DAY 13

HAPPY FAMILY DAY

They’re  off!!  The youth got onto their flight this morning at 10:25 and headed back to Canada.  There were a few who were very willing to continue to stay on for a while longer, having thoroughly enjoyed their stay.

Yesterday (DAY 12) we spent in central Lima.  We had hoped to attend mass in the Cathedral, but the timing was not to be, so we took a bus tour to the top of San Crystobal, one of the highest points in Lima.  Snaking our way up the narrow road, I was amused to see a ‘no passing’ sign! As if that was even possible!! From atop the hill we could see across all of Lima, despite the heavy pollution haze.  It was amazing to see just how sprawling the city is, nestled in a huge basin with the Rimac River snaking its way through the metropolis to the ocean.  There is a giant cross atop the hill with a shrine.  The cross lights up at night and can be seen for miles.

After arriving back at the Plaza de Armas, we made our way to the Parliament Buildings where we were scheduled for a tour.  Sr. Gloria’s brother, Ulyses who is policeman in Chincha, arranged for us to have this tour.  After going through security,  we saw a number of magnificent halls used for entertaining with large mirrors and huge crystal chandeliers imported from Czekoslovakia.  One room held display cases full of interesting and unique gifts that the current president had accumulated.   The changing of the guard occurs every day at noon and one Sunday a month a horse show is put on (similar to our RCMP Ride).  We had a good view from one of the balconies as the band members sat atop their own horses and played for the crowd in the square and then for the horses’ routines.  The president appeared at the main door and a roar went up from the crowd.  He started to move across the courtyard towards the crowd, catching his body guards ‘off guard’ as they raced after him.  Everything was video taped as he went around greeting the people.

We then took a number of taxis to the ritzy area of Town, Mira Flores, and had lunch in a very nice restaurant.  Our Chincha friends were with us and we all exchanged our gratefulness for the enrichment of our lives from having met them and this experience.  It was hard to put into words just what our friends have come to mean to us and we have asked the youth to provide us with a paragraph or two about how these two weeks have affected them now and  their future.

The Indian Market was just a block or two away and we strolled around the many stalls laden with goods.  Everyone seemed happy with their final purchases.  Then it was back to the apartment for our final evening in Peru to rest up and finalize our packing.  Michael still had a bit of energy left and bought ingredients for an Asian noodle dish, which he prepared for all of us to try.  Then it was off to bed.

The bus arrived at 7:15 to take us to the airport and as Sr. Pauline helped everyone get checked in, I made my way to the arrivals to look for our pilgrims coming in on the Air Canada flight.  It took a while (over an hour) for them to come through customs as they had to wait for the very last bag off the plane!!  We still had time (after stuffing Pedro’s truck to the ceiling with their bags) to make it upstairs to the food court to meet the youth and then send them off on their way! Yvonne

Changing of the guard - Band on horseback.

Group photo in parliament #1

Group photo in parliament #2

Group photo in parliament #3

Group photo in parliament #4

Just a brief note from back home.  The group arrived in the Ottawa airport Monday evening shortly after 9:00 p.m.  They were met in stages by and individuals and families arriving to pick up various members of the group.  There were families from various parts of the diocese - Mount St. Patrick's, Killaloe, Petawawa, and Deep River - there to pick up the young people and two  chaperones that returned with the group.  There were lots of smiles and hugs to greet the families coming into the airport and lots of chatter and banter amongst the youth as parting goodbyes were exchanged.  My vehicle's passengers consisting of 2 youth and 2 chaperones arrived back in Deep River about 12:30.  There was lots of conversation about the trip back and its adventures, and about the trip in general. But by the end, things started to peter out and the passengers either started dozing off or resting quietly.  It's good to have them home.  Bill

One Last Group Photo At The Ottawa Airport