This weekend was incredibly fun! We had a blast partaking in new adventures, including hot springs, Peruvian soccer, and shopping in Cusco!
On Saturday, we took a break from our service activities to road trip to the hot springs in Lares. The views on the way there were spectacular! Look at the mountain pass:
The hot springs themselves were full of minerals, and everyone left feeling rejuvenated. After a long week of hard work, this was a much-needed reprieve to lounge around the various pools and test the varying temperatures of the medicinal waters.
On Sunday morning, most STRIVErs did their weekly long runs. The high-schoolers are adjusting to the altitude quite nicely; Sean and Morgan ran nine miles this morning with Paul, one of the interns. Together, they had the opportunity to explore more of the back roads through the farmlands surrounding Pisac. Also, shout-out to the intern leader, Alejandro, for running 22 miles this morning – his longest run ever!
Once everyone showered and ate breakfast, we all piled into combis and hit the road towards Cusco! We made one pit-stop to visit the animal sanctuary, where everybody got up close and personal with condors! After arriving in Cusco, some interns and the high-schoolers enjoyed a delicious ceviche lunch at the San Pedro Market. Afterwards, we toured the Plaza de Armas, and explored the surrounding shops (tienditas), in one of which Paul bought a pair of ojotas (sandals made from old tires). Once we were shopped out, we took a combi to the stadium, where we watched a thrilling professional Peruvian soccer game. Club Cienciano, the local Cusco team, beat Deportivo Coopsol 2-0. The stadium was amazing – the Mapuche flag was painted onto one side of the stadium; meanwhile, the surrounding mountains attracted almost as much attention as the happenings on the field. Check it out:
We are all safely back in Pisaq and excited for our last week before beginning the trek! Thanks for reading!
Lindsay and Melanie
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