On the first official day in Peru, the rising sophomores and seniors embarked on a full day in the city of Lima. Following a 2:00 AM arrival time at the hotel, all fellows approached the day with energy and excitement despite the lack of sleep. We started the day navigating through city traffic, attempting to locate several iconic spots in Lima. While at the Plaza Del Armas, we had the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Catedral de Lima. This particular church is home to the burial site of Francisco Pizarro, the infamous Spanish conquistador who vanquished the Incas in Peru. The church’s Baroque architecture was stunning and a testament to the beauty of the city. The group then enjoyed a nice lunch outside of the plaza and headed to our next location. The Larcomar, a seaside park/shopping area, was decided on as a spot for leadership and team building. Although the view would have been even more spectacular on a sunny day, we thoroughly roamed the Larcomar while completing a scavenger hunt. Tasks included finding foreign food and drink, finding different car brands, and conversing with a stranger in Spanish to learn from the language, which proved most difficult for almost every group. Following this fun leadership activity, Michael Hostutler ’20 directed us to a popular dinner place by our hotel. However, an hour and a half wait caused the group to look for other options. We ended up at Norky’s, a nearby restaurant, and enjoyed a filling dinner that lasted for 3 hours. Everyone is excited for the last days in Lima as we are soon headed for the Andes!

-William ’20