And this is how it began; the different layers of excavations started calling us from under the cruel ground, and with trowels, pickaxes, axes ‘the killers’, buckets, gloved hands, sunglasses, some Indiana Jones hats, we started poking the earth trying to find remnants of history, to find those people who ate, played, slept, who had real hopes, wishes, fears, lusts, problems, miracles, who made children and told them stories about their ancestors in the mountains, sacrificed animals to please their gods and in that, made a culture of their lives. [Continue reading...]

When planning your stay in Cuzco, it can be overwhelming to pick out activities to fill the limited time you are there. There is a multitude of different tours and activities offered, and it’s hard to decide which ones are worth doing because they all look amazing! When my dad and I were setting up our trip, we had no idea what to choose, so Julio simplified the process by recommending a few of the most popular tours, and also one a little less traveled: Moray and Maras. [Continue reading...]

One of the things that continues to impress me about Peru, even more so than the beautiful cities and sites it has to offer, is the fact that tourism has such a large impact on the community. Unlike some of my previous experiences abroad, I feel like the money I spend traveling here actually goes to people who need it, rather than to large money-hungry tourist agencies.

There have been several moments over the course of my stay that have really demonstrated the importance of tourism in Peru, and I’d like to share those here. [Continue reading...]

One of the many reasons I chose Karikuy over other volunteer programs in Lima, was that it afforded me the opportunity to live like a real Limeno. I really loved the fact that I would be living in a local neighborhood that wasn’t known for being touristy, and in addition, I’d be dining on traditional food. So far, the program has definitely lived up to those expectations. Living in Julio’s childhood home and neighborhood has given me a good idea of what it would have been like to grow up here. [Continue reading...]

There are about a million and one things that differ between the school system in Peru and that which I was taught in (Wisconsin, United States). My favorite of which is how often Peruvian schools party. From my experience last year in Santa Maria Eufrasia, a tiny, private, all-girls school in La Molina, Peruvian schools find something special to celebrate at least once a month. [Continue reading...]