Wrapping it up

Vacaciones útiles (summer classes) are over and done with, and today all of Peru's schoolchildren headed back to their normal classes. I've really enjoyed our camp-style classes the past seven weeks - the perfect combination of fun and work, and a project that let Jess and me (and the kids) keep occupied at a time when not much else is going on in site. Since ceremony is important in Peru, last week was filled with closing activities...

We printed, signed, and handed out end-of-camp certificates to high-schoolers and youngsters alike:

We took the high-schoolers on a paseo (field trip/hike) to the Cochecorral waterfalls near Cajabamba:

The falls from afar

Walking along in the fog

View of Cajabamba down below

And, of course, we worked like mad to get the world map finished:

The touch-up crew hard at work on the last day

Adding a little personal touch - all our handprints

Final add-ons: compass, Peru flag, Peace Corps logo, country outlines, and grand title

At the end of a busy week, we said our goodbyes to the niños, and Jess and I were left to admire the beauty of our summer "baby" - a completed world map mural. So many hours of work later, it was a good feeling :)