or learn something myself, it will still be a good experience, well, I will try to prepare a lesson now, and hopefully sleep peacefully.
8/9/04
We did a lot today, and the day passed slowly, but in a nice pleasant way. We taught 5 classes (4 to kids and one to adults) and it was so nice that everyone seemed really interested. Now I wont have any nervousness for the rest of the classes. They went really well. Tomorrow we start to build stoves. It’s really cold when the sun goes down here, but still hot when the sun is out. I got sunburn today! We saw the Queserilla where they make cheese. We tried some and it was really good, so we bough a whole circle for only 10 Soles! Jeanie and I are considering illegally bringing some back home, as well as coco tea to help us with our withdrawal! We all kept talking about taking a shower, but then chickened out. It’s really cold, and my attempt was very quick. Quote of the day by Jeanie “I’m starting to smell…” I’m really looking forward to building the stoves, and hiking to Markabuagi! We just watched a really long video on it and there are mysterious faces in the rocks….
8/10/04
Today was fun and tiring.
We played in mud with our feet, got really dirty, and then just finished teaching at 9:30pm. And before I forget an amusing development to yesterdays quote by Jeanie: My hair is gross, it’s so gross (x5) I have to wash it!! And it seems she has. Now we will all be warm tonight, as we have placed all the mattress in Charlene’s room. I feel like we can almost build a stove tonight, and one was finished today, although we only helped some. One really nice thing is how eager all the people are here to learn. They work really hard, even if they aren’t always on time. People keep asking me if I will come back and work as a tourist in San Pedro. I must say that I will most defiantly think about it!
8/11/04
More stomping on the guano, teaching English and first aid with 3 lovely girls. We took lots of pictures and the girls were so excited to see them. We did not have the adults class tonight and instead bought some extremely sweet wine. Too sweet! Tomorrow we leave at 6:30 am and I am really tired. People here all have beautiful smiles.
Good night with love.
We just got back from our hike to Markahuasi and I am proud to say we did it all without any equine help, despite what most of San Pedro said. We are having a fiesta tonight, with all of the school kids coming. I hope tomorrow we are leaving already, and I think all of us are looking forward to hot showers, clean clothes, and some pampering. We climbed 1000m today, from ~3100 → 4100!!! WOW! I did feel the difference on O2 on the way up. I am hungry. I was hungry at lunch, but couldn’t eat much. Yhe potatoes, fresh cheese, and Pepsi was tasty. I will miss San Pedro and the friendly people that live there.
Ladies,
This trip was better than I ever imagined. I’m so glad we all got along so well and made a great new friend. Sharlene—thank you for all of your hard work! I will remember this trip forever. I had a really great trip with you both. I am feeling a bit sad that we now have to say good-bye to Sharlene, but I look forward to a reunion soon—sure to be another adventure!
--- Carmen Augustine♥, Canada