Out of Chijnaya/Going to Machu Picchu

After six weeks of volunteering in the community of Chijnaya the rest of the volunteers and I have left the community and said our final goodbyes to our families. We left a day early due to the fact that strikes in the altiplano began to paralize the roads leading out of Chijnaya and toward places like Puno and Cusco, something you may have all read about, I heard it was in the U.S. news. Besides for being a nuisance for travelling the strikes have not harmed us in anyway and we are all safely in the city of Cusco. Outside of the cities, and even in the cities, frustration with the government of Alan García is great so the strikes may not diminish for a while. However, in Cusco the only strike we have to worry about is that of the teachers who are striking against new laws affecting their job security. I keep getting more and more stories to tell, however, I will save them for when I return on July 23-24. I am leaving Cusco on the 9th to take a train to Machu Picchu, where I will be for the 9th and the 10th, something I am really excited about. I know some of you are expecting a call from the top of Machu Picchu, I am still working on the logistics of it all. After that I might be flying to the jungle and staying for a few days to see what a jungle is like. Peru is an amazing country because you have amazing coastlines, some of the largest mountains in the world, and then a jungle. Its geography is absolutely incredible. Then I am going to Arequipa, hopefully seeing the coast and Colca Canyon. Then back to Cusco for a couple days and then I will be going back home. I had an incredibly rewarding experience in Chijnaya and will tell you all about it soon. For now since I am short on time. I am doing excellent, am in great health, and am extremely safe. Also, do not forget to root for Peru in Copa América. They play Argentina on Sunday. Finally, Happy Birthday to Christine!!!