As we have all become more acclimated to the lack of oxygen in the air that makes us breath so hard when we run and the freezing nights that keep us burrowing under our blankets, we have also become more and more active here in Pisac, both through interacting more with the Peruvian community and by exploring the area in general. During the weekdays we continue to work in the local public and private schools, teaching anything from English to Physical Education to Computers. Our tutoring program in the afternoons has been going very well. Most STRIVErs now help expand the vocabulary and comprehension of one or two specific Peruvian kids everyday–and we are all becoming fast friends with our students. We have also been painting and preparing the new STRIVE center in Pisac, and we hope to move the daily tutoring from the courtyard of the interns´ hostel to this more permanent place very soon. And, needless to say, we have all been running, swimming, doing core, and lifting during our free time. 

This past Saturday was a packed day for the high schoolers.  They woke bright and early to get in their runs before heading off to Cusco for the day. While there they toured the extensive market. And of course, food was a main theme, as they chowed down in the market and then took a tour of the chocolate museum (and undoubtedly had a taste or two.) When they weren´t busy eating they took a tour of Cusco´s Plaza de Armas. Many of the STRIVErs also treated themselves to a well-deserved and relaxing massage for a mere 20 soles–perfect for us ever tight and sore runners. 

The day wasn´t yet over for the high schoolers. Naturally, it being the Fourth of July and all, we had to show some love to our homeland. The STRIVErs celebrated with pizza, a giant cake with the design of the American flag plastered on it, and a nearly lifesize Mickey Mouse piñata.

Despite having had a busy schedule the previous day, the high schoolers continued with more exciting events on Sunday. Many of them began their day at 8am with a long run on the scenic, but nonetheless challenging, rural roads of Pisac. After collectively throwing down many miles that morning, the high schoolers staved off the post-long run hunger by taking part in an empanada making class. The STRIVErs went to an authentic Peruvian restaurant, donned their chef hats and learned to make four different kinds of empanadas: tomato-basil, vegetarian, ham and cheese, and plantain. Maybe, if you´re especially lucky, they will share this newfound baking skill with you when they return home.

The interns had a much more relaxing day on Saturday. Although we had planned a day trip, we awoke to something rather rare in Peru at this point in the year–rain. After having run that morning in the chilly rain (some of us going for 17 miles, some of us quite a bit less), we all wanted to do nothing more than feast on pancakes at the Blue Llama and watch movies all day. It turned out to be a much needed day of lethargy after a busy week, and we all throughly enjoyed ourselves.

Having been throughly rested, we awoke early on Sunday, got in our runs (some of us joining the high schoolers), and then left by 10:30 for Larres hot springs. Our favorite driver, Hector, took us on the approximately two hour drive to Larres. We drove up and up and up, reaching nearly 15,000 feet, and were surrounded by snow, which delighted us all (obviously we had to stop and take pictures in the snow–there we were standing in real life snow when at home it was probably 90 degrees.) We all enjoyed the drive nearly as much as we did the hot springs, which were, much to our excitement, actually quite hot.

Over the weekend the interns and high schoolers participated in separate activities, but we joined forces again on Monday to prepare for and execute the long awaited for Dia de Juegos. The day began at 8:30, when we all met at Chaska Wasi and were then sent out to complete our various tasks for that morning. One group prepared the lunch for the day–70 avocado, cheese, and tomato sandwiches, while the rest of us either went through the town to publicize the event (it was even advertised on the radio by one of our very own interns), or went to the stadium at the local public school to set-up for the day´s events. At 9:30 we opened the gates and the games began. For the first few hours there were six stations: Simon Says (Simon Dice), Steal the Bacon, Tug-of-War, Freeze Tag, Frisbee, and an obstacle course involving potato sacks, soccer balls, and cones. The kids who came threw themselves enthusiastically into these games, while the interns and high schoolers gave instructions and played along with them. The Dia de Juegos ended in the early afternoon with a lengthy game of futbol, which everyone seemed to enjoy, Peruvian kids and STRIVErs alike. 

We have big plans for this weekend, including a potential hike up Mt. Doom and the Cuy (guinea pig) picnic. More on this to come!