This morning we took a combi to Cauday, which was absolutely one of the most beautiful rides I have ever experienced. The narrow dirt and rock road was precariously situated on the edges of mountain cliffs overlooking expansive green fields, crystal blue skies, and jagged mountain tops. The serpentine road led us to Cauday, which is Evan’s site (another current volunteer). It was definitively one o f those moments where I stepped back and really thought about where I was and what I was doing. What an incredible opportunity; to be in the middle of rural Peru, surrounded by incredible sights, and an endless amount of fulfilling work to be done with kind, humble, interesting people.

When we arrived in Cauday, we dropped off a passenger in the local marketplace that was bustling with activity. Cauday is a small site, so a combi full of gringos definitely captured the attention of the local people. After arriving we headed to a local school where we played a soccer game before giving our prepared education session. We were talking about the importance of communication and had prepared a talk for about 20 older students, but ended up having a room full of fifty 11 year olds which was initially a little overwhelming. Luckily our planned activities went really well, and we managed to maintain their interest for the duration of our lesson. Students here are definitely more timid than they are in more urban/coastal areas. Self-esteem and confidence appear to be extremely low, so engaging with these students was a really meaningful experience.

Later, we went to a “primaria” or elementary school to meet some of the students, and as soon as we arrived they poured out of their classrooms without any kind of structure or appearance of rules. We were able to meet most of the students at this small school and they were completely fascinated by all of us visitors. Everyone in the town knows Evan, so multiple children asked if we were all his family members. A group of little girls were talking to Evan and when they saw me they shyly asked him what my name was, so I went over to introduce myself. As soon as I sat down they skittered away giggling and covering their faces, but within minutes I had a huge group surrounding me and asking me all about myself and the United States.

Lunch was definitely an experience. We went to Evan’s house, which was humbly constructed with mostly mud floors and basic cooking equipment over a fire. His host mom graciously volunteered to cook all of us “cuy” or guinea pig, which is a delicacy reserved for special guests and occasions. We all saw the guinea pigs in the cage earlier that morning, so seeing her prepare them as lunch made my stomach turn a little bit. Everyone in our group was brave enough to try the guinea pig, and it wasn’t bad. Not something I would want to eat every day, but a necessary Peruvian cultural experience for sure.

Following lunch we toured the municipality and the health post that Evan works with, both of which have exciting projects going on and seem to be excellent community partners. When we finished for the day we decided we would hike home instead of taking the 45 minute combi ride. It was a gorgeous walk through the narrow roads and mountain short-cuts, and luckily almost all downhill. We could see for miles, and the entire walk only took about an hour and a half.