After the trip to Peru being delayed for 2 years due to COVID, it was definitely a case of third time lucky and better late than never. When I left sunny Yorkshire and left for the big smoke, I didn’t have a clue what was coming, what to expect or who I was going to meet. We successfully all arrived in London Heathrow all apprehensive, but this soon settled, and we were through check in and security and on our way to Peru, via Miami.

We landed in Cusco where we were met by the Projects Abroad team and quickly whisked off to meet our host families. Who didn’t speak much English so there was a lot of google translate or simply looking blank, but we got there! We were thrown straight into volunteering, I volunteered at Picol Kindergarten in the class of 3 year olds. It was great to get involved with their learning and they absolutely loved having us in their class too! We also attended a care home in Cusco, where their vegetable patch was in need of some much needed TLC. The goal was to plant the strawberry plants out, which involved picking the strawberry plants out, digging up the strawberry plant plot, adding organic fertiliser to replant these established plants and seedlings also. The outdoor plots all needed digging over and the dead leaves picking off the other plants indoors. The staff and residents were all so appreciative of our help and input for this and I look forward to seeing how the strawberries grow and what else they decide to grow outdoors!

We also were zoo keepers for the day too in a rescue centre for a variety of animals including condors, bears (including the same breed as Paddington!!) and tortoises. There was the necessary cleaning to do, but the highlight has to be feeding and massaging the shells of the tortoises and observing the condor flying exercise! We also visited a traditional Inca tribe, making mud bricks to build their properties and participating in their traditional ceremony to bless the land and animals they have as well as wearing their traditional dress.

But the highlights of the trip include the trip to Machu Picchu which is just incredible and the Rainbow Mountain. I know most places you go never look like the postcard photos you see but trust me, both these places do and are just stunning. We also visited sites of Inca Ruins, again set in stunning scenery were phenomenal to explore. During our stay, we were staying with a Peruvian family who definitely gave us an insight into Peruvian life and some of their traditional dishes. We even tried salsa! Which was more successful than the Spanish!! As we stayed in Cusco, we spent time exploring the city and what it has to offer – which was like living a geography lesson, but a beautiful place. In true Young Farmers’ style – we were quick to locate the Irish Bar!

A truly excellent trip which was well worth the wait. Now to plan the next trip!

By Laura Terry, Winksley-Cum-Grantley YFC