taking a break from city life

On Thursday a 70-minute bus ride delivered us from the concrete and noise of Lima to the small, rural village of Quebrada Verde in the coastal mountains in the district of Pachacamac. During the humid winter months, the “verde” in the village’s name rings true. In early fall, however, the landscape is still mostly brown.

The morning after a day of service at St. Rose of Lima Montessori School, our group embarked on a hike to explore this unique coastal ecosystem and get a bird’s-eye view of the natural terrain just south of the city.

Our guide told us about the local wildlife (including hawks and snails) and talked about the history of the area, pointing out rock formations, petroglyphs that date back two millennia, and an abandoned mine shaft.

At the summit, the SSTers were delighted with a snack of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Peruvian canchitas—roasted, salted corn kernels that resemble large unpopped popcorn.