We started this wonderful day with a beautiful wakeup call at 6:45 AM. After, everyone gathered downstairs and did our daily headcount and wellness check. Ryan and I then split up into partners which enabled people to connect with different sets of people.- Peter. We had partners link arms to make sure we stayed connected as a family. The journey began with our to go breakfast from the wonderful La Estancia.

On the side there was a Donkey that hee hawed at the wind. Our guide took us on a magical ride tour to experience queso in the quesero. We ate the strongest cheese in our lives. We descended down a thousand stairs in hurricane winds to experience salty water. Once we made it to the salt mines our guides explained how water released in the 2000 year old mine evaporated on the surface allowing the salt to be collected. Oh…a group photo was taken. After the salt mines, we realized that the voy-AAAGE of our day had barely begun. Like Mr.White said, “What goes up needs to come down.” Instead it was the opposite, we had to climb the stairs back up to the surface with 5 cripples; we barely made it back to the top alive. We visited a textile store, where women make hats or knitted crafts. May, Peter and I got matching fox hats.

Then we got to speak with Padre Antonio Polo, which was my highlight of the day.-Peter. Padre Polo opened our eyes on what a true business should be like. He taught the group a valuable lesson in valuing workers rather than caring about how much money you can make efficiently, which is the case in most of the states. We breathed in the gusty but fresh Salinas air and realized that there is only local businesses instead of super-stores like Walmart and Target. We ate lunch at a local restaurant where we drank fresh guava juice, but I think everything tastes like capri-sun or pineapples-Peter. We had crisp and juicy chicken, and also scrumptious chicken noodle soup. We then headed back to our home, the Hostel Bolivar.

We had an hour of free-time. Some of us bought out the Akí Supermarket and others bought stuff for their Community Action Project. Afterwards we attended a seminar where we talked about our day and had a new perspective on business. And how in America we’re screwed-Peter. Dinner was at La Estancia our favorite, but its only our favorite because it’s the only restaurant we’re allowed to eat at. We enjoyed delicious chicken with rice and creamy white potato or cheese sauce, one of them (the debate is not over). To top it off, we had a Peruvian Andes dish, which was their version of a cinnamon sponge cake. Finishing the night we had our nightly meeting where we are now typing this blog for your enjoyment. Goodnight, your lovely and sweet sons, Peter and Ryan.

Special shoutout and big love to our friend May, for typing this while we dictated. Like real business owners. 🙂

At the salt mines

Women knitting at the textile store

Three “foxy” glimpsers

Handmade souvenirs