Safe in Ayacucho

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Well I’m finally in Ayacucho, Peru. It was a long flight with even a longer lay-over in Lima. I arrived Lima around 1130pm on Saturday night and my flight did not leave till 6 in the moring. I met several of the other volunteers in the food court and we wereable to drink lots of coffee, chit-chat and drink more water then thought possible. Ayacucho sits above 9,000 ft and so I impressed apone my new freinds the importants on hydration at altitude, needless to say we were all runing to the bathroom frequently! The good news is no headach!

So back to Lima....... after much confussion at the Aero Condor desk we received our tickets to Ayacucho and had to make a mad dash to the gate. Nothing new for me to be running in an airport (for any of you who have traveled with me can contest to that). We were all under the impression that the flight would be non-stop and take just over an hour. Wrong. Were now on Peruvian time and it is much slower then Mexican time. The flight stopped in some very small place on the side of some very large mountain on what I think was a dirt run way and it took them over an hour to take off a few peices of lugage and put a few people on...... Good time for a nap. I woke up when the plane dropped it’s landing gear to land in Ayacucho. The valley is very beutiful. Lush and green down on the farm land with mountains all around. Not the kind of Adians that I have in my mind. It is very arid. I’ll attach pictures if I find a place that has USB ports.

We were met by the program director for this area, Rudy. Our bags were loaded up and we were taken to the house. They had food and coffee waiting for us. We were given our room assinments and let to eat and do as we please. I ate and then head directly to my room for a nap. A very long nap (41/2 hours). So that is my frist day in Peru so far!

Till tomarrow...... Machelle

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Comments

[Kevin Martinico]

Congrats on Making It!
Glad you made it there safe...please tell Merisole, Julie, and Charlotte I said hello. Have a great time!

[Scotty]

Glad you made it!
Mac- Sounds like just getting there was a bit of an adventure. Can't wait to hear what's next. Yours- The Scotsman

[Roland]

Stay safe
Machelle, Keep writing, we are living our dreams through you. It's hot and dry here with forest fires adding smokey air. Just finished Toby's awesome lead climbing class.(as a helper) The weekend in Leavenworth was fabulous. Will be climbing the Emmons route on Rainier in 2 weeks. Stay safe.... Roly

[Jon]

will you need a good go-fast boat
you go girl

[PA Kurt]

hey
Glad you got down south without a major problem. Spokane is spokane.

[Drew Shafer]

The adventure begins!
Machelle, I'm happy that you made it safely. Now the real adventure begins. Good luck.