Pages

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Cañoncillo

Lots has happened since my last post. We have taken a couple trips, built a few sand sculptures, held a bible conference, and have even been reprimanded for not following "missionary rules," what ever those are . I'll try to update on each one of those.

Cañoncillo

Nestled away about an hour north of Pacasmayo is Cañoncillo or little canyon, a conservation area packed with not only a somewhat secluded lake but miles of forests and sand dunes. The hectic trip of to get to canoncillo was definitely worth it after our day of relaxation and peace at the lake. The trip started with having to catch a car to San Jose and then mototaxis to canoncillo all involving our translator Gabby and a great deal of miscommunication and confusion. We had to trek up a wooded part of the sand dunes, which is 5 times harder than walking up a normal hill. It was like walking on a really soft beach but on straight uphill. It was a wonder how anything grew up through all of the sand. After getting a little lost and turned around in this maze of a forest, we finally made it to the first lake where a few cows were grazing about 15 feet away from us. The animals weren't even startled by our presence.


The second lake was more of a person friendly lake, which included one of those amazing climbing trees whose branches hung out over the lake and a very quaint beach. Taking advantage of the sunlight of the morning we settled down on the beach to take in some rays and to have a little picnic, wonderfully prepared by Jan. I never thought I would actually say this, but I really like Tuna Salad, something that the mere smell of would make me nauseous. Our peaceful beach was taken over by two groups of university students on a field trip out to canoncillo. One was even camping near by. Both were completely fascinated with us and asked to take pictures with me. I felt like a celebrity at a press conference. They were asking me every question they knew in English and then asked to take their picture with me. So there are probably pictures of me floating around peruvian facebook now saying I met a grina or something to that effect. Meeting people from other cultures is just fascinating, especially when you aren't expecting to meet anyone like that. I think I was just very unexpected for them.

After the press conference Gabby and I took off to see the sand dunes and to see if we could watch the students sand boarding, which Cherry and I are determined to do before we leave. No such luck finding anyone sand boarding but standing in the middle of a field of sand dunes is absolutely breathtaking. Think Aladdin walking out to the Cave of wonders. Gabby and I even tried to slide down one of the hills, but learned that it was just a good way to get sand in all of your clothes and shoes. We need to find something to use as a board or a sled for the next time.

No comments:

Post a Comment