Journal: Helping Families in the Sacred Valley!
We spent the last four days in a village in the Sacred Valley. All of us slept in a room in the community center and ate delicious traditional Peruvian food. During the day we split up into three groups and built stoves for the locals.
Before we came, families used inefficient burning stoves that filled the houses with smoke, which led to respiratory problems and caused forest degradation. We built the new stoves out of adobe bricks, barro, rebar, and sheets of metal. Everyone gave it their all! The community was very grateful for our help.
When we weren´t building stoves, we spent our time hiking, star gazing, playing games, bonding as a group and with the local community. Our final night in town, last night, a few of the children in the group brought a stereo outside and many of the group joined them for a short dance party. This morning, some of us took a hike to the top of a hill above the town to discover a beautiful view of the snowy mountains around the town. Before leaving, the president of the village came by to thank us for our help and offered everyone a glass of Inca Cola. We have just arrived back in Cusco at our hotel to enjoy a much anticipated shower. We look forward to pizza for dinner tonight. We are looking forward to going white water rafting tomorrow!
— ARCC Student
Journal: Experiencing Machu Picchu!
We went to Machu Picchu yesterday! We woke up early to take a bus ride to a village called Ollantaytambo, where we caught the train and had a scenic ride that included incredible mountain views and a rushing river.
We arrived in Aquas Calientes for lunch, and afterwards continued on a windy bus ride up to Machu Picchu. After walking up a hill, we were presented with a breathtaking view of Macchu Picchu below us. The group listened to a tour given by our guide, Jorje, and then took some time to explore the ruins in groups. We were lucky to have wonderful, sunny weather. Back in Aquas Calientes, everyone enjoyed some Fourth of July ice cream before boarding the train back. We enjoyed a traditional Peruvian dinner and slept well after a big day of traveling and exploring. Today, the group took a tour through the sun temple to see some perfectly constructed Incan structures as well as Spanish art that had been created for the cathedral that was built there. The group had a chance to play games for a couple hours in a field on a hill overlooking the city next to some of the ruins of Saqsewaman. We had a very interesting and fun several course traditional Peruvian lunch. Many of the group tried “cuy” or guinea pig! This evening, we will be exploring the city and the markets.
— ARCC Student
Journal: Thrilling Rapids & Good Food!
Yesterday, we rafted the Urubamba river! The group took a two hour bus ride through mountains along the river. Rafting was very fun. We learned how to trust each other, especially when several of us fell off the boats and relied on our friends to pull us back in. The scenery was beautiful!
After rafting, we enjoyed a delicious lunch by the river. We got back to Cusco with some time to explore and buy gifts. In the evening, our guide, Jorje, took the group to a fantastic buffet with a generous selection of food as well as music and dance. Several people took full advantage of the dessert buffet with plates full of cake. We are looking forward to a final meal by the beach in Lima and our last day together as a group.
— ARCC Student
Journal: Work Hard, Play Hard
We have had an awesome time in Cusco so far. Today is the end of the third day of our trip. We had a wonderful time today at our “Helping Hands” community service project.
We worked with the children and helped construct an addition to the school. Everyone worked really hard and gave it their all. We enjoyed some time to explore Cusco and had a delicious traditional Peruvian meal for dinner this evening.
“In all regards ARCC ran an organized, instructive, fun filled adventure. Students learned lifelong lessons; all the while having a wonderful time.”
— Parent of Dustin F.
“Thank you for the invaluable experience you afforded Carly. She had a great time and enjoyed every facet of the well organized and well orchestrated program.”
— Parent of Carly M.
“I think that the trip was amazing at pushing my limits and helping me grow. Without ARCC I would have never realized how much strength I actually have.”
— Sophie K., ARCC Student
“This trip has given me new friends and new stories, but more importantly I am returning home with a sense of self I’ve never felt before.”
— Andrew R., Providence, RI - ARCC Student
“This was by far the most rewarding experience of my life. This was my first ARCC trip and it far surpassed my high expectations. I have gained an understanding of the impact a small group of individuals can make on the world.”
— Liz B., ARCC Student
“The cultural experience is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life and through travels to come.”
— Liz L., ARCC Student
