Peru, Part 4: Macchu Pichu

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.

Peru, Part 3: Misminay Service Project

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!

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!

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!

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.

Painting Project

I am very sorry for the hiatus! The reason(s) is as follows: We just got a new camera for Christmas and we've been trying to figure out the best way to transfer pictures to the computer--that combined with very little free time to do anything other than feed, bathe, referee, and ultimately further the existence of our children.

Another reason we have been busy is because WE HAVE BEEN PAINTING!

It's been a looonnnggg process for us. But we hope to finish it all today (how many times I have I thought that to myself.) I am also making curtains for the windows. I want to finish them today too.
We let the kids help us a little. Maisy was a little frustrated that painting wasn't as easy as it looked.
If you are thinking to yourself, "Why did they decide on that color?" then stayed tuned.

If you are thinking to yourself, "I LOVE that color! I want to bathe in that color and paint myself that color!" then I hope you won't be disappointed.

We painted the whole room (except the detail work) in *Light Copper* hoping it would resonate a soft gold hue. After staring at mustard yellow for couple of days, we decided it was all wrong for the room. So we sulkily shambled back to the drawing board. The final color we decided on is called *Italian Olive.*

When the room is all done--I promise to promptly post a finished product picture. Wish us luck!