Paul and I did our long run of 14.5 miles starting at 6:30AM. We ran the big bridge loop or big black llama as Tyler calls it. After our post run stretching routine known as “Ethio,” we re-fueled. Paul indulged in a big bowl of oatmeal while I enjoyed a large meal from the market consisting of an omelet, a plate-sized pancake, and a juice. The day was off to great start in Pisac! Next, Calvin and I walked over to the Tambo private school for our morning service. This walk through the Sacred Valley is very scenic. After arriving at Tambo, we helped two different classes of Peruvian children read books. The kids enjoy having us and it’s a rewarding experience to see the kids learn and grow each week.
Before we knew it, class was over and we were walking back to the market for lunch. Calvin and I love to get Bisteck Montado with lots of picante! The hot peppers over the steak and rice made our eyes water. After another great meal from the market, we headed back to the hostel for a group meeting among the interns and our leaders, Mariana and Tyler. We discussed the upcoming afternoon sevice and the schedule for the next few days. We met until 2:00PM and were given a half hour break before re-convening to walk over to STRIVE center together. Sometimes I feel fatigued because we stay busy most days in Pisac, but a nice post lunch power nap can be energizing.
The walk over to Strive center was nice under the warm, powerful Andean sunshine. This afternoon was another fun session teaching the Peruvian children English. I work with the pre-school aged kids while the other groups of interns work with different levels of English competency. The hour flew by like usual and it was time for Calvin and I to organize our next service activity, STRIVE run club. Alex was the only kid to show up today which is atypical. Nonetheless, Alex enthusiastically set the pace for our short warm up jog. We taught Alex running drills before a few games and sprints. By the end of the half hour, Alex had completed a fun workout, and we walked back to the hostel for some stretching. Dinner was next on the agenda, and it was my night to cook with another intern named Katie. Tonight, we made fried plantains plus rice with veggies. After the meal together with our group, we cleaned up and Calvin gave his STRIVE talk about his college experience. This concluded with another discussion before we called it a day. I was ready for bed after another full day in Pisac.
Tuesday morning began the same way as yesterday morning. I ran an hour with Jenny and got a quick breakfast afterwards. At 9AM, the group took a van ride over to Cusco to work with our Peruvian friend Daniel. The service for this morning involved clearing a path to a large valley of Inca ruins. We used pick axes to soften the rocky soil and shovels to move the piles of dirt aside. We worked at this for two hours before Daniel ended by leading a discussion about the Inca ways and his current life views. I appreciated his incite and learned a lot from Daniel.
Next, we left Cusco and had lunch during the van ride back to Pisac. The big topic of discussion was about the upcoming Peruvian Paro. This movement, led by the Peruvian teachers, was supposed to block the major roadways across Peru. In response, we decided to leave a day early for the town of Ollantaytambo where the Spanish immersion program occurs. After STRIVE center Tuesday afternoon, we departed for Ollantaytambo. This decision paid off as we made it there Tuesday evening before the strike impeded traffic all day Wednesday. Although the trip included some maneuvering through road debris and negotiating with Peruvians along the way, we made it without too much trouble. Our driver Hector came through for us yet again!
After readjusting to a new place the first night, the other interns and I began the Spanish Immersion Program and united with our home stay families. The program includes class twice a day for 5 hours total and meals together with our family. I am looking forward to the challenge of only using Spanish the majority of each day and learning to interact smoothly with my Peruvian family. The first group of high school students arrived a bit later than expected due to travel difficulties associated with the aforementioned paro. They still made it Wednesday night with group leaders Nic and Tyler.
The first whole group run was Thursday afternoon. The high schoolers seem to be adapting well to not only being in a new country but also to the high altitude of 9,000+ feet. The next group of high schoolers arrives in Pisac this Monday. I am excited to continue training and taking in the neat cultural experiences of Peru!
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