Peru was so awesome! In terms of sights, I love Peru so much better
than Ecuador. Peru has prettier mountains-some of them even snow
capped, and they have much more colors in general. In everything they
sell, there are brighter colors and very few dull colors like black,
brown, or gray. Since I can't really remember the days because
everything was so pushed together, I'll just sum up what I do
remember. Last Saturday we drove Guayaquil and spent the night.
Sunday we flew to Lima and stayed the night there. Monday we flew to
Cuzco. Tuesday we took a train to Aguas Calientes. Wednesday we went
back to Cuzco. Thursday was a free day in Cuzco. Friday we flew to
Lima. Saturday everyone went back to the U.S. and I returned to
Ecuador. Ugh...so much traveling in one week! That's just traveling
to different cities, it does not include any of the touring we did.
Just about everyday we had a tour or walked through ruins plus waking
up anywhere between 4 and 6 every morning and going to bed at 12
every night was not very fun.
I wish we could have had more time to
sit around and relax but at the same time, I am happy we were able to
go to all those different places in one week. I saw quite a few
churches in Cuzco as well as some ruins near the city. On the way to
Aguas Calientes, there were two more sets of ruins we saw along the
way and we also stopped at a small alpaca and llama farm where you
could actually pet all of them! We also had the chance to buy things
made out of their fur but it was kind of expensive, in soles and
dollars.
We also spent about a half day in Machu Picchu. It was
amazing and pretty but also kind of boring. Not going to lie. It was
cool to see things that other members of my group did not see because
they were elsewhere but just in general, it just wasn't all that it
seemed to be in my mind. While everyone else in my group climbed a
mountain right next to it, called Huayanapicchu, I went and walked to
places that very few people see-like Intipunku and the Inca draw
bridge. I saw a whole different side to Machu Picchu than most people
see and I loved it, although I do wish I could have seen it from the
mountain like the rest of my group. They said it was very pretty but
I'd say my view was really good too.
On our free day in Cuzco, we
mostly just went around shopping as a group, some of us splitting off
to find certain things and others staying together. One of the girls
got a tatoo of a Chakana which ended up looking really cool. I also
got my first ever massage-full body massage for an hour for about 7
U.S. dollars! It was amazing! And then I had Starbucks soon after so
it was a great afternoon. We also had half a free day in Lima, but I
didn't want to do much anything besides rest. Anyways, there was not
much else I did. On Saturday I came back later than expected because
there were plane technical difficulties but there was still a kind of
after-party going on at home. So I hung out with my mom and my
brother for a bit there, and then my brother and I left with our
friend to hang out elsewhere for a few hours.
When we came back we
watched a movie and then went to bed. Sunday I sat in the house all
day with my family and watched movies. Yesterday I packed and hung
out all afternoon until we went to CEDEI for a meeting-my family was
getting another student! So I talked to her a bit and got to know her
now. Today I am going with my mom to the spa all morning and then
later on I might go get a manicure and pedicure with the new student.
Tonight I am making the dinner-meatloaf, mashed potatoes, cucumbers,
and oreo balls for dessert :) Tomorrow I will go visit CEDEI tomorrow
and give my last goodbyes there as well as at home. Not quite sure
what I'm doing specifically but I will probably just be hanging out
with my family. Well, I guess that's it. That was my last blog. I had
a great semester here in Ecuador. I met so many cool people and found
another family in the southern hemisphere. I had tons of adventures I
will never forget and so many memories were made. I am so happy I was
able to come to Ecuador this semester and I want to thank everyone
who helped me get to where I am now, especially my parents. Without
them, I would not have gotten the chance to come here. Thank you so
much! I will see you guys soon. Love you!
Peru was so awesome! In terms of sights, I love Peru so much better
than Ecuador. Peru has prettier mountains-some of them even snow
capped, and they have much more colors in general. In everything they
sell, there are brighter colors and very few dull colors like black,
brown, or gray. Since I can't really remember the days because
everything was so pushed together, I'll just sum up what I do
remember. Last Saturday we drove Guayaquil and spent the night.
Sunday we flew to Lima and stayed the night there. Monday we flew to
Cuzco. Tuesday we took a train to Aguas Calientes. Wednesday we went
back to Cuzco. Thursday was a free day in Cuzco. Friday we flew to
Lima. Saturday everyone went back to the U.S. and I returned to
Ecuador. Ugh...so much traveling in one week! That's just traveling
to different cities, it does not include any of the touring we did.
Just about everyday we had a tour or walked through ruins plus waking
up anywhere between 4 and 6 every morning and going to bed at 12
every night was not very fun. 
I wish we could have had more time to
sit around and relax but at the same time, I am happy we were able to
go to all those different places in one week. I saw quite a few
churches in Cuzco as well as some ruins near the city. On the way to
Aguas Calientes, there were two more sets of ruins we saw along the
way and we also stopped at a small alpaca and llama farm where you
could actually pet all of them! We also had the chance to buy things
made out of their fur but it was kind of expensive, in soles and
dollars. 
We also spent about a half day in Machu Picchu. It was
amazing and pretty but also kind of boring. Not going to lie. It was
cool to see things that other members of my group did not see because
they were elsewhere but just in general, it just wasn't all that it
seemed to be in my mind. While everyone else in my group climbed a
mountain right next to it, called Huayanapicchu, I went and walked to
places that very few people see-like Intipunku and the Inca draw
bridge. I saw a whole different side to Machu Picchu than most people
see and I loved it, although I do wish I could have seen it from the
mountain like the rest of my group. They said it was very pretty but
I'd say my view was really good too. 
On our free day in Cuzco, we
mostly just went around shopping as a group, some of us splitting off
to find certain things and others staying together. One of the girls
got a tatoo of a Chakana which ended up looking really cool. I also
got my first ever massage-full body massage for an hour for about 7
U.S. dollars! It was amazing! And then I had Starbucks soon after so
it was a great afternoon. We also had half a free day in Lima, but I
didn't want to do much anything besides rest. Anyways, there was not
much else I did. On Saturday I came back later than expected because
there were plane technical difficulties but there was still a kind of
after-party going on at home. So I hung out with my mom and my
brother for a bit there, and then my brother and I left with our
friend to hang out elsewhere for a few hours. 
When we came back we
watched a movie and then went to bed. Sunday I sat in the house all
day with my family and watched movies. Yesterday I packed and hung
out all afternoon until we went to CEDEI for a meeting-my family was
getting another student! So I talked to her a bit and got to know her
now. Today I am going with my mom to the spa all morning and then
later on I might go get a manicure and pedicure with the new student.
Tonight I am making the dinner-meatloaf, mashed potatoes, cucumbers,
and oreo balls for dessert :) Tomorrow I will go visit CEDEI tomorrow
and give my last goodbyes there as well as at home. Not quite sure
what I'm doing specifically but I will probably just be hanging out
with my family. Well, I guess that's it. That was my last blog. I had
a great semester here in Ecuador. I met so many cool people and found
another family in the southern hemisphere. I had tons of adventures I
will never forget and so many memories were made. I am so happy I was
able to come to Ecuador this semester and I want to thank everyone
who helped me get to where I am now, especially my parents. Without
them, I would not have gotten the chance to come here. Thank you so
much! I will see you guys soon. Love you!
