Internship in Medina River Natural Park

The first two weeks of August, IASL group split into several groups to perform Internship work as volunteers in different institutions of San Antonio. Jose Ramon, Fernando, Fabiola and I went to Medina River Natural Park, which has extensive field with a trail about two miles long, bikes trail and a river where you can fish free. The scenery of the park is accessible to all peoples, and has a beautiful view of the road. It also has a very quiet river and where you can see majestic trees and also to grow small green. It is a treat where for a moment live in and with nature. It is a very appropriate place to rest from the noise, stress, and the labyrinths that can exist in a big city as San Antonio. Usually in this park we can see older people in most cases accompanied by their pets that they will walk approximate one hour. Our job was to design a bird figure, located at the entrance of the park near the offices of responsible peoples for maintenance. The first day, Gail Dugelby, we intrude Eduardo, who was in charge of teaching us how to use the machine to work the land. We did this job for two weeks; first we get up bad land for good land then put in compost. This was highly amused at times. Eduardo native of Mexico, every day we had the incidents that had happened to reach Unite State. He had such enthusiasm as these times have days were over. Now, he has a secure job in the Medina Park and their children student in University and the youngest still in high school. Susan Blaker, Susan Campbell and Gail Dugelby you came to see us. It was the only opportunity where we could practice English and that they had an office job. Sometimes, after 11:00 am we were on a moment to offices and Susan Campbell, she with very kindly showed us some pictures of this trips to Mexico. Other times we were able to show pictures of our country and our communities. The two weeks was a constant routine work, picks, shovels, dust of the eart and the exaggerated sun in Texas. Sincerely, I would have liked more English practice, but we could know something about plants in Texas, real stories like Eduardo and one more experience to be able to form as professional and be part of the development personal and development of our communities.

Canto y fuerza Quechua

Residential Tourism for farmer communities – Project

The Alternative Tourism is increasing rapidly in recent years. Within the alternative tourism is Residential Tourism, which is a mode in farming families engaged in agricultural life open their doors to accommodate visitors by showing a way of life unique and authentic. The tourists participating in the daily activities of local peoples, share with them food for breakfast, lunch and dinner also daily work in the field plowing cattle, plant products of the area, etc. In festive activities, participate in ceremonies paying thanks to the land (ceremony to thank the land for harvest), dances and song which can teach tourists about new lifestyle and customs. It is an encounter and dialogue between people of two or more cultures, with awareness of solidarity that can only truly be in nature. Besides this, tourists/travelers can also visit the tourist attractions of the area or other known routes of tourism destinations. Residential Tourism, not yet publicized is a modality in Peru, with the exception of communities Llachon, Taquile, Uros, Amantani and Anapia of the Puno region, who are pioneers in Residential Tourism. In the province of Antabamba of the district Juan Espinosa Medrano, we have a rich culture at the height of the great civilizations, where each community has a unique lifestyle. In our area we have pre-Inca archaeological monuments, Incan monument, colonial monument and contemporary monument, mountains, rivers, trails for biking, traditions, music, old llamas walking across the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, Mule track on the outskirts and within each community are unique ancestral customs that can be a wonderful experience for the visitor. It is possible to develop Residential Tourism in district Juan Espinosa Medrano? Many people who are familiar with our culture would say, YES. Success in most areas where Residential Tourism is practiced has been the result of innovative projects, such as the revival of ancient traditions and myths and other ancient traditions of the community. The other aspect of improving the quality of the houses where visitors can relax is no less important, always taking care of the imbalance that could cause the change to the authentic way of life, as well as the refurbishment of attractive natural scenery and archaeology. However, this is very important to ensure the authenticity is our best product. Working together on this project is possible. We will make this a reality involving our schools primary and secondary, institutes and univertisities of the province, region and country, heath centers, organizations of residents in each big city in the country, organization private and national to promote and be accessible. In an expansion of this project in others communities, we welcome students to internal and external volunteers, schools, institutes and all people that want to help. In this way without spending a lot we ourselves are the best broadcasters of our culture and our land. The residential Tourism in the province Antabamba of the district Juan Espinosa Medrano is innovate because it responds to present needs, but also contemplates the reductions of negative impacts of this long term. It emphasizes the importance of conservation of our tradition, and the improvement of families. Promoting Residential Tourism in the province Antabamba is promoting the development of a future integrated environment and improved economic viability for future generations.

Tourist Restaurant

There are many things that involve the development of this project, in ECONOMIC, I want to create a new source of income for the young people of my village. may work on this project about 40 youths, all of them at different times, and all can study in their free time with the income from work in the restaurant. In politics, I want to involve the authorities to realize this project, the municipality will fund the project and with the support of local government. I in the social work exclusively with young people so they can have a better educational opportunities and be part of the development of our people, I also want to involve the private and public organizations for the development of the project, and so together we can do best.

Peruvian Marathon; Running, Walking "Chaski"

The Peruvian people of Helotes celebrated a "Chaskis" marathong in the town center last Saturday. The IALS students of Palo Alto helped the organizing committee and we were there all day. The marathon began at 8:45 am when one of the organizers made a speech and welcomed all the people. At 9:00, 150 participants in this marathon began to run. Finally, when it was over, the organizers awarded prizes to the champions. The Sports activities began after the race. There were many games and many people sang. After the music, everyone ate Peruvian food such as anticucho, and tamales. I really liked this activity; we finally returned to our home at 3:00pm.

Presentación Cultural “Entrelazando Culturas” Perú, Bolivia, Ecuador y Colombia

La noche anterior del 23 de mayo terminamos con los preparativos para la Presentación Cultural “Entrelazando Culturas de Perú, Ecuador, Bolivia y Colombia”, esta fecha se había hecho esperar, la presentación de danzas, comidas, costumbres de los cuatro países. Fueron muchos los días, las tardes en que dedicamos tiempo para organizar este evento, con la ayuda de Linda Jiménez, una excelente profesora que se ha ganado todo el cariño de todos nosotros, fue ella quien nos guió en la parte organizativa, tuvimos muchas reuniones en la que decidimos mancomunadamente de cómo iba a realizarse el evento. Hemos formado grupos de trabajo, cada grupo tuvo un trabajo asignado. Dentro de esto nuestros inmensos agradecimientos a Julia Jarrel, coordinadora del Programa IALS, quien trabaja mucho para poder seguir desarrollándonos, a Erlito nuestro gran amigo, nuestro profesor, en simplainas palabras, una persona extraordinaria. Empezó el festival a las 2:40 pm las diversas danzas fueron ejecutadas por todos nosotros, cada estudiante lució su atuendo autóctono, unos, atuendos indígenas, amazónicos y otros de afro de cada país. Fue una tarde en que todos nosotros nos entregamos a dar lo mejor, el único fin de esta tarde era hacer conocer en un tiempo muy reducido lo que es nuestra alegría, nuestra cultura, nuestra danza, nuestras costumbres y mucho más. La presentación empezó el grupo de Bolivia con el himno nacional, un resumen de los atractivos turísticos del país y una preciosa danza Takirari, una danza autóctona de la región Oriente de Bolivia, mas precisamente de Santa Cruz, así fue como cada país desfiló con una primera presentación, el himno, resumen de atractivos turísticos y una danza. Siguió Colombia, con la infaltable cumbia, más tarde nos hicimos presente los peruanos con la danza el Shipibo Enamorado y por último, Ecuador, ellos presentaron una danza de la parte andina del Ecuador. Nosotros el grupo de Perú recurrimos a la ayuda de los peruanos residentes en San Antonio, quienes con gran gentiliza no dudaron en darnos su apoyo, quedamos muy agradecidos con la familia Suárez ( Raúl, Vicky y Tiffany) ellos con ese gesto de siempre de buena voluntad nos ayudó en la impresión de trípticos y las invitaciones, de la misma forma agradecemos a Iliana Díaz y familia, Joel Pinada, quienes contribuyeron con veinte polos para los estudiantes del programa IALS, a Sara por darnos la oportunidad de probar la causa limeña, José Rojas por las exquisitas bebidas, nuestra inca kola, a María Linan una profesora amante de la cultura ancestral peruana, quien con gran desprendimiento nos prestó los vestuarios para la ejecución de nuestras danzas. Agradecemos a todas las personas que nos apoyaron al grupo IALS desde que llegamos a San Antonio – Texas, a la Iglesia Vida Abundante, a Benito Ponce, una persona con extraordinaria disposición para ayudar a sus semejantes. Fue una tarde que danzamos, cantamos, comimos y compartimos con las personas que se dieron cita ese día, esperamos haber estado a la altura de las expectativas de nuestros visitantes, agradecemos a todos de corazón por darse un tiempo para compartir con todos nosotros.

Nosotros Somos

A los diecinueve mundos distintos que he conocido en San Antonio, mis compañeros del programa IALS
Nosotros somos de suelos generosos
de enigmáticas montañas,
de gélidas cumbres
de selvas vestidas
de verde de risueñas playas
que acarician la costa.
Nosotros nacimos
en el seno del trigo y la cebada,
crecimos con la fuerza de la quinua y la papa.
Nuestros pueblos,
proclaman su estirpe en la tierra
recitando versos a la luz del amanecer.
Nuestros ancestros
llenaron de flores el campo
arando mojados surcos e hicieron fecunda la tierra.
Nuestros ancestros
se bañaron de polvo en la esclavitud
dejando el sudor como gotas de lluvia en cada piedra de áridas tierras.
Nosotros somos como las notas musicales
 pocos pero muchos en canciones diversas.
Nosotros somos de los pueblos de vestidos exquisitos
de polleras de rosas silvestres,
con trenza de ríos, con primorosos sombreros floridos.
Nosotros señoras y señores somos indígenas y afro latinos.

  Mayo, San Antonio - Texas - EE.UU.