On Saturday morning, we left for Kawai, a retreat center about two hours south of Lima. We had time to share our stories, reflect on what we have experienced, and to prepare for our return home. Students also presented their research projects which showcased their areas of interest and fields of study. And of course, there was also time to swim, walk on the beach, play, make s’mores and enjoy our last days together as a group.
On Monday afternoon we returned to Lima, repacked our suitcases yet again, ate our last meal of pollos a la brasa, and headed for the airport. The return flight left Lima at 2:05 a.m. this morning, and by 2:30 this afternoon, the group was touching down in Chicago. As the Fall 2018 unit comes to a close, we are full of gratitude for the opportunity we have had to get to know each other, ourselves, and the amazing country of Perú. It has been a pleasure to walk this pilgrimage with you.
Celia makes sure the students get their beloved coffee breakElsie, Sophia, Amber, and Emma take a coffee break.Kate, Haley and Vianey are all smiles.Samantha, Genevieve, Kyra and Elise enjoy a snack. Ben and Lars get coffee while bearded.Elsie presents on the history of the Mennonite church in Cusco. Amber speaks about inclusion for children with special needs in Perú. Vianey and Calista pose for the camera during a break in the presentations.Kate’s presentation on LGB reality in Perú includes storytime. For his research project, Parker looked at the state of technology in Perú. Vianey, Haley and Emma take a closer look at Calista’s muimuy.Kyra does some oceanside journaling.The sun sets on our first day of retreat.Genevieve, Ben and Kyra educate us on the appropriate time to take a shower in Chanchamayo.The group from Arequipa shows their cultural competence about how to celebrate a birthday. And another. And another. Parker, Emma and Elise present a skit about when is a good time to wear a bikini in Ayachucho (which is never.) Elsie demonstrates how to navigate vendors in the plaza of Cusco. Parker, Ben, Lars and Samantha work on their list of things they want to take back to the States, and things they hope to leave behind. Amber, Sophia, Kyra and Elsie discuss what stays and what goes. Here’s a sample of a few of the things we will take with us, and a few of the things we want to leave behind.Elise, Jessi and Haley create their list. Kate, Vianey and Calista present their lists to the group. Sadly, they will have to leave their beloved Peruvian avocados behind.Ben, Kyra and Elise eagerly await the next session of processing.Jessi and Amber cool off at the pool. Jessi, Emma and Parker are ready to tackle reverse culture shock.We practiced translating our SST experience into skills for the future.There were more than we expected.Amber, Kyra, Elsie, Elise, Sophia, Samantha and Genevieve enjoy their last evening on the beach. Amber and Elsie are grounded, steady and ready to return home. Amber and Sophia wait for the fire to be S’more-ready. Meanwhile, Vianey tosses in the entire contents of her pockets to keep the fire burning. The windy beach conditions put Eagle Scout Lars to the test, but he triumphs.
