Oswego Going Global

SUNY Oswego 2014 Peru: Machu Picchu & Titicaca Lake Team

Our Stories

What an awe –inspiring experiences!

The Inca trial hike was a journey ofdetermination, challenges, friendship,adventure, accomplishment, and Indeed many unexpected events! …..We became friends and made manymore along the way…We learned a lotAbout ourselves and others. Peru is a wonderful place to visit, people are amazingly nice and friendly,and the culture is definitely worth exploring. The landscape is as beautiful as the people, the culture is as rich as promised by history, and the purity of their lifestyle is as heartwarming as the smile of a child.Together we followed the footsteps of Incas , visited the architecturally stunning Machu Picchu, sailed across Titicaca Lake, and all the while we enjoyed Peruvian hospitality, great food and music. We grew together and become a family ; supported each other, faced disappointments and experienced joys; shared hardship and triumphs; made friends with the guides, crew and locals. Together we experienced a whole new adventure with heartfelt excitement … What a great experience to reflect on!

Mehran Nojan

Machu Picchu :A challenging physicaland mental experience that will lastforever…..

Oh Peru, the Andes, Cuzco, and Machu Picchu what an experience you have provided me. For the first time getting to see the Inca indigenous people, their culture, their music, and the vibrant colors oftheir clothing, the reds, the blues,and the purple. Only to be there for such short period of time but yet, I was able to witness all that encompasses their culture from a point of view of an outsider. Thanks to my mentor Mehran for backing me up every step of the journey, not allowing me to quit when I knew there was no way I would be able to take another step. Thank you for helping me reach new personal summits!

Lizette M. Alvarado

If not now when….My perspective of people, places and opportunitieshas changed because of this trip. While preparingfor this trip I was intimidated by the size of theteam I would be traveling with. I quickly realized the benefits of working and traveling together. Inmany cases had it not been for my team membersI would have been up a creek without a paddle.Traveling to South America has caused me to Think outside the box as far as the world around me. It seems like you can travel for thousands of miles, randomly stop at a small town and discover it has its own unique history.….I wonder if the people who live in the Andes Mountain realize what an amazing place they live in. Native people see these amazing sites on regular basis ….I see now how they could say the same thing about me. I sometimes don't realize that I live near one the largest freshwater lakes in the world, which is something a lot of people don’t see. Many amazing things are right in my own backyard as well. What stands out as a highlight moment was the hike to Wayna Picchu. It was a challenging hike…… I always heard that what is valuable does not come easy. But that lesson became most real to me when I reached the top of Wayna Picchu and could see towering mountains three hundred and sixty degrees around me. My motto has become “if not now when, if not here where, if not me who”? I would never want to pass up an opportunity like this. I would put a very high price on the experience I gained from studying abroad with my team.

David Turner

A magical place …Peru is such an incredible diverse placefilled with history, culture and beautifulscenery.... It is odd to say that somethingcan relax your mind yet be difficult mentallyand physically, but my experience was all of the above and more. …..Hiking 26 miles duringthose four days was exhausting but with thehelp of my team members (we worked welloff of each other’s energy) and knowing there was nowhere for me to go but forward made the last steps of the Inca trailrewarding. …. Seeing Machu Picchu from the top of the sun gate after miles of walking through rain and shine made the site completely worth it. Machu Picchu is such a magical place and being there was such an “unreal” experience that I could not even begin to describe how happy I was. I felt at peace and relaxed once we were finally there and I imagined what it would have been like during the times of the Incas. They were advanced people with great insight on astronomy and infrastructure and it was incredible to witness the stone work that was done. On Lake Titicaca , island of Amanti, staying with our host family was the one of the best eye openers that I have ever experienced….the simplicity of their lives was refreshing….. Even though we did not speak the language there was still a sense of understanding . We were completely immersed in culture …dance…music…wearing their traditional clothing…. I will never forget our host family. I definitely had a once in a lifetime experience with my OGG team members and I am happy to call them family.

Julie Ann Moodie

It was out of a movie….When I first heard about this program, I didn’t eventhink twice about it……All I knew was that it was anadventure that I couldn’t miss out on; it sounded so awesome. ..And it turns out, that it was. Once westarted having class, I realized that I knew three of theother students in our class…... By the end of this trip, not only did those three become really good friends tome, but I gained 19 more close friends, and for that alone, I am forever grateful……I am so incredibly proudof myself that I accomplished our 10 mile hike at above14,000 feet. That hike was hands down the most beautiful site I have ever seen. The entire hike seemedlike it was out of a movie. With that said, it was alsothe hardest and most challenging thing that I have ever done in my whole life…. there were times that tears filled my eyes because of how much pain I was in and I thought that my body was going to completely give out…Overcoming that hike was very emotional for me. I pushed my body and mind to limits I didn’t know I had! The time we spent on the island with our host families was the two best days of the trip for me. I loved the floating islands, and I loved being immersed in the culture that was on the island with our host families. Being able to spend time with them, and meet them, and see how they live was amazing. I was so excited to see how they live, and it really put the way that we live into perspective. …it was amazing to see that comparison. Courtney Hadjeasgari

A page ripped out of Lord of the Rings….……On the plane, I awoke automatically when slivers of goldwere rising over the ocean near Panama to which I thought,“I am on my way.” I closed my eyes for not but a moment to witness the slivers of gold fade to white, as I realized Iwas back in New York. Where did the time go I thought ?….Walking through the Inca Trail in some parts seemed like a page ripped out of Lord of the Rings. The flora and faunaalong the Inca Trail and in Lake Titicaca were unlike any we have in New York. It is because of the vast amount of Eco regions Peru has. I was so ecstatic when I saw the firstand only wild mammal of the trip inside the cloud forest, the mountain paca! But even caterpillars made me feel all fuzzy inside. ….The tour guides Zac, Jose, Antonio, and Jose Miguel were the most spectacular people I met on this trip . They not only educated us on Peru, but they educated us on what it means to be a team. The island made of reeds called Uros was so obscure yet so enchanting, it seemed like something from out of a dream. All the local people enjoyed themselves without any of the modern convinces we have. The homestay provided insight into how these people live their life. They have to do almost everything with a few luxuries like gas (that is a luxury!), and maybe a toilet. Yet their food was still pristine and tasteful. They enjoy their life despite all the lemons thrown at them, which is a quality I strongly admire. Peruvians have the utmost respect for all life, they use what they must to get by and that’s it. They use every resource available to the fullest extent. Peruvians enjoy the simplicity of life.

Rachel Corin

Don’t need to be the best to feel accomplished….The emotional and physical effect that this trip had on me is something that is extremely difficult to put into words. Hiking that trail was without a doubt the mostdifficult and memorable thing I’ve ever hadto do. I pushed myself harder on thatmountain than I’ve ever pushed myselfbefore. It is so incredibly rewarding to knowthat I am strong enough, mentally and physically to hike the Inca Trail despitemy personal fears and doubts. These doubtsin myself got in the way at times during thehike where I would feel like a failure or unfit. This made it especially intimidating to lead the group but equally gratifying when I found out that I could do it. There’s not a doubt in my mind that I could not have done it myself without the group and the guides literally pushing me up mountain. The most memorable part of the trip was the third day when I experienced true terror, a meltdown and then absolutely sublime….. It was just after we climbed up an impressively steep hill which took us to an Inca site that overlooked the entire trail from that morning. It was at this site that Mehran took me aside and said, “look how far you’ve come today.” Words can’t describe what I felt at that moment. But it was that moment that pushed me to keep going the rest of the way. This trip was mainly a learning experience for myself. I learned that I am capable of anything I set my mind to and that I don’t have to be the best to feel accomplished…… Despite my fears and doubts, I did it and I made amazing new friends along the way.

Lindsay Pesner

Giving someone a chance to success …It’s difficult to describe my two week journeyto Peru when people ask me about my trip.Do I explain to them that waking up in the middle of mountain peaks was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life?How can I fully explain the Peruvian Culture?To fully understand what I have seen and experienced would require one to have takenthe same trip. The trip was not without challenges. Mine arose in the midst of hiking,as I learned to cooperate with a team wheresome members weren’t as prepared as I was,either physically, mentally or emotionally…..I saw a fellow team member , a friend, struggling on the trail. I offered to carry her backpack…..with the exchange of the backpack burden, my team member was able to complete the day. ……. I was able to allow a team member to hike with ease and to take in the scenery and breathe in the mountains as I love to do while hiking. The pleasure of giving someone a chance to success made the value of “compassion” much stronger to me. The Oswego Going Global team is not just a team, it is a family…..not always getting along… however, at all times you love, support and help your family to succeed. So, I find myself telling people what it is like to cooperate and function as a team. The skills you will need at some point, whether it is at a job or with family or friends. This trip has made me more prepared for my future in that aspect, and has also deepened my love for mountains and hiking.

Julie Meleski

A different Earth……This trip to Peru was not only breathtaking, buteye-opening, in more than a few ways. The countrywas truly another world to me. I was definitely stillon Earth, yet it was a different Earth, and everyexperience felt fresh. As I hiked the Inca trail, or even looked out our bus windows at the red soil, thelush, jagged hills, the black peaks over the Altiplano,the adobe houses, and everything else had such a sense of newness that I felt more awake.... Wefinally were able to explore Machu Picchu.…… it was the most anticipated…. and held its own against the great days that followed. The day in Machu Picchu…. there was the unexpected little complication of a landslide and that definitely upped the “adventure quotient” by a few points. Then, there was the side-hike to Huayna Picchu. Our hardcore little group ran through the city and began the tight-wrapped, majestic staircase . We swapped “hola”’s with travelers, taking breathers to gaze down at the sprawling walls and terraces beneath us. The view got better and better, and the summit was nothing less than magical. …I saw a kaleidoscopic cloud of butterflies circling a bearded backpacker who sat atop the very pinnacle, meditating. It was unforgettable…The city itself was great, too. I found myself not just taking in the structures, but stopping to examine the smallest detailing of the walls, and admiring the craftsmanship that assembled those gigantic stones…Essentially, I went because I wanted an adventure. I got that, and more. I splashed into Lake Titicaca…talked to an Israeli man about Lost , jogged to the rising sun in Cusco, and got the greatest portrait ever from a friendly old guerrilla cartoonist. Besides that, I got a whole lot closer to a group of people right here in Oswego. Andrew Kowal

Excited about life….Going on this trip, I expected to have a nice timeand see beautiful things but I didn’t expect to learn as much I did, not just about the culture and the people but about myself as well. Everyday on this trip, I was reminded that there is more out there in the world than what we know here. There is a history and a back story to everything that exists in this world. My perspective has changed drastically. I feel like there’s nothing that I can’t do. Completing theInca trail was the most physically and mentallydraining thing I’ve ever done. But I did it withmy own two feet despite any of the challenges I faced getting there. I feel like there’s no limit to the things I can accomplish and I know that because of what I did during this trip. Being with other people in this class and team reminded me that in life you’ll find many people with different personalities and sometimes all you need to show them is a little support. Everyone was so caring towards everyone and there was never a shortage of unconditional support. …..The porters carried all of our things day in and day out. They did all of this for very little but maintained smiles on their faces. If they can be so happy and cheer for us when we get to our campsites, what stops us from being as excited about life? I think that there is nothing better than surrounding yourself with positive energy and a new outlook. What I truly learned from the trip is that living is about the quality of your life and the moments you have with the people you surround yourself with. Stephanie Mirambeaux

It was more than “oh it was fun!”…. Mark Twain once said that “travel is fatal top prejudice,bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” After sitting through thefirst ten minutes of the first class of the semester, I knew thatthe course was going to support this theme. During one of the first times we met, we went around the room and eachteam member talked about their motivations in signing upfor the class. Almost everyone had the same goal: to challenge themselves mentally and physically all while enjoying an adventure abroad with other students and facultyIt’s safe to say that we all accomplished that goal within the first two days of the trip with the mini hikes that we took before the main trek to Machu Picchu. One realization thatI don’t think anyone really planned to undertake was just howtolerant this trip made us of other cultures. My favorite part of the trip was the stay with our host families on an island inLake Titicaca. Not one of us that stayed with our host familyspoke Spanish or Quechuan, but we managed to communicate with our host family. If there were any stereotypes that the group held, they were eliminated after the stay with the host families. Although we were all exhausted and ready to get back home, I miss our South American adventures and seeing my team members on a regular basis. When my friends and family members asked me how my trip to Machu Picchu was, they expected a short answer like “oh it was fun!” They had no idea that they were about to receive an hour-long photo slideshow about the trip.

Christie Cockayne

It was magical……The day the team embarked on the 10-mile HuchuyQosqo day hike, It was a day of ups and downs, such aslife, and despite the exhaustion and longevity of the hikethere was something remarkable waiting for us at theend. Upon descending, the most vibrant and brilliant rainbow rose over the horizon, giving us the spark weneeded…and just as it was in its prime, a local woman came riding up the mountain on her horse. A piece of culture, beauty, and magic happened in that moment. I couldn't take my eyes off of this rainbow, but when I finally did we had finished the hike and I was looking up towards to mountain.... I never had thought it’d be possible to hike up to the pass and back down, but we made it. The rainbow represented our teammates. On the Inca trail, each team member encouraged one another to give a little extra to make it to the top. It was an incredible journey that tested us and challenged us not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally ….It bonded us deeper, Peru had a special influence on my soul. In such a diverse country I felt at home and satisfied. Hiking the Inca trail allowed me to follow in hundreds of years of footsteps… While passing through each Incan city along the way, I was able to fill my mind with knowledge and it really allowed me to feel how alive their culture was. I felt the past and admired how they lived—how pure and natural. They strongly relied on the natural elements and believed in the earth’s most natural abilities. The sun, water, stars and moon; it was all so valuable to them. Their culture thrived off of trust and respect in every aspect, which was refreshing to experience….I thought the program would be an awesome experience but it went beyond my expectation…… It was magical.

Courtney Short

It’s ok to not be in control of a situation…..John Steinbeck once said that, “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” Hiking the Inca Trail has been oneof the most rewarding and challenging experiences ofmy life so far. It has taught me that sometimes, it’s okto not be in control of a situation. Life will throw youa curve ball every now and then, and you have to beflexible enough to adapt to any situation that may be thrust upon you. (Day 4 on the trail!) Peruvian peopleare some of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, they were never without a smileand our guides and porters went above and beyondany expectations that I may have had! This adventurehad both highs and lows, but it was during the low points that I learned the most about myself. With the inner strength that I didn’t even know was there, and the strong words of encouragement from new friends, I was able to keep myself moving when all I wanted to do was sleep. This experience has also reinforced for me that I am on the right career path as well. While friends were there to give me much needed words of encouragement, I was also able to be there for them to keep spirits up when they needed it most. This is a skill that will be useful forever, being able to motivate people when their body wants to quit, or their mind says they can’t go on will be helpful for my future career endeavors.

Kalie Moore

Connected to my faith…..When I first received the email about this program,I could not have been more excited. I never wouldhave guessed that as a freshman at SUNY OswegoI would have the opportunity not only to travel to Peru, but also push myself to hike Machu Picchu. It was like a dream come true to see this incredibleInca site. However, this was not a typical sight seeing trip. It was absolutely the greatest challengeI have faced. I learned so much about not only mypersonal strength, but also about every individualthat was part of our team. When our journey firstbegan, none of us knew how much it would drastically change our lives. Personally, I found myself both physically and mentally challenged throughout every aspect of the trip. The Inca trail was not at all what I expected. The rain and the cold created an additional physical challenge to an already tough climb that made me want to quit at several points. However, I found that having an entire team pushing me on gave me the motivation to make it to one of the most beautiful places on earth. Arriving at Machu Picchu was a unique experience for each and every one of us. When I first saw Machu Picchu, I felt amazed at the sight of it, along with a sense of fulfillment at having reached my goal. I knew that I had accomplished something that many people had never done and perhaps will never do. I felt so incredibly strong and connected to my faith. It made me feel like I could accomplish anything if I worked hard and set my mind to it. This experience has given me amazing belief in myself and made me realize how strong I am as an individual. I feel truly blessed to have had this awesome experience in my first year at Oswego. Angela Tylock

Challenging but incredible…..The idea of experiencing new cultures and people has always been exciting to me. When I received the email about the opportunity to go to Peru, I was instantly drawn in. The one thing I had reservations about, however, was the mountain-climbing aspect of the trip. This would be a whole new realm for me to enter, and as much as that made me nervous, I knew I had to do it…… By challenging ourselves to hike the Inca Trail, wegot to experience Peru on a whole new level. Being so deep in the mountains, far away from civilization and tourism hot spots, we saw the beautiful and untouched nature …..views of the Andes that only a select few get to experience. Getting out of my tent in the morning only to look out across a secluded valley or Incan ruins was unforgettable. Peru was amazing in that the people only inhabited fifteen percent of their country. The rest is all beautiful views void of human footprints. These are the types of places I am now so interested in seeing. Oswego Going Global created a great program in that it brought together such a diverse group of students, and for two weeks, made them closer than they would ever have dreamed of becoming. Seeing sights with a group is one thing. But experiencing physical challenges such as mountain climbing (and lots of sickness!) brings that group so much closer. I did not just learn about Peru and its culture, I learned things about Oswego and each and every OGG team member. We shared an experience so challenging but incredible, and although we may not all stay in touch, we’ll have the bonds we made in Peru forever. Joanna McIntyre

There is so much more to this world…..It is not every day that you get the chance to travel to Peruto hike Machu Picchu, to make connections with amazing, likeminded people, and to explore a country that is so richIn history and culture. I know that this experience is something that my teammates and I will always cherish. From this experience, I learned that I can attain any goal that I set my mind to…..I feel like I learned so much aboutthe history of Peru, and the people that inhabited it, that Ialmost felt like I knew them, or could picture them in theirvillages, always working and creating. I learned a lot aboutPeru and the people who inhabit it now, from the hustle and bustle and the creativity of Cusco. From the architecture, museums, art shops, and cafes, to the Amantani Island, where the people are so kind and welcoming, and want to make you feel at home, to our amazing tour guides, who felt like family after spending 8 days together. The overall hospitality and openness of the people of Peru was so great to feel and experience, and made the trip that much more memorable….. this program shaped my perspective ….. there is so much more to this world than what we think about or come into contact with from day to day, and we need to think about other people and other countries and not just ourselves and our country. I feel a change in my being, and it is something that I can’t put my finger on. I know the only way to soothe it, and cultivate this change, is to continue to travel and see the world, and interact with places that are different from my own, to truly appreciate this amazing, astounding, and awe-inspiring world. Shannon Moldoff

Once in a lifetime experience…..From our first class , through the activities we engaged in , to the practice hike of Giant Mountain to the hike up to Machu Picchu and thevisits to various towns and archeological sites, wetruly engaged in a unique bondage, that created asense of unity and family that we will rememberthroughout our lifetime! ….I enjoyed embracingthe people, the culture and learning about thehistory of how much the Incas contributed to themagnificent culture of Peru. I love and cherisheverything about the colorful clothing, arts, adobe buildings, the lively music, churches, archeological sites, dance, and open markets…….The program shaped my perspective in that it is a great personal experience to allow one to become part of a group that sets out to begin a journey that is full of unknown happenings and challenges. The greatest thing is what the members of the group create and learned together in their journey, most specifically the unique bond of a group that will have a lifetime of memories about their unique journey. Friends met along the journey, and now they embrace a new culture and its people embrace them. One way that I feel this program changed my life is that it really planted the seed for me to want to take 6 months or 1 year and live abroad with a specific culture or group of people such as the people of Uros Island or the people of Amanti Island. Having the opportunity to visit them, learn about their daily life and how they live with their limited resources sparked a big interest in me to learn even more.

Magdalena Rivera

You can be bigger than anything that can happen to you…. I walked and climbed miles upon miles thru the Andes and never became wearyof the beauty found within the country and its people. I will cherish the smile I sawon every child’s face for years to come. Theadults were quiet but I sensed they held wisdom beyond their years. We learned ofthe history and the culture that is Peru today …. The Inca worshipped Gods of nature and it was evident that nature wasrespected. We learned of the amazingarchitectural gifts that the Inca held. It’s surprising to learn how resourceful people can be without the modern conveniences that we have available to us! The Peruvian customs are simple and absolutely genuine. It was so refreshing to be amongst a culture of people that were part of something bigger than themselves… their community. I felt that our OGG group eventually became a community by the end of the trip. We learned that we weren’t going to accomplish anything without each other. Sometimes we had to leave others behind but those left behind were always with us in spirit. I also think our group enriched the lives of people we had the pleasure to meet. We surely made lasting impressions with our tireless Peruvian guides. They were with us every step of the way, experienced our strengths, weaknesses, and accomplishments. There were no failures!

Susan Fisk