Life here in Caicay is at a very relaxed pace. Early in the morning we rise to the sound of roosters singing. The mornings here are brisk; we bundle up in our ponchos and marvel at nearby Pachatusan, the tallest mountain in the region. Breakfast usually comprises light fare, breads, butter, and jam with a cup of mate and the occasional hot chocolate. After breakfast we continue on to our project site, where some of us work on cementing a wall for the local church/community center and the other group works in the mud building the exterior wall.

The days feel short but rewarding. During the day in the sun it feels warm and we work to music from the local area with Hermano John and his coworkers. After a few hours of labor we return to our humble abode for a few afternoon games and rest. After lunch, we typically either return to various work sites or play with the local children. Some groups join in a game of soccer while others teach various topics like arts and crafts, English, or a mix of Quechua/Spanish exchange.

The sun sets early here in Caicay. Nestled deep in the Sacred Valley, it’s not uncommon for the sun to disappear behind the cerro around 5:30 PM. Once the sun sets we return home for our group meeting of highs/lows and a rundown of the next few days. We bond over the day with another mate and plenty of water.

For dinner we usually end with a lighter meal of vegetables, soup, and rice. One day we were able to watch an amazing win over Chile for Peru during the Copa America. Nights pass by quickly, especially by the bonfire that has now felt like a regular ritual for our group. Sometimes we dance, other times we chat, but we always find something to laugh about.

We gaze up into the stars as the Milky Way passes and lay our heads to rest with many memories already made and even more to come.

— Adam & Joanna