Our final Peru post takes us to our last stop--the rainforest. We flew from Cusco to a little frontier town called Puerto Maldonado, then we got to the Tambopata River . . . 
. . . where we boarded these motorized canoes and traveled for two hours to get to our eco lodge in the middle of the Amazon basin. 
They served us an awesome rice stir fry in a banana leaf, which we promptly tossed into the river when we were finished. 
The rooms can only be described as jungle-chic. Each room had three bamboo walls and a fourth side open to the rain forest. There was no electricity at the lodge, just candles and kerosene lamps. It was a completely unique and beautiful place to spend two days.
I'd like to meet the mosquito that can make its way through this net.
Well, here's our bathroom. Only bathroom I've ever been in where I can shower and wave at passers-by at the same time! 
Our guides were Fernando and Pedro. They were great guys who loved to joke around with the kids, and knew everything there is to know about the rainforest. 
We climbed a 120 foot tower that ascended above the canopy of the rainforest, and we were treated to some spectacular views . . . 
. . . at sunset. Perfect. 
Our last full day in Peru, we went out onto the river before sunrise to go view some exotic jungle animals. We were successful, and witnessed a family of giant river otters, numerous interesting birds, and some really super huge gigantic jungle insects. 
Fernando and Pedro gave us some primitive fishing poles with a piece of raw meat dangling on the hook. We dunked the bait in the water and pulled up some piranhas! 
We got up close and personal with our new toothy friends.
After fishing, we took a swim in the Tambopata. As soon as we jumped in, a brief torrential downpour came through, making our river swim even more unforgettable. And no, we didn't get nibbled by any piranhas. So friends, that's Peru. If you have about five hours, come by and we'll tell you the whole story. It was the experience of a lifetime, and we've enjoyed sharing it with you!
Halfway through our trip to Peru we ventured to one of the seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. I almost don't want to post pictures because the pictures just can't portray the breathtaking scene that we experienced there.
After an early morning train ride through the sacred valley of the Incas, we boarded a bus and wound up this skinny dirt road. After a few tense moments, we arrived at the top of the mountain.
Most Incan structures were destroyed by the Spanish during the conquest. However, the Spaniards never discovered this little royal ceremonial city tucked away high in the mountains. Thus, the original Incan houses, temples, and shrines remain intact, lacking only their thatched roofs.
Classic shots taken from above the city.
Just hangin' around.
Machu Pik-a-bu.
Machu Pik-a-bu.
Machu Pik-a-bu!As you can you see, we really enjoyed ourselves at this unique location. There's an almost sacred feeling at the place that cannot be described adequately. We cherished our time at Machu Picchu, and are so glad we discovered it for ourselves.
We had an unforgettable experience in a small mountain village called Misminay that was high in the Andes Mountains (almost 14,000 ft above sea level.) We had previously gathered school and hygienic supplies for a little school in the village. We arrived with 85 bags of supplies for the children on their first day of school. 
Here we are organizing and bagging the supplies. I can't tell you how impressed we were with our students through out this whole experience! And a special thanks to all those that donated items. It wouldn't have been this successful with out your help!
The kids loved their bags of supplies. They clutched them close and wouldn't let go of them. They were so precious! They looked at us with somewhat eyes full of wonderment.
The school was very small and meager. There were only wooden tables and little chairs in the classrooms.
Their native language is Quechua. So basically our students taught them how to say the names of their new school supplies in Spanish.
We also gave them toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss. We showed them how to use those items, and we think that was the first time some of them had seen a toothbrush or toothpaste. This little guy was so excited and he pulled his floss out to give it a try right away.
As we were leaving, the children sang us their school song as a final good-bye. Then of course they wanted us to sing a song too. Thank goodness the students knew the Melissa Cardinal's (our school) fight song and they sang it loud and proud. The children loved it of course.
After our visit to the classrooms, the adults of the village demonstrated their farming techniques to us. It was a spontaneous gesture of thanks for our service. They even invited a couple of our students to participate. Our students were not as efficient as the villagers, if you can imagine (the air is a little thin 14,000 ft. above sea level!)
We shed many tears of gratitude that day. I walked away from the small villiage of Misminay realizing the beautiful simplicity of life. They had food, family, a rich heritage and a strong work ethic (demonstrated to us in their farming.) What more do you need?? Yet they were happy and grateful to live with such clarity and unity. I felt so much love and humility that day. I hope I never forget what the people of Misminay taught me!
. . . where we boarded these motorized canoes and traveled for two hours to get to our eco lodge in the middle of the Amazon basin. 
They served us an awesome rice stir fry in a banana leaf, which we promptly tossed into the river when we were finished. 
The rooms can only be described as jungle-chic. Each room had three bamboo walls and a fourth side open to the rain forest. There was no electricity at the lodge, just candles and kerosene lamps. It was a completely unique and beautiful place to spend two days. 
I'd like to meet the mosquito that can make its way through this net. 
Well, here's our bathroom. Only bathroom I've ever been in where I can shower and wave at passers-by at the same time! 
Our guides were Fernando and Pedro. They were great guys who loved to joke around with the kids, and knew everything there is to know about the rainforest. 
We climbed a 120 foot tower that ascended above the canopy of the rainforest, and we were treated to some spectacular views . . . 
. . . at sunset. Perfect. 
Our last full day in Peru, we went out onto the river before sunrise to go view some exotic jungle animals. We were successful, and witnessed a family of giant river otters, numerous interesting birds, and some really super huge gigantic jungle insects. 
Fernando and Pedro gave us some primitive fishing poles with a piece of raw meat dangling on the hook. We dunked the bait in the water and pulled up some piranhas! 
We got up close and personal with our new toothy friends.
