Day 5 - Llamas and Labyrinths

Today was the first full day that we spent with our families. In the morning, many of us enjoyed pancakes or eggs before we reunited and headed out to explore “La Zona Monumental.” Amid a full flight of stairs, our tour guides Pancho and Fernando gave us a great deal of information about the Incan religious culture that characterized the architecure of the ruins. We took many photos along the way; one of the ones that we loved taking most was the panoramic view at the very top of the structure, which was considered the most sacred place. Returning to the bottom was a bit difficult, but we were grateful to touch ground and see a bunch of llamas and alpacas; some students (and teachers) even got spat on! Then, we walked inside the labyrinth and saw an original, preserved Incan water channel. Afterwards, we had lunches with our families and enjoyed some free time; today was the day of the weekly fruit market, so many students bought lots of fresh fruits that are unavailable in the United States, like granadias and mangoes. We also met the students at the elementary school for the first time! We did workshops like soccer, drawing and painting, bracelet making, marinera dancing, and we loved practicing our Spanish with the younger kids. Then, we headed back to Tumy House for a quick reunion and a game of telephone (in Spanish), and now we’re headed to more free time and another exciting evening with our families!

- Henry Walter & Maria Te