UniBreakers unforgettable experience in Peru

Our Final Week came to a bittersweet close this weekend. Saying goodbye was hard without a doubt. Goodbye to our families – so loving and welcoming and whom we started referring to as ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’ a long time ago. Goodbye to Cusco – daily views of lush green mountains, memorable taxi rides and cobblestone streets. Goodbye to our ‘escuela’ in Ccorao – those affectionate, cheeky kids, the amazing machine that is Ricardo and our helpful, gracious teachers.

The week was taken up with frantic hard work on The Wall (now complete!), last minute shopping for llama jumpers or Cusquenian trinkets, packing, and our last time at our favourite eateries (adios Jack’s!). We’ve all had a great time spending our last week with our families (thank you Wills and Nelly for taking such good care of Nivine and me!). Being able to buy them a small Christmas present, cook them dinner for once or take them out somewhere were some small ways we said ‘thank you and we love you’.

Our last day at school was one of the best we’ve had – each grade performed a song for us in an assembly, we got to spend some time with our classes giving out presents and capturing some moments with them on camera and it was topped off with an heartfelt inauguration ceremony of the wall and Christmas chocolate ‘caliente’ and panetone for everyone. The dismal weather did nothing to deter our spirits during this last day.

Also, during the trip, the boys came up with a really great list of tips for the next groups to come through and here are a few of them for you guys: - When bargaining, cut the vender’s price in half and go from there - When quad biking: Be. Careful. - Be prepared for cold and sometimes no showers - When buying agua, remember: always Sin Gas - Invest in a alpaca jumper on Day 1 - Do not eat the hommus at Jack’s Café - When hopping in a taxi, some key phrases include: “normalmente ocho soles senor!” and “cerca el Maestro” - Embrace every moment

One month. A Horseriding trip. A Machu Picchu Trek. A weekend away at Lake Titicaca. Numerous trips to Pisaq Mercado. Countless clubs. Countless cafes. Quad biking. Mountain biking. Three cases of salmonella. One twisted knee. A fractured nose. Countless other issues regarding bodily functions. Seven incredible host families. One funny and irreplaceable Arlich. One wonderful school filled with even more wonderful kids. One wall. Fourteen volunteers.

Thank you Antipodeans for an unforgettable experience that has changed us forever and of which no part I regret!

Heaps of love,

Sach, Nivine, Rowan, Dan, Joe, Louis, Arnav, Ben, Harshita, Tess, Nadia, Vanessa, Liz, Meg x x x