Peru 2014 (3)

We were approached by some police officers the other day while we were at camp. The had hunted us down to tell us how happy they are from the bottom of their heart to see us stepping in and doing what the government could not. They mentioned that our arrival and ongoing presence has sparked a ripple effect in the community, creating a general mindset to clean up and take matters into the hands of the people so they can make their small town a better place for everyone. It was a beautiful way to begin the day.

       

So since my last post, we've accomplished a lot. I know I mentioned some of what we're doing here, but as of now the project is almost complete. As of July 17th, 2014 we completed the deworming/glasses drive, which took most of the day, the water tower supply was buried and the base for the water tower itself is built (now we just have to get it up there - it's rather small), the new classroom (a nice, wood portable) is built and for the most part is weather-proofed (still needs another coat though), the playground is near complete with the exception of the wall - which needs to be painted, and the ground of the school is now levelled and prepped for a layer of cement. It is looking great. 

                                           

                                    The buried water supply and the base for the water tower. 

July 18th, 2014 -

After we finished at the school, we headed into town to do some more touring. Our first stop was the catacombs. It was an interesting tour, but not nearly as detailed as the one I had previously visited in Paris. There wasn't too much information given at the graves. In fact, the only information provided was that over 50,000 people had died building these tunnels and the most recent death was in the 90s. If being surrounded by thousands of human remains isn't enough to get to you, that was. I'll also mention that if you're claustraphobic and/or have a fear of dead people - don't go. I felt as if that would have been fairly obvious. One member of our group, as well as myself got stuck behind a woman who didn't think much of that through, so were separated from everyone. Let me just say that if being alone in a dark place, surrounded by dead people was ever on my bucket list, I can sure cross that shit off now. I had just made it back for the end of the tour when I finially recovered my group. We were being showed a painting strikingly similar to "The Last Supper", however the tour guide made it especially clear it wasn't. In fact, he said "People, this isn't actually The Last Supper, this is the Peruvian version with the devil and a guinea pig". 

         

July 19th, 2014 -

We went to Luna Huama (approx. 3 hours from Lima), where we had some R&R time. We started the day with some white water rafting, which took us into the early afternoon. It was great. The water was clean (in comparison to Lima), it was cold (but refreshing) and overall a complete blast. By the time we had finished it was time for lunch, which consisted of locally grown corn on the cob, a salad, a baked potato and, for those who eat meat, free range chicken from a little patch of land which they also owned. After lunch we did some zip lining, which gave us an incredible view of the mountains, river and village of which we had been exploring. I absolutely loved this place, but this area in particular was amazing. The kitchen itself was such a cool sight. It was located outside and completely exposed in the side of a small cliff, overlooking the river and mountains (pictures to come). 

        

                                                                  Beginning rafting

July 20th, 2014 - 

Today was our last day on the project before we begin our journey to Cuzco tomorrow (Monday, July 21st). The school looks so much better now. Newly paved grounds, a new classroom (weather-proofed and all), the water tower and it's backup supply is up, the playground is much cleaner (as are the classrooms), no more rubble, glass, ect in sight, a new tire park was installed by some of the locals, and the rooftops have even been fixed up. I would say mission accomplished. As we exchanged our final words to some of the kids, the other Peruvian volunteers, and the teachers, there was an all too familiar feeling in the air. We were all about to leave another family behind as we continued our journey. It was a mindset that we all had, and despite all the good we had done, just couldn't shake it. As we all took one final look around the grounds, we departed, only leaving a few people (myself included) packing up the remainder of our belongings. It was at this point that the principal ran out in tears. As we struggled to understand her, our partial translator approched us. She had said how incredibly thankful she was, that we would remain in her heart forever and that it was a deed that would never be forgotten by the community. We lost count how many times she proceeded to say "gracias". Then with a hug, and a kiss, with tears running down her and many of our faces, we parted ways. 

Dylan. 

       

                                                            99.9% finished the school

Peru 2014 (2)

        

                                                  View from our current camp/the farm

So it's been a truly eventful trip thus far. After the precamp we headed off to the Toronto airport (where we were delayed 3 hours). Although the plane ride was much faster than originally intended, we still didn't arrive and settle into our temporary quarters until around 5:30am local time (Lima). The drive to our living area for the following few days however was troubling to say the very least. I wasn't sure if I was immediately homesick or simply culture shocked as the state of the slums we drove passed were a truly depressing sight that left me with overwhelming of gratitude for what I had left back home.

After a solid 3 hours of sleep, we were awoken by mob of elderly salsa dancers on the floor below us. So with nothing else to do, we headed out and toured the city. This wasn't nearly as brutal as the drive in. Much to our surprise - Lima is much more lively in the early hours of the morning than in the earlier hours of the morning. 

                                         

After one more night in the city, we moved camp. We were told that we would be staying at a university  (so naturally, we were expecting to stay in dorms). Instead, to our surprise we found ourselves staying at a farm with a newfound slogan. "Peru Contingent 2014: Just Go With It". Although the farm was a surprise, it was a good one. Despite the foul day-to-day smell, the animal pieces soaking in formaldehyde (for science, of course - it's a sort-of university, remember?) and the lack of even moderately lukewarm showers, this new camp quickly warmed up to us (although not literally). I mean, how could it not? We're at a freaking farm! Just outside there was a beach, a pool (empty - but just as fun, and better for Marco/Polo, in my humble opinion) and animals, of course. Horses, bulls, goats, rabbits, sheep, and motherfuckin Llamas, yo. There are also cats and dogs absolutely everywhere. It's freaking awesome. 

                                            

The next few days were sort or a blur and wouldn't exist on here if it weren't for the trusty daily travel journal entries.

After a day of settling in and exploring the camp, we headed to a zoo. Nothing really to talk about there. It's a zoo. Pics to come. The highlight was being treated like celebrities. Every kid there freaked out at what seemed like I nothing. It wasn't until many screams and photos taken of us later that we had it explained to us that we were "Gringos" (a whitey) and that this merits much excitement in young children. 

        

The next day we woke up bright and early and started on the worksite. A school, much to our surprise. Apparently our job had changed from a clinic to an elementary school in the middle of almost nowhere. The new mission was to build a water tower, clean up the playground (a closed-off sandy mess covered in nails, rocks, glass, dead animals, bones, frayed wires, garbage, ect.), clean the front of the school, build a new classroom, and later arrange an event to give community members new glasses, as well as to give free canine check-ups and deworming sessions. After a few days of this, the general community response was extraordinarily positive. We had individuals taking pictures of us, waving, honking (in a good way), and approaching us with beautiful smiles on their face, trying desparetely to communicate their happiness with our cause. Even the kids were awestruck and trying desparetely to explain their joy. Although the days were long, hard and sometimes seemingly impossibly to get though, the people's response makes it all worth while.

       

We (some of us) stayed the night at the school after the second day at the project. So did some of the other youth volunteers. That night we all got together and had what I can only describe as some sort of schoolyard shindig. It was great. Teambuilding games, improvised campfires, and everlasting games of charades in attempt to communicate with our new friends took up the entirety of the night and much of the following morning. 

       

                       The beginning of the final FIFA 2014 game on a small tv in the school. 

The next day was our day off (and the only one we'd get until the project was over). We woke up early and, being on a farm, some of us went horseback riding. Another highlight of the trip so far as I was able to get mine to trot very quickly away from Jess, the person leading the horse. After a few hours of this we headed to an Incan dig site (which was closed) so instead a few of us ran up some very lengthy sand dunes. By the time we had tired ourselves out doing that, we caught a bus and headed to a mall. Here we enjoyed some exotic Peruvian Pizza Hut before departing back to the farm. Suffice to say, it was amazing. 

       

After another tiring few days at the school, we were able to try the Incan dig site again. This time, we were actually able to get in. It was a little over-hyped, but all was made up after a hike to the top of a mountain/hill. The view was incredible (by Lima standards). Shit ain't Machu Picchu, but it was good enought at the time.

                                           

                                                                            Goat

Obviously this is incredibly compressed for a 12 day journey, so I'll have much more to share when I back. More frequent updates to come.

Dylan.

Peru 2014

       

So just an update: as I said- I'll upload photos and publish new posts whenever I have a connection but as of now it will be much more difficult than once thought. 

So we arrived in Peru and were settled into our bunks by approx. 5:30am on Tuesday (local time) only to be awoken at 7:00am by a mob of louder-than-necessary, elderly salsa dancers just a single floor below us. I'll get more into detail as time becomes less scarce.

We start on the worksite tomorrow (Friday) but in the mean time we've just been touring Lima. Some has been great, some has been difficult, and most has been eye-opening to say the absolute least. 

Dylan. 

          

A Big One

TD Waterhouse Stadium - May 2014

This addition is a big one. I've put off uploading several collections of photos until now. Super stoked about these ones. I've been trying out some new things. 

• Photos from Levi's track meets on May 22nd and May 23rd have been added. They are under the 2014 section of the blog.
  
• I've also added photos from the last few weeks to the Spring Series under the same heading.

        Dylan.

New Additions to 2014

Rabbit in our yard.

Also uploaded a bit of new stuff.  Here you go. Also: I'm finding that everything I'm uploading today is turning out much brighter online and I'm not too sure why. The originals look much better...

New Watermark

Lake Placid, NY 2011

2014

Macro shot of ice crystals
Lake Placid, NY

The year is over, so naturally the 2013 section will close and the 2014 section will open. Because I have limited space on this site I will eventually remove last year's section and all its contents, so if there is anything you would like to have an unaltered (no watermark, full size, colour, ect.) copy of please let me know via email. Happy new year

Dylan.