Traveling On The Inca Trail

Adventurous students can practice their Spanish, and even some Quechua, when they travel the high roads in Peru. Josette Bonafino (with Ian Cross) reports.

"I wanted my students to see that there is more to the Spanish-speaking world than just Spain and Mexico," explained Colleen Hoffman, an Illinois foreign language teacher, who accompanied 15 Spanish students from Rockford East High School to Peru in June 1998. The highlights of their nine-day odyssey included Machu Picchu, the mysterious Lost City of the Incas, and the remote, floating reed islands of the Uros Indians on Lake Titicaca. "My students were fascinated by numerous similarities and contrasts both between our culture and Peru's, as well as within the diverse cultures of Peru," Hoffman said.

Rarely visited until recent years, tourism is on the rise in Peru after critical economic, political and health problems stabilized in the 1990's. Now, the country offers American language teachers a tangible opportunity to take their students off the beaten track for a
truly extraordinary experience.

The country boasts trem-endous geographic diversity, ranging from rain forest to sierra to desert and the coast; Peru possesses about 75% of the world's total classified ecosystems, creating un-paralleled opportunities for every kind of adventure imaginable. There are extensive trekking, climbing, skiing and rafting opportunities in the Andes, including the famous Inca Trail, tackled annually by hikers from all over the world. In the remote Manu Biosphere Reserve, visitors can enjoy nature trails and canoe excursions while observing an astounding array of flora
and fauna. The Colca Canyon, reputedly three times as deep as the Grand Canyon, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Traveling in Peru offers visitors a rare opportunity to come into close contact with indigenous people. Close to half the country's 23.5 million inhabitants are pure Indian, known as campesinos. When Hoff-man's group was visiting the ancient Incan fortress of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, their local guide took them to the one-room, stone house of a local Quechua family. Hoffman's students were immediately transported back 500 years. "The floors were dirt, the roof was thatched and there were no windows or chimney. Guinea pigs raised for food scurried all over," she recalled. "The family cooked over an open fire and slept on the floor at night. Other than a single light bulb hanging in the middle of the room, not much had changed since the days of the Incas."

The arrival of the Spanish Conquist-adors in Peru during the 16th century has created a unique blend of colonial culture and Inca archaeology throughout the country. At 11,000 feet, Cuzco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, in particular, is a stunning treasure trove. The hybrid of Spanish colonial architecture and original Inca foundations led to Cuzco's declaration as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City. Ancient Inca sites abound within two miles of Cuzco and further afield throughout the Sacred Valley - most notably the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Like many countries in South America, Peru provides good value for the budget-conscious traveler. A dinner of national specialties including ceviche, the seafood appetizer; papa rellenas, a stuffed potato dish and quinoa vegetable soup typically costs $6-$8 in a moderately priced Cuzco restaurant. A one-hour bus ride from Cuzco to the colorful market town of Pisac, costs a mere $1.50 each way. Beautiful, hand-made "alpaca pura" sweaters can be purchased from campesinos for about $10 - or less, depending on the haggling.

In June 2000, Hoffman will return with another group, retracing her steps in Lima, Cuzco and Machu Picchu, but this time ending the program with a four-night stay in Peru's Amazon Rainforest. The students will take a 150-mile journey down the Amazon River to go in search of caiman and visit a Yagua Indian village.

"There's a big world out there, and students should experience more aspects of it," said Hoffman, who encourages all teachers to take a more adventurous approach to student language travel. When hearing Hoffman recount her trip to Peru, a colleague replied, "What an eye-opening experience. I'd love for my students to meet a local Quechua family."