DIA

We made it to Denver and it feels great to be home.  Chris, Jennifer’s husband, was the first to greet us and it was nice to see a familiar face. 

Katherine

Pictures from our final night…

Ica Party and Back Home

Candelaria dancer revealed - Zenon from Puno!

The conference in Ica began Friday night with all the clubs coming in from District 4300.  We were able to see all our friends from Southern Peru and it was an amazing way to close out our trip…however, this was just the beginning of the end.  There were introductions of all the dignitaries present, all the clubs and citisites represented, and us, the IGE team.  We then moved to the patio where the talent show commenced.  Most of the groups participated, RC Club Tacna took 1st, and RC Club Puno took second.  There was plenty off food and pisco sours to go around.  Our team was up extremely early as we took a trip to Paracas, an island also known as Galapagos of South America.  We had to leave the festivities around 11:30 but according to all of our friends, they continued until about 3 or 4 into the morning.

Saturday, we gave our last presentation at the conference.  We had it set up in game show format, but it was great because the audience kind of took over and answered all the questions for us.  So much fun!   We were able to give thanks and appreciation to all of our friends with most of them present.

Now, the real party didn’t start until 9.  Pulling up to Hotel Real Ica, we saw the tent outside, the spot lights coming through the tent, everyone was walking in in pretty close to formal attire.  Everyone cleaned up well and dinner was great.  It seemed as though no one was dancing, but then while we were eating dinner, all of a sudden the dance floor was packed with people.  Everyone was dancing, the food was great, the music was amazing and the band leader kept everyone engaged.

Dancing the night away

We ALL joined in with the dancing.  We danced all night long.  All of our friends were there and this is something that we were so grateful for.  We were able to see people from all the cities, not everyone, but all cities had someone representing them.  We saw our friends from Cusco, Puno, Arequipa, Tacna, Nasca, and Ica.  There were many other great parts to the night, but another was that there were RC Clubs there that we weren’t able to visit, so we had even more new friends, like the Ladies from the Jungle.  It was so much fun and a very memorable way to close out our trip.  We danced into the wee hours of the morning.  Although, there was more to come…

Every Sunday morning, each city has a parade and a flag raising ceremony in the Plaza de Armas. Sunday was Rotary’s turn. We lined up for the parade, by Club. Everything was very formal. We walked with Club Puno and Justin and Sara helped carry their flag, it was a priviledge to be there with him. We were also walking with Club Arequipa Este. We took one lap around the Plaza, the flags were raised, then we walked down the Main Street and we were all introduced by group, including the IGE team from Denver, CO.

Carrying our flags with pride

This is when we had to say good-bye to them all.  All the clubs, even the clubs that we did not visit, but met at the conference, invited us all back to stay with and visit them.  I would just like to acknowledge all the groups that we visisted or tried to visit:

CUSCO:  Cusco, Inka Cusco, Julio J. Delgado

PUNO:  Puno

AREQUIPA:  San Augustin, Este, Oeste, Arequipa Sur, Arequipa, Mollendo, Primavera

TACNA:  Miculla, Caplina, Tacna

NASCA:  Nasca

ICA:  Real Ica, Ica, Ica Sur

We had a wonderful time, an amazing opportunity, we met people that we will never forget and I know that in time, we will all be back.  We will miss you all, we thank you for opening your homes and hearts to strangers, we appreciate all that we have learned, we will never forget this experience and I know that all our lives have been changed for the better.

THANK YOU ALL!!!

Katherine and the IGE Team, Justin, Sara, Jennifer and Gale

Conference Update

A quick update before we head off to tonight´s festivities..

Today´s conference was a huge success. Lots of great talks and even a tour (to a vineyard and shopping) to mix things up a bit.

The highlight for the group was our presentation which ended the afternoon´s festivities. In the form of a game show, we broke up into teams (Team Listo and Team Claro) and answered questions via a powerpoint we had prepared in advance. Gale did a great job as the host of the show, and we got a great response from oure audience. We were able to highlight our experience and thank the many clubs throughout southern Peru who made our trip so worthwhile.

Tonight we are off to the big dance and celebration at Hotel Real, home of the conference. The women are breaking out dresses and outfits that have yet to be seen or worn on our 31 day journey. As for me, I´m getting crazy and adding a tie to my ensemble. Look out Ica.. the GSE team from District 5450 is ready to dance and have some fun!

Justin

Conference time is here

Lobos del mar

Friday, April 30th was the official start of the Rotary Conference that we´ve been preparing for since our first meetings back in November.

We started the day with an amazing tour of the islands of Ballestas. One of the most popular draws on the southern coast of Peru, Ballestas is a home to over 700,000 birds including 160 species including penguins and pelicans. Sea lions and dolphins join the fun in this extravaganza of nature, seen only from one´s tour boat. You see, humans are not allowed on the island except for every seven years when guano (mineral-rich bird droppings) is collected as fertilizer. I was lucky enough to collect some on my shirt from our winged friends flying above. Souvenir.. sweet! Thank you Maricio from Arequipa for arranging the tour.

Salud!

In the afternoon, our friends Julio and Lilliana from Ica Rotary club took us to a delicious lunch in wine country. There are many bodegas (vineyards) within 30 minutes of downtown Ica. Peru´s first vineyards were planted near Ica in the 1550´s from Spanish seedlings. At the Tamaca vineyard, we sampled wines and piscos before departing to visit the home of our new friends Juan and Rosario. Their daughter Maria is currently in Colorado with the Peruvian team visiting District 5450.

At 7pm, we were ready to go for the Rotary conference. We are very proud to represent the district and of course, our country. After words of welcome and inspiration from multiple dignitaries including District President Roberto Monzon and Juan Godoy from Chile, the business of having a good time was at hand. The festivities included fireworks, live music, a talent show put on by the Rotary clubs, and more.

We were sad to leave around midnight but we were in need of a full night´s rest for Saturday´s activities. Not only do the Rotarians know how to make the world a better place, they know how to throw a party!

Justin

Ica update

Yesterday, we were able to see Huacachina, an oasis near Ica in the middle of the Sand Dunes. Yes, they too have Sand Dunes that go on forever, so much larger than those in Colorado. Tania from Rotary Club Real Ica picked us up, took us around the Oasis where they will be having opening ceremonies Friday for the conference.  Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huacachina – our pictures will follow.

We were then met by Rotary District 4300 Governor Roberto Bernal who took us to dinner with Real Ica. This group was great to be with, lots of conversations going on. Of course, dinner was followed by a bottle of home-made pisco to be shared….and a good time was had by all!

Who's that girl?

This morning, the GSE team made a trip into downtown Ica for a little shopping including visits to the Plaza de Armas and the swank Plaza del Sol shopping mall. We’re talking designer sunglasses, Peru’s version of Home Depot, Radio Shack, Swatch, etc. I watched with amusement as the ladies got out their soles (Peruvian currency) and went crazy. What a surprise to run into some of our Peruvian friends on the streets of Ica – we enjoyed lunch with our Rotarian friend Rosanna Gutierrez (the incoming Presidenta of  Rotary Club Arequipa Este) and Mauricio from Arequipa.

This afternoon we worked on our final presentation for the district conference on Saturday and rested up for our final visit to a Rotary club (Ica Sur) before the conference begins on Friday.

Katherine/Justin

Nasca taste

Hello from Ica…that’s right, already in Ica, writing about Nasca. No computer access in that small lil pueblo. We arrived after a 15 hour bus ride at 0430 in the morning. This was just another test on the Rotarian character…they passed with flying colors of course!

Rotarians Pepe and Jorge picked us up and took us to our hotel, both had to work early in the morning and couldn’t have been more hospitable. Some of the highlights of this trip were the Nasca lines (I recommend google or check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasca_lines), seeing the Plaza of both Nasca and its sister city, Vista Alegre, and having the best impromptu Rotary meeting yet. We talked about potential Rotary projects, many of which include assistance with clean water.  Nasca is truly a desert. An amazing dinner with home-made pisco to top the night off!

The next morning we took a small plane to REALLY see the Nasca  lines! It was awesome!

Lines from the airplane!

Now in Ica, another amazing welcome…off to spend time with the District Governor tonight. stay tuned!- sara

Nasca lines from the viewing tower

Nasca Plaza de Armis

Nasca Rotary Club

Computadoras, Radio, Playa en Tacna

University server room

We had a great day today. The group split up for professional exchanges – Sara, Katherine and Gale toured a hospital while Justin and I toured a private university. On our tour, we learned about the computer systems that support the university students and faculty. We happened to be there during a promotion for open-source software, so we learned about the annual event for students and professionals that takes place across South America, and the methods they use for getting the word out about the event. I loved all the computer talk, and appreciated seeing the hardware they use for the campus.

Radio station - UPT

We also had a chance to visit the college radio station, which broadcasts across all of Tacna. Although Justin did a couple of stints on college radio in his day, he opted not to broadcast today. I guess one live appearance in Peru is enough for him.

We all reunited for a tour of petroglyphs. The area reminded me of Utah somewhat, and also what I imagine other planets to look like. Ater a delicious lunch, we went to the beach (playa). It was fascinating to see so much beach and so few people.

Tomorrow afternoon we depart for Nasca, with a scheduled arrival of 1am. As usual, we have all received wonderful attention and care here. We´ll be sad to say goodbye to our Tacna friends, but are looking forward to getting to know a new group of friends.

-jen

Sights of Tacna

Today is Thursday and beautiful in Tacna. The forecast calls for 3 fun-filled days of sight-seeing, vocational visits, Rotary meetings and presentations each night.  After a 6 hour bus ride from Arequipa this am, we were greeted with banners, smiles, camera shots  and lots of hugs. This place feels like home. Especially if your home is on the border with Chile, there are palm trees, sand, and everyone is speaking Spanish.  I like the part where the Rotarians welcome us into their homes, feed us amazing food, and treat us like their family. Remind me again….how did we get so lucky?  We went to a monkey zoo today. -sara

Monkey at the zoo

Justin playing soccer at the orphanage

Biblioteca in Tacna, one big Rotary project!

Jose's daughter's intercambio jacket... we aren't even close!

Suri (similar to an ostrich) at the zoo

At the olive oil factory for a taste test

Very serious about our olive oil, on our way for a tour

Olives on their way

Tacna cathedral

Esperanza y José our wonderful host family!

Flag exchange at Club CaplinaClub Caplina

Enjoy the pictures, more to come as we have time.  Note: we had a temblor last night, that means a little earthquake. We are all OK and no damage we are aware of….they happen when the seasons change from what we hear.

~~Sara

Picture updates- Arequipa

Well you have been asking, and we had a free moment to post some pictures!  Enjoy!- sara.

El Misti, volcano in the heart of Arequipa

Arches at Santa Catalina Monastery

Katherine presenting for Club Primavera

Meditation in Colca Canyon

Club Este school project in Vizcachani

Almuerzo with our new friends Javier y Miguel

Club Arequipa