Leanne's Comments

Vibrant colors, high altitude, Alpaca sweaters, and great Peruvian food.
Deep breaths, long sighs, a warm welcome, wide-open eyes.
A few hearts overflowing with love, a turquoise blue sky up above.
Tall green mountains, a colorful town square, white cotton clouds high up in the air…. Aahhh.
The sight and sounds of our 1st day in Cusco.

The fellow volunteers are all very nice. It is always wonderful to be around “like minded” people. It seems to me that everyone willing to give their time and love (not just their $$) is a good person, the kind I want to be around.

We receive an unbelievable warm welcome from all the children and nuns at the Hogar. We were served Cocatea to help us with any altitude sickness and we were shown to our rooms. To my surprise they were very comfortable.

Overall the people are kind and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent the USA. We are way different to what many people from foreign countries see us as, and different to what many foreigners have experienced.

I eventually had to hold back my tears when I met all my orphans. It was a powerful and moving moment, filled with gratitude in realizing the amazing opportunity. I have to have a positive effect, even if it is just one of their lives in a positive way. I feel blessed and privilege to do so.

The food, so far… delicious! All of my needs are met and then some.

I feel it was somewhat of a challenge to communicate with the children who are deaf and/or mentally handicapped. I will confront my challenges and push myself to find ways to do so. I know a smile and hug are universal and say a lot....

We rose before the sun and before the kids to begin our journey to the mystical Machu Picchu. Our group was anxious and ready for a full day outing. After a quick bite to eat and a taxi ride navigating through narrow cobblestone streets took us to the train station. The train ride cut through the Peruvian Mountains and was very picturesque. We saw where the Inca trail began and continued in. Four hours later we arrived to our stopping point. Then from the train were took a bus. The bus took us to a windy steep dirt road up to the spectacular Manchu Picciu site. Words can not describe what my eyes had seen. It was incredible, unbelievable, spectacular, and gorgeous. We went on an informative tour and learned about life on Machou Piccu. The mystery of the people who lived here is fascinating. We relaxed for a while as the rain came in and just sat quietly. We enjoyed lunch after about 3 hours exploring Machou Piccu and began our journey back into town. - - Leanne Goldburg