Hey all,

Since we got home from Puno, a lot has changed.  A lot of friends have left, we´re getting our second wind of energy with activities at the orphanage, and now we´re preparing to leave.  After we got home from Puno, a lot of people in the house were sick.  One friend was even hospitalized.  We had a little touch of illness, but recovered in a few days.  That weekend was Easter.  We got to see a candlelight procession on Good Friday, and then we went to church on Easter.  It was all in Spanish, but it was nice to go.

 This past week, we have worked really hard to have fun activities with the kids.  We made them Play-Doh, made masks with them, and we made cookies together on Friday.  They started school this past week, so a lot of time was dedicated to homework.  We have REALLY been enjoying it this week though and staying later than usual, without even noticing.  It´s definitely been worth it.  It´s going to be very difficult to leave these kids.   And we only have three days left with them.

Liza´s mom, Taylor, arrives on Thursday, and we leave for a tour of the Sacred Valley.  Then we have two days to tour her around Cusco before leaving for our five-day trek on the Inka Trail up to Machu Piccu.  We´re getting very excited to see family again.  Then, next Saturday, we head back home.

 Yesterday was a very fun day.  We were set to go on a river rafting trip!  When we woke up, the weather was awful.  But by the time we got to the river and had our gear on, the sun was starting to come out.  It was pretty chilly, which was uncomfortable while we were soaking wet.  But the base camp had saunas and hot showers, which was great.  We really enjoyed it!

We´ll keep you updated during the week!  We miss you all!!!!

 XOXOXO Kati and Liza

Hey guys,

 So yesterday afternoon we return from our trip to Lake Titicaca and Puno.  Puno is a city in the east of Peru, about a 7.5 hour bus ride from Cusco.  So Friday night, we got on the night bus for Puno.  We arrived in Puno on Saturday morning around 5:30AM.  First thing we had to do was find the tour we wanted.  Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and it has lots of interesting culture and islands.  After we found our group, we went to have breakfast and then headed off.  We went to Puno´s port and got on a boat which would take us to Los Uros.  Los Uros are the floating islands.  They are made up of mud and reeds.  There are about 2,000 people living on this group of islands. 

Then we had a three hour voyage to Amantani, which is the largest island on the lake.   Once there, we were assigned host families to stay the night with.  We went with our host famililes for lunch and then took off for a trek to the top of Amantani.  Up there was the most gorgeous view.  We had to walk uphill for about an hour but it was worth it.  We were up there for the sunset and then had to head back down for dinner with our host families.  We had a really cute host family.  There was a mom, a dad, and one daughter.  They had other kids, but she was the only one still living there.  The dad was really fascinated with technology. 

After dinner, we were dressed in traditional clothing and then headed up to the  mian square for a party.  There was a traditional band and dancing.  It was all very fun, but we were exhausted.  By the time we got back to the house we were ready to crash.  They don´t have electricity or plumbing, so we got the experience of using an outhouse, in the dark. 

The next morning we woke up to have breakfast with our host family and then got back into our boat to go to the next island, Tequile.  Once in Tequile, we hiked to the top of the island and spent some time in the square.  Then we went off to lunch.  We ate on top of this cliff looking out onto the lake and it was so beautiful.  After lunch, we walked down 500 stairs to get back to the harbor.  Then we had a three-hour cruise back to Puno.  It was very hot out on the lake and some people on the boat wanted to go swimming.  Lake Titicaca is VERY cold since it is so high up.  We agreed to go though.  So we anchored in the lake and lined up on the top of the boat and all jumped.  Everyone said they could hardly breathe it was so cold.  We literally jumped in and then climbed right back out.  Then we had to lay in the sun to warm up.  And dry off since we were all just wearing clothes.  It was freezing, but definitely worth it to be able to say we swam there.

Finally, we arrived in Puno around 4PM on Sunday.  We had planned to leave for Cusco on Monday, but there was a transportation strike.  No one could enter or leave Puno.  So we were stuck in Puno until Tuesday.  Everyone says Puno is an awful city, very dirty and boring, but we made the best of it.  On Sunday, we found a hostal with a kitchen so we decided to cook for ourselves.  We did have a little scare though.  We went grocery shopping, and while in the store all the lights went out.  Then we heard the doors being slammed shut.  We all thought that the store was getting held up.  It was a pretty scary 30 seconds, until the lights came back on.  So we made our own dinner that night and then went to bed.  The next morning, we woke up, had some breakfast and then went for a walk around town.  We went to the Plaza de Armas, which was much less spectacular than the one in Cusco.  Then we went to the main Cathedral, where I lit candles for Nana, Papa and Grandpa.  It was a reallt beautiful Cathedral and everyone was inside getting ready for Easter.

Then we walked up to the top of one of the mountains in Puno to see the view, which was unreal.  You could see the whole city and the lake.  After that, we went down to the port to do paddle boats on the lake.  Those were really funny, because it kind of turned into bumper boats.  Then we sat on the pier and watched the sunset.  The rest of the evening was pretty relaxing.  The next morning we had to rush of to the bus station for our 8AM bus back to Cusco.  We finally got home yesterday afternoon.  The whole trip was really nice and we got to spend some extra time with a good friend that was leaving Cusco.

This week is Holy Week, so we will keep you updated on all the happenings around here.  We miss you all!!

 XOXOXO Kati and Liza

Hey all,

 Sorry it´s been so long since our last post, but we have been in the jungle.  The Amazon jungle to be exact.  Yeah, so last week we were pretty much just getting ready to go to the jungle.  We got a ton of new people in our house and now it is BURSTING.  There isn´t even room around the television anymore.  So Thursday morning we went to the airport and waited on the runway for over an hour.  We flew into Puerto Maldonado,which is in the southeast part of Peru.  From there, we were picked up by a bud which took us to a dock.  There, we got into a boat.  Then we had a 1.5 hour boat ride down the Madre de Dios river, which empties into the Amazon river.  We then got to our lodge.  It was really beautiful.  There were little huts everywhere which such nice flowers and landscaping.  There was also an area with lots of hammocks right by the river.  It was really perfect; right out of a movie.

Once we got there we had a traditional lunch of rice, chicken and vegetables steamed in a banana leaf.  We also had to pick out Wellies, which were giant rubber boots that went up to our knees.  Since it´s the rainy season in Peru right now, there was about 6 inches of mud everywhere  we walked, so we needed the boots.  Then we took off across the river for Monkey Island.  Once on Monkey Island we were walking around looking for monkeys.  The guides bring bananas and litterally yell that they have bananas, and the monkeys are supposed to come running.  It was very rainy when we went, and the monkeys were not coming out.  We saw one.  So then we went back to the lodge for dinner.  After dinner, we were supposed to go looking for crocodiles, but it was too rainy.  So Liza and I stayed in reading and just hanging out.  We went to sleep quite early, because the next day, we had a 5AM wake-up call.

The next morning, we woke up at 5AM, had breakfast at 5:30, and left for our hike around 6AM.  Our hike was to the Lost Lake.  We started out with overcast skies, but no rain.  About 2 hours into the 7-hour hike (9 mile) it started to POUR.  Within 5 minutes, we were all soaked.  Then, because of the rain, none of the animals came out.  In that first two hours, we saw a turantula, some small moneys, and a taper, which is like a giant anteater.  The taper actually followed behind us, or sometimes in the middle of the group, for almost the entire day.  Finally, we got to the Lost Lake.  We canoed around on that for about 20 minutes, and then it was time to head back.  So we started back through the now much more intense mud and the rain.  Finally, we arrived home around 1PM.  It was quite a long day.  We had lunch and then napped for a bit.  But, we wanted to go back to Monkey Island to see if we could see more monkeys.  So we headed out again.  We did see some more monkeys this time, but not quite as many as we hoped.  One of them jumped on a loose branch a flew right into my face.  The crowd was quite amused.  Then we headed back home.

 After a bit more rest, it was dinner time.  We were supposed to go look for crocodiles after dinner, but it was raining again.  So we spent more time reading and that.  All the electricity in the whole compound goes off at 10PM (including the fans) so it´s best to fall asleep before that.  That night, we went to sleep around 9:30PM.  So we did a lot during the day, but we were also able to get a lot of sleep.  The next morning we had to wake up at 7AM, which felt like sleeping in.  We left on the river boat for the airport at 8AM.  Since we were going upstream, the boat ride was a bit over 2 hours.  Once at teh docks, Liza and I were given a private motorcar to the airport.  We arrived hoem in Cusco about 1PM.  There was security EVERYWHERE and we found out the president of Peru, Alan Garcia, was in the airport too.  But we didn´t see him.  The Peruvian people feel about him the way the most of the world feels about George W. Bush.  They are not fond of him.  So I guess the security was really needed.

 The rest of the weekend was pretty relaxing.  We went out dancing on Saturday because it was a friend of ours last night and then out to breakfast in the morning.  Sunday we just kind of hung out and then everyone went for pizza last night.  It was a delicious taste of home.  This week, there is a futbol game vs. Brazil and then on Friday night, we leave for Puno and Lake Titicaca.

Watch for more news!!!

 XOXO Kati and Liza

Hey all!

A few exciting things have happened since we last posted.  First of all, we ate “cuy” which is guinea pig.  They do not have a lot of meat on them and are not very tasty.  The people here really like them, but apparently the tourists usually have one for the novelty and they´re set.  I think that´s the group we´re falling into.

This was a really busy weekend though.  On Thursday night, it was a friend´s birthday so we all went out for that, then Saturday was a friend´s going away party.  So today is kind of about relaxing and stuff.  We watch the Holiday this afternoon and now we´re going to have scones at the British pub and grill.

 Yesterday was the kids´birthday party at the orphanage.  Thanks to Sherry for all the wonderful gifts, the kids went CRAZY.  We brought cake and presents and the kids were just beside themselves.  I think it was probably one of their best birthday.  Thanks to everyone who donated gifts and toys for the kids.  They were so happy and had such a great time. 

 We´ve gotten a lot of new people at the house which is interesting.  Since we are some of the people that have been here the longest, we´ve really had our share of people coming and going.  So, we´ve gotten kind of jaded with the whole “where are you from and what do you do” conversation.  So today we got about 5 new people which was just totally overwhelming.  It´s so strange just always living with new people. 

We miss you all!!  Love you!! XOXOX

Hey all!

 This week has been fairly tame so far.  I was sick again at the beginning of the week, but I am alright now.  We have been going to the orphanage and have gotten two new little boys.  They are very cute and kind of mischevious.  Tomorrow we´re going out to play soccer so hopefully it will help the kids expel some energy.  This Saturday is the group birthday party at the orphanage so Liza and I are getting ready with gifties and treats for the kids. 

Things are fine around the house.  We just got the second season of Heroes on DVD so everyone has gotten pretty into that.  We have also gotten a lot of new people, including a guy that brought gymnastics rings.  He plans on hanging them on bars in the public park and doing his gymnastics.  Liza and I cannot WAIT to see this.

Next weekend, we are planning to go on an Amazon trek, but it might be shut down because more strikes are expected next week.  They are thinking Wednesday-Friday.  A 72 hour strike.  If this goes through and we can´t go to the Amazon, we might go somewhere else in Peru for a little trip.  The strikes completely shut down the whole town, so there isn´t a lot for us gringas to do on strike days.  We can´t even get to the orphanage.  So that´s what happening right now.  Some other news; we got news that we have a job for a bit while we´re in France, which is good news upon hearing about the dollar´s record breaking lows.  We´re applying for some other jobs now, but things seem to be falling into place.

Hey all!!

Cusco is a very exciting place to be right now!  Our futbol (soccer) team is doing very well in the national championships and last weekend, Liza and I went to our first game.  We loved it and have vowed to go to every game we can.  The week got particularly busy once we decided to head down to Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru, for a few days. 

We returned this morning at 6:45AM from our trip.  Last Wednesday we left on an 8PM bus for an 11-hour bus ride to Arequipa.  Arequipa is a colonial city not quite as high up in the mountains.  So, we arrived there on Thursday morning around 6:30 and were picked up by some friends of the family that live there.  We went back to their house for breakfast and some rest time.  We walked in to find that we had separate bedrooms, which was a big shock considering we have slept in the same room since mid-January.  I´m not going to lie, it was weird being alone.  Anyways, we had a pretty plush living situation.  My room had a bathroom and we each had cable TVs in our rooms.  Liza even had a DVD player.  But don´t worry, we didn´t watch TV all week. 

After we took a little nap Thursday morning, we headed out into the city.  Arequipa is supposed to have the best weather in Peru.  Always 70º and sunny.  But obviously for us, is was cold and rainy all week.  We didn´t have a lot of rain at first, so we were able to walk around.  We walked over to the Monasterio de Santa Catalina, which dates back to the 1500s.  This place is an entire city block and you could definitely spend an entire day in there.  We only spent about 4 hours.  Then we moved over to the main Cathedral.  After that was the museum that had mummies and artifacts from the old Incan human sacrifices.  Then we went over to the oldest church in Arequipa and had a chance to light candles for loved ones who have passed.  We were leaving at midnight for a tour of the Colca Canyon (Peru´s answer to the Grand Canyon) so we headed home and slept until midnight.  Then, we took a 3.5 hour bus to Chivay, the town right at the base of the canyon.  There we joined a tour group and started our tour of the canyon.  On the way up we had lovely views, but when we finally got to the top, it was too foggy to see anything.  But it was worth the trip.  Once back in Arequipa, we walked around town a bit and took in a movie.  This was a real treat because there are no movie theatres in Cusco. 

 Saturday, we walked around a bit more and just tried to see as much of the city as possible.  We had another night bus back to Cusco so we rushed over to the bus depot at 8PM.  We arrived home in Cusco this morning around 7AM!

 Tonight is the Oscar party and this week is just spending time around Cusco.  Last week while we were gone, Thursday and Friday were two HUGE strike days.  Hopefully that won´t carry on into this week.  Saturday is the big group birthday party at the orphanage and we are getting excited for the kids.  We have presents for them and hopefully it will be a very special day. 

We will keep you posted!