Mas Fotos

We´ve finally had a minute to sit down and upload a few more pictures.  I will try to tell you what´s going on in most of them.  The three in the previous post were all taken at the school in Grocio Prado, Chincha. 

The pictures are below and the descriptions come first.  Enjoy!

1.) Here are all the kids in front of the bus we were in from Lima to Chincha, all over Chincha, and then back to Lima.  Our driver, Jorge, who we all called Coco at his request, was the best!  The kids loved him and he truly was an entertainer, a bodyguard, our driver, and became a kind friend.

2.) Here is Kami dancing a traditional Afro-Peruviann dance with one of 3 girls who entertained us at the school.  

3.)  This is the first day we headed out to Paracas and Islas de Ballestas, but it was too foggy so the Peruvian Navy wouldn´t permit us to go to the islands by boat.  Instead, we walked around on the beaches, found shells and watched the waves crash on the shore.  Everyone loved the low-key stroll along the interesting rock beaches of Paracas.


4.)  Here is the group at the Plaza de Armas in Pisco. 


5.)  Carly, Jada and Alex hanging out at Nelly´s house.  Jada and Alex just bought those fun hats they have on.


6.) Happy Birthday, Carly!  Carly´s cake was beautiful, as was the songs we sung Spanish for her birthday.  What a great place to spend your special day!




7.) The second try, we were finally able to get to Islas de Ballestas and boy was it worth it!  This was one of the most spectacular things I think any of us had ever seen.  And for good measure, the flag was included to say, Happy 4th of July!!!




8.)  The kids passed out books to the 5th-grade pen pal class, and then read them to the students.  Most of the books were in Spanish so we were very proud of the effort it took for the Aspire kids.  They did an awesome job!  This is Thea and Alex´s group. 




9.) We had a local artisan come in to the school and show us how to weave.  He let some of the students try it out.  Here is Jordan taking her hand at weaving on his hand-made loom.  She was a natural!




10.)  While we were at the school, the male students took a real liking to Edward!  He was absolutely the group celebrity and they would even chant, ¨Chino, Chino, Chino,¨as he got off the bus.  They adored him and were always asking him to play soccer with them, or just talk to them.  Even though we tried many times to explain he was Korean and not Chinese, the nickname stuck and he was ¨Chino¨until we left the school. Here he is doing the funky chicken as we taught the students American dances.  




11.)  Saying goodbye to the students at the school in Grocio Prado was extremely emotional.  Here is Kami giving her pen pal a big hug.  They were instant friends as soon as they saw each other for the first time. 




12.)  What a perfect picture to end on.  This is Duvan.  He is a student at the school and one of the 5th graders in the pen pal program.  He was precious; a complete gentleman, who loved us so much.  The feeling was mutual.  He stood outside the school as we left and waved, and made heart shapes with his fingers, and said I love you in sign language.  Then, as the bus pulled away, he ran as long as he could beside it.  What a treasure it is to have met him. 


Well, it´s an early morning tomorrow as we make our way to more Incan ruins and some shopping!  Ciao!!