Day 14 - Last Full Day

After breakfast with our host families, we all met at Tumy House to walk over to Virgen de Fatima school, where we have been hosting cultural workshops throughout the past two weeks. When we got there, we helped set up the surprise for the students, which consisted of new books, furniture, toys, and materials for their library. This was part of “El proyecto”, where Groton and fellow GEO alumni aid the school with a specific need that they identify. We enjoyed a ceremony put on by students and faculty. It included student singing and dancing performances, ranging from kindergarteners to sixth graders. We ended the ceremony by presenting them with the new materials and supplies before heading back to our houses to pack for Cusco. We had our final lunch with our families and had an hour of free time before hosting our final workshop at the school, which was kite flying. The students had a lot of fun flying the kites, and many of them actually ended up teaching us how to fly them! We headed back to our houses to wrap up packing before dressing up and returning to Tumy House to set up for the fiesta and dinner. Soon after, our families arrived and we enjoyed a delicious final meal before everyone began dancing, singing, and having a blast. Halfway into the dance, we were surprised by a set of dancers who brought different cultural elements from many different parts of Peru. It was a true Peruvian party with the glitter, props, balloons and a wonderful way to conclude our time in Ollantaytambo.

– Henry Walter and Adalynne Mertz