You, as friends and family, are probably anxiously staring at your computer screens and viciously blinking cursors in order to gain a glimpse of what we, your daughters, did yesterday, who it was that we met, and how we have been feeling overall. To satisfy this strong curiosity you all must be feeling, I will take a few moments to describe to you how I spent my day yesterday with the hopes of giving you a clear image of what we have seen and done. The following is my attempt to open each of your individual monitors (or laptops) to a world that lies thousands of miles away, a place of enchantment and hospitality, filled with people who not only understand their surroundings, but who are constantly at one with those simple spirits that litter the nighttime skies, morning clouds and gentle afternoon breezes and swirling clouds of mountain dirt.
Yesterday, Bri and I had the amazing experience of being LOD's (leaders of the day). As yesterday's leaders, Bri and I focused on the garbage clean up in the garden as well as the painting of the surrounding fences and a mural near the kitchen. It was a difficult task to organize everything, considering that one of our team members (Ellie) was sick; thus, we needed to encourage all of our group members to compensate for one less helping hand. Even so, Bri and I achieved our goals fairly well. For instance, I was able to speed up the process of the garbage clean up through a game in which the sixth graders competed to clean various areas of the school garden. The game was both fun and educational because it taught the sixth graders to value their surroundings and take care of/ appreciate their environment. In addition, we made great headway on the mural since we sketched the outlines on the wall and colored the backgrounds (the theme of the various caricatures is based on sanitation/maintaining healthy habits). Lastly, we weeded the garden (Mami, I don't know how you have done it for all these years-- grass is stubborn...I so appreciate your green thumb) and added nice details (like painted rocks) to make the garden prettier.
After a hard day of work, we went to the lodge to witness a local Shaman perform a ritual to Mother Earth. He spoke of the importance of taking care of Pachamama and we asked for Mother Earth's blessings. He also, using the gifts that we chose, was able to tell each of us our fortunes. The discussions that occurred in addition to the local rituals also opened my mind. It was interesting for me to hear his perspective on religion, democracy and the differences between North American vs. South American culture. After completing the rituals, we went outside and burned the gifts in order to feed Mother Earth.
However, one of the highlights of my day yesterday was eating dinner with my host family, Mama Juana and her two daughters Lusma (age 18) and Mariela (age 3). On top of DELICIOUS food, we laughed at my uniquely corny "Ivana" jokes, looked at pictures (Bridget, Tyler and I had a particular interest in seeing pictures of Lusma's novio, Marco), and just had a great time enjoying each other's company.
This trip has been incredible for me so far and it is hard for me to believe that the service portion is coming to a close. There has been bonding among both groups--the KPS sisterhood and within the local families. My favorite part of this trip so far has been the constant feeling of knowing that I am home--that, as the Shaman said, we are all "sons and daughters of the universe." With beautiful mountains surrounding us (Daddy, you'd love it!), with clouds that gently brush past the tips of mountains, and with a proud sun and a humble moon that know how to illuminate the earth in order to define each blade of grass or distant patch of snow, Peru has not only been an adventure but a powerful blend of an Incan past with a blooming present that belongs to a strong, defiant and proud people.
To end, I need to take a moment to "focus" on a promise to my little Peruvian Posse (Eric, I wish you could meet them!). :) So, here it goes:
Michael, Julia, Frank, Manivel, Michael, Maria Celeste, Alyssa, Natalie, Angela, Rocio, Reina, Zayna, Fabiana, Chimo, Sergio, Marco, Kevin, Arnold, Saidi, Emily, Mariela, Mayumi, Sumaida, Iyadi, Julian, Carlos, Elvis, Andres, Fabricio, Juan Davi, Elizabeth, Sammy, Adela, Ervin, Carla, Isabel, Celia, Ariana, Anabel, Diana, Sadi, Arlet, Thalia, Vanesa, Camila, Natalie, Carmen, Jose, y Rafael tienen un mensaje muy importante para ustedes: Feliz dia a todos y feliz Ollantaytambo.
PS- mom and dad Pastro, Bri says hi!! :)
