In the month May of the year 2019, 15 Maryville College students decided to take a weeklong
trip to Peru to start their summer. Well, it was technically 10 days, but
traveling to over 24 hours to and from the third-world country. During the
trip, we figured it would be easier on the chefs if the group ate as if we were
Peruvian vegans for the week. This would make it easier to prepare for a large setting
while also accounting for all dietary needs and allergies accompanying the
group. We ate a lot of soup and a lot of salad.
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| Quinoa was also a key component to the soups there. |
Orphanage
The original purpose of this trip was to complete a service-learning
project with a local orphanage. Ninos Del Sol in Urubamba, Peru, was the home
in which we were working for the first four days of the trip. Much of the group
help work in the garden with weed removal, manure placement and compost
creation. Others did work upstairs in the building creating an art room for the
children to express themselves, as well as a yoga room. The yoga room will not
only be open for the kids but will also be a place where members of the
community can all come join in for a moment of spiritual relaxation.
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| Values of the Orphanage created by the Children. |
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| View from the third floor window. |
Urubamba River clean up
Once the work at the orphanage was complete, we traveled to
a small town named Yucay near Urubamba. We traveled to a portion of the of the
Urubamba river that desperately need some river clean up on the banks. This river
was once sacred to the natives of Urubamba. It was once filled with fish and
served as a place to bathe for locals. Now it is riddled with trash. Once word
got out that we were trying to clean this part of the river, many locals came
out to help with the cause. It was honestly amazing to see. We Maryville College
students like to think that maybe this was the start of something new for this
area. Maybe more people will come out to continue the river clean when we return
back to the states. It would be nice to see this river return to prominence once
again. We also saw a bull on the side of the river.
Tributary Hike
The next day, a few of us students hiked a local tributary
with local children. The water was freezing cold. The walk was used a meditation
type exercise. We stop at various points along the river to just relax and
focus on being in the present moment. Listening to the sounds of the water,
watching the birds fly, and staring at the trees were just various components
that helped us relax.
Maachu Picchu
On the next day the group of Maryville College students
marched right up the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. This wonder of the world
was truly a sight to behold. The views were breathe taking and the feeling of
being among the Incas created a spark I’m sure many of us have never felt
before.
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| Everybody wave your hands on three! |
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| Llamas are cool! |
Hiked Mount Ausangate and saw lakes.
On the final day, the crew hiked what is known as Ausangate Mountain.
This was the highlight of the trip for may of us students. We rode a horse for
two hours up the mountain to get to a point of walking. This right here was the
coolest part of the hike for some. The moment of riding a horse through the famous
Andes mountain range can not be beat. Once at a clear walking point, we were
able to walk around the mountain and see five different lakes. These lakes were
so beautiful, and colorful. Some of us students have never seen a green lake
before this time in our life. The water actually appeared to be green. The
water also was extremely clear. You could often see right through the water and
see what was underneath.
Another highlight was looking up at the glaciers sitting
atop the mountain. The chilly vibes given off by the mountains created for moments
of enjoyment and peace. We were also a witness to very small avalanche of ice
falling from the top. It was very cool to see nature running its course first hand.