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2007 Student Humanitarian Journey

Sharing the Wisdom from the Heart of the Andes 2007
An Unforgettable trip to Cuzco, Peru, the Sacred Valley, and the mystical Machu Picchu

After our overnight flight we finally landed in Cuzco, Peru in South America. Cuzco is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and considered the capital of the Inca Empire. It is located 10,912 feet above sea level and its central streets are lined with massive Inca- built stonewalls which are now the foundations of both colonial and modern buildings.  We walked around Cuzco enjoying the beautiful ancient Inca structures, blended with the more modern Spanish buildings. We began to understand why Cuzco is considered the navel of the world where the four quarters of the world meet. This is called Tawantinsuyu.  We explored the point of this intersection at Qorycancha where the Inca Temple of Gold was built, now the Dominican Cathedral. 

We explored the vision of the Incas where Cuzco was built in the shape of a puma, with the temple of Sacsayhuaman as the head. This area known as Sacsayhuaman has numerous sacred centers each with a unique function. We climbed into the caves on Sacsayhuaman and made a gift Despacho ceremony to Pachamama. We used the waters located at the Tambo Machay to do an initial cleansing and meditated at the cave of the serpents, Amaru Machay.

We then journeyed to the Vanishing Cultures Foundation, Inc. village of Pacca.  We were presented with a beautiful welcoming celebration from all the students of Pacca for appreciation of all the US students’ hard work. Here we distributed school supplies to each and every student. It filled our hearts to see the joy on their faces. We received hundreds of hugs from each and every student and parent. We then enjoyed a wonderful, typically Peruvian lunch which included corn, potatoes, bread, cheese, chicken and even guinea pig for the brave and daring ones. The US students also had the opportunity to experience an overnight in the girls’ school dormitory, giving them part of a true experience of village life.

        We then began to explore many of the sacred Inca sites of Cuzco including the teachings of the Sachamama at Amaru Wonka. Then we were off to hike to the Temple of the Falcon at Pisac, a spectacular climb amidst agricultural terracing. We saw hundreds of graves honey-combing the cliff walls and a spectacular view of the Apu Pachatusan across the Urubamba River. We then visited the Temple of the Winds at Ollantaytambo and explored the ritual baths built in honor of the Inca princesses.

        We were then off to Machu Picchu where buildings and terraces spill over a ridge hundreds of meters above the rushing Urubamba River. The mystical “Lost City of the Incas” is the Inca spiritual center.  We explored the city of light for the entire day, learning more about the sacred ceremonies of the Inca and then we watched the sun set over the Andes. The evening was spent soaking in the hot springs in “Aguas Calientes” where we stayed overnight.

        The next day we traveled to the beautiful southern lakes of Cuzco where we saw fishing villages along the way. The wildlife was abundant. We even saw a huge tarantula up close and personal!  We crawled in the deep dark caves of Caranawi touching stalactites and stalagmites and crawled through tiny crevices to go deeper and deeper into the magnificent natural alters.  Sometimes we were crawling forward only by feeling!  Continuing on our way, we found the Inca Bridge called Qeswachaka. It is the only remaining Inca bridge and is unique on this earth dating back to the 15th century. It is still created every June in the traditional way using strings from the Agave plant.  It stretches 120 feet over the Apurimac River at about a 13,000 foot elevation. It was a little spooky to cross but who could resist! 

        It was a long and busy journey, full of hard work but lots of fun. The group came away with a deep appreciation for the Peruvian culture and the history and beauty of the land. They also were touched by the happiness of the students in Pacca understanding that despite the very little they had, they were extremely happy. To see the village students with tears in their eyes because they received their own school supplies was a huge humbling lesson for our US students. Our students became a part of the process that truly made a difference in this corner of the world.