Sunday, March 29, 2009

Peru, Part 2

The adventure continues . . . From Lima we flew to Cusco and stayed there for 3 great days.


We saw llots of llamas. They were all llovely.





Our favorite dish of all was one we ate in Cusco. It's called Lomo Saltado--Beef, onions, tomatos, peppers, with rice and french fries. We liked it so much we went back to the same restaurant twice in two days.




We went to multiple Incan ruins. The stonework and scope of the ruins were incredible. Pictures do not do them justice. Those Incans were very advanced and skilled.



The view from above Cusco is tremendous--like stepping back in time.


Late afternoon view of the cathedral near the main plaza.



We visited a high school in Cusco. We practiced our Spanish and the Peruvian students practiced their English. It was way fun.



Nothing like a good ol' fashioned open air meat market to awaken the senses (especially the sense of smell)


At a lookout point in the Cusco district of San Blas. Kasia is the second student from the right.


What's a foreign vacation without sampling the local delicacy? This is cuy, or guinea pig. Lots of people have asked me what it tastes like. I tell them it kind of tastes like cuy.


Coming up next, Machu Picchu!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Peru, Part One

We have spent the last nine days on a glorious trip to Peru with 16 AP Spanish students. I can't even begin to describe how amazing the whole experience was. Perhaps I can show some pictures and show you a bit about our trip.

We flew out of Dallas last Friday evening, and arrived in Lima Saturday morning. After checking in to the hotel, we were whisked away to the coast, where we saw some breathtaking views.


We then took a tour of the main square, where we visited some very impressive cathedrals . . .


. . . and ate a very impressive churro made by my new friend Ruben.


We then ate a quick lunch and scampered to the beach. Quote of the day by Austin, one of our students, as we walked toward the ocean: "Okay guys, let's go white up this beach!" And we did.


After cleaning up from our swim, we went to an amazing seafood restaurant on a pier called La Rosa Nautica. Click here for more info on the restaurant.


Brett had the ceviche . . .


. . . followed by seafood and rice (check out the little purple octopus guys).


Kasia loved the scallops covered with Parmesan cheese.


Dessert was Lucuma (a Peruvian fruit) ice cream inside a pastry, slathered in chocolate sauce.


We loved our dinner, and the lights of Lima were spectacular.

That was all day ONE. It was a long, exhausting, and exhilarating day. More to come!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Happy Birthday Ace!

Today is Alton's 1st Birthday! Hooray! Can it be?? One year already!

Okay, so I feel a little bad for the little guy, because we've been so busy getting ready for our grande trip to Peru that his birthday has been slightly forgotten.

Example: This morning I didn't even remember it was his birthday until mid-morning (we are celebrating when my mom gets here on Wednesday.) So I decided to sing an exuberant rendition of "Happy Birthday" just for him...when I remembered. He liked it so much that I decided to sing to him intermittently throughout the whole day. Every time I would burst into "Happy Birthday Dear Ace!" he would get the cutest I'm-showing-all-my-4-front-teeth-smile on his face and start clapping. So great. I think he has forgiven me. Here are some recent cute pictures of our Ace...


I love this picture because you can see his little teeth through the sippy cup.


He sees us playing Guitar Hero: World Tour all the time. When he gets a chance, he likes to show he can drum with the best of them.


I caught Maisy giving Alton licks of her lollipop. This was his first taste of candy (besides that tootsie roll he tried to smuggle at Halloween) and he did not want to stop licking!

Happy Birthday Ace! We LOVE you! You really are unforgettable.