Bridge Peru 2009

Bridge Peru Poem

2009-08-02T09:58:00.003-04:00

One of the Bridge Peru students, Nancy, wrote a fantastic poem throughout the trip. Here is the culmination of her efforts:

Tuesday morning, and my flight is delayed
Sitting in the airplane, thinking astray
7 hour flight, then another six
Tired, hungry and curious, feelings that mix
Arrived Wednesday morning in Peru
Altitude sickness and stomach hurts, woo hoo
First couple of days were kind of rough
Slowly but surely, I began to adjust
It's winter here, but our group is sweaty
The food's great, with tomatoes and spaghetti
Every meal consists of potatoes and rice
The food's definitely different, but trying is nice
I've tried alpaca and guinea pig too
It was heartbreaking at times, but it was new
I'm sorry to have eaten America's pet
But you should try new things, so please don't fret
We traveled from city to city, going far every day
From Ollantaytambo to Cusco, without much delays
We went to markets, churches and many ruins
Life here is different and I miss my itunes
This trip is easier, unlike last years
More of a cultural experience, way less fears
Personal hygiene is not an issue
Thank goodness for warm showers, bathrooms and toilet tissue
We went to clinics to play and feed
Kids with cerebral paralysis, sad indeed
Many in wheelchairs, couldn't walk
Some spoke Spanish, others barely talked
It was definitely life changing, different than any before
I wish I could do something, and this I swore
I made kids smile and convinced them to eat
They didn't enjoy the food and some squirmed in their seat
I wish we could spend more time there instead
Kids with bright smiles, cheeks of pink and red
We went to performances of dances in Peru
Scary guys sit behind Darren, with eyes like glue
We've run into mean old white ladies here
Who think they rule the place, with smiles that smear
American tourists can often be rude
Giving you attitude, cold looks, how shrewd
Everywhere we go, we seem to cause trouble
Although it's not on purpose, the fun just doubles
There are times where I really just wanna go home
But I love this country, Peruvian streets I roam
So much to see and so little time
I'm trying my best to include it all in this rhyme
There are many moments I don't want to rid
Like Beryl's chickenbreast and Matt dropping kids
Or our hours of driving on the road
Like Sylvia's avocado, and Nayu's toad
Then there's Kyle's fake mud abs
And Kathryn's lovely gift of gab
Don't forget the one who owns the pants that resist flame
Her and Toni lit them on fire, didn't work, how lame
I'm so in love with Kaleigh's voice
The songs she sings, what a lovely choice
She always says I'm too California
Instead of "really", I say "hella"
Then there's Ryan and Andrew too
They became close, who would've knew
Sometimes they talk and you won't get a chance
Maybe it has to do with their Bro-mance
I enjoyed watching Paris Hilton's New Best Friend
Times like those I wish wouldn't end
And then there's Darren with his humungo beard
At first, i kinda thought it was large and weird
Just kidding Darren, it's very pretty
Makes you look like Jesus, and kind of witty
There's Tara who always has a smile on her face
In a game of hard labor, she'd win the race
Who could forget the one and only
A Summer Searcher like me, a girl named Toni
Actually her name is Antoinette
Which I don't want to say cause I can't pronounce it yet
Kay I figured that that part was lame
But the things in the poem for me will stay the same
This trip in Peru was really great
From ruins, to car rides to the Cuy that we ate
I'm hopeful that we'll remember the trip that we took
Keep in touch, through messaging and facebook
Maybe in December, we'll see each other
Meet in Boston, one flight after another
Although I think I'm going to be really far
I'll make it, so you guys better go by car
I'm running out of things to rhyme
I just looked in my backpack and found a dime
For some reason my arms really hurt
Because we just spent a whole day shoveling dirt
We're working on greenhouses right about now
We're surrounded by trees, pigs, horses and cows
I'm writing this now at the bottom of my bunk bed
I'm scared that Toni will fall on my head
No worries we all slept fine
Free of diseases, H1N1 or swine
We worked at a place with greenhouses and schools
Started by Oscar, he's no fool
This project began ten years ago
He had no money, just a dream, which began its flow
He grew and sold veggies for money
He hoped for days of harvest, as well as days of sunny
He provides food and education for many
He's the man behind the curtain, without him, there wouldn't be any
Then we went to climb some mountains
Hiking was hard, I sweated a fountain
It was called Happy Mountain, how cute I thought
Tall wooden ladders, with stone stairs I fought
We went to Machu Picchu, it took the shape of a bird
It forms pumas and lizards, crazy cool but absurd
Then there's those strikes, who could forget
Our plans changes and the schedule wasn't set
We watched performances and shopped around
Ate fast food in delicious restaurants we found
Ryan was called Barack while Toni was Michelle
Andrew was their child, but he's Guatemalan how swell
Kathryn yells like a monkey and dances around
She wrestles with Beryl, pins her to the ground
Matt is breaking toilets, and is always a foo
He seems to have trouble, trouble with poo
Kaleigh writes a song complimenting his hair
Says he shouldn't make fun and she should grow a pair
I'm sure going to miss everyone on this trip
The faces they make when I say I let one rip
The car rides we share the jokes that we make
The troubles we have, corrections of mistakes
I'm sad the trip is coming to and end
I won't get used to not seeing everyone, it became a trend
I loved singing with Toni, songs of rap and R&B
Usher, Mario, Neyo, Beyonce and Disney
Her presence really began to grow on me
Time I spent with her, I felt free
Remember Erin, Carlos, Fernando and Frank
There's Mathieu, Conrad, people I'd thank
Thank you for taking part in my life
The trip was difficult, but worth the strife
You guys made my homestay fun
I woke up with smiles, and when mountains hid the sun
Conrad always got his butt kicked
In FIFA 2009, he thought he was sick
Fernando and Carlos, the brothers I've known
Always made my day, I always felt at home
Erin lives in Idaho, a sweet sweet girl
There were times she was sick, I thought she would hurl
Frank from Taiwan, I've known him for 5
5 short days, but man that guy's alive
He gave me candy so I'd feel better
He made me smile in his alpaca sweater
Then there's Bertha, my home stay mom
She was always smiling, her attitude cool and calm
She was like a real mother, always cared for me
I miss her so much, I'll visit one day, you'll see
Then there's Leo, the cutest woman in the house
She cussed at the dogs and talked like a mouse
I can't imagine being so far away
But I'll remember the moments, each and every day
I'm curious on when to Peru I'll return
I want to come here again, so money I'll earn
Thank you to all the people I met
Who listen to my complaints, annoying I bet
Thank you to those at my homestay
Thank you to Wilbert who'd go out of his way
Thank you to my teachers who helped me at school
My Spanish sucks, I know, you probably thought I was a fool
Thank you to Nayu, Darren, the best of the best
Leaders in the group, far different from the rest
Thank you to Andrew, Ryan, and Eva
To Kaleigh, Kathryn, Beryl and Sylvia
To Toni, Tara, Matt and Kyle
No matter what happens, he'll never have style
I should probably end this it's really long
It would be interesting if I made this a song
Alright after this, it's the very last line
I Love You Windsor Mountain, Bridge Peru 2009

Student Notes from Peru!

2009-07-27T09:17:00.002-04:00

Student Notes:

This was a week of firsts for Nancy. She took a train, rode on a double-decker bus, and went kayaking, all for the first time this week! She also composed an epic five-page poem chronicling the group’s adventures in Peru (we hope to add it to the blog soon). We were all amazed and delighted when she shared it with us during a recent evening meeting.

Eva had a great time kayaking on Lake Titicaca with Matt. Even though they were relatively inexperienced compared to the other students, they had a lot of fun and came ashore with smiles on their faces. Eva was also very helpful in the kitchen at Llachon. She helped our host, Teodora, on numerous occasions preparing meals and clearing dishes.

Andrew got to show off his hiking skills last weekend in Machu Picchu. He scaled both Putucusi and Wayna Picchu effortlessly and was at the head of the group the whole time.

Ryan has received a lot of praise for being the gentleman of the group. He is always polite and considerate of the other group members and everyone appreciates his presence in the group. He has also stepped up to some leadership roles as the group timekeeper and “doctor.”

Matt has been enjoying all of our recent excursions and has taken over 700 photos on his camera! His inquisitiveness is a gift and the group has learned a lot more about Machu Picchu and the people of the Uros (floating islands) thanks to his questions. He has also had many of us rolling on the floor with laughter with his impressions of his host mom, Sonia.

Toni did an excellent job as our leader of the day. She was very good at facilitating group decision-making and keeping the group on task. She also overcame a significant challenge by climbing over 2000 feet to the top of Putucusi!

Sylvia has proven to be a role model for the rest of the group. Her positive attitude and love for everything around her is contagious. We can always count on her to offer to help out with a smile on her face.

Tara had a blast at the hot springs in Cconoc, she stayed in the pools the whole time playing games and goofing around. She has also enjoyed shopping for gifts for her friends & family. In fact, her backpack has grown about a foot since she arrived due to the number of gifts she has acquired.

Kaleigh was the centerpiece of our group performance in the Plaza de Armas on our last night in Cusco. We all played percussion and sang as she led us in a number of finely-crafted tunes (including some she wrote herself!) She also shared her musical gifts with our host families in Llachon.

Kyle really enjoyed the bus ride to Arequipa with Matt. While others spent the whole time sleeping, the two of them kept each other entertained for almost six hours by joking around, doing impersonations, and taking a lot of photos of the countryside. Kyle also played a mean water-jug during our performance in the Plaza de Armas.

Beryl has been very enthusiastic about trying new foods. From the tamales at the hotel in Cusco, to the vegetable-quinoa soup in Llachon, to the kebabs in Arequipa, Beryl loves it all and she isn’t afraid to show it.

Kathryn has been super helpful with the everyday necessities of group life. She helped make sandwiches for the entire group on our ride from Puno to Llachon and she was always one of the first in the group to jump up and help serve meals or clear the table while we were in Llachon. She also seems to attract all sorts of fuzzy creatures; puppies and piglets flock to her as if she were their mother.

New Pictures!

2009-07-21T09:34:00.003-04:00

Greetings from Peru!

The group has been busy as ever and having a great time! Highlights include more volunteer work at San Juan de Dios - a local clinic for special needs children, watching a pro-soccer game, and karaoke night with the groups Spanish language teachers.

On Saturday, the group traveled to Aguas Calientes and hiked up Putucusi (Inca for "Happy Mountain"), a sacred mountain to the east of Machu Picchu. They hiked up 700 meters in elevation and were able to see the ruins of Machu Picchu form Putucusi.

On Sunday everyone explored the lower ruins below Machu Picchu in the morning. Then 7 of the kids and Darren hiked up Wayna Picchu (Inca for "Young Mountain") while the rest of the group stayed to check out more ruins with Nayu. Then everyone went to explore the celebrated Machu Picchu (Inca for "Old Mountain").

There are lots of amazing pictures from all these adventures. The new pictures have been added to the rest of them in the right hand column of this blog. Remember, you can click on the picture to see a larger version of all of them - enjoy!

From Cusco, Kirkas, Almeria, and Saqsaywaman...

2009-07-16T13:45:00.005-04:00

Group Update:

We had another great check in call with Darren and Nayeli today. The trip is going very well and we got some great updates on the group.

They have spent this last week getting to know their homestay families better and taking daily Spanish classes. On Thursday the group volunteered at the San Juan de Dios clinic for special needs children. Our students kept the kids entertained with games and activities and helped to feed and care for many of them. There were some great connections formed that day and it was definitely a positive experience not soon forgotten. On Friday the group traveled to the town of Kirkas and had a great time running a mini Windsor Mountain Friendship Camp. Over the weekend everyone volunteered at a greenhouse in Almeria and then learned to make traditional adobe bricks. The group definitely learned how difficult brick-making is, but they also surpassed the record of WMI bricks made from past years and had a great time doing it!

These past couple days have been full of more Spanish classes and activities at the school, salsa lessons, and an adventure to the Saqsaywaman area . While at Saqsaywaman, the group explored some of the historic ruins and had an awesome time going down the natural rock slides (see the pictures in the right hand colulmn for a great visual of many of their activities - click on the picture to see a larger view). Tomorrow is the group’s last day with their homestay families and Spanish classes in Cusco. They will be packing up their belongings and saying farewell to all their new friends. Tomorrow night the group will be staying in a hotel (which I’m sure they’re all excited for) and meeting with their guide for Machu Picchu. Time to begin prepping for the next big adventure!

That’s the update for now. Don’t forget, the next student phone call home will be July 20th (Monday) between 4 and 6 pm EST.

Student Blurbs:

Kaleigh was really into working hard and having fun while bonding with the whole group in the greenhouses in Almeria. She has also enjoyed eating and practicing her Spanish with her homestay family.

Ryan had a blast learning how to make adobe bricks in Almeria. A previous group had made 68 bricks and we set a goal to “out-brick” them. Ryan served as our official brick-counter and we ended up with 78 (though we had a lot of help from our Peruvian friends). Ryan also really enjoyed teaching English in the school in Almeria.

Sylvia was treated to a surprise birthday party last Friday hosted by her beloved homestay family. The whole group attended and the cake was delicious! Her host mother, Berta, even knitted her a hat for the occasion! She also had a great time playing with the children in Kirkas.

Despite an irritating stomach illness, Beryl has maintained her wonderful sense of humor throughout the trip. She is always ready to bring a smile to the faces of those working with her in the greenhouses, sharing a room in her homestay, or riding next to her in the van.

Nancy’s favorite activity of the week was sliding down the natural rockslides at Saquesaywaman, something that Peruvian children have enjoyed for hundreds of years. She has also contributed many useful insights during our group meetings.

Tara has been setting the bar high as far as work ethic during service projects goes. She has made so many children smile, moved so much mud, and tilled so much soil; Peru is most certainly a better place thanks to Tara.

Andrew liked going to the soccer game (Garcilazo vs Cienciano). He even bought a Peruvian soccer jersey that he sports as he strolls around Cusco.

Matt enjoys walking around the city and visiting museums with his Spanish teacher.
He showed a lot of interest in the Humanitarian Project of Almeria and put a lot of effort into the service work there.

Eva did a great job teaching English to the second graders in Almeria. She used her Spanish skills to help them learn the colors, numbers, and days of the week.

Toni was one of the main instigators of our epic mud fight during the making of the adobes. She also developed a special connection with Shirley, a little girl who has just been brought to the Clinica San Juan de Dios from her home in the countryside.

Kathryn had a lot of fun working in the greenhouses, planting lettuce, and singing showtunes from Wicked and Rent with the rest of the girls.

Kyle was a ninja with the hatchet as he prepared straw for the rest of the group to mix with the mud for the adobes. He also showed Schwarzenegger-esque strength as he carried the finished adobes to their storage place.

Student Blurbs

2009-07-14T14:18:00.003-04:00

We recently had a check in phone call with the Bridge Peru group and they have been having lots of fun! They also sent in about 100 new pictures, don't forget to check them out! (slideshow of the pictures is in the right-hand column). Instead of the leaders writing blurbs about each of the students, Darren and Nayeli had them write messages directly to all of you. Enjoy!

Student Messages:

Matt – “Hola! I am having a great time in Peru. I am bonding well, and am attempting to pick up Spanish. I have tried many new foods & drinks. I miss you.”

Andrew – “Peru is going great, the people and food here are amazing. Everything we’ve done has left a good imprint in my mind. The things that we do are turning out as planned if not better.”

Ryan – “Peru is interesting and has a lot of historical ruins. I like Peru a lot, I am learning a lot of Peru’s history. What’s up Mom and Dad?”

Tara – “I love all the people here and am really enjoying seeing the completely different culture. The people are so interesting and live without our modern conveniences. The landscape is absolutely spectacular and I can’t stop taking pictures. I’m really enjoying myself.”

Kaleigh – “Hey Mom, Fitz, Pipo, Margaret, EJ, Charlie, Emma, and Tommy! I bet you’re having a blast at Interlocken, and I’m having a fantastical time in Peru making new friends, eating different foods, visiting Inca ruins, and improving my Spanish. Can’t wait to see you at camp!”

Sylvia – “Hi Mom and Dad! I’m having a great time in Peru and I like everything, especially the food. I’m learning a lot of Spanish, and the community service is great. My homestay family is really nice and their dogs remind me of Ziggy. I hope you’re having fun back home!”

Kathryn – “Hey Mom, Dad, & blog-readers! I’m having so much fun. I love Peru and everyone on the trip. I have even learned to enjoy eggs. Hope all is well. Miss you guys!”

Kyle – “Hey Mom & Dad, Peru is awesome. It’s awesome waking up with giant mountains outside your window.”

Eva – “Hi America, having fun here in Peru, I miss all y’all, Adios!”

Nancy – “Hi! Peru is beautiful and I’m having a great time. I love the people here and in my group. I’m really excited to go to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. I’m doing great. Homestays are so much fun and I love the food here. I love you guys and miss you lots. Yay.”

Beryl – “Hi Mom and Pops. Peru is Amazing! I love the people: my host family, and the people in the group. I love it so much. I may never come home! So in case I never see you again, love you both.”

Antoinette – “Hi! Hola! Bye! Adios!”

Greetings from Ollantaytambo, Cusco, and Pisac!

2009-07-06T09:52:00.003-04:00

We had our first substantial telephone check-in with Darren and Nayeli yesterday, and the trip report is 100% positive! According to Darren, "this is a high-functioning group, getting along really well, and having a great time." Back in the office, this is exactly what we love to hear. We have a group that gets it!

This evening, the Bridge Peru group is transitioning from the Orientation phase of the program to the Homestay and Language Immersion phase of the program. Just a couple of hours ago, they had a big dinner/meet and greet with their host families, and right now everyone is most likely already back at the Hostal, having the last full-group evening meeting before Homestays.

Here's a great little blog update that Darren and Nayeli managed to find the time to send us via email (way ahead of schedule):

Orientation Report

Ollantaytambo - Amazing Incan ruins...the whole group trying crazy new foods...mucho fun creating our group flag...jokes a-plenty while bonding over meals...initial group meetings...setting the Windsor Mountain tone...taking care to build the a positive, fun, productive, and responsible group culture...everyone sharing and learning tons about each other...these kids are fun.

Cusco - Really beautiful and amazing Folkloric dance performance...day trip to ruins in Tipon (wow)... team-building activities...intro to homestays...homestay oriented games and roleplays...street vendors...what is cuy?

Sunday - Exploring market in Pisac...MMTs in homestay groups...buying funny hats...learning how to negotiate prices in Spanish...don't buy that fake sweater!!!

(WM note: an MMT, or Magical Mystery Tour, is a WM tradition, and a great learning tool: students are split into groups no smaller than three, and allowed to do some independent exploring in a small town, or within a well-defined area in a bigger town. MMT groups always have tasks to perform and missions to accomplish, ranging from the educational--find the oldest person in town and get them to tell you what the town was like when they were young, for instance, to the just plain fun--find some local ice cream and sample it!)

Student Notes

Tara, in Spanish, effectively negotiated with Kyle, the taxi-driver, during our homestay role-playing scenarios.

Matt took communion at the Qechua mass today in Pisac.

Kyle had a lot of fun watching the folkloric dances Friday night in Cusco.

Ryan and Andrew enjoyed eating cuy (guinea pig) and playing soccer with the locals yesterday in Tipon. They put up a good fight until the altitude got the best of them.

Eva contributed her ideas and artistic talents to the creation of our group flag.

Kaleigh has been entertaining the group with her musical talents.

Kathryn has been very helpful to her peers and leaders.

Nancy has been sharing her knowledge of Chinese characters and giving fellow students (temporary) tattoos.

Beryl has provided the group with lots of comic relief during evening meetings.

Sylvia has been doing a great job speaking Spanish and using her well-appreciated translation skills to help the group.

Toni has opened up to the group and is making a lot of friends.

Today the group is going to have their first day of Spanish class and spend the first night with their homestay families. What an exciting way to begin the week!

Bridge Peru Has Arrived!

2009-07-01T11:31:00.003-04:00

We just got off the phone with Darren and the group has arrived safely in Cusco! They are headed to the hostel and will be calling home in about two hours.

Let the adventure begin...!

From Home to Lima to Cusco and Beyond!

2009-07-01T07:51:00.007-04:00

After a scramble to get all the students on board last night, the Bridge Peru trip departed JFK headed towards Lima, Peru. At the airport in Lima they met up with another group member, Ryan, who flew in from Trinidad and Tobago. As I write this, the group is in the Lima airport getting ready to board the plane for Cusco. By 10am everyone should be headed towards Customs and getting ready to begin their exploration of Peru!

Today the group will meet up with their other leader, Nayeli, who has been in Peru for the last couple days putting the final touches on the trip. After leaving the airport, the group will travel to Ollantaytambo (about 60 kilometers northwest of Cusco in southern Peru) and check into La Nusta Hostal. En route to La Nusta, the campers will be calling home (around noontime EST) so keep your phones handy! Over the next couple days Bridge Peru will be doing group orientation/get to know each other games, visiting the Inca ruins in Ollantaytambo, adjusting to the altitude, exploring Cusco and beginning their Spanish classes. They are sure to be busy and having fun!

Inca ruins in Ollantaytambo

Leader Pictures

2009-06-20T10:27:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Windsor Mountain Student Travel!

Angus, Neesa, Darren and Nayeli are busy preparing for the great adventures that are about to begin. It's hard to believe Bridge Peru leaves in just 10 days!

We have posted pictures of the trip leaders below so your child can know who to look for at the airport.

We hope everyone is getting excited for the trip!