Week 74 ~ Flying High

Flying high with the Assistant Area Auditors in Arequipa and enjoying their spirit and company for the day.  Arequipa is surrounded by volcanoes. Misti is the prominent volcano overlooking the city at 19,000 feet, and in the photo on the left is one which is still smoking. Pretty hot! We planned an extra day to travel to Colca Canyon to see the condors fly which was a three hour trip outside Arequipa, climbing to an elevation of 16,000 feet. We felt light headed and a little sick, indeed. We also saw herds of llamas, Guanacos, and Vicunas at the high elevation.

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Flying high as we enjoyed free time at the Colca Lodge for just one night. Such a shame we couldn't stay longer because it was so pleasant. The Lodge included a wonderful restaurant, large gardens, horseback riding, and a little farm with alpacas, llamas, pigs and sheep. It was located right on the  Colca River and the front desk had fishing poles to use, so that's exactly what Joe did. The fish were small and biting, but the hook was too big. There were four large hot thermal pools. Right after dinner, we hopped into one and didn't get out for an hour. It was so relaxing. AND we had a full moon which we could actually see. The weather was very cool but the climate is very dry this time of year. There was no TV or internet but, actually, after a full day we didn't even mind.

Colca Canyon

And then, flying high with the finale of the trip. The Canyon itself was amazing and we weren't disappointed in the views of the valley and then to see the condors in flight. We walked for nearly a kilometer along the canyon ridge which was really peaceful and we could see the condors in the distance. Then it was quite a long, steep climb up to the viewpoint. I’m glad we did the walk because by the time we hiked up to the look-out point, there were so many people scurrying around to get the best view and taking pictures. We had a much better experience than just stopping at a crowded look-out point. 

The condors don’t fly per se and they don't often flap their wings. They mostly use the thermals and wind to get the lift on their giant wings. The Andean condors are massive birds, among the largest in the world that can fly. They weigh up to 33 pounds and have an enormous wing span of 10 feet to help keep them aloft. These birds can live up to 100 years but they only mate and lay one egg every 2-3 years. The Condors put on quite a show for us, the young brown ones learning to fly and staying close to the nest, and the larger black and white adult condors flying high and then up close to our ledge. 

Week 72 ~ Back in Trujillo, Peru

We traveled to Trujillo which is in the north of Peru to have a meeting with the AAA's there. It is always nice to get out of Lima where the air is better and it is more green. We attended the temple. It is so beautiful and so much bigger than the temple in Lima. A fun extra is that the temple President and Sister Cosas were the area auditors before us so we had a chance to visit.

Urquiaga House

This house was rebuilt in the mid-nineteenth century and used as a home for Simon Bolivar, the Peru leader for independence. 

July Fourth is always a big event for us now that we celebrate Joe’s birthday along with Independence Day. Well, here in Peru, Independence Day will be the end of the month but the Americans still did a little celebration with Family Home Evening.  All the finance employees in the office had a surprise for Joe with a big chocolate cake. We were going to go to the store together to get a cake to share with all our co-workers, but then I heard the secret. When Joe was ready to go to the store, I just admitted I didn’t want to walk all the way to the bakery and it was too late, etc. He was disappointed because that had been our plan and then I just copped out. He was so surprised when he walked into the room full of his friends and I didn’t have anything to do with it.

L to R: Oswaldo Mendoza, Jose Montalvan, Diane and Joe, Carlos Solis and Enrique Montoya

This was our second trip to Trujillo to meet with the AAA's in the Peru North area, Trujillo, Piura, and Chiclayo.  Our meeting last year was just two weeks following the dedication of the Trujillo temple.  We were so blessed to be able to attend the temple again, one of the most beautiful temples we have ever seen. Our meeting with these dear brethren was a special treat for us.  We felt much more comfortable, especially in our ability to communicate with them.  Diane's experience and testimony she shared invited the spirit into our meeting.  It was great how we were able to talk and counsel together and to understand the audit principles more clearly as they relate to the Lord's sacred funds.  It was a very productive meeting.  We will see these men again when we meet in Lima for our annual meeting.  What a special experience it was to spend our time together.  We are so blessed.

Week 71 ~ Lima Holiday "Feriado" Bikeride

`Lima Bike Ride

Wednesday was a national holiday in Peru honoring the martyrdom of Apostles St Peter and St Paul in Rome. We planned a day bike ride downtown with our missionary friends Merrill and Prince and the Merrills had a friend visiting from home, Scott. When we woke up it was so misty and wet outside, would have never thought to go on a bike ride, but we had already made the reservation and paid for the bikes so just had to bear it. Then when we all met up at the bike shop, it was such a perfect day for a bike ride, cool and a little cloudy, and since it was a holiday, there was very little traffic.

We rode through town and then along LarcoMar and south along the coast to Barranco. We stopped along the way to walk through the Dedalo Market. Every room showcases an artist and their craft, gorgeous ceramics with a bit of silver, wood pieces, recycled material lamps, purses and clocks, all displayed in a beautiful old house. Fun eclectic quality art and definitely not Inka Market stuff. From there we rode the streets of Barranco to the Bridge of Sighs and then stopped for lunch at the Burrito Bar. We had the most wonderful fish tacos before heading back to the bike rental shop. It was a perfect day with perfect weather. We loved seeing the ocean and hearing the waves. The surfers were out in big numbers, too. After we returned the bikes right there at Inka Market, we spent another hour or so just looking and shopping because it’s always fun.

We had two new mission presidents arrive in Lima during the early hours of the morning, President and Sister Godfrey from Ogden will be serving in the Lima West Mission and President and Sister Stauffer from Conneticut will be serving in the Lima North Mission. Joe and I are amazed as THEY ARE SO YOUNG! They each brought three of their children who will be attending the English high school. Wow, such dedication and faith!

Week 70 ~ We Caught It

Catching fish in Peru?

Last week Joe went with Jerry Prince and Rob Merrill fly fishing. Yes, Rob was going to go my himself up in the Andes and asked if they wanted to go with him.  They were delighted to accept the invitation.  They left at 6:30 am, the three Elders with the driver, Jerico.  It was a very long hard drive up the carratera central towards Huancayo and then splitting to La Oroya.  We had already passed the summit at Ticlio, 4840 meters or a little under 16,000 ft.  The picture is of them at the sign identifying the summit.  At that altitude, Joe was light headed and Jerry had a headache, just aren’t used to that altitude. They drove along the river and down to about 13,000 feet and drove a little way off the main highway to a beautiful area where they tried their luck without luck at fishing.  However, they did go fly fishing in Peru and for the headaches, nauseous stomach, very windy and twisting road and curves, passing truck after truck after truck on a very treacherous mountain road, Joe says it was worth it. 

               Catching the Spirit in Colombia
Saturday, we met with six brothers from different areas of Colombia and I would say of all the meetings, it was the most successful for several reasons. All the men stayed at the InterContinental Hotel along with us which was really nice. We had a meeting room with no added expense and we were served refreshments. Then for lunch, we merely went downstairs to the poolside buffet. It was a fabulous lunch, and then back upstairs for the remainder of the meeting.


L to R: Eduardo Pastrana, Gabriel Aloya, Diane and Joe, Wilington Franco, Alvaro Rodriguez, Miguel Rincon and Carlos Puruncajas

I wish I had the right words to describe this particular meeting.  I don’t know exactly what it was but I believe it was the inspired counsel from Elder Montoya to make our meetings more of a council meeting.  This meeting truly was fruitful and productive.  Different brethren had prepared various topics but mostly introducing and leading a discussion.  Everyone was engaged, had questions, and contributed valuable information and experiences.  I was truly amazed.  We, Diane and I, began the meeting with Diane sharing her experience about family history and her sweet testimony.  Again, I was so proud of her.  She is getting better and more and more confident and less afraid to make a mistake.  There is definitely a gentler spirit when she is present.  The morning sped by.  We were catered to which was so nice and then at noon we went to lunch.  I stayed behind to spend a little time with Eduardo Pastrana.  I had been sensing for some time that he was disillusioned or the very least not engaged.  I had a feeling that he thought I was disappointed in him.  As I spoke with him, the Spirit of love and peace gently settled over us and he opened up and shared his deepest concerns.  I felt the love of Heavenly Father for this dear man.  Just listening to him and understanding his personality was a great blessing.  The lesson I learned was to not jump to judgement.  We were ready to release Eduardo but I had told Elder Montoya when he asked me that I thought I needed to speak with him one on one.  I did so at lunch and then following the meeting also.  I believe he truly wants to serve and actually does a very good job.  I felt so much love for him.  He is a doctor and I had mentioned Diane’s challenge with her eyes and cough.  He gave it some thought and before we left had given me a prescription for her and even emailed me the name of an LDS woman dermatologist.

I truly felt the Lord’s hand in this meeting.  One of the things that I loved is that I took some time and actually taught from the scriptures, shared some stories, asked some questions.  Teaching, something I truly have been missing but just didn’t realize how much.  I know there was a spirit of edification when even my sweetheart made a comment at the end of my little presentation.  She had understood nearly every word and, even though, she was unable to express herself in Spanish, her comments in English and my translation to Spanish were guided by the Spirit.  

We now have three Area Auditor Assistants, in addition to the 35 Assistant Area Auditors. They help us with training and country meetings. One helps in Bolivia and Peru South, another for Peru Central and North, and then one for Ecuador and Colombia. These brothers help Joe with the endless email demands to answer questions, train and conduct these country meetings. By the time we leave our mission, we will have finally figured out how to run this program efficiently. 

Week 68 ~ MACHU PICCHU

And now the highlight of our week-long trip to Cusco, what millions of people come to Peru to see, The Lost City of the Inca's. The Spanish never found it and finally abandoned about 1540, the jungle took it over until 1911, over 400 years. A man by the name of Hyrum Bingham (actually an inactive Mormon) was taken to the ruins by a local farmer on a cold and rainy day.

We stayed in Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. It is a very small town in existence solely for the tourists, and there are no taxis or trucks. In fact, there is no road to Aguas Calientes. When the train arrives with supplies, hired hands have to transport everything by wheelbarrow up the hill . . . everything!

It was Friday morning, rising at 5:00 to be in the bus line by 5:30am for our ride up the mountain to see the sun rise at Machu Picchu. There are 24 buses that carry people up and down the mountain and there were already a few hundred people in line so we had to stand there for over an hour. Finally it was our turn. As we got closer to the archeological site, we could see it hugging the mountain in front of us, peeking out between the trees, and then we were there. 

After passing through the ticket stile, there it was spread before us as the morning fog was lifting and the sun shining through. It was magnificent! After all the pictures we’ve seen, we weren’t ready for the true splendor, like seeing the Grand Canyon in person for the first time.

 The Lost City of the Inca's

We spent the next few hours with our guide as he explained the significance of the different areas, and then by 11:00, we were left to explore on our own.  We continued to explore all around, places we walked through too quickly or passed by altogether.
We enjoyed quiet time just sitting, pondering and feeling the special spirit there. There were so many people, but only a few of the most popular structures were really crowded. The park allows 2,500 visitors a day but it has exceeded that number in the last few years. Before I realized it, 2:00 had arrived and it was time to go back down the hill. In the picture above, you can hike both of the mountains. The most popular is Waynapicchu, the big mountain, and it takes about an hour. We took over 140 pictures so of course only the very best can be included here to share this special place.

 


Anthony Bourdain said it right, "It’s an irritating reality that many places and events defy description. The Grand Canyon and Machu Picchu, for instance, seem to demand silence, like a love affair you can never talk about. For a while after, you fumble for words, trying vainly to assemble a private narrative, an explanation, a comfortable way to frame where you’ve been and what’s happened. In the end, you’re just happy you were there, with your eyes open, and lived to see it.    

Week 66 and 67 ~ The Sacred Valley

There was lots to see traveling through the Sacred Valley. It’s called that because the weather is so wonderful located between two mountain ranges. The ground is fertile and the weather perfect for farming. We visited the little town of Chinchero. While driving through town, there was a real wedding parade that was so cool to see with the bride and groom at the front with half the town marching, singing and dancing behind right down the main street. We drove up the hill to a local home/tourist stop and from that location, we could look down the hill and see the wedding celebration and hear the music in the courtyard of the little church.

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 Here we were shown the ancient technique of how the llama and alpaca hair was washed with a natural root soap. It was amazing to learn how to dye the llama and alpaca hair with natural colors from plants and rocks. The baby was in the knapsack on the back of the mother. She was so cute and happy to see us when she woke up.

On our journey through the Sacred Valley, we visited the Moray archeological site which are huge experimental agriculture terraces built to take advantage of some natural depressions that sunk like funnels below the level of the hot, semi-arid plain. Each of the holes had seven terraces, a special and significant number in their belief of completeness and perfection, both physical and spiritual. As with many other Inca sites, it also has a sophisticated irrigation system.

Moray Agricultural Site

Here is a picture sample of the way of life in the Sacred Valley

Below, a beautiful canyon for salt mining called the Saltflats of Maras. Water comes out of the mountain loaded with salt and is channeled to fill thousands of small shallow pools that look like miniature terraces built onto the side of the ravine. When the salt dries, it is harvested by scraping the salt with two wood slats, carried out of the canyon, cleaned and bagged for export, all still done by hand by a combination of about 35 families.

We visited the sanctuary complex of Ollantaytambo that is one of the finest in all of Peru.  The terraces climb up the mountain like any of the great pyramids and from a distance, the whole complex is built in the shape of a llama. It was of religious and astronomical use mostly with areas for agriculture and livestock. During the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of Inca Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region and built the town and a ceremonial center. At the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru in 1536, it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance, because it was surrounded by the mountains and natural defenses. It finally fell to the Spanish in 1540.

Ollantaytambo

Week 64 and 65 ~ Seeing the Sights in Cusco

My brother David and his wife Judy came to Peru to share our mission experience with us. We enjoyed some of the sights in Lima but the big trip was to fly to Cusco and meet up with our tour guide Betho. He took us on an amazing trip to the archeological sights around Cusco, more sites to see as we drove through the Sacred Valley, and the highlight of the trip, Pachu Picchu. Since it takes me so long to get all the pictures organized, the next few blogs will show the wonderful experience we shared as we traveled together for a week in the highlands of Peru.

Our trip to 

Cusco and Machu Picchu

After arriving in Cusco, we went to the amazing ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo, both in the surrounding hills of Cusco. The elevation of Cusco is about 10,000 feet so we had a little trouble with being dizzy and light headed but it didn’t stop me from climbing as high as I could at Sacsayhuaman. The stonework was so awesome and our guide pointed out where the significant animal shapes were. AMAZING!! The impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman strategically built on a hill from where all Cusco can be seen. It is famous for its enormous carved stones, some of which are 30 feet tall and weigh over 350 tons. At the top was a huge tower (pretty much leveled now) that reminded me of King Noah’s tower that overlooked the whole area for surveillance. At this site, there is a huge open field where once a year the Inti Raymi is held. It is a huge Sun Festival held in June with costumes, music, parade with the Inca and food. We hear it is pretty crazy. 

Qenqo Sacred Ruins

The pictures below are of the La Merced Convent and Museum, a beautiful collection of art all along the walls and the architecture is grand. This property has been bought out and it will be turned into a high-end hotel by next year, closed to the general public. Such a shame.

La Merced Museum

Week 63 ~ Visit to Ecuador

We had a meeting scheduled in Ecuador so we took a few extra days to enjoy the countryside and breath the fresh air. Below are some of the pictures. Top left picture shows where our resort was located on the right side of the San Pablo Lake at the base of the mountain. The top middle picture shows a wild flower the locals call the honey flower because the pedals taste like honey. Notice how each new flower grows right out of the center of the previous flower.  Just below that picture is a view of the city of Otavalo. If you look closely at the very bottom right picture, you will see a huge hog hanging from the rafters right along the highway. 

Immediately upon arrival in Ecuador, we were taken to Otavalo, about two hours from Quito up in the mountains. We stayed at Cabanas del Lago, a very lovely resort right on San Pablo Lake. It was so peaceful, so quiet, flowers and hummingbirds everywhere with gently rolling, totally green mountains in every direction as a backdrop. It was so heavenly just to sit on our little patio and listen to the waterfall and croaking of the frogs. We had a wonderful dinner in the lodge before retiring for the night, only to be escorted by the maintenance man who started our very own fire in the cabin. We played cards and watched TV until we fell asleep.

The following day, the hotel called for an all day taxi for us to see the sights. Freddy picked us up and took us to Condor Park, Pequche Waterfall, the famous artisans market in Otavalo and around the corner for lunch. Then we drove out to Laguna de Cuicocha, a volcano crater with a lake similar to Crater Lake in Oregon, about 13,000 feet. We even took the little boat ride. All day Joe was able to talk to Freddy about the church, the first vision, purpose of temples and the Book of Mormon.

Pequeche Falls, Otavalo

Freddy then took us to a beautiful area where we hiked for about 20 minutes to beautiful water fall, Peguche, which flows out of the very lake we stayed the night before.  It was a beautiful hike along a cobble stoned path.  As we approached the falls we could hear roaring power.  This placed has some very spiritual significance for the indigenous people of the areas.  Peguche Waterfall with its height of 18 meters is considered as a spiritual and ritual site of indigenous people who a few days before the Inti Raymi celebration (sun & harvest celebration held on June 21st) come to the waterfall to take baths in order to prepare themselves spiritually for the Inti Raymi.  

Laguna de Quicocha

     

We loved the country side, winding our way up the mountain at close to 4000 meters or about 13,000 ft.  What an incredible place.  The name of the volcanic lake is “Cuicocha”the name of the volcano is “Cotacachi”.  It is absolutely breath taking.  The volcano erupted over 3000 yrs. ago covering the entire with volcanic ash.  Through the centuries there were several other eruptions, not for the last 2000 yrs though.  The crater filled with water from the rain and ground and is about 500 ft. deep. There are no fish in the lake, however, because of the mineral content of the water. We took a boat ride and were given a glimpse of this massive natural wonder.  

Exporting Ecuador Roses

Roses from Ecuador are the most sought after flowers in the world, making Ecuador the biggest exporter of roses after the Netherlands. Most of the roses go to the United States and Europe with Valentines and Mother's Day being the biggest days exporting tons of roses. The roses have unique characteristics because they have such long stems and the pedals are so thick and firm. They come in a huge variety of colors. In Ecuador, roses are everywhere. At every restaurant we ate, there were roses on every table . . . not just one but 5-6. There are always huge arrangements on the buffet tables and in the lobbys and even in our room.

The City of Otavalo

We, I, had a meeting with the brethren, AAAs.  Diane was so sick and felt so sad she could not attend.  I read her sweet testimony she had worked so long and hard to memorize.  There was a very sweet spirit that started our meeting right.  All were in attendance, Arturo Espinoza, Gustavo Villacrez, Richard Prado, José Intriago, and Carlos Puruncajas.  It was a wonderful meeting with these dear brothers.  I truly feel they are my close friends.  I still struggle to express what I really feel deep in my heart.  I hope my love for them is evident because their love for me surely is. We met at the Church Office here in Quito.  Quito was the first Area Office of the Church in the South America North Area.  The office was then moved to Bogotá Colombia and then to Lima Peru when the area became the South America Northwest area.  




We were blessed with the opportunity to meet this wonderful family of Freddy, wife Ruth and their three beautiful children.  We had the spent the day with Freddy a few days before.  During the day we listened to this man express his testimony of Christ numerous times.  Before the day was over we were able to express our feelings about the Church, the restoration, and the Book of Mormon.  On Sunday he and his family picked us up at the hotel and drove us to the airport.  It's amazing how in a little over an hour the love that can develop between us and people we hardly knew a few days before.  Diane sat in the back with the children and the mother even though they couldn't communicate well in either language, their was lots of laughter, hugs, and the language of love.  It was even hard to say goodbye.  We will follow up with this wonderful little family.

Otavalo Artisans Market

Week 62 ~ Our "super mercado" Totus

Happy Mother’s Day

We always pray for our children and grandchildren. They bring us so much joy. We are so grateful to our children who teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in their homes with trust and faith. Oh, how they bring us so much joy! President Hinckley said, “The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find their roots in the teaching of children by fathers and mothers”.

We honor our mothers and the mothers of our grandchildren.

". . . Hyrum sprang to his feet and exclaimed, 'Joseph, we shall return, for I have seen an open vision in which I saw Mother on her knees under an apple tree praying for us, and she is even now asking in tears for God to spare our lives that she may behold us again in the flesh. And the Spirit testifies to me that her prayers and ours shall be heard.' And from that moment we were healed and went on our way rejoicing.

"'Oh, my Mother,' said Joseph, 'how often have your prayers been a means of assisting us when the shadows of death encompassed us'" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 488).

Shopping for Groceries

One of our weekly "chores" sometimes "bi-weekly chores" is shopping for groceries.  We usually go to a store about one kilometer away, Totus.  Totus is a chain grocery store and is very well stocked with fruit, vegetables, meats, and bakery..  We can get most of the things we want except for the few American items that we always buy.  For example, Diane, trying to find a can of hair spray in Peru is like trying to find snow in Death Valley.  However, we don't complain because we eat quite well and healthy for the most part. When we first arrived in Peru, we were a little frustrated, but now we are accustomed to buying what the Peruvians buy.  This week we wanted to show the "typical" things you can buy a the local super mercado, typical to Peru but very unusual to Americans.

        

Have a happy week shopping at WalMart.