Hualango

Hualango is the name of my host dad's farm, located in Cajabamba province, but just about as far from civilization as possible: two hours in car or combi, then another three hours on horseback. I have been hearing about Hualango constantly since I arrived in Cajabamba - the old farmhouse and the land have been in Javi's family for generations, and farming it is his main occupation. This past week, I finally had the opportunity to accompany Javi out to Hualango for a few days, and it was wonderful. As he described it, "coming here is like coming to the end of the world" - no electricity, no road, and beautiful land bursting with green things growing. Javi proudly showed me all around the fields, and I got to help harvest avocados, honey, and the veggies we ate for dinner. We also went on an adventure to the "eye of the water" (the under-mountain cave where the spring that feeds the farm emerges from the rock), machete-ing our way along the overgrown trail past steep cliffs and waterfalls. Both the setting and the company made for a special experience that I know will stay with me as a highlight of my Peace Corps service.

The ride there - host uncle Augusto by a laguna

Heading down into the valley where the farm is

The farmhouse

Ducklings!

Hualango's nearest neighbor, Edgar, who looks after the crops day-to-day

Harvesting avocados

Edgar loading 200-avocado sacks onto the burros, preparing to drive them up to the nearest town

Getting ready to cook breakfast

Following the canal to the ojo del agua, Javi complete with safari hat, alforja, and machete