PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 17

The gang’s all here! Today was arrival day for our second session of the Spanish Language Experience here in Spain. We arrived at the airport in Madrid and made the hour and a half journey to the medieval city of Toledo. We had time at our new homebase to shower and rest, meet our roommates, and had our first ever chow circle in the evening, where we learned each other’s names through introductions and icebreakers. After a tasty dinner, we had time to unwind and sleep before a busy day ahead!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 18

Today was our first full day here in Toledo. We all woke up at our homebase, Colegio Mayol, and got started with orientation. We learned useful information about the program ahead, but also made time for some fun name games! Midway through, we met our Spanish teachers and took a test to place us in our Spanish levels.

After lunch, we finally got to learn our mentor groups! Mentor groups are smaller groups of students that meet daily to reflect and do activities with their mentor – in this case, Nolan, Marco, Silvio, and Jacquelyn! We played a really fun game called “Get To Know Your Mentor,” which helped us do exactly that.

Last but not least, we got to discover the historic center of Toledo. Starting with a Scavenger Hunt, we split up into mentor groups to find key places throughout the city. In the evening, we enjoyed dinner at an amazing tapas style restaurant where we also got to celebrate our birthday girl, Emery!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 19

Today was an exciting day where things started to pick up at GLA. We had an early start to the morning at 7:45 where we went straight to breakfast and later took a scenic bus drive from Toledo to Madrid. Around 10:30 we arrived at the Bernabéu stadium. We got to shop in the official team store and look around inside the stadium. We took plenty of photos of the field, posed with their famous trophies, and learned a lot about the history of Real Madrid. We ended the tour by sitting in the stands and looking over the historic stadium.

Then we hopped back on the bus and checked in to our hostel. We got some delicious burgers that brought us a taste of home. Next we were split into groups to take a Flamenco class, a traditional dance that originated in the south of Spain. With a variety of styles, passionate movements, and steady rhythms, the flamenco dance is very fun, but as we learned takes a lot of skill. We tried our best to keep up with Felipe, our dance instructor. By the end of the class we were able to perform our best rendition of the buleria, a style of Flamenco, but it did not compare to the espectaculo de flamenco that we were able to watch after our class. We had the opportunity to listen to the lead singer’s music,Naike Ponce, who was Grammy nominated for Latin America Flamenco Music.

After, we got a snack in Madrid where we enjoyed refreshing gelato and cookies. While eating our ice cream, we walked over to a park called Templo de Debod with panoramic views of the city and taught each other our favorite games from home. We then walked to the gorgeous Calle Arenal and did some shopping before dinner.

To wrap up our day, we had a buffet style dinner at 9pm with fantastic chicken and soft serve. It was an amazing day in Madrid and we can’t wait to see what else the city has to offer tomorrow!

Written by leaders of the day: Elena, Scarlett, and Brie

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 20

Day 3 started with waking up in Madrid to start our walking tour to learn about the historical monuments of Madrid. We were able to see La Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and enjoyed some churros and chocolate from a famous churro restaurant, Chocolatería San Gines.

Directly following that, we embarked on a culinary adventure to cook Spanish omelettes and Paella with a side of almond flour cake. During this cooking class we were able to have hands on experience through chopping vegetables, seafood, chicken, boiling potatoes and vegetables, and eating the delicious food we had prepared. Then we had the opportunity to explore the shops of downtown Madrid. After some eventful shopping we took the bus back to home base in Toledo.

Once we arrived we engaged in goal setting via a GLA activity, and bonded with our mentor groups. Then we enjoyed in our home base some chicken kebab and cheesy fries, con helado!

Self-proclaimed as the best group leaders of the entire GLA existence: Nevaeh, Kimball and Trenton

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 21

Today we met at 8:15 in the meeting for check in and had a delicious breakfast in the cafeteria after. Everyone was excited to meet the kids in the summer camp! Afterward we went outside and played with the kids as we waited for the camp to start. The kids were of all ages, ranging from around 4-11 years old.

We split up into our mentor groups and went to different classrooms, with some groups playing music, others doing robotics, and some even playing with rainbow parachutes. It was a great experience where everyone got to practice their Spanish speaking and help the community. After three hours of helping out at the camp, we had cocido madrileno, a traditional stew from Madrid. It was so yummy!

We spent the rest of the afternoon chilling. After lunch, we headed up to our dorms to change into cozier outfits to get ready for our Spanish class. They first split us up into two groups and we spent the class doing orientation activities to help each other learn a little bit more about each other and to get to know our teachers. After three hours of Spanish classes, we all headed up to our rooms once again to get ready for la piscina (the pool). After the swim test, everyone enjoyed the time in the pool before heading inside to grab snacks and soak up the sun. Later we walked back home and got ready for dinner. Dinner tonight was hot dogs and French fries and it was a great taste of home. For dessert we had delicious ice cream and enjoyed chatting with friends. Finally to wrap up the day we met with our mentor groups to play one last game before getting ready for bed.

– Emily H. and Ella U.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 22

Today was a busy day at GLA, but it was also filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

Once we finished breakfast we headed outside to greet the children. Today was a very special day at summer camp because not only were we going to spend the morning playing water games, but after there was a concert performed for the kids. The waters games started and things quickly got competitive. There were five stations with different water games that the groups of kids would rotate between. Some used water balloons and buckets, while others got us soaked because we were using the hose.

After we finished our water games the kids dried off and we had to go upstairs to change into some fresh clothes. Once we made our way back outside the concert had already started. A band was playing outside and we all were dancing with the children. We even got to hear Sophie and Elena both preform incredible songs for the kids. After a while, the concert wrapped up and we headed inside for lunch. Following lunch, we had a short break before going to Spanish class. In class, we practiced forming sentences by answering the teachers’ questions and worked on vocabulary to help improve our Spanish.

After our fun time at homebase we took a bus and headed into Toledo. In Toledo we took a wonderful group photo with an incredible view behind of the whole city. It was truly amazing. Then we headed back into the bus to meet the tour guides. They helped us, the GLA students, learn more about the history of Toledo. For example, it used to be Spain’s capital. At the end of our tour the guide led us into a street where we were allowed to go shop. There were many stores there including jewelry and souvenirs.

Everyone was hungry, so we headed to the restaurant. For dinner we had delicious pizza and lava cake for dessert. To finish off the day we went back in the bus and headed to bed. It was another amazing day in the city of Toledo.

This spectacular blog was written by the leaders of the day: Emery Domer and Ella Eisenberg.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 23

Today we started off with morning meeting at 8:15, followed by breakfast at 8:30! After that we had our last day of summer camp with the kids. We did a lot of fun activities such as sports, games, and dancing! Along with these exciting activities we got to celebrate our friend Emily’s birthday! All of the kids sang to her and we all enjoyed a cake and lots of balloons! After these events we said goodbye to our campers and headed to lunch.
After lunch we had a three hour long Spanish class where we learned the importance of conjugating. In this helpful class we learned about some big events in Spain! Including Las Fallas and La Tomatina, we got to learn the deeper meaning of these events and see the beautiful culture of Spain! Along with this, we learned how to make gazpacho – a popular and famous dish in Spain.

After our intriguing Spanish class we participated in a very interesting debate. The debate included points of view about the idea of diversity of language in Spain and the importance of the balance of culture and what is best for the economy. We all were assigned specific roles in this debate, each having a different stand on this situation. This debate was very engaging and almost everyone shared their point of view on this situation.

After the debate we got to cool down in the pool! The pool was very enjoyable and we all got to hang out, relax, and have some free time to ourselves after this very eventful day! Once we finished up with the pool, we walked to a local dinner nearby which had plenty of options and food galore! We all enjoyed a great dinner along with a beautiful sunset to top off the night. The night was amazing all together and it was definitely a day to remember!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 24

Written by leaders of the day: Mya and Dante

Today our group got off to an early start with breakfast at 7:30, in order to begin our morning working with Red Cross! After a quick bus ride to the beautiful river running through Toledo, everybody got to work cleaning up garbage around the area. We got to see amazing landscapes and ruins from the old city, all while clearing 17 kilos of garbage from the local community! Finally we enjoyed time listening to music and ended with a dancing circle!

After the cleanup, our group walked back to our lunch spot and passed time with some volleyball and soccer games across from the restaurant of the day, the famous Venta de Aires! We then ate a fantastic meal and listened to our local director Marta, as well as some other group members play songs on the piano! It was an awesome experience that showed us more of Spanish culture, people, and the local area.

After lunch, we focused on Spanish class where we learned about Flamenco and verb conjugations, even playing a little game and learning the basics of some moves!

Later, we separated into two groups: One who went to the pool nearby and the other who went to play football at home base! We also played games and even went to the music room.

At dinner, we ate some salad with seasoning, French fries, and pudding, and ended it off with assigning Emily and Ruby as our new GLA leaders of the day!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 25

Today was filled with exciting adventures involving team building and learning new things. While some students began their day with a sunrise walk or run, others slept in and prepared for the day. We started by taking a bus into the historical town of Toledo where we took an exhilarating zip line ride over a river. After walking through the picturesque and medieval streets of the town, we arrived at an authentic Spanish restaurant. The students were able to try traditional dishes like tapas while conversing with friends.

We started off the afternoon with Spanish classes. Today we switched things up and played fun games as a group, including a scavenger hunt where we ran through the halls looking for clues, and trivial pursuit, Spanish style. After we were all tired out of Spanish games, we took a quick break and rehearsed for the talent show. At 5 pm, the talent show began with an amazing singing performance by mentor Nolan, followed by Hamilton songs and limbo lines.

We then got changed and headed over to the pool, where we got to relax, go for a swim, and play card games. The night ended with a delicious dinner at the pool’s restaurant complete with Sausage, eggs, and French fries. Overall, we had a fantastic night and enjoyed our day!

Leaders of the day: Emily K and Ruby

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 26

We started the morning with breakfast at the hostel. Then we got on the bus and headed for the Ruidera lakes to go kayaking. We kayaked around the lake, saw caves, and swam in the lake! Then we headed to the beach for lunch. We rested on the beach and did more swimming for a few hours.

Then, we got on a bus and rode to the windmills of Don Quixote in Consuegra. Marta told us the backstory of the windmill’s popularity. While the windmills were breathtaking, the views were exhilarating. We were able to see the town from the top. Not only that, we went inside a windmill and saw panoramic views! We could also see the castle that was next to the windmills, a Moorish fortress from the 10th century that contains rich history within its walls. Then we had another hour journey home. When we arrived home we did the Tree of Life activity in our mentor groups and ate dinner. This was one of the most memorable days of the trip!

Leaders of the day Calla and Sarah signing out!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 28

Today was a packed day with many fun activities! To start our day we had breakfast in the hostel. Then we took a bus to Park Guell and explored the amazing park! We had a tour guide show us around and teach us more about the history of the park! We saw many of the amazing architecture and art that Gaudí designed! The art was amazing and had nature included in each and every one! We then had a little time to go into the gift shops before we started to head to Sagrada Familia. We walked to Sagrada Familia and then ate at a delicious restaurant near the cathedral.

After eating, we had the privilege of getting to explore the wonders of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, one of Barcelona’s most treasured landmarks. The Basílica is greatly admired due to its beauty and its ranking as the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world. After an astonishing tour, we shopped around for a few minutes and even went to the iconic FCBotiga store. Following that, we took our bus over to the beach and had a great time swimming in the ocean before returning to the hostel before dinner. For dinner we went out to delicious sushi and had mochi for dessert. Overall, we had a fun-packed first full day in Barcelona, and we can’t wait for tomorrow!

Signing off,
Leaders of the day Victoria & Juliana

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 29

Today we took the subway over to another part of Barcelona, the Barceloneta. Then we started the morning with a bike tour through the city! We strolled by the beach and stopped for ice cream. The ones who didn’t want to bike got to go on a walk with one of our mentors and stopped at different cafes and small shops!!

After that we went back to our hostel and wrote notes to the mentors for our last day during our hour break. We broke with our mentor groups and talked about our feedback of the whole trip in general and did some other activities in our small groups. We then went into a whole group and had an appreciation circle, where we anonymously gave compliments to each other!

For our last dinner we went to a burger place that was a short walk from our hostel. Our last night in Barcelona was wonderful but bittersweet!

Written by leaders of the day: Steven and Sydney

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30

We arrived successfully in Spain! All students scheduled to arrive today got to the airport in Madrid safe and sound, and took the bus back to Colegio Mayol, our homebase in Toledo. We used the afternoon for rest and relaxation after our long flights, and had our first ever chow circle in the evening (a moment where we normally share reflections, announcements, and give shoutouts). Excited for our first full day tomorrow, and to welcome our last student, Alexandria!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 1

July 1st Our First Day as a Full Group!

Today was our first full day together at our home base and what a great start it was! We began with an orientation session, where we learned about the GLA rules and got a deeper understanding of how the program works. It gave us helpful context and a clearer idea of what to expect during our time here.

After lunch at home base, we played a fun activity called “Get to Know Your Mentor” with our mentor groups. It was a great chance to connect, share, and start feeling more comfortable with one another.

Later in the afternoon, we headed out to explore the historic center of Toledo! We kicked off a scavenger hunt in our mentor groups as an exciting way to discover the city’s beautiful streets, ancient architecture, and charming little corners. The old buildings, narrow alleyways, and unique streetlights made the experience even more magical.

We ended the day with a delicious dinner in downtown Toledo a perfect ending to a day full of learning, bonding, and adventure.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 2

Today’s GLA Spain program had a stellar second day. We started off with community outreach by volunteering with a local summer camp. By playing fun games and interacting with kids of all ages, our Spanish and their English both improved. After lunch, we transitioned to our first Spanish classes. We were separated into groups based on our prior knowledge and experience with Spanish. We were introduced to three incredible teachers that will guide us on our Spanish speaking journey.

As a nice way to stay cool and refreshed from the heat, the group then went to a nearby pool. Here, we were able to socialize with friends and we enjoyed a nice evening filled with swimming and ice cream. After we got back and had dinner, we had our first mentor group sessions. We shared intimate reflections and were able to thoroughly talk about the day we experienced. Overall, it was a great day and we are looking forward to another exciting day tomorrow!

By Ana, Morgan, and Ezra

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 3

Leaders of the day: Dylan, Clayton, Henry

Today was a grand day full of adventure and new opportunities. After an early wake up we rushed to meet the bus; bonding amongst ourselves expressing Spanish culture.

Once we arrived at Cruz Roja, we organized ourselves into groups for efficient trash cleaning. We diligently walked down the unique Tajo river only taking breaks from the trash picking to admire the beautiful views. 30 pounds of trash later we had completed the journey.

We walked to one of Toledo’s oldest restaurants to enjoy an immaculate lunch. Full and happy we rode the bus back to home base to start Spanish classes. We learned about the deep stretches of Spanish culture through videos, games, and grammar lessons.

Finishing the day, we took a quick dip in the pool and then headed back for an activity that opened up our eyes to the effects of screens to teens. We then tucked in for the night, excited for the next day to come.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 4

Leaders of the Day: Ellen, Charlotte, and Lincoln

The day started off by several of us waking up early to see the sun rise. We climbed the hill behind the school and made it up to a spot where we had a perfect view of the sun.

After the morning walk and breakfast we met the kids at the summer camp. We then participated in some water activities while learning Spanish from interacting with the teachers and students.

After drying off, we jumped right back into service, this time by dancing our hearts out with the kids to Just Dance. The energy was high, and everyone had a blast moving together and sharing laughs.

Following a fun-filled morning, we sat down for lunch and then transitioned into our third Spanish class. Today’s lesson was hands on and delicious, we peeled, chopped, and blended our way through a recipe to make homemade gazpacho.

In the late afternoon we took a quick bus to Toledo and were guided through the city’s centuries old buildings. As we walked we learned about old Spanish legends in Toledo and the historical spots that hold them. We couldn’t find Hercules’ treasure but did get some delicious pizza out in the city afterwards. 20,000 steps later, we will have sweet dreams of heading to Madrid tomorrow!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 5

Leaders of the Day: Saila, Parker, Deven, and Jed

Driving into Madrid was the start of a day packed with energy, culture, and unforgettable moments. After arriving and settling in, our first stop was the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium — a must-see for any soccer lover. Touring the home of Real Madrid was surreal: we stood high in the stands overlooking the legendary pitch, and wandered through the trophy-filled museum. The atmosphere, even without a match, was electric — a true tribute to one of the world’s greatest soccer clubs.

Later in the afternoon, we shifted from sport to soul with a flamenco class in the heart of the city. Our instructor taught us the basic rhythms and movements — not easy, but incredibly fun! That night, we watched a live flamenco show in a traditional tablao. The dancer’s intensity, the singer’s voice, and the guitarist’s skill created a performance that was raw, emotional, and powerful. Then we went to the mall for some souvenir shopping before heading back to the hostel for bedtime. Our first day in Madrid gave us the perfect mix of passion — from the stadium to the stage — all in one unforgettable day.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 6

Leaders of the day: Olivia, Simone, and Teddy

We woke up in the lively city of Madrid and immersed ourselves in its authentic essence: art, history, and the buzz of the streets. The morning greeted us with vibrant energy that carried through the whole day.

In the late morning, we joined a cooking workshop where we learned how to make traditional paella. Guided by skilled chefs, we discovered the secrets of each ingredient and had fun recreating locally inspired flavors. It was interactive, educational, and—best of all—delicious.

After tasting our own creations, we delved into the city’s shopping vibe, stopping at charming shops—from big-name brands to hidden local gems. It was the perfect time to enjoy some retail therapy, sip a café con leche on the go, and soak up the urban atmosphere.

With our bags full and spirits high, we hopped back on the bus to return to our home base. The evening was spent in chill mode—laughing, chatting, and resting after an active and discovery-filled day.

A well-balanced day: culture, cuisine, shopping, and relaxation. A truly unforgettable experience!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 7

Today was filled with energy, culture, and meaningful conversations. we started the day by waking up at 8:30 and having a quick breakfast to fuel up for what was ahead. By 9:30, we were already in full swing with a vibrant service alongside the kids. We danced, laughed, and played fun games—it was such a beautiful way to connect and start the day with joy.
After all that movement, lunch was much appreciated (we had ham—simple but satisfying). Then, from 1:30 to 4:30, we dove into Spanish class. It was intense but super rewarding. Learning a new language in this kind of immersive setting makes everything stick so much better.

Once class wrapped up, we had the option to relax by heading to the pool or staying back and getting beautiful henna designs. We loved seeing everyone enjoy some downtime in their own way.

In the evening, things got reflective—we had a thoughtful and respectful debate about the complexities surrounding the Spanish language and its cultural implications. It was eye-opening and sparked some great conversations.

We ended the day feeling fulfilled and grateful after such a meaningful and fun-filled day.

Leaders of the day: Lara, Max, and Chloe.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 8

Hola todos,

We started the morning on a bus heading through the Spanish countryside, passing golden fields and distant hills as we made our way to see the famous windmills. Standing tall and white against the skyline, they felt like a quiet nod to history, evoking the world of Don Quijote.

From there, we hopped on the bus and headed to a lake for kayaking. The water was calm, the sun high, and laughter echoed as we paddled across the surface.
After kayaking, we took a short ride to a spot by the lake where we had lunch. We then jumped back in to swim in the lake. The water was cool and refreshing.

At the end of the day, we made our way back to Toledo listening to music on the bus ride home. We had our last dinner at the camp. We are bittersweet about our last day in Toledo.

From,
Anika, Keira and Ian

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 9

Written by leaders of the day: Valentina, Robbie, and Milo

Today in the GLA program we participated in a zip lining activity across the Tagus river in Toledo. Once the zip line tour was completed the group did some fun shopping in Toledo. The group headed back to home base for some tasty chickpea salad. This concluded the start of this fun but activity packed day.

In the afternoon, we went to our final Spanish class where we participated in an exciting scavenger hunt that had everyone running around the campus. Through teamwork and communication, we collected clues and used our Spanish skills to solve each one carefully. Each clue had its own twist and kept everyone on their toes, creating excitement and anticipation. Once everyone completed their hunt, we partook in fun group activities, ranging from tongue twisters to Kahoot, to engage our Spanish. To finish the session off, we took a group picture to keep memory of the moments shared. After bittersweet goodbyes and thank yous we left to get ready for our next activity, the pool.

After going zip lining and doing our final day of Spanish class we went to the pool to go hangout and have dinner. The pool has been a very fun activity for all of us the past couple days. A bunch of kids played games in the pool and even competed to see who could hold a hand stand for the longest. And tomorrow, we’re off to Barcelona!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 10

Written by leaders of the day: Errol, Maria, and Danielle

Breakfast was at 8 serving toast, eggs, ham. We packed before breakfast so when the bus came we were ready. A one hour Bus ride to Madrid, followed by a three hour train ride to barcelona concluded our morning.

In the afternoon, we took the high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona. The ride was smooth and gave us time to relax and enjoy the view. After arriving, we walked from the train station to our hostel, taking in our first glimpses of the city. We then had a cafeteria-style lunch to refuel before heading out again.

In the evening, we took the metro to the Gothic Quarter, where we had a guided walking tour through its historic streets. After the tour, we had some free time to explore and shop around the area. We ended the night with dinner at a build-your-own pasta restaurant, which was a fun and delicious way to wrap up the day.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 11

Written by Leaders of the Day: Chase, Isaac, and Matias

Today was a full and exciting day here in Barcelona. We started off by visiting the gardens near Park Güell, where we walked through peaceful green spaces and got a chance to enjoy some quiet time in nature before the busier parts of the day. The views from the top were amazing, and it was a great spot for group photos and a relaxed start to the morning.

Next, we headed to the Sagrada Família. We explored both the inside and outside of the church, and it was really cool to see how detailed and massive the building is up close. Everyone seemed really engaged during the visit, and we had time to walk around and take in all the different parts of the architecture. Afterward, we finished the day at Marbella Beach, where we got to swim, relax, and enjoy the sun. It was a nice way to end the day, and the group had a lot of fun together!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 12

Leaders of the day: Alexandria, Spencer, and Alberta

Final day of the trip! We began the morning with a fun bike tour around the Barceloneta area, passing beaches, harbors, historic buildings, and some awesome sculptures. Some of us even stopped for ice cream at a legendary ice cream shop that bases their flavors on people’s memories! We learned a lot and got a workout biking around the coastal neighborhoods.

Afterward, we went to an amazing local tapas place around the corner from where we started the bike tour. We got to try some delicious local dishes like seafood paella, patatas bravas, and pan tumaca. The atmosphere was very fun as well and we had a great time talking and eating together.

In the evening we had time to pack our bags and get some rest before heading out for our farewell dinner. Before leaving, we did a really nice closing activity called the Appreciation Circle, in which we were able to show anonymous appreciation for each other following different prompts. We ended the day with some shopping and burgers. Spain, we will miss you!

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 9

Hello GLA families!

Today marked the beginning of our adventure in Peru. After long flights and a layover in Lima, most of the group made it to Cuzco. From there, we drove to our Home Base in Pisac. It took us just over one hour, but the scenic views of the Sacred Valley were definitely worth it .

Everyone settled into their rooms and ventured through the Aroma de Cafe, the place we will call home for the next three weeks. After lunch we played some fun games and icebreakers on the rooftop. Just before dinner we went for a walk around Pisac and we had our first encounter with an alpaca!

After dinner we went over the schedule for tomorrow and then it was time for a deserved rest. We can wait for what’s coming in the next few days!

Later in the evening the last students arrived!

André, Ana & Urbano

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 10

Hello again GLA families!

Today was our first full day in Pisac! We spent the morning at our Homebase, we reviewed our itinerary for the next 3 weeks and everyone shared what they were most excited about. We talked about leadership and how to work better as a group. We played a bunch of games and got to know each other. Everyone was full of energy, even though some of us got here pretty late last night!

Lunch was delicious! And right after it was time to head out and enjoy this beautiful day. We filled our water bottles, packed our daybags and set out to explore the beautiful town of Pisac. We learned about the history of this place and we spent some time exploring the market. Before dinner we had time for another GLA Activity. We reflected about the impact of cell phones and social media in our daily lives and how this is a perfect opportunity to make a positive change.

We finished the day with another great meal, some tea and more games.

Tomorrow you will hear from Finn, our first Leader of the Day!

-André, Ana & Urbano

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 11

Hola GLA parents.

Today was jam packed with fun activities for us to enjoy. In the morning we took the van to a pottery class where Vicente taught us how to make cups and he later showed us unique Andean sounds including whistles and flutes.

We made it back just in time for lunch. Our van wound its way up the mountains to the stunning Pisac ruins, where we hiked through ancient Incan towns and saw breathtaking views of the mountains. Afterward, we wandered through the Pisaq market, picking up Peruvian snacks. We wrapped up the day with a warm dinner and our first mentor group time. We are very excited for tomorrow!

– Finn

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 12

Hello families!

Today was a very important day.

In the morning we had to wake up early to leave for our first day of service. We headed to Ampay where Nelva introduced us to her family and taught us the ways of the Peruvian agriculture. She explained what we will have to do for the next days at service. We practiced digging holes with pickaxes and shovels, so we can help with her reforestation project. We ended our time in Ampay with a fun game of football with the kids.

We got back home for lunch and had a little rest. Soon after we had a scavenger hunt around Pisac. We met some nice people and had a lot of fun. We ended the day with dinner and a fun game of charades called salad bowl.

Can’t wait to start our service project tomorrow!

The Leader of the day,

-Olivier

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 13

Hola GLA parents!

We started our day with an early breakfast before driving to our second day of service where we dug holes and planted native trees in the Amai community. After hard work under the harsh sun, we were happy to relax and watch a local women’s football game. Next, we had lunch and some time to unwind before dance class. We learned the core four dances of Peru and really showed off our moves. Festejo, Anaconda dances were among our group’s favorites. Before dinner we walked around Pisac touring the markets and eating empanadas. We ended the day with mentor groups where Ana led a game of Broken Telephone.

– Anya

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 14

Buenas noches!

Today we began our journey to the Misminay community. It was nothing short of gorgeous; we witnessed everything from beautiful snowy mountains to joyful alpacas. Following the wonderful adventure to Misminay community, we were greeted with the sound of music, (as well as the mountain wind). We dance along side the locals, create bracelets of our own, enjoy a delicious three course meal, and experience the beauty of the nature surroundings. From here, we set out to the salt mines! They were fascinating, the mountains were gorgeous, and the experience was one we will never forget! Urbano gave us a detailed rundown of the history of the mines and their significance.

Following some well spent time appreciating the mountains, playing card games, and enjoying the chocolate bought from the salt mines, we ended the day with a short, yet meaningful mentor group session.

Gracias por su tiempo,

– Duncan

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 15

Hola GLA parents!

Today was another beautiful morning that started with a great breakfast. After breakfast, we headed to service, where we went out into the fields to dig holes and plant trees and bushes. During our snack break, we ate granadillas and manzanas.

After we finished our service, we went to the stone fútbol pitch for another heated match. Then we returned to the hotel for lunch, where we enjoyed trout, soup, and rice.

For the next four days, the town will be celebrating Virgen del Carmen, so we went downtown to check out the festivities. After that, we stopped by the crepería for a sweet treat. Finally, we walked back across town to explore the carnival. We ended the day back at the hotel with another delicious dinner.

– Reece

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 16

Hi GLA parents!

Today we woke up at 7:15, had breakfast, and left for service at 8:00. Once we arrived, we hiked up a mountain for about an hour to learn about the process of drying potatoes. After spending a bit of time by the lake, we hiked back down.

Following our lunch in the Ampay mountains, we continued our service by planting more native plants. Around 3:30 PM, we finished our tasks and went to the pitch to play a game of football, which was a lot of fun!

Back at home base, everyone rested and took a shower — we were pretty tired. We had dinner, and afterwards we did a group activity to end the day.

We are excited for getting to know Cusco tomorrow.

– Julia

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 18

Hello GLA families!

After two amazing days exploring Cusco we are back to Pisac. So many good moments that we spend together!

Our Cusco adventure started with a cooking class. We all got our aprons and followed the Chef instructions to prepare a delicious meal: Lomo saltado and Picarones.

After lunch we spent the rest of the day exploring the streets and markets of Cusco. We took our time to find the perfect gifts to our families. The Plaza de Armas was full of life and the perfect place to have dinner.

Today was even more special! We learned so many new things about the Inkas. All thanks to our guide Urbano that took us to some of the most remarkable places in Cusco. A place full of history and Culture. We ended our trip visiting Saqsaywaman – an incredible piece of architecture by the Inkas.

Tomorrow we will be back to our Service Project!

Cheers,

– André, Ana & Urbano

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 19

Hello GLA parents!

Today we started the day with service. We made seed bombs or “bombas de semilla”. These bombs are thrown into the nature and in the future they will become trees. After service we had a guest speaker Iña that came and talked to us about tourism and all the positive and negative impacts associated with it. We learned a lot!

After our planned activities we decided to go to town. When we came back we played some games until it was time for dinner. We socialised a lot! In the evening we played trivia. We had fun!

-Rosalie

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 20

¡Buenas noches!

As the sunrise came to end, we fueled up and set out on a journey to the gorgeous mountains, where we do our service. Following a meaningful dance session, we began a hike further up the mountains. Our goal was simple: throw the bombas de semilla, (seed bombs) off of the mountain top. During the wet season of Perú, the rain will assist in the growth of the seeds, reforesting the barren mountains with native plants.

As we reached the mountain top, we were able to see the full beauty of the valley; we witnessed wonderful snow-covered mountains, rocky cliff sides, and many clouds. Additionally, our local service leader, Nelba, gave us a rundown on the significance of giving to nature. We gifted flowers and fruit to the mountains, making wishes for our futures.

Upon our return to home base, we enjoyed some fantastic ice cream—among the flavors were mango and passion fruit. Before dinner, André oversaw a leadership discussion in which we discovered different leadership styles, as well as their pros and cons. As the day ended, we experienced a meaningful discussion regarding attention and the goals we have for the future. Now that is a wonderful day!

-Gracias por su tiempo,

Duncan 😄

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 22

Hello GLA families,

We just got back from another excursion to explore more of Peru and the Sacred Valley! It was the perfect mix of adventure and cultural immersion!

Yesterday we took off to Raqchi: a small Community that still leaves in a very traditional way. We were lucky to spend a day there and stay for the night. After a warming welcoming we met the two families we were staying with. Señora Dolores and Señor Luciano were our hosts. We spend the rest of the day with our host families learning about their culture and ways of living. We had a taste of what life looks like during corn harvesting season by helping shucking corn. An important step before drying it out. Traditionally harvested corn is exposed to a night frost followed by a period of sunshine.

In the evening we did a ceremony called Pago a La Tierra. A way to ground us together and show appreciation to mother earth. We ended the night dancing and singing around the fire.

In the morning it was time to say goodbye. After a very cold night we quickly got the energy going. Everyone was excited for today’s Activity: White Water Rafting! We had a lot of fun. The water was cold and bright blue since it comes straight from the glaciers in the Andean Mountains nearby.

Back to Pisac everyone was ready for a good night of sleep. We only have one week left. How crazy is that?

-André, Ana & Urbano

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 23

Hola GLA parents!

Today we left home base at 9:00 o clock to catch the bus ride to our second to last day of service. Most people said it was the most enjoyable and rewarding day. We had to carry bags of manure up a steep hill to fertilize the soil so that they could grow crops. Then we put minerales on the crops after to help add more minerals to the soil.

After we got back from service we had lunch. Then a fun time with the music workshop where we learned a couple songs and played the peruvian flutes. It was really cool to learn about the different types of them as well.

After dinner we had mentor groups and we played a fun game in two groups called 1 minute to win, then we reflected on what we are grateful today.

– Rio

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 24

Hi GLA parents!

We began our day after breakfast with the final day of service where we showed off our work to local Ampay students and explained the importance off reforestation. We ended the service with a friendly game of football against the students and a final goodbye to Nelba and her family.

We returned to home base for lunch and relaxed until our GLA activity where we had a debate over building a road in the Sacred Valley. We followed this with a quick snack trip and a movie.

Following a delicious dinner, we got briefed about the next three days as we prepare to head out for the Lares Trek and to see Machu Picchu.

– Anya

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 26

Hello Gla families!

As I’m writing this blog the group is on his way to Aguas Calientes. Everyone is tired but excited for what’s to come. Tomorrow is the big day! We will see one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu!

The last two days have been unbelievable! For some it was the first time hiking and camping in the wild. What a place to start!

Yesterday, after an early start, we drove to the trailhead. The sky was clear and we had the first sights of some beautiful mountains. We even saw some snow capped peaks.

The first part of the hike passed through some small villages where people live a simple life dedicated to nature. Slowly we were going up and getting closer to bigger mountains. Everyone was happy and enjoying the hike. We finally reached the campsite and the views were totally worth it. We had a lovely dinner and finished the evening looking at the stars and constellations. Some of us were lucky enough to see shooting stars.

The next morning something magical happen! As we braved ourselves outside of the tents, facing freezing cold temperatures, it was with disbelief that we saw the mountains covered with snow! As we got ready for the most difficult part of the route the snow kept falling. Fortunately the group was stronger than ever and we made it to the mountain pass (the highest point of the route) in a record time. After a snowball fight we started our descent. The landscape kept getting better and better. Lamas and Alpacas became an usual sight: they were too many to count! Finally made it to the end of the trail. Tired, hungry and wet but full of memories that we will never forget!

Now is time to rest! From your GLA Leaders!

– André, Ana and Urbano

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 28

Hello GLA families!

Unfortunately this is the last time you will hear from me (your international director)

Today was our last full day in Pisac. A day to celebrate the end of 3 amazing weeks! 3 weeks already? How is that possible? Time flies when you are having a good time.

We started the day later than usual, after all we needed some extra rest to recover from the last 3 days.

During the day we played cards together for the last time, went to our favourite cafe, revisited all the best moments of the trip in a video put together by Ana, had a Karaoke session in the evening and more than ever enjoyed each other’s companies.

As I’m writing the last blog looking at an empty room I know that it is time to say goodbye to Pisac: the place that we called home during our time in Peru. I feel so happy to be part of this group. Your kids are really awesome!

Until next time,

-Andre, Ana and Urbano

PS: Here are some photos from Machupicchu!

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR JULY 23

We arrived in the bustling city of Cusco excited to start our adventure. Next we drove through the mountains to our home base in Ollantaytambo. After settling in we completed our health checks and had our first sunset circle before dinner. For dinner we went to a restaurant in town and had a delicious meal of chicken, rice, and vegetables. After dinner we had some free time before bed. We are excited for what is to come!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 24

We began our first day with a delicious breakfast and orientation. Then we went and enjoyed a delectable lunch and then walked around, explored town, and shopped. We then came back and had a discussion on social media, went and got dinner, and showered and regrouped. We ended our day with mentor groups where we got to know each other better and then we stargazed till bed.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 25

The first day of community service meant an early start to the day. The group woke up with the chilly wind and the sun, ate breakfast and grabbed all the essentials for a day of work. This included our work gloves, our WITS and of course a positive attitude! Then we took a scenic bus ride along windy roads to the small town of Patacancha. We received a very warm welcome from the locals who dressed us in traditional Peruvian attire. Ponchos for the boys and patterned skirts for the girls.

After getting dressed we did a fun group dance. Then came service time; we moved dirt, shaved bamboo sticks and painted a small structure built by the GLA group before us. After working hard we enjoyed an authentic meal that was kindly prepared by the locals. Lunch was followed by a gorgeous spiritual ceremony led by Juan, an indigenous Peruvian man. The beautiful ofrenda contained flowers, glitter, sweets, and coca leaves. All of which are central to the significance of honoring the earth.

After this, we went back to home base, ate a delicious dinner, and celebrated our group member Emery’s birthday! We ended the night with more stargazing on the roof and our day of adventure was over!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 26

Hi friends and family!

Today we had a very exciting day! We began with a delicious breakfast and quickly made our way onto the bus where we traveled to the Quechua village. We were welcomed with tea and began our service where we learned how to live sustainably. Even though the weather had taken a turn into rain, it didn’t stop us from bonding and having fun over our flavorful lunch. When we arrived back at the base, we had some free time before making our way into the market and purchasing some snacks, crepes, and milkshakes. We then walked over to the local soccer field and watched an intense men’s soccer game. After this, we played a leadership based activity and headed over to dinner where we tried a dish with alpaca! We ended the day in our mentor groups before stargazing and slowly heading to bed.
Gracias!

Elena and Gabi

P.S. Emery says hi to his momma and hopes she has a blessed day

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 27

The other day we woke up early and headed to the salt mines in Peru. It was super cool seeing all the white salt pools spread out over the mountains, it didn’t even look real. After that, we drove to Cusco, had lunch, and spent the afternoon walking around and shopping. Later, we checked into our hotel and then went out for dinner at this really fun restaurant with live music and performances. Such a good way to end the day.

Charlie and Isa

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 28

We woke up in our hotel in Cuzco and headed downstairs to breakfast. After breakfast, we split into two busses to drive to the river lodge for white water rafting. After rafting, we gathered in the lodge sauna. The lodge prepared a delicious three course lunch for us. After lunch, we departed for the town of Pisac where we walked the town during their independence day celebration. We bought some snacks and souvenirs and headed back to Ollantetambo for dinner. We ended the night with sunset circle and some social time.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 29

Today, we woke up to a hearty breakfast and set out for the Quechua village to continue our community service after our two-day trip to Cusco. Today’s tasks consisted of sorting dirt, shucking bamboo, gathering hay, and making mud. After everyone completed their rotations, we then all got together to eat lunch, consisting of tea, soup, white rice, a fried egg, and lentil beans. This was followed by us listening to a speech given by Juan, the village leader, about the hardships, founding, and the functions of the village.

The end of Juan’s speech marked the return to home base where we had a debate about the Lares trek, and whether a dirt road should be built through the town of Lares. Ultimately, the resolution would pass, which would be followed by sunset circle, and then dinner. Afterwards, we returned to home base, did a pulse check, and went to bed looking forward to the adventures to come.

Thomas and Tucker

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 31

Today we started the day with our final community service session. We danced in mud, made mud bricks, painted, and sifted dirt. This was followed by a special occasion buffet style lunch of chicken, pork, potatoes, and plantains. Following lunch was a special show by Juan of the jobs of weavers and we got to shop the handmade items of Patacancha. We returned for the last time from the mountain side and had an amazing dance class where we learned four different traditional Peru dances. The end of the day consisted of sunset circle, dinner, and packing time for the Lares Trek we embark on early tomorrow!!

Eden and Julz

Note – we are working on getting the full-size versions of the smaller photos below!

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BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 1

Day 1 of the Lares Trek started off quite early with breakfast at 6:30 and a bus ride from home to Lares departing at 7. En route to the trailhead, we made a stop at a busy market to grab some snacks, and another later at our highest point (14,025 ft!) for a stunning view taking in the beauty of Peru. By noon, we were lacing up our boots and beginning our hike. We began with a steep uphill, that quickly leveled out, we were able to make it to a quaint town for lunch when the weather began to get a bit chillier. After a fueling up with a homecooked meal, we hit the more challenging part of our journey—a steep incline up a stunning mountain, many alpacas and dogs that followed. With many stops to rest, we eventually made it to our campsite around 5:00 and rested ’til happy hour at 6:00. We enjoyed celebratory hot chocolate and a well-deserved feast after a long day. Under a sparkling night sky, everyone headed to our tents for a good night’s sleep—resting up for another (final) day of hiking the next day!

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BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 2

This morning around 6:30 AM, students woke up to continue the difficult yet beautiful Lares trek. They ate breakfast and quickly started the hardest part of the journey. After completing the steep uphill part, they were relieved with rest and downhill hiking which was very pretty all around, with views of lakes, wildlife, and Quechua people living their daily lives. After completing the trek, students then ate a delicious lunch around the Patacancha community. They then took a bus back to Ollantaytambo and rested for several hours. Only after hours of rest a quick sunset circle session happened, and off to dinner! Soon after dinner, some quick health checks and straight to bed after a tiring day.

Thank you and good night!

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BLOG POST FOR AUGUST 3

Today we woke up at base camp in Ollantaytambo and had breakfast before catching the scenic two hour train to Aguas Calientes, the base town for Machu Picchu. After arriving, we enjoyed a delicious lunch where some of us had grilled Alpaca, then we took a bus up the winding mountain roads to the top of Machu Picchu. The views were amazing with misty peaks, stone terraces, and ancient ruins surrounded by jungle. While there we also ran into our parents! After running into our parents, we learned about the history of the Inca civilization and took time to soak in one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

After exploring, we headed back down and took the train back to Ollantaytambo, where David cooked us an incredible dinner at Uchucuta. We ended the night celebrating Isa’s birthday at the restaurant, then finally walked back to base camp to wrap up the day!

Stay blessed y’all

-Ari and Anthony

PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

---

Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

JULY 6

We arrived safe and sound in Cuzco this afternoon and had a delicious lunch before setting out for our homebase in Ollantaytambo. The drive took us out of the city and through the hills of Peru before we arrived in the Sacred Valley. After arriving, we had a tour of the homebase and completed our health checks before heading into town for dinner at a local restaurant called Uchucuta. For dinner we had asparagus soup, trout with rice and vegetables, and some pancakes for dessert. After dinner we headed back to the homebase and had some free time before going to bed. We are excited for tomorrow and what is to come!

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JULY 7

What a wonderful way to start off Peru! After breakfast we all headed to the common room for orientation. Although it was long, it culminated in a friendly but competitive jeopardy game on our newly learned code of conduct. Then it was off to lunch at Uchuchata, our local restaurant. We stayed in town to exchange money, then split into 3 groups to explore the stores and stalls. One group even walked the ruins! After shopping we all regrouped back at home base to play social sync, a game about our opinions on social media, a GLA tradition. After some free time, we did the sunset circle then went back into town for dinner. We finished off the day with a campfire and cake for Liya’s birthday.

-Hana and Liya

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JULY 8

Day 3 at GLA’s Peru program was another packed and productive day. We began the day with a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast, followed by a “long and winding road” all the way to our work site, a rural Peruvian town which welcomed us in the traditional way for their culture. GLA students received ponchos, hats, flower necklaces, and were taught a ritual dance by the locals before being assigned daily tasks. Groups spent several hours completing important work such as harvesting straw, Poking holes in buildings, carrying stones and breaking up the earth to level out the ground. Each group worked hard at their jobs and GLA made significant progress for the first day, while listening to elite music such as Britney Spears and Katy Perry.

After a hard days work we gathered in the dining room for a delicious meal consisting entirely of homegrown vegetables and chicken. Before leaving town, we had the honor of witnessing and taking part in the “Mother Earth ceremony”, an elaborate ritual blending spiritual and catholic religion which encouraged the group to be grateful, and left everybody feeling grounded, present, and more connected to this beautiful earth we call home. The ride home went well and left us with plenty of free time before dinner, which was a surprise performance by a local Peruvian duo who were truly incredibly talented! The group also enjoyed spaghetti and a great dessert before heading back to base camp for mentor sessions. Students wrote letters to themselves detailing goals and aspirations for camp, further encouraging leadership and accountability.

Love

Jay and Alex

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JULY 9

Today we woke up bright and early at 6:45 to get a head start on a device filled day. After the hour long bus ride to Patacancha we continued our protect of moving materials, heavy lifting, and mud dancing 😂. We finished the day off with some needed free time, sunset circle, and a delicious dinner. Lastly we got to know each other by a speed friending group activity. We can’t wait for future adventures!!!

Sincerely,
Jo and Suhani

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 10

What a whirlwind today was! We began our morning with a classic Ollantaytambo breakfast, wishing the town goodbye, and boarding the bus en route to the Maras salt mines. On the way, we made a pit stop to pick up some warm coats for extra insulation during the highly anticipated Lares Trek. There, we met our skilled tour guide Smith who gave us the inside scoop on the salt mines. Some of us bought some souvenirs, and then we boarded the bus once again, resuming our journey to downtown Cusco. Our first Cusco excursion was lunch, where many of us tried alpaca for the first time while being serenaded by some excellent live music with traditional Peruvian instruments.

Next, after dropping off our bags at our hotel, we began a walking tour of Cusco led by Smith. He taught us the history of the city, taking us all around the main square. We ended off the day with a scavenger hunt and shopping spree in San Pedro market before a dinner fit for royalty. Everyone was very enthusiastic about their meals, to say the least. Finally, we returned to the hotel, had an impromptu sunset circle, and wound down, stomachs full of Peruvian chocolate, heads full of Cusco’s history, and hearts full of love for our fellow travelers turned dear friends.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 11

Dear GLA family and friends , niños y niñas. Today we had quite the adventure. The day started with an exquisite breakfast in Cusco. After that, we hit the road! After a well worth it hour and half drive, we had a wackily wonderful adventure! We went white water rafting, some went in the sauna and we ended the adventure of a lifetime with unbelievably intense zip-lining! From our extreme adventure we drove back to base camp where we stopped at Pisac market along the way. After three hours of a magical bus experience, we ended the day eating pie around the fire while listening to music.

Love

Adam and Holden

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 12

Today was such a fun and busy day! We did a bunch of community service in the morning, which was really cool because we got to help out and feel like we made a difference. After that, we had a super fun dance class where we learned five different Peruvian dances—some of the moves were hard, but we laughed a lot and had the best time. The music was so good, and it was fun trying something new with everyone. Plus, like always, we had three amazing meals that were soooo yummy!

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 13

Hello, everyone! Today was a very exciting day. It opened with a delicious but later breakfast and then we went straight to community service. At service, people used pickaxes, chisels, and threw mud, nearly completing our mission for this trip. After service, we had a wonderful trout, and a bumpy ride back to home base. We relaxed a bit and then had our GLA debate. The hypothetical debate was over whether or not a road should be installed for the Lares Trek. In the end, our mentors decided the road should be built. Afterwards, we had a lasagna and cake pop dinner. The day closed with a fun group activity in our mentor groups.

Love
Judson and Matteo

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 14

Once again we started the day with scrumptious breakfast accompanied with a briefing for the Lares Trek adventure. Next we headed off to our final day of community service at Patacancha. After finishing up some bamboo shucking we indulged in a Peruvian weaving lesson. We had a special farewell feast and our hearts were heavy as we departed saying our goodbyes to the local kids. Upon our arrival at homebase, the group split into different activities: a soccer game on the local pitch, a market visitation and some who wanted to stay at basecamp. After 2 intense games of soccer we grouped up at basecamp for our 8th sunset circle. We finished up the day with a delicious dinner and packing up for the Lares Trek.

Hayden and Tristan

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 15

Today started with a filling breakfast to prepare us for the Lares Trek. We set out in the morning and hiked for a few hours through scenic valleys and mountains. Around midday we reached a small town where we stopped to enjoy a deserved lunch.

Fueled up, we continued our hike, climbing higher into the mountains. The views were stunning, and though the hike was tough, the scenery made it worth it. By evening we arrived at our campsite located in a beautiful mountain range. We set up our tents, took in the beautiful surroundings, and warmed up with some hot chocolate. Dinner was delicious and satisfying after a long day on our feet. We enjoyed the starry night sky, crawled into our tents, and got a good nights rest.

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 16

Today was quite the eventful day! We had an early start, waking up in our tents at 6 am! Upon exiting our tents, the sight of the sun peaking over the beautiful Andes mountains was breathtaking. We enjoyed a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, pancakes and eggs, ready for another long day of hiking. Despite the effects of the high altitude, by 8am our hiking boots were tied, water bottles filled, and we were on our way. The start of the hike was strenuous, featuring a steep incline that never seemed to level out! Eventually, however, we all overcame the challenge and summited! The views from the peak were panoramic what with the striking mountains surrounding us. After a nice snack and hydration break, we continued on our way. Thankfully, the rest of the hike was downhill. Coming down the range, we passed hundreds of llamas and alpacas, encountered some wild horses, and saw some lively mountain dogs. Finally, we made it to Patacancha, finishing our trek. There, we were served Lomo Saltado, a traditional Peruvian dish, for lunch. Once finished with our meal, we boarded buses and drove back home, where we all crashed in our beds until dinner, feeling exhausted but proud of this wonderful accomplishment.

-Ella Hamel

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BLOG POST FOR JULY 18

Dear Family and friends,

Today was a super fun day! We woke up for a late breakfast before a day of adventure. Our guides arrived and we left for the train station for Machu Picchu. After a long bus ride we arrived in Aguas Calientes! We walked through a gorgeous artisan market to make it to our amazing lunch spot. After a fulfilling meal, we boarded to bus to Machu Picchu. We were able to walk around and take many pictures of the wonderful Machu Picchu peak.

After learning lots of history about the mountain we headed on the bus back to town. We had some time to shop in the markets filled with many souvenirs. We got on our train ride back to Ollataytambo. Then we walked to our usual restaurant and had burgers with french fries for dinner! Overall, we had such a fun and educational day.