Rio at last

After 6 flights in 7 days we arrived in rio. Our view from Pier Maua which we have renamed Aussie central due to most Australian pilgrims sleeping on mattresses there! Here is the view

Flight out of Peru

Quite a picturesque flight!

Machu Picchu

I can't believe we have seen such spectacular scenery. Even the trip to get there is an adventure as we bussed and trained for 2.5 hrs.

Lima traffic

Lima traffic is an experience. Traffic lights tend to be a guide only, and merging seems very chaotic. It is common for vehicles to cut across 2 lanes of traffic to turn down intersections. Most cars show the signs of multiple bumps and scrapes.

We bumped into another bus when trying to avoid a police vehicle which was cutting in front of us!

Can you tell which a direction the traffic is supposed to go?

There are many highway sellers!

Then there are the poorer areas ...

Sightseeing in cusco

This a large quaint town. We are quite fortunate to be staying in a 5 star hotel. The people are quite friendly. Our bus group is mixing well, especially after the two days of mission work.

We had mass at this older style ornate church in cusco

Modelling Peruvian clothing!

Mission work day 2 - Health and catechesis at Ollantay School

 A much easier day after the strenuous work of yesterday. The cheers from the school children as our bus arrived lifted our spirits immensely. As you can see from the photos the school is quite run down from our standards but we were impressed by the high level of education they were able to maintain. Some of the primary level maths would challenge our best year 8 maths classes! We take so much for granted in our school. All floors are concrete. Chairs are hard wooden seats. Blackboards and wooden desks. Windows need cleaning. The school has walls and gates from the old terrorist days when the city was quite dangerous.

Mission work day 1 - Stairbuilding

It is difficult to explain the experience of being in such a poor area. With no street signs we missed our turn off and ended walking around the hills with no discernible landmarks. What strikes you in this area is the minimal amount of vegetation - mostly barren rock and dirt. The smells, the damp mist, the stray dogs, one room sheds as homes - yet they are satisfied, happy humble people. Yet this was not the poorest area of Lima. There were those who actually lived in cardboard boxes. Our Sydney youth were absolutely amazing in the way they bonded and worked for the poor of Pamplona. It is amazing what young people with hearts for the poor can achieve. We managed two concreted staircases in the day we were there.