Domingo flamingos

The west is where the wild things are and today we were treated to a spectacular, awe inspiring display of nature at its finest. We ventured 20 km from Pisco to Paracas National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands. First of all our boat passed the Candelabra or ´Trident´ which is a mysterious sand carving in the desert landscape which our guide gleefully suggested was of extra-terrestrial origin. More serious scholars have hypothesised that it is more likely a pre-inca navigational aid. The tour continued to the Ballestas Islands which are rich in bird and sea life due to the Humboldt current that carries a pay-load of nutriment up from the Antartic. As we approached the first impact was the overwhelming smell of guano [POO] which has been harvested in this region for generations. Moments later we were face to face with flapping penguins, roaring sea-lions, blue footed boobies, swooping pelicans, terns, cormorants and a whole raft of echinoderms. It was like being in the middle of a Sir David Attenborough program. We have never before seen such large concentrations of wildlife in one place before, the islands were carpeted in birds.

The rest of the day was spent exploring the beaches, salt flats and sand dunes of the Paracas National Reserve. The variety of colours in the pristine landscape was breathtaking as we drove through through both Saharan and Mars like terrain. The cold blue Pacific ocean dazzled in the sunlight against the golden dunes. The beaches were some of the most wild and spectacular that we have ever explored. We even came across a red sand beach that would have been fitting for a sci-fi movie. Fresh ceviche in the tiny village of Lagunillas was delicious and we witnessed the Pelicans lined up by the kitchen door waiting for scraps. We rounded off the trip with a sunset display of wild flamingos wading off the salt flats.

Saturday night we had a PSF Halloween party with scarily strong punch and Pumpkin soup. I dressed as Fred Flintstone and Lydia went as a Pirate. The locals were bemused by our ridiculous costumes as only the kids seem to dress up in Pisco. A Columbian fire juggling unicyclist attempted to entertain us, but it quickly became apparent that he either needed more practice or less punch. It was a highly entertaining, spooktacular evening that we won´t forget in a hurry.

Workwise, we were involved in a miracle fund project to provide a family of seven with a new home. It took us only one hour to tear down the small, dirt floored shack that the family have been living in since the earthquake. Amongst the debris we found a small scorpion and a ´peligroso´ spider, that sent Lydia running. Next we dug, measured and levelled the site in preparation for the new foundations. On day two the cement mixer arrived for the concrete pour and this kept 12 of us busy until sunset. It was very satisfying that we were able to make so much progress in such a short period of time. All the while, the family watched, played and helped where they could. We hope to have the new house built in 1 - 2 weeks time. Constructed out of thick bamboo, on a concrete foundation, it will be a house like no other in Pisco. It has has been conceptualised and designed by an architect and an engineer volunteering with PSF. If we keep learning at this rate, we will soon be able to build our own home, albeit to Peruvian standards...