Live Your Life with Arms Stretched Out

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Yikes!
I’m about a month behind in writing these, but I’ll try to let you know the important details:
1. Peru is awesome! Go there. Seriously. Buy your tickets now.
2. Don’t travel to the south of Chile in the rainy season (at least not if you want to climb any volcanoes)
3. It’s tough to travel and work at the same time (but overall really worth it)
4. Most exciting of all: I’m not sure how many of you know this already, but I’m planning on applying for a Fulbright Grant in Germany to study after I graduate to study reconciliation after the fall of the Berlin Wall. I’m also interested in researching reconciliation and trauma recovery after military and other violent regimes. So, after talking to the director of the program here, it looks like I’m going to be able to interview a few people from the Chilean National Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Vicaría de la Solidaridad. I’m really psyched! I will definitely update you about these later.
Now that you have the basics, I’m going to update my photos, and it’ll take me a few blogs probably, so I’ll start with the most recent and work backwards.
I hope you’re all enjoying the fall weather!

Missing everyone,

Meg

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Photos

Wow!
More Andes shots from the plane

And the adventure begins
Our tour through Cuzco

Parade-Señor de los Milagros
One of the important holidays in Peru celebrates a crucifix that survived several earthquakes; the whole town sets up altars and street designs and then the crucifix marches through

Beginning of the Parade
Everyone in the crowd processed alongside

Wayna Picchu
Should I photograph for postcards or what? Actually, I don't think anyone would have much trouble here...

Intihuatana
The incas' version of a sundial. This stone is also supposed to transmit a positive energy to people who believe in its power

Inca Observatory?
Hiram Bingham believed when he discovered this room that the two figures were mortars, but anthropologists now believe that they were filled with water and used for astronomical observation

Outskirts of Cuzco
The scenery on the way to Sacred Valley

More weaving
This woman taught me how to help her set up the weaving base

Salt mines
Owned and worked by the community

Museum in Lima
Inca funeral mask

Safe
This building used to be the Central Bank, and the masks and other jewelry were on display in the old safe

Cathedral of San Francisco in Lima
Sadly, we couldn't take pictures in the catacombs

Feathers Flying
Anna takes time out to play with the pigeons

House of Government in Lima
creatively referred to as the "House of Government"

Plaza de Armas
This fountain marks the exact site on which Francisco Pizarro founded Lima

Parque de Amor
Need I say (a)more?