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Published: January 20th 2010
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Hola Hola,
It took me a while to realize how lucky I am to have had my parents visit me and soon after that my friend Ziarko (real name = Michelle, but I really only use her last name, Ziarko) from UW. Ziarko and I had an amazing 10 days traveling together. First we went to Huacachina, a desert oasis known in Peru for its sandboarding and dune buggying. Dune buggies are really just oversized go-carts that fit 9 people….and they are amazing. And sandboarding is just snow boarding on giant sand dunes, but most people start off going down the dunes on their stomachs. It was crazy and so much fun! I ended up at the end going down this “sand mountain” on my stomach at easily over 50mph. After our little adventure in Huacachina we headed back to Lima, but not before making a stop at a juice stand to carry out a bet my roommate Val made with a friend from home--to drink frog juice. This is how it all went down.
First we ask this juice stand if they have “jugo de sapo.” They say that they do, but that they need to run down
big dune
i went down this on my stomach....crazy the street to get the frog first. They come back with a live frog. They then continue the process by skinning the frog alive. Then the whole skinned frog, honey, and other random fruits are blended together. We all pinky swore to try this stuff and just to be safe took the juice to the main plaza to try (many bushes/greenery to throw up into if necessary). Let’s just say it was the most disgusting thing I have ever drunk (and it was warm and had visible chunks of bone in it). I chased it down with a bottle of Coca Cola Zero and took tons of pictures to document this ridiculous moment in history.
Back in Lima I showed Ziarko around the usual touristy spots and also went paragliding off a cliff on the coast. It was pretty awesome!
Then Z and I headed to Cusco and Machu Picchu. I have become a total wimp and was whining the whole time about the cold. I’m going to have to do some major readjusting before I am integrated back into Wisconsin winter. It was rainy and chilly, but still really fun.
Z left on January 14th and
that night I headed to Ayacucho on the 10 hour rough bus ride through the Andes Mountains. It was a little nerve racking with all the twisting and turning on top of the fact that I had the front seat on the second floor of the bus and could not see the road through the fog. Right when I got into Ayacucho I could tell that I would love it. It is surrounded by mountains, the people are great, and the culture here is awesome! And I lucked out coming here during summer break because soon their “Carnaval” festival begins. It’s a summer festival that celebrates Ayacucho culture with dancing, competitions, and kids battling each other in the street with water balloons. I’m still a little confused about what is going to happen, but I do know that a lot of people from FINCA are trying to get me into traditional dress to dance in front of the city with them---yeah right. I have only been working with FINCA Peru (a microfinance non-profit) for two days and am already really enjoying it. For the next two months, I will be interviewing people who have received and paid back loans with
Huacachina
our hostal at the desert oasis....pretty sweet. FINCA. I will then be writing up stories about how these loans have helped them for a website called kiva (if you want to know more about what I’m up to, check out fincaperu.net or kiva.org).
Ayacucho is the poorest district in Peru, and I have already heard many stories about the rough lives that some of the people have here. I met one 65 year old woman who works in a store from 6am till 10pm every day, 7 days a week to support her family. I don’t think I will ever be able to get over the rough life stories, little kids carried around in blankets on their mother’s backs, or way people recycle materials to make crappy equipment make it from one day to the next. I am getting along really well with the other 3 volunteers and can’t wait to be move into my apartment (at about $90/mo) on Saturday that will be in the same complex as them.
More updates to come!
Que le vaya bien,
Megan
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Aunt Jean/Uncle John
non-member comment
What a great summer break!
Megan: Thanks for the colorful descriptions of life as you know it during the summer break of your amazing South American study year. We always enjoy reading of your latest and greatest adventures, and wonder how you will top the previous with your latest tests of strength and mettle. Hmmm...you've succeeded so far! 'Glad the FINCA clients will have a good listener like you to hear and share their true stories of struggle and triumph. How many miles do you think you have traveled since you left WI in August? You are quite the explorer! God bless all that's ahead. We love you, A. Jean and U. John P.S. Our big trip south is to A. Jean's cousin's US Air Force retirement in early March in Florida. 'Might be 60 degrees F there! Megan - How are you ever going to be satisfied with a quiet day in Bear Valley?