Waiting for Sunshine

Yesterday marked the arrival of cloudy weather and light rains. The locals tell us that this kind of weather usually remains for 3-4 days, so we have adjusted our schedule as we wait for the sunshine to return. Instead of leaving yesterday for an overnight hike into the high country, we remain in Ollantaytambo. In addition to continuing our construction work at the local school, today each student is participating in a two-hour ceramics workshop with Ollantaytambo master potter, Señor Eduardo Huaman Aquino. Students are building coil pots with the help of a hand-turned wheel. The pots will dry for a couple of days and later we will fire and finish the surface of the pots. Apparently polishing the surface a dry pot with a river stone and then packing the pots in cow dung for firing in the kiln produces an elegant, black finish. That remains to be seen!

Later this afternoon, many of us will assist Pancho, a local basket maker who is hosting Tucker and Ud, prepare the strands of wood we will use in our upcoming basketmaking workshop.

Tomorrow all the students are going to Urubamba to watch the children of their host families participate in a folkloric dance contest and attend a soccer game. To say that the Peruvians are wild about soccer would be putting it mildly. After we finish our work at the school, many students head to the local stadium for pick-up soccer games with Ollantaytambo residents of all ages. It’s a great scene to behold, and the soccer cleats Tucker Fross brought with him have been greatly appreciated here.

On Sunday morning we plan to set out on our overnight hike, stopping a few hours into the trek at the well-known weaving village of Patacancha.

Following you will find a comment I have gathered from each student as he or she pinches, pounds or sculpts away at the nearby ceramics table.
Salud! Cindy Beams

Comments from Our Student Potters

Jon, a.k.a. “Juanes”: I didn’t know that rice and mush could taste so good!

Ud, a.k.a. “Lionel”: It’s tough to make two ceramic masterpieces in a row…..everyone asks me about my hair.

Tucker, a.k.a. “Santiago”: Having contacted my “inner child,” I’ve progressed from making simple clay cylinders to free-form dinosaurs. I am also formally changing my name to “Santiago.” I’m getting tired of relocating dirt.

William, a.k.a. “Guillermo”: I’m not coming home. Hi, Mom. Tucker also sends you his regards, as does Cindy Beams.

Connor, a.k.a. “Baja”: “I bet that of every person currently in Peru, I am the best ice hockey player.”

Sidney, a.k.a. “Syyyyyyyyyyney”: I want tomorrow to come even faster because I’m excited about going to Urubamba where I will see the soccer game everybody’s talking about. It’s the district championship.

Caroline, a.k.a. “Carolina”: I want to do another rafting trip! I am going to use the clay cylinder I am making for pencils.

Elise, a.k.a. “Elisa”: I loved making bread at 4:30 this morning. It was amazing. I’m also looking forward to a warm shower.

Josephine, a.k.a. “Josephina”: I want to get the hike over with.

Xandie, a.k.a. “Alejandra”: No puedo hablar inglés.

Annabel, a.k.a. “Annabella or Francesca”: I’ve forgotten the rules of general hygiene. But, on the upside, I have found the two loves of my life: Luis and Alex, 10 and 8 year-old brothers.

Hannah, a.k.a. “Ana”: Joci needs to shower.

Jocelyn, a.k.a. “Jocelina”: Hannah needs to shower more.

Julia, a.k.a. “Hulia”: Annabel and I eat dinner in 3 sweatshirts, sweatpants, jeans, gloves, a scarf, and a hat. We also have the best parents in the world, Adela and Adolfo. I know it’s awkward, but we love you guys too.

Gerrit, a.k.a. “Osito Muñeco”: The hikes are amazing. The mountains here are spectacular, and I’m looking forward to the overnight hike on Sunday.

Taylor, a.k.a. “Taylor”: I really hope that I can improve upon a Peruvian child’s life while here in Peru. Hannah needs to shower.

Jane, a.k.a. “Juanita”: Taylor and I get up at 4:30 in the mornings to help our parents bake bread at our house, which is MUY RICO (delicious). Now we are going to learn how to do ceramics so I’ve got to go! Adios!