Awesome group = Awesome trip to Peru

It's usually not important where you are, but who you're with when you're there.

I loved being in Peru and I have some wonderful people to thank for that. It's hard to forget certain experiences on an adventure like this, especially when it's an experience like freeing a guinea pig whose about to be eaten, watching a baby alpaca fashion show on a train or learning how to say "no quiero sopa" when you just can't eat anymore "surprise ingredient" soup. Experiences are better remembered when they've been shared with amazing people. I'm glad I had this time to be with my family because I sure was missing them after being away on my study abroad. My brother Zach will be leaving soon on a mission and I have to make sure we have a lot of fun together before he leaves. How about petting a llama in Machu Picchu? That's pretty fun right?

Love Lyn

Clinic Time!

Now imagine if people here in America were lining up outside dental offices just waiting for their chance to get a tooth pulled or a cavity filled. Fun right? Now try to imagine if all of the doctors were trying to tell you to calm down in a different language and explaining that the sharp object entering your mouth is actually going to help you. Peruvians are so brave! We had little eight-year-olds coming in all by themselves telling us that they needed our help. Luckily we had some great kids in our group that were willing to entertain. My Mom and little sister Maddy don't speak a word of Spanish, but that didn't stop them. They were painting nails and giving out stickers to all these nervous kids. I loved this opportunity to meet some of the Peruvians. I'm sure they were just laughing inside when I tried to speak Spanish, but I did my best! The little kids were so cute and it was hard sometimes to sit there while they were on the verge of tears and not know how to comfort them. I need to learn Spanish...it's on my list of things to do. Luckily there were a few people with us to translate, but boy were they busy going back a forth. The first day at the clinic was so slow and not many people showed up. We were so worried that they just didn't hear about it so a few people went out on the streets to bring random people in. As the days went on it got more and more busy and I had a great time assisting my dad! It got a little boring at times when there was nothing to do so what did we do? Dance! Well at least I did...maybe that's why I got the "Boogie" award at the end of our trip. Hey, I may have made a fool of myself at times, but that's one of the best ways to have fun!

Love Lyn

Peru - The Journey There

My Friends,

Word of advice...If you're trying to get somewhere on a plane ride that is any longer than 9 hours, do yourself a favor and limit all luggage. Especially because you never know when your luck will go out and ever single time you land in a different country, people insist on going through all 11 bags your family has brought with them. I may be speaking from experience.

Also, don't assume that staying up all the night before means that you're just going to get a nice relaxing rest on your red eye flight. NOT HAPPENING. Unless you can ignore the 12-year-old girls who insist on attempting to woo your little brother the entire flight.

Last, but not least, try to put on a happy face no matter what. If you're complaining about a flight to Peru, you might as well just stick your lucky pencil up a monkey's nose because you just don't know how lucky you are!

Love Lyn