A wonderful day. Following is a quick comment writen by each student. Enjoy. We are off to the mountains for the next two days. FB

One thing for sure, this trip is definitely the best experience I had so far. I meet incredible people and I love my host family. I hope to come back !!!!!
--Kirsti Aventurin

I love Peru! One and a half weeks down, one and a half to go. The whole village is related to my host family, and it’s amazing how friendly everyone is (much different than back home). Everyday is a new experience….que chevere!!
--Mike Storace

I don’t think I have ever been as dirty as I am right now, or as happy to be dirty. Everyday we are covered in paint, dirt, and plaster and I love it! Everyone has really come together as a group and it’s so rewarding to be helping the community.
--Julia Haney

Ollantaytambo is an incredibly loving and colorful village, and everyone in our group has woven themselves into the working of the village by means of leadership, our host families, and the Tierra de Niños construction project. It has been incredible to not only watch but also to enjoy this process. Nothing here has been anything less than wonderful.
--Chloe Fross

Ollantytambo is absolutely beautiful. Everyday at least one person comments about how the mountains look like something on a post card. All the people, especially the children, are incredibly friendly and always ready to help. Living in the village has shown me not only how lucky we are, but how wasteful we are. Living here has been eye opening.
--Abby Morss

It’s incredible to be back in Ollantaytambo again! Today we had a great day of productive work, and I’m so proud of all the work that we’ve been doing on the Tierra de Niños project. Julia, Jajairy, and I have really bonded with our family too, and they have been so warm to us (especially our mother, Senora Toya, who will literally fight us to do the dishes). Returning to our homestay families after work everyday feels like we are actually going home, and I’m really happy to be here.
--Jane Bang

Coming to Ollantaytambo, Peru, has been one of the best, most life-changing experiences I have ever encountered. I am so happy to have been able to come with this group of wonderful people, and been able to experience the truly loving community, who will extend themselves even to strangers, the children who devotedly support their families, and the pure and awe-filled beauty of the landscape. Thank you to everyone who has made this experience what it is so far – I can’t wait for more!
--Julia Metzger

Ollantaytambo is one the most loving and caring places I’ve ever been. Everyone in the community is willing to help you with anything and you say good morning to everyone on the street. The children are an inspiration. They love helping out on the worksite, and are mature far beyond their age. Half the children I’ve met I want to take home! This place is inspiring.
--Molly Belsky


Hi. We’ve been working pretty hard at the work site and also hiking since we’ve arrived. It’s been fun, yet a lot of hard work. I’m liking it a lot.
--Kayode Dansalami


I really don’t think that words can explain our experience so far. Between the people, the work and the playing, it has been a truly different and exhilarating experience for me. Ollantay is an unforgettable place and I dread the day we need to leave.
---Zach Baharozian


I have really had the time of my life, between working at the school, playing soccer with the locals, and interacting with my host family. I have learnt so much thus far, and am looking forward to the next one and a half weeks. Leaving will be a sad experience.
--William Goodenough

Writing this I realized that the trip is half-way over, yet I feel like it has only been a few days. I have really liked working at the school and I am really excited for the overnight hike. I also had a wonderful 15th birthday that I will never forget.
--Cullen Coleman

I am not a native speaker of Spanish; however, I am learning a lot. For example, the 8 year old boy in my home stay reminded me that “pero” (but) is not the same word as “perro” (dog), so for a while I was saying the word “dog” every time I tried to make a compound sentence … a little bit awkward. I love Spanish now, and I keep mixing up English and Spanish. Yay. I love this trip, and I’m having a lot of fun.
-- Zoe Silverman

Despite airplane layovers, multiple stomach aches and interesting encounters with “toros fuertes” (strong bulls) in the streets, the entire group has remained in good spirits. Without hesitation I will say that my experience here in Peru has encompassed every meaning to the words “community service!”
--Jack (Rusty) Cohen

It’s been amazing so far and I love Ollanta. This group has come together really well and it has been awesome!
--Eriche Sarvay

I am loving the way everybody is working together as a team and giving different ideas.
--Rosanna Rodriguez

I love every single thing that happens every day, and the experience is just amazing.
--Jajairy Fong

The group is coming together well, and so is our service project. The food is better than I thought, and I can’t wait for the rest of the trip to unfold.
--Kyle Ortiz

Doing well, working hard. I saw a shooting star, and I’m getting a great workout.
--Jeremy Santiago

Having a great time, doing a good job working. A very different experience for me.
--Joshua Santiago

Getting to know my host family. We have become really close over the past week; I can’t imagine leaving right now.
--Michael Corkrum

I’m having a great time and I’m feeling much better from being sick. I’m really happy that the service project we are doing is showing a lot of progress.
--Jenny Min

I’m having an amazing time! My homestay family is very nice. The day hike was very beautiful and a great experience. It’s great to get to know everyone in the group! The time has flown by, and I’m having so much fun!
--Michelle Murphy