March of the Penguins

Monday morning was the end of our coast trip, but what a way to close out our weekend! We had to get up very early (5:30 am...) so we could get on the road by a little after 6:00. We drove for a little while to arrive at the actual coast. We filed into a small dock area on a beautiful bay. A few moments later we were taken to a small boat with lots of seats. We set off on our Paracas Island adventure.

First, I must comment on the very stylish life jacekets that we had to wear for the whole trip. I think I tripled in size and now know what Kelly Greg must feel like without a neck. We spend along the water and our first stop was to look at the side of a mountain-desert area. There was another huge sign on there from thousands of years ago. The guide said some believe its from the Nazcas, others believe it was from pirates marking where gold was to be found. I chose to go with the pirate theory and quickly glanced around for any signs of Captain Jack Sparrow.

We moved along on at a brisk pace, which felt pretty great in the sun. We started to notice more and more birds above us, all sorts of different sizes and shapes. We must be coming up to the islands...sure enough, the first island came into sight and it was FILLED with birds. Pelicans, gulls, annnnnnd PENGUINS! I was so excited to find my first penguins there. There weren´t many, but they were most definitely real, live penguins. They even did the cute thing where they lose their balance and try to use their wings to catch it.

We sailed around for quite a while, moving from rock to rock to see the different wild life. There were also tons of sea lions all over the islands, too. I found it especially cute when you would see one in the water surface right near the boat. It was definitely a ver cool experience, and makes me want to go somewhere like the Galapagos really badly! I took tons of pictures and a few videos and will post them as soon as I have a decent internet connection.

After the boat ride, we walked around what was like their boardwalk area. We had lunch right on the water and sadly, we had to get into the van for our journey home. Poncho swore it would only take 6 hours...i put bets on 7.

And I was right. We got home just in time for dinner. We all looked exhausted and sunburned (luckily my SPF 1000 kept me snow white). We unpacked and went to bed early, since we had placement early the next morning.

On Tuesday morning I started work at one of the Wawa Wasis. Its pretty close to where we live, so I am able to walk there, which is I rather enjoy instead of having to be brought to and picked up by the van. But there is one huge hill on the way there. I would probably be okay with it at home, but this is the one time I feel the altitude. I am completely winded by the time I get to the Wawa Wasi. I thought I was going to die on the way up.

¨Mama Louise¨is great, and wow does she have her hands full with these kids. There were 7 there on my first day...6 of which were boys. I didn´t know this when I went there on Tuesday, but there was a big fiesta that morning to celebrate the anniversary of the wawa wasi system. We walked over to it around 10. Two little boys held my hand as tight as they could on the walk there, very cute.

The fiesta had tons of little kids (under 3). They all ate cake, drank juice, danced and watched a clown. It was all very adorable! I tried my best to help out wherever I could.

The past two days have been very good at the Wawa Wasi. I think I might scare some of the kids --they have probably never seen a gringa before (Peruvian term for white girl). But they are slowly warming up to me. One seems to have no problem at all. He´s always jumping in my lap and playing blocks with me. One of the little girls today gave me her baby doll and had me help her put a blanket over it to put to bed.

I definitely feel like I am of more use here. The kids are really into their animal toys, so I have been trying to teach both the Spanish and English words for them. The mama is very supportive of learning the English words...I think she wants to know them as much as the kids. And its great because when I say the English word for a toy, she is them able to teach me the Spanish word.

Well, we are about to head out and walk around town for the afternoon. Many people leave on Saturday, so we´re doing last minute shopping and pictures for them. More to come soon! Adios!