Guayaquil

Tyler and I were fortunate enough to stay with the fabulous Alvarado family. Jose, the father, was a good friend of Tyler's while he was on his mission and they were so nice to let us stay with them and leave our suitcases at their house. They are just the sweetest most hospitable people and we were sure grateful for them!

We also had the incredible opportunity to go to the Guayaquil temple. It was so nice to finally be able to go to the temple again after not having been while we were in Peru. It was just beautiful. .Later that day we headed to the Iguana Park where there are so many Iguanas just roaming around and hanging out. It was lots of fun.

Lake Titicaca

Uros

The last two weeks we were in Peru school was canceled because of the swine flu so Tyler and I had the opportunity to travel to Lake Titicaca with the other volunteers. Our first stop was visiting Uros, a group of floating islands on the lake.The Peruvians built these floating islands out of totara reeds which grow in the lake. The people moved out to these islands to escape the conquistadors in the 16 and 17 hundreds and people are still living there today.Now when I say these islands were built out of reeds, I mean everything. The island itself, the houses, the beds, the boats and even their awesome watch towers. It was incredible. This man showed us what the islands look like underneath the water. Totara reed mixed with mud and more totara reeds on top.Inside one of the housesKitchenThe awesome watch towers. The edge of the island. Careful; don't fall off!The core of their diet? You guessed it...fish.
Keeping ourselves entertained on the 2 1/2 hour boat ride.Look Jack I'm flying!No comment
Isla Taquile
After Uros we took a boat 2 1/2 hours to Isla Taquila. If I had to describe this place in one word it would be: breathtaking. It was absolutely gorgeous! If it wasn't a remote island inhabited by an ancient people with a tribal government I would want to live there. We thought the island inhabitants were in costume for the Dia de Independencia but we found out this is the native dress they wear everyday. Western society hasn't impacted these natives as of yet and they still follow the ancient way of living.

Motorcycle Tour

We found out that you can rent motorcycles in Cusco for only $25 a day so naturally all of the boys wanted to go. I rode on the back of Tyler's moto and we had the best time! The Sacred Valley is absolutely breathtaking; our moto tour of the Sacred Valley is the most fun we've had down here next to Machu Picchu.Our first stop was a beautiful lake not too far off the main road.From there we visted an Incan agricultural sight called Moray.

Finally we visted the Salt Mines.

We also saw some breathtaking sights along the way.

Last Day in Salcantay

Our last day in Salcantay we worked our butts off and laid cement. There was a group of doctors that came down to Peru to perform some surgeries and while they were doing so their wives and kids came up to Salcantay with us to help us pour cement. Everyone was really awesome and hardworking and we got a lot done.We have laid cement several times and are pretty much professionals by now. First you have to shovel the truck full of rocks and dirt which you then dump into a pile on the ground.Next you break the cement bags in half and pour half a bag into the cement mixer......with a bucket full of water......and several shovel fulls of dirt.When the cement is ready to go you pour it into wheel barrows......dump the wheel barrows into the squares......rake it......and then Roberto makes it look beautiful.We definitely had a great day but then we had to say good bye to the truck......and Roberto.At the end of the day we were a bit dirty......but we got to hold a baby lambie!