Day 1

Good Evening

It is now 9:45pm and we are all in for the evening. It has been a full day of activity which started yesterday evening when we left the Ottawa Airport at 8:00pm. Hopefully a number of the youth still have some energy to share something of these last 24 hours with you our interested followers. I will see who I can round-up to start us off.  Pauline

This is not one of the youth, but I am available!!  It was a long day yesterday and a long night as we were delayed in Toronto, and after a mostly sleepless night arrived in Lima around 8:30a.m. As soon as we stepped off the plane we could feel the humidity and temperatures in the mid-twenties.  Our Peruvian friends were waiting for us and we packed up the bus and a pick-up truck and with 12 weary travellers and 24 very large bags and as many carry-on’s finally arrived in Chincha for lunch at 2:00p.m.  After a great lunch of chicken & rice (just the first of many) we had a rest and then prepared for a trip to the supermarket to buy some supplies for the next few days.  We then had a tour of the surrounding districts and finished off with a chicken & sweet potatoes dinner at Grocio Prado and a snack of picarones!!  We will all sleep well tonight!!   Yvonne

I can honestly say that I have been on a number of trips going past Canada including Vietnam, Poland, and the United States. Every country I have been too has its own uniqueness and feels like I am living in a different world. And so Peru has its own unique qualities. But what is it that makes Peru so special? When I arrived in Lima, I was already starting to sweat. But, I got over the heat fairly quickly. As our journey continued to Chincha, I saw the various types of houses, the magnificent mountains, and the endless deserts. As I stated previously it felt like I was living in a new world and I just wanted to explore it. Then I had the experience of travelling on a moto-taxi. In a couple of words it’s a motorcycle with a hood that has three wheels. I was sitting in the front with no seatbelt and no door. So I was basically holding on for dear life, but I enjoyed it as the vehicle raced down the streets.  However, what makes this place special is not just its landscape, the heat, or the rides but its calmness. Sitting on a chair under the shade and listening to the calm air, the singing of the birds, and the ringing of the church bells. Michael

Jordan on the travels in Peru:    …the colours, shapes and sounds of Lima abruptly gave way to the open ocean sky. As our bus descended onto Lima’s coastal highway all eyes were on the harbor, and the silhouettes of the ships and buildings on the far side. As the bus moved farther down the highway, the dull brown cliffs on our left gave way to cliffs covered in green vegetation and flowers. These foliage covered cliffs extended as far as the eye could see, and offered a buffer to separate the heights and the sights of the city from the open ocean air…  Jordon

Where to begin? Although this was only day one of the trip, it was full of excitement and activities. Day 1 began getting off the plane after an 8 hour flight out of Toronto. It was exciting to hear all the Spanish and see all the people rushing about. Even though more than half of us got red-lighted at the airport and had to have our luggage searched, the amazement was clear on our faces. Our next challenge came trying to fit everyone’s luggage and the people themselves onto one bus and then driving for hours to arrive in Chincha. Upon our arrival we were greeted by members of the community and sat down to enjoy a delicious lunch of chicken and rice. After lunch we ventured to the supermarket and I was lucky to ride in a moto-taxi (thankfully in the back where there are actually doors) and soon were caught up in the excitement of the many food and drink options. Later in the evening we headed out for a dinner of chicken and sweet potato fries, as well as visiting a few of the plazas and greeting everyone walking by on our way home. Finally, it is now time to settle in for the night as we get ready to start our first day of work bright and early tomorrow. Marissa

We have been in Peru all day. The flights were great! Kayla

Our flight was good and Peru is great. We also saw a few horses on our way. Kristin

Today was amazing. So many things happened to the group, I don’t even know where to start. First off, the plane ride was super long but sitting beside Angela and in front of Sydney, Jordan and Marissa got the entertainment going. We had good conversations throughout the plane ride which made it go by faster. The ride was awesome, when everyone was sleepy I got to watch a movie called Hotel Transylvania, it was so funny. The morning waking up on the other hand, was quite the opposite. After so many conversations the previous day, I was wiped out. After dosing on and off a few times I finally stayed awake and soon after we got to get off the plane and set foot on Lima ground. We had a long bus ride to Chincha but saw so many amazing sites. It went from cement and dirt roads to grassy meadows, all the way to sand mountains with amazing glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. One of the prettiest things I have seen in a long time. The day went by so quickly even though so many things were accomplished. We met our hosts, they are super nice and I am starting to be able to pick up what they are saying. We ate a delicious lunch, and after were set off to roam the village. So many statues and old buildings are around and it was so much fun to explore them. We later headed into town to eat supper and got to stroll around to see the amazing buildings that were surrounding us. We headed into our two trucks and a few of us got to ride in the tail gate. It was a bumpy ride but having Marissa, Angela, Jordan and Michael there was what made it fun. We waved to all the pedestrians as we passed them. We would occasionally stop to see the beautiful parks Peru has to offer. I can honestly say that my day was amazing and I can’t wait for tomorrow. Sabrynna

Five pictures are enclosed for your enjoyment. I think everyone else has fallen by the wayside and deep into slumber land. Before I close off I must tell you that Jordon was the first to encounter a cockroach in his room and assured us that he will be shaking all his bedding down before sleeping tonight.  While we sat waiting for Jordon to finish his write-up we asked Michael to go and check out the bedroom to see if more friendly cockroaches had arrived and to our surprise Michael came back quickly saying that three more big ones were around. So Pedro who has no fear accompanied Michael to kill off these creatures. I am not sure if the guys will be joining the girls on the upper floor tomorrow night but they said they would stay on the ground floor for tonight. They may not sleep, but I think they are trying to show us their bravery.  If they appear with blood shot eyes in the morning we will have them make a move to the upper floor.

Good night to all. Pauline

Youth and Chaperones In The Ottawa Airport

Lima Airport Parking Lot

Dining Room At The Sisters of St. Joseph's Chincha Alta residence.