Background Information

Taken from Goshen College website about Peru:

Located along the Pacific Ocean on the Western Coast of South America, with the Andes Mountains running throughout, the Amazon rainforest within, desert blanketing the coast and a wealthy capital surrounded by shantytowns, Perú is a country of contrasts.

The Inca named Perú, the land of four quarters, because of its Amazon jungle, high Andean mountains, coastal deserts, and islands teaming with bird life. Modern archeologists added a fifth world - Lima, the capital brimming with 8 million people in the desert. 

Study

In the morning you study Spanish with a private language teacher. In groups of 5-10, language practice challenges you to improve your speaking ability, while afternoons exploring Lima and evenings with your host family provide an opportunity to practice.

In the afternoon, seminars explore the vibrant Incan and pre-Incan history, the 1980s civil war fought against the revolutionary group, the Shining Path, as well as lectures on the indigenous movement to Lima, and the success of the women's movement in Perú.

The classroom expands outward, with visits to Callejon de Huaylas in the highlands, the shantytowns of Villa Salvador and Pamplona, and explore the catacombs of the Catedral de San Francisco in Lima.

Service

During the second six weeks, you will experience new elements of Perúvian culture, moving in with a new host family and engaging in daily service.

Service assignments range from volunteering with clinics and hospitals in the Amazon to working in schools with children, volunteering at a Quechua women's weaving cooperative, or working with a nonprofit such as Food for the Hungry, World Vision, or Habitat for Humanity.

Common dishes

Lomo Saltado - This dish consists of rice with French fries, a combination that will make newcomers look twice. It also has spicy, marinated beef strips, along with onions and hot peppers. It is very common in the highlands and along the coast.

Aji de Gallina - Also common in the Andes and on the coast, this dish of spicy chicken sauce over rice will have anyone’s mouth watering.

Paiche con Yuca - Served only in the Amazon, paiche con yucca is big boneless fish steak with fried yucca. Yucca is a root that can be found in some restaurants in the southwestern United States.

Anticuchos - This shish kabob is alpaca or beef heart, which is grilled over an open fire. This kabob is easy to purchase on street corners in tiny mountain towns to Lima. It often comes with a baked potato or fried yucca. 

Yikes! I could be in trouble if everything there is muy picante (very spicy)!!!  I will try and make the best out of it though.

Time In Peru: 

I leave April 29th and return July 28th

Please keep me in your prayers during this time!