With some extra time on our hands on our last day at Ceiba Tops, we planted a seed in our guides heads saying that we would really love to visit a local school if at all possible.
Was there a village near by that would welcome a bunch of gringos to interupt their school day so that we could say hello and see how things are?
ABSOLUTELY!
Not far up river is the small village called San Luis, home to approximately 300 residents who make their living farming and fishing along the Amazon river valley.
We loaded up our small boat, and those of us who had opted to go waved goodbye to those who had chosen to stay and rest.
I am one of those who hates to miss ANYTHING. I just feel like the one thing I say no to just might turn out to the the awesome thing I wish I hadn’t missed…so I go!
And am I ever glad I did.
the sunrise this morning was incredible!
How many reflections can you see?
Unloading and ready to go surprise the locals.
Climbing up the bank.
We crossed a covered bridge and noticed the huge lily pads right away.
Wow!
Fresh water system!
Fresh drinking water is essential to river people where no running water is available. River water is filtered using this system, making the water safe for everyone to drink. Each family gets one 10 gallon bucket plus one glass full for every person in each family. And families are large, with 8 to 10 children each or more. The primary religion is Catholic and no birth control is used within this village.
Families watch on as our guide Orlando explains things and answers our questions!
Orlando talking about this family’s home.
What we came to see, was the school!
And they are very curious about us!
We were invited in, and the students quickly moved their desks out of the way, giving us their chairs to sit on while they gave us a little program of answering some questions asked by our guides and also a couple of songs!
And Yes, I caught the songs below!
Who can resist these sweet faces?
We pooled our Peruvian solas together to purchase them some snacks that they can share later.
I took a gazillion photos that you will find in the slide show below.
These children touched my heart so greatly. The whole town did. They might not have a lot, but it is clean, and orderly and the children were also well put together with clean clothes that are washed by hand in buckets – be watching for the lady doing her laundry in the slide show – and be ever grateful that you live where you do and have all you have.
It was a humbling experience and one I won’t soon forget!
If I ever do this trip again, I will be hitting the dollar store and filling my suitcase with pens, pencils, crayons and magic markers. These kids can use EVERYTHING. It is not easy to ship anything here and there is no way to guarantee that anything you send will make it so the best way to get it here is to bring it. Next time I will be better prepared!
Click the image below if you are unable to view the slide show on your mobile device. You’ll be taken to the photo album for viewing.
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| Los Niños de San Luis, Peru 2015 |
Waving goodbye to San Luis!
More next post!
In real time…today we have a 4 hour train ride to Machu Picchu! I’m still feeling a bit punky. Just a lingering headache and what feels like flu symptoms without the upset tummy or intestinal distress. Just achey all over and headachy, and feeling like I could sleep for a week. 12,000 ft elevation can do that to you even with coco tea and a prescription for elevation sickneess. I’ll live!
Besides, we go lower today. Machu Picchu is only at 8,000 feet!
Love from Peru --
What well behaved children! I wish I could take supplies to them too. Were the people curious about this band of gringos? Amazing trip, and how lovely that you put the Peruvians in so many of your writings and photos.
ReplyDeleteSuch sweet, beautiful, happy children. Warms my heart! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful people, and a good lesson to appreciate what we have. I so enjoy you sharing your trip with us.
ReplyDeleteLOTS and LOTS of water will help the elevation sickness. Enjoying your photos immensely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. So sweet all those smiling faces! Hugs and feel un-punky at 8,000 feet elevation. Hugs, Allison in Plano, Texas USA
ReplyDeleteNext time you go put out a call and those of us that follow you will contribute and help to get those boxes down there! Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteBonnie says: "I am one of those who hates to miss ANYTHING. I just feel like the one thing I say no to just might turn out to the the awesome thing I wish I hadn’t missed…so I go!"
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%!
I ended up taking 3 suitcases with me to Bolivia! Now you completely understand that craziness.
Were they speaking Spanish?
What a memorable trip, my friend.
PS, The water well we helped finance was very similar to the one in your village.
ReplyDeleteSo, I noticed that the kids are not wearing the standard "Uniform unica" that all wore to school in the 70's when I lived in Lima for a summer.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pictures Bonnie. Those children are adorable My daughter is in Peru and will be going on the Inca Trail within a day or so.
ReplyDeleteYou can stand on those lily pads. I learned about them at chatsworth in England. They were brought back then and shown in London at worlds fair in 1800s. Amazing trip. They don't miss what they haven't seen or know is out there. Yes basic needs are necessary.We have entirely too much in most cases here. What gets me here is there are still children who may go without food here but almost every home has a TV and Internet. I don't, by choice.its all a balance.
ReplyDeleteThat side trip must have been a heart warming experience, you are correct that we should all be thankful for what we have. Thank you for sharing with us all.
ReplyDeletethanks for the photos---it reminds me of my several trips to Honduras---and the schools there---I remember their smiles---and you are right---they need everything. I always took several books with me--in English and Spanish and would read to them while I was there in Spanish---they loved it---and I had adults as well all hanging over my shoulders as I read.
ReplyDeleteSylvia from Texas
I love reading your blog about your trip to Peru. I was there 2 years ago, visiting Lima, Cusco and Machu Pichu, and Puno and Lake Titicaca. On the drive to Puno, we visited a school. Whe were told to bring school supplies to donate to the school if we wanted to. The school was sponsored by Gate 1 travel and that was the travel agency that I went there with. Visiting that school was amazing and they sang to us also. In fact, looking at your pictures, the classrooms looked so similar. It is so fun seeing your pictures and bringing back the fun memories I had from my trip.
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