After reading about the Incas and the arrival of the Spaniards in Peru in 1526, the Goshen students had the exciting opportunity to travel to the Inca’s ancient capital of Q’osqo (the navel of the world), or Cusco, as it is known today. Cusco is situated in the Andes at an elevation of about 11,000 feet. We spent the first afternoon and evening resting and adjusting to the altitude.
Sol de Oro – our hotel in Cusco.
After a good night’s rest, we had three presentations. Amadeo Valer Farfán, an archaeology professor and professional guide, told us about the origins of Peru and Inca legends and cosmology. Agronomy professor Catalina Jimenez spoke about the negative consequences of Peru’s number one industry – mining. And finally, after lunch, the students were treated to a presentation on traditional Andean music by professional musicians, Mauro Claros and Americo Mejia (known professionally as Amaru). Mauro and Amaru brought fellow musician Pablo Flores and several dancer friends, who drew our group into an enjoyable afternoon of listening to music, trying out the instruments and dancing.
Dean, Derek and Jake accept the dancing challenge.
That evening, the Goshen students traveled to two small towns just outside of Cusco – Huacarpay and Lucre. The students were welcomed by new host families, members of the Mennonite churches in those towns. The students spent two nights experiencing the peace and quiet of life in an Andean village, complete with bright stars, the patter of nighttime rain, and the warmth of Andean hospitality.
Goshen College students gather with their host family members in Lucre, an Andean community near Cusco.
Students at the international airport in Lima en route to Cusco.The Peruvian Airlines jet that took the group to Cusco.Sol de Oro – our hotel in Cusco.The view from Sol de Oro – our hotel in Cusco.Amadeo Valer Farfán presented a lecture on the Incas.Amadeo Valer Farfán.Amadeo Valer Farfán.Amadeo Valer Farfán.Amadeo Valer Farfán shows a replica of a quipu, an Inca counting device.Maria asks Amadeo Valer Farfán a question.Thomas asks Amadeo Valer Farfán a question.Jake asks Amadeo Valer Farfán a question.Jonathan asks Amadeo Valer Farfán a question.Gretchen asks Amadeo Valer Farfán a question.Derek asks Amadeo Valer Farfán a question.Malaina asks Amadeo Valer Farfán a question.Catalina Jimenez spoke about mining in Peru.Catalina Jimenez.Catalina Jimenez.Students listen to a lecture on mining by Catalina Jimenez.A summary of the negative consequences of mining in Peru, according to Catalina Jimenez.Mauro Claros and Americo “Amaru” Mejia presented a workshop on Andean music.Americo “Amaru” Mejia and Mauro Claros presented a workshop on Andean music.Americo “Amaru” Mejia.Americo “Amaru” Mejia.Americo “Amaru” Mejia plays a huge pan pipe.Pablo Flores played Andean music with Mauro Claros and Americo Mejia.Mauro Claros plays two pan flutes.Mauro Claros, Pablo Flores and Americo Mejia played Andean music for students. Flutes used to play Andean music.Flutes and drums are mainstays of Andean music.Natalie prepares to play a drum.Thomas tries out a pan flute.April plays a pan flute.Caleb and Jackson enjoy trying out the instruments.Neal, Derek and Thomas play music with Pablo Flores.Jonathan tries out a pan flute.Malaina, Natalie and Maria play some music.Jake tries out a pan flute.Derek makes some music.Gina plays a flute.Dean tries out a tune.Aimee gets a pan flute lesson from Americo “Amaru” Mejia.Local dancers teach students how to dance to Andean music.All of the students join the dancing.Jackson and Neal enjoy the dancing.Students enjoy the dancing.Dean replicates a dance using a scarf.Maria and Malaina enjoy the dancing.Dance fever in Cusco.The beautiful countryside near Huacarpay.Dean and Thomas and host family members in Huacarpay.Gretchen with her host mother in Huacarpay.Maria and April with their host mother in Huacarpay.The beautiful community of Lucre in the Andes, near Cusco.Gina dna Aimee with their host father in Lucre.Caleb and Dean with their host mother in Lucre.Malaina and Natalie with their host mother in Lucre.Jake and Jonathan with their host mother and sister in Lucre.Jackson and Neal with their host mother and brother in Lucre.Students and their host family members walk toward their Lucre homes for the evening.