Quest Overseas - Gap Year Travel

The expedition phase began with several meetings with our new leader Greg.  Those who had attended the intro weekend suffered some serious déjà-vu and everyone was just a little scared about cycling down death road after hearing a blow by blow account of the accident that occurred last year.  We then spent the remainder of the day frantically shopping to stock up on toiletries and other essentials – including some snazzy trekking clothes - for the six weeks ahead. Meanwhile it was discovered that Jean’s packing skills left a lot to be desired resulting in Jimmy and Jean returning to Villa Maria to pick up Jean’s walking boots. 

The following day saw a 4hr bus journey and a trip to the beach – only the boys were brave enough to enter the cold, smelly water!  Dinner saw jimmy realize that we now had a vegetarian in our midst, much to his horror, and Human cluedo was got underway.  After yet another bus journey we went on a boat trip around the Ballestas islands where we had spectacular views of birds and sea lions – although some found the smell just a little overpowering. 

After the much awaited arrival of the Wood for construction our last week at Villa Maria saw the construction of a new classroom for the school. Six days of hard work involving sawing, drilling, sanding, varnishing and painting (and thankfully no major DIY disasters) resulted in the completion of the walls and door of the classroom. The boys provided some much needed entertainment with their sexy builders dance (I’m sure the video will be on YouTube soon if it isn’t already on there!). Hannah starred in a construction themed video of the Cyndi Lauper classic “Girls just want to have fun” – complete with a mallet as a microphone! Lastly Liv managed to look like Bob the Builder, a Nazi machine gunner and a London builder when kitted up in a hard hat, baseball cap and goggles , holding the drill. There was also a water fight after Monday’s construction with no one avoiding getting wet!

Here's the latest from the Villa Maria team who are settling into their final week on the project....Big thanks to Alice & Jaiya for this one!

By our third week in VM the team has settled into a routine involving sweltering morning climbs to reach far out communities, mass amounts of colouring (standards of castles, princesses, aliens and flowers are improving) and banterous football tournaments between gringos and the local girls. We visit two communities each day, taking the children from the second community to the swimming pool with us in the afternoon... drowning comes as standard.

We have also had the privilege of venturing into unknown Quest territory. Visiting new communities, some not even on Google-maps, brings with it an entirely different experience, the families are reserved and we need to work hard to build their trust. The rewarding feeling when the children of one such community run to hug and kiss you as you pant up the hill in a Princess outfit for the Saturday Feria cannot quite be described....

Here's the latest from the Villa Maria Team's time at the project - keep up the good work guys!

Tuesday started as usual, we had breakfast and then visited one of the local communities with an array of games and activities in hand to amuse and entertain the children. Despite the sweltering heat, we managed to have a good time and eagerly returned to the house for lunch. We then visited another community in the afternoon and had another trip to the pool...definitely an exhausting day...

The Villa Maria team have certainly got stuck wholeheartedly into the Domingos Familiares - or Family Sunday shows which bring together different communities from across Villa Maria. Thanks to Lucho's legendary dance routines the team have been able to entertain the masses in style. Well done!