Bienvenido a Peru!
The Central science department took a trip down to Peru in early June. Exploring various cities, going on adventures like white water rafting, visiting the catacombs and hiking Machu Picchu all while enjoying the sites and immersing themselves in a new culture for nine days.
The trip was intended to start on June 3, but due to a large storm in Dallas and landing lights broken in Peru, the entire trip of students had to split up. These issues put them into three different groups, each group going to either Chicago, Orlando or Dallas before subsequently making it to Peru two days later than expected.
Senior Abby Cady was in the group of travelers that had a 12-hour layover on both ends of the trip, spending over 48 hours in the airport. “I personally had a great time, we tried to make the most of the time that we had while we were in the airport,” Cady said.
Despite all of the travel hiccups, the rest of the trip went smoothly. The group traveled to Machu Picchu twice. The first day was to take pictures and the second day was when they could choose to either hike to the Sun Gate or go and explore the old Machu Picchu city, formerly home to the Inca’s.
Senior Holland Robison said her group chose to go into the old Inca city. “We explored every single thing there, and we got to make up conspiracy theories about what we thought was true,” she said.
Other activities included white water rafting where some of the groups where able to get into the rapids and swim around and surf in the ocean, “It was actually my first time seeing the ocean and the locals thought that we were crazy because it was winter in Peru and we were showing up in our swimsuits and swimming for close to an hour in the cold water,” Robison said.
Others on the trip experienced a rough patch due to getting sick. “Close to six or seven people got sick for 12-24 hours, nobody really knows what from, but we think sun poisoning or altitude sickness,” junior Oliver Beals said.
Junior Tessa Fershee was deemed “Nurse Tessa” on this trip because she was roommates with the majority of individuals who got sick. She bought them gatorade and anything to make them feel better.
Despite the challenges to get there, everyone said the trip was worth it.
“I would say that it was a hundred percent worth it because I liked how it was structured, we were always going and doing all of these activities. I wanted to do everything I could while I had the chance. I had never been out of the country before and would do it again. I want to do it now before I get old and can’t do it anymore,” Robison said.
Others were a bit weary, because of some of the traveling being on buses, the rides were much longer than what was disclosed in previous informational meetings. “I wish there was more clarity on how long certain things would have taken, but overall I would a hundred percent do it again,” Beals said.
The food was also interesting. “We tried guinea pig which was like even chewier pork and like this yellow sauce that tasted like egg, definitely different from the food here,” Cady said.
“While it was somewhat odd to spend that much time with my teachers, I am glad that I went on the trip and would a hundred percent do it again,” Beals said.
