Soccma & Ayni Wasi
Hi everyone! It's Charlene and I’ll be writing about Monday's visit with Ayni Wasi* to the community of Soccma. The students, split into three chaperone groups, arrived bright and early at Ollantaytambo's main plaza, excited for the adventures the day would bring. Each had just stayed in a homestay for the past night and were woken up by the delicious aroma of breakfast wafting from their homestay kitchens. With a pastry chef as a homestay mom, I began the day with a freshly- baked slice of cake, a perfect way to set the mood. After a brief discussion with the chaperones, the groups set out to their various activities.
Although the drive to Succma was full of twists and turns and unpaved paths, we passed time by chatting with friends and sharing snacks. Our arrival was met with a traditional greeting - rose flower petals sprinkled on our heads and a wreath of flowers and dried corn placed around our necks. A promotora (trained woman who provides medical support in her community) residing in Socma (named Yenni) led us on a tour around the village's fields. While trekking on a treacherous pathway between tall rows of com and a rocky edge, I slipped suddenly on a patch of mud and plummeted down, fortunately landing unscathed. With the help of my teachers and Ayni Wasi staff, I managed to scale a wall of rocks and reached safety!*
Before long, Yenny‘s fields of corn, apple trees, and alfalfa came into view, a picturesque destination to stop for a snack on cheese, apples, and the worlds best-of-the-best corn. Because of the organic nature of the apples and corn, we were allowed to compete to see who could throw the core and cob the furthest into the field below.
After the break, Yanni taught us how to harvest alfalfa to feed, guinea pigs (known locally as cuy) using a sickle. After half an hour of harvesting, we prepared to head back to Socma‘s main area, carrying the alfalfa on our backs, using the traditional, colorful Inca blankets. The sun had fully risen by this time and its blazing heat caused many students to feel dehydrated and exhausted.
After several demonstrations, we went to check out, small, handmade crafts, and some students bought a few trinkets as souvenirs. Lunch followed, comprised of rice, chicken, vegetables, fries, and tea. As we slowly finished the meal, students left to play tetherball, sit on the swings, and monkey around the place structures. Although I wished we could stay for longer, we had returned to Ollantaytambo to meet with the rest of the groups.
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