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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- 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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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 😄
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
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
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
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
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!
