If someone had told me 4 years ago that I would have found myself in Peru in 2013 I would have scoffed at them. Mostly because I have always viewed myself as a Europe girl-- obsessed with Jane Austen and all other BBC classics. And lets be honest, I barely even knew that Peru was in South America at that point in my life...(insert: "And you teach WORLD history?!?!" comment here...I promise I know my countries much better now!)
However, teaching world history to 9th grade students the last 3 years has rubbed off on me. Teaching the unit about Mesoamerican and Andean civilizations and ultimately how they have thrived has given me a newfound appreciation and desire to know more about them. Thus, the Machu Picchu obsession. And, I"ll admit, I wanted to get an iconic picture too. See below...
The trip was divided into 2 parts--the touristy Inca part and the cultural immersion part. We spent about 3 days touring various Inca sites and I definitely asked questions. Of course, the pinnacle part of the trip was Machu Picchu, the ultimate Inca University. It was fun for me to connect the dots and to see the puzzle pieces coming together. I also loved understanding the context of the Inca civilization and then understanding the demise of the Incas due to the Spanish conquistadors.
The second half was more of the cultural immersion aspect of the trip; touring lake Titicaca and spending a night with a host family. We ate their food, spoke limited Spanish with them, dressed in their traditional garb, danced with them and played some soccer with them as well. It gave me the realization-again-that these people may have little but they have big hearts. I was in awe of their simple, yet fulfilling life. I marvelled at the traditions they kept 500 years later. I was astounded by their ability to adapt, and to make use of their resources. Truly, I felt so humbled and grateful. Many of them had never been off the island, out of the major city (Puno), or out of Peru. Amazingly enough we met some other LDS people on the floating island of Uros. The gospel of Jesus Christ resonates into every home; whether in Suburbia, America or a floating island made of reeds in Lake Titicaca. So incredible!
I could go on and on, but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. I am so grateful for my opportunities to travel and explore new cultures and people. This was a history teacher's dream come true but also any normal person who yearns to travel and reflect on who they are, what they desire and what they are grateful for. I am blessed. Period.
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| Airplane fun with photo booth--had to get some crazy pics in there |
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| Layover fun with photo booth |
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| flexing our muscles at the Qenqo Tomb in Cusco |
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| At the Saksaywaman site overlooking the city of Cusco |
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| Qorikancha temple/Cathedral. The Incas originally built this site and when the conquistadors came they destroyed the idols but then built a cathedral on top of it--go figure |
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| A cool sign on our way to the Sacred Valley |
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| Inca terraces, man were they resourceful! |
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| Cute Inca girls. Totally paid 2 soles for this picture. The baby llama was worth it. |
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| Eat, drink, and be merry...especially with Inca Kola. (not my favorite) |
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| At the top of one of the Inca ruins, Ollantaytambo. My hair got windified... |
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| Mmmm...Alpaca meat and potatoes. Quite good! |
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| I got my iconic picture! |
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| With the groupies and Machu Picchu. |
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| Strutting my stuff within the ruins..you know, looking earthy. |
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| Another view of Machu Picchu...next to the ceremonial center |
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| Just wanted to show off my backside :) Machu Picchu below |
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| Just one more time...it's AMAZING! |
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| Inca temple ruin. After Machu Picchu, all other Inca ruins seemed obsolete. |
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| Oh hey there llama! Or alpaca, can't remember which one. But I ate one of you a few nights ago... |
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| High altitude. It was ridiculous. |
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| Uros island, or the floating islands. And a tour boat. Typical. |
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| She dressed me up in her clothes and then we figured out she was LDS. Talk about cool! |
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| Kimberly and I in our cool Peruvian get-up! |
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| Reed boat. It was awesome |
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| Hard to row! I was laughing way too hard |
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| Lake Titicaca from Amantani island |
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| Played some soccer over the lake. The altitude about killed me! |
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| Getting dressed in different Peruvian garb. Notice the clothes are different because we were on a different island! |
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| With Estelle, our host sister |
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| Our host family, Estelle, Augustine, and Julia. SWEETHEARTS! |
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| Lake Titicaca at 8am |
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| Oh hey! |
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| best trout I've ever had--from Lake Titicaca |
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| Happily about to devour a brownie and Argentine hot chocolate after touring the cacao museum and factory in Cusco |
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| 4th of July in Cusco! |
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| Thought it was pretty cool that I've been to ALL of those places. I am srsly the best little traveler. |
1 comment:
Such fun pictures. Glad you remember you are the best little traveler :) Wonderful experiences.
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