Day 10: Halfway Through, and Lots of Work!

Hola, familias; this is Andrea and Yuna! 

  We started off our day by eating breakfast with our homestay families. We met at Don Tomas's house promptly at 8 am to start our double work day on our restoration projects, but not before an epic stretch session. Each group worked on a different project.

One group in each session painted signs that will be used to guide travelers through the as yet unmarked hiking trails to the Hummingbird Terraces and the Antasaya cave paintings. We had lots of fun designing and painting the signs while playing music.


Yuna's sign for the hiking trails

My group (Andrea's) started off the day by going to the vivero (tree nursery) where we pulled weeds and pruned trees. The hike up to the vivero was challenging, but the work was pleasant and our view was mesmerizing. 
The view from the vivero

When we got there, the director greeted us and gave us a demonstration on how he takes care of the hundreds of baby pine trees under his care. First, we weeded, and then we pruned the tiny trees. It was a very rewarding experience to know we were able to contribute to the repopulation of Peruvian forests.

(From left to right, Mr. Chang, Julian, Lana, Hadley, Claire and Andrea)

My group (Yuna's) went to map the canals with Jacob's GPS tracker. With this we can map the canals, figure out which ones have been damaged by the earlier landslides, and make sure water is being passed through the community's fields efficiently and equally. Though it was a long walk, it was fun to walk with my group with various Disney songs blaring from Christopher's speaker. 

Christopher posing in front of one of the canals

After a long work day we are ready to go back to our homestays and rest. 

Lots of love, 
Andrea and Yuna.

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