Thursday for our language class we took a trip to Lima to go to the Archaeology museum. The museum was filled with remnants of ceramics, cloth, and other artifacts from all the different eras of Peruvian history. Some of the earliest artifacts date back 4000 years, which is incredible. Typically when I think of learning about history I assume the simplest way to do so is through literature or written history, but looking at the intricate designs and progression of simple household items provided valuable insight into the lives of ancient Peruvians. The ceramic bowls and pitchers told stories of nobility, daily life, and tensions through their designs and provided an interesting glimpse into the societies of the past.

Yesterday we had a campout at the training center, which was a lot of fun. A few of us got together to cook, and it’s always funny navigating Peruvian grocery stores and kitchens. The results turned out pretty well. Our group is amazing at potlucks, so we had quite an array of delicious food. We had a big fire and even created cheese fondue over the fire, which was pretty amazing.

Today was an awesome day of relaxation before we head to visit our sites tomorrow. I went to Chacrasana for most the day and we just enjoyed hanging out, chatting with Mario’s host family, and wondering around Chosica. I’ve become pretty good friends with several people here, so it will be weird when we all scatter throughout Peru, but I think we all share a special bond after going through training together that will keep us connected in some way.