Switching Gears

Yesterday, our six-week teacher-training program came to an end. We had a graduation ceremony, in which each class presented a song or skit. Our class split into two groups and presented two fairy tales, "The Three Little Pigs" and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves." I laughed so hard that I almost fell out of my chair.

As volunteers, we were also asked to present something, and we opted for the song "Volare," sung in Spanish and our three native languages (English, Danish and Italian). It was a hit!

Afterward, we presented our students with their completion certificates, and they surprised us with gifts (a Peruvian purse), certificates and a serenade in Quechua. Later we all went out to lunch, and then Christine and I met several of our students for drinks.

Fun fact: When I´ve had a few drinks, the English accent I´ve acquired here becomes much, much worse. I might as well have said "Cheerio"!

Now, I´m switching gears for a vacation within my vacation. Tomorrow, Michael arrives, and we´re going to explore lots of sites around the Sacred Valley. Unfortunately, we can´t go to Machu Picchu, as it´s closed until 1 April. (In case you´re wondering, I´m scheduled to come home 29 March but might change my ticket.)

After Michael goes home, I´m traveling with Christine, Sara and Henry to the southern part of Peru, focusing on the Nasca lines, Arequipa and the coast. We had a major planning session last night, and today we started booking buses and making reservations.

At the end of my two weeks, it´s back to teaching, this time in the Sacred Valley rather than in Cusco. I don´t have the details of my placement yet, but I hope to hear something soon.