Leaving for Peru in Two Days!

Posted by 2009 Kids Expedition Team in Hands-On Explorer on May 20, 2009

The 2009 Hands-On Explorer Team leaves for Peru in a couple of days. We’ve gotten our vaccinations and itineraries (and passports, too!). We’re busy packing, and getting to know each other by e-mail. Soon we’ll say hello to our fellow explorers in person!

Each member of the team received a cool book about the Inca and a journal. Here’s a picture.

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We’re also practicing with our new cameras. On Friday we’ll board our planes, and then it’s off to our incredible adventure in Peru. We’ll be really busy exploring new places, including some spots that may not have Internet access, so we may not be able to post a blog entry every single day. But don’t worry–there WILL be an entry for every day we’re on the trip.

So watch this site, check back often, and live the adventure with us!

Tags: , , , ,
Categories: Peru

Comments

  1. kassen15
    May 20, 2009, 4:38 pm

    AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
    I Am SO PHSYCED!!!! AHHHH! I sorta packed today…….. Can’t wait to meet you all!
    Nellie
    P.S. Am I the first to blog on here?

  2. Flame's Ash
    May 20, 2009, 4:45 pm

    YAY! Go Kenna! Go everyone! (I would’ve written all your names, but I’m scatterbrained and can’t remember right now… this heat wave is melting my brain!) I *cannot* stress enough how awesomely lucky you guys are!!!

    Rock on!
    Ash

    P.S. I posted before Kenna :P *giggles*

  3. Kenna
    May 20, 2009, 4:48 pm

    Hi everyone, Kenna here!

    Wow! I can’t believe we only have two short days before the trip! I am having a lot of trouble sleeping and I am very busy finishing up my packing! :)

    The package National Geographic Kids sent to us was unbelievable! I have read the book they have pictured on this blog and actually used it (and other resources) for a virtual field trip to Peru that I hosted along with my school’s International Club today! I literally just finished giving that presentation and it was SO MUCH FUN!

    There were about 80 people who attended the virtual field trip – We had about 80 or so people from North Carolina, South Dakota, California, Colorado, Tennessee, Virginia, and other states in the U.S. We also had students from as far away as Mexico and Malasia (it was 1 a.m. in the morning there!) Also, a fifth grade class of about 40 students from Louisville, KY, were our special guests today (they’ve blogged on here! Hi 5th graders!!). It was really fun! We had a great time jumping on buses, airplanes, boats, and trains! We even got to learn some Spanish words and phrases before we took our virtual trip to South America! Very cool!

    I have learned so much about Peru and its culture through studying to host this presentation that I feel like I have already been there and come back!
    I can’t wait to go in real-life! WOOHOO! :)

    Talk to you all soon,
    McKenna

  4. cowgirlexplorer
    May 20, 2009, 8:19 pm

    Wow! ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT!!!!!!!
    I think that i am as excited for the winners as they are! I´m sure my parents are getting a little bit irritated with me because I talk about this trip non’stop! Shastasteph, (I hope i spelled your name right)I too have a love for horses they are my favorite animals! I have 3 horses, a gelding (Jack), a mare (Lucy),and a colt (Dynamite Hank)! In Peru, could one of you guys eat something really exotic and strange? Not nessesarily gross, but interesting. That would be awesome! My mom knows spanish so she really wanted to go to Peru! But that’s OK, maybe next year! The videos are going to be so incredibly cool! Make sure you blog a ton so you can tell us every detail of this amazing trip to Peru! Soon you will be able to say that you have been to one of the seven wonders of the world ,Muchu Pichu!
    Oh! And to answer your question Nellie, I play the trumpet. I used to play the piano. And I am trying to get my dad to teach me guitar! Music rocks doesn’t it? ( my dad, like every other cowboy in the world knows how to play the guitar) Well, bye for now! Your gonna have so much fun! Whoooo Hoooo!
    ~Celeste~
    P.S. I think is my longest blog to date! New record! HeeHee!

  5. luckstomper
    May 20, 2009, 9:37 pm

    Hi everyone!

    Everyday I grow a bit more jealous of you guys! I really wanted this trip so bad! But I can absolutely see why they picked your essays they were truly awesome!

    Like stashasteph I to am determined to win this contest whether it had be next year or the year after that. And stashasteph I get why your user name! Stasha is the name of the lake. That makes a whole lot more sense! And both of us thank Nellie (Kassen15) because she said she would say hi for us while she was in Peru! If you could catch you saying hi on tape and have it on this website that would be totally wicked. But all that matters to me is that you say he for us!

    This year I’m going to really wow the judges with my essay. With how it’s written, the language, and of course how was I a Hands-On Explorer in my own world!

    And last but most certainly not least, I can’t believe that you guys are actually leaving in nearly 1 day. That’s incredible! And you guys should be extremely proud because a professional panel of judges picked YOUR essays out of like 4000 entries nation wide! And you guys will never forget the friendships you made and the adventure you took! So have the trip of a lifetime!

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

    P.S. I reallllllllllllllly want to know where the contest is going to be I’ve been trying to find it online but no luck, I thought I’ve had it at times but no.

  6. luckstomper
    May 20, 2009, 9:40 pm

    Back again.

    Just out of curiosity I tell what’s on the cover of the journal. Can you tell me. My best guess would be Europe but why would it be there if you’re going to Peru? Please respond!

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

  7. cowgirlexplorer
    May 20, 2009, 10:06 pm

    Hello, again!
    I have a question for the winners.
    What are you most excited for on your trip to Peru?
    It is not a very BIG question but I have been so curios to know! I cant wait for the videos! Ciao for now!
    ~Celeste~
    P.S.- Are you guys going to do more Peruvian trivia or is that a thing of the past?

  8. kassen15
    May 21, 2009, 2:30 pm

    luckstomper,
    The cover of the journal is of Africa, Europe, and Asia.
    Cowgirlexplorer,
    I am totally excited for Machu Piccu!! I am also really excited for the AMAZON!!

    I didn’t pack very well yesterday, but I never really liked packing, or beets, for some reason….
    Nellie

  9. BrookieCookie_7097
    May 21, 2009, 4:00 pm

    it’s okay the quiz master is back and ready for action cowgirlexplorer, because i have a question

    TRUE or False: Is machu piccu one of the wonders of the world?

    Brooke

    p.s. i never really like beets either Nellie!

  10. Dewster
    May 21, 2009, 6:07 pm

    Hi!!! I am sooooo Excited For Tomorrow!! Right now I am in Florida on ANOTHER VACATION we planned before I knew I won!!! I am packed and ready to fly out of MIAMI!!!! MY most favorite thing to see in Peru is the Macchu Picchu because of its altitude and awesome dwellings!!!!! WOW I am sooo excited!
    Talk soon, FROM PERU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ~Dewey

  11. wycombestar
    May 21, 2009, 7:02 pm

    I love the way it says “live the adventure with us” on the blog. I will!!!!
    I don’t like beets either. My mom does. She boils them and then they smell bad. I am sorry. You did not need to know.
    cowgirlexplorer, it’s really cool that you have horses! Dynamite Hank is a great name!
    For the true or false, I say TRUE, Macchu Pichu is one of the 7 wonders of the world. I’m not sure of it though.
    To Nellie… think it was you who asked… I used to play guitar and I am planning on taking it again this summer. And I play cello. I am sorry I know I have said that numerous times, but my cello is my pride and joy! His name is Chester. :) hee hee.
    I’m not really jealous of any of you guys who are going anymore. I mean, sure I wish I could have won, but I’m also glad for you because your essays were great. I’m glad I can get to know you, even just a little, even from a blog.
    Also I do not feel envious of your vaccinations! (The things they don’t tell you when you enter!…) JK, vaccinations are no reason not to travel the world. Besides if I had not had my tetnus shot (cannot spell…), I would not be ok after stepping on the nail.
    Dewey did you know there is an exclamation point on every sentance on your last blog? That’s cool. I like exclamation points. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
    heh heh heh!!!!!!!! (I get joy out of small things…)
    Well this is really long. I just got a little carried away. I do that a lot.
    I am going camping tomorrrow, I hope it doesn’t rain. I will check back on this blog when I get back. Maybe then the first blog will be there.
    Since I may not blog until then, I will wish you all good luck a little early! I hope you have a great time!!!!!!
    Emma

  12. luckstomper
    May 21, 2009, 8:19 pm

    Hi everyone!

    You are so lucky guys! I wish I could be on this trip with you guys! And Dewey you are even more lucky! Two trips back to back! Did the Peru trip inter fear with the Florida trip did you have to leave early? And I’m done with the trivia it’s not worth it and I was going to stop when the trip departs. Which is tomorrow. Well I don’t really have to much to say today. I usually have a lot to say. Well bye!

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

  13. Kenna
    May 21, 2009, 10:31 pm

    Hi everyone, Kenna here!

    WOW! I am soooooo anxious and thrilled right now. We depart tomorrow morning for Peru! (Well, actually for New York and an 11 hour layover there before we jump on the plane close to midnight and then head for Peru!) WOOHOO! I am probably not going to be able to sleep at all tonight. :) And I’m still packing. I never knew how hard packing could be!

    Hmmm, cowgirlexplorer, that is a hard one! :) I am extremely excited about everywhere we are bound to explore. There are no words for how excited I am right now! But one thing I am really, really, really excited about is meeting Peruvian people and learning all that I can about their culture. I am absolutely thrilled!

    And Brooke, to answer your True or False question, the answer is True! Machu Picchu has recently been named one of the seven wonders of the world. :)

    McKenna

  14. luckstomper
    May 22, 2009, 7:08 am

    Hi everyone!

    Oh my god! You guys are leaving today! That’s totally wicked! I’m not sure when you guys are leaving my best guess would be around noon or based on time zones. I live in EST so that means when it’s 12:00 here it’s 9:00 in California! Well I had to get this in before you guys left! And if you can go on one of the airports computers and blog from there! And also I hope your flight isn’t delayed or there is loud ruckus of construction outside! Because that is what happened last year! LOL! I’m currently in work in progress for my next year’s contest (where ever it might be?!), and I was looking over my contest entry from this year’s contest and it wasn’t all that interesting. There was no real pop! to it, if you know what I mean.? Well my bus comes in a couple of minutes, I’m the first bus stop, ugh so I have to get up earlier. And they are doing something awful next year! They’re combining the middle school with the high school bus. So now instead of my school starting at eight it’s now starting at seven thirty! And so I have to get up at 6:00 next year cause my bus will come at 6:30am! Sorry got off topic there! Well wish you guys the best trip of you life! Wish I was there with you! Bye,…….gotta run!

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

  15. Flame's Ash
    May 22, 2009, 9:58 am

    Today’s the day!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my *gosh*!! (I swear, I’m probably more excited than you guys :P ) You guys have ridiculous amounts of fun, ‘kay? ^^ Meanwhile, I’ll be sitting here daydreaming about Machu Picchu and alpacas… ^^

    -Ash

  16. CadyV
    May 22, 2009, 2:08 pm

    Hi everyone! I’m really excited because we are in the car right now on the way to Washington D.C… I fly from D.C. to NY then to Lima! I can’t wait to see the Peruvian Paso horse show on Sunday! Machu Pichu sounds REALLY fun!

    Cady

  17. Elby
    May 22, 2009, 2:27 pm

    Hi!
    Leaving for Peru tomorrow morning! (not everyone is leaving today, those of us flying from Los Angeles leave tomorrow…)
    Packing, packing, packing…there’s so much to pack! And I can’t concentrate on it because I am so EXCITED!!!!!!!!
    Well next time I write I will be writing from PERU!!!
    ~Laura Beth

  18. jazzybirdexplorer
    May 22, 2009, 2:31 pm

    OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS ARE PROBABLY ON A PLANE RIGHT NOW!

    you are all in my thoughts and prayers to have safe, fun, exciting, interesting, AWESOME trip!

    I am so happy and proud of you all! Each of you really and truly deserve it!

    Great Job!

    Keep us posted!

    ~Jayme

    p.s. here in New Hampshire it reached 91 today! that is wicked hot for us! what is the temperature in Peru?

    p.p.s. does anyone else use the word wicked or is it a New England thing? Kind of like Dunkin Donuts, like the most famous donut in the world…but apparently only New England, does anyone else have trade marks? what about Peru? (besides Machu Pichu or the Amazon) =)

  19. CTKT
    May 22, 2009, 3:06 pm

    Hey McKenna and Mom,

    Dad says you are in NY right now and already having a great time.

    Have fun in Peru! Can’t wait to see you blog here.

    CT/KT

  20. luckstomper
    May 22, 2009, 3:27 pm

    Hi everyone!

    AHHHHHHHHHH! OH MY GOD! You guys have actually started your twelve day journey to Peru! You guys are sooo lucky! And don’t forget to say hi to someone in Peru for me and Stashasteph! Well blog as soon as you can! Bye! Looking forward for the blogs and videos!

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

    P.S. I literally ran up my wicked steep driveway to blog on this site!

  21. shastasteph
    May 22, 2009, 9:24 pm

    OMG! I can’t believe you guys left today! Sorry I couldn’t blog before you left but I’ve been sooooo tired from studying for 7th grade finals. Ugh.
    Also, today was my grades book contest (the book contest is an individual contest for grades 4-8). In the book contest, there is a list of books to read. In early May, you take a quiz on the books(the 1st round of the contest). The people who miss 1 or less move on to compete in the oral round. In the oral round, they again ask questions about the books (different ?’s) and the questions could be for individual people or for all the contestants. In 7th grade, some questions require you to name the author of the book instead. Well, I won again this year! I have won every year so far (total of 4 wins)! I know, I’m a bookworm. LOL!
    *cowgirlexplorer* you are sooooooo lucky to have horses! That would be like a dream come true to own a horse. I also can’t believe that you have three! That’s so cool! I know how to ride a little bit of both English and Western. I’m guessing you ride Western. Am I right? I agree with *wycomestar*, Dynamite Hank is an awesome name! So creative.
    *Luckstomper* I’m so glad you figured out about Lake Shasta! However, it’s S-H-A-S-T-A, not S-T-A-S-H-A , but close enough. I’m with you all the way about winning this contest one day no matter what! It would be totally awesome if we win the same trip! LOL! Again, we extend our gratitude to Nellie for offering to say hi to a Peruvian for us. It really WOULD be awesome if we could see it on video!
    *Kenna* you must have been so honored and excited to do that virtual tour thing. It seems like you had a HUGE audience. It’s also cool that people from all over came to see you! That’s an amazing achievement. The stuff Nat Geo sent you looks pretty cool. I am no pumped to the extreme about this contest!
    *Nellie* I hope you (and all your other fellow explorers) have an AWESOME trip! And thank you for offering to say hi to a Peruvian for Luckstomper and me.
    For the 2009-2010 HOEC contest, for now I just have a bunch of sentences all jumbled up. I don’t know how to weave it together, so I’m working on it. I’m trying to let the words flow, but it’s hard when you are so excited, anxious, and maybe worried about winning (worried about no winning). I really want to win this trip, but for now my focus is on watching the Peru trip. Blog often and have fun during the expedition/watching the expedition!

  22. shastasteph
    May 22, 2009, 9:42 pm

    WHOA!!! Everyone, check out the ‘Our Destinations’ page. It’s been updated with full paragraphs of what the explorer will be doing! It’s awesome! You have to check it out so you’ll know what they’re doing and where they’re going. CHECK IT OUT! CHECK IT OUT!!!

  23. luckstomper
    May 22, 2009, 10:15 pm

    Holy smokes!

    You guys are probably at the airport right now or are on the plane to the airport or getting ready to go to the airport! Then you guys are off to gorgeous LIMA! It will be an amazing trip for you guys. I’ve only been to the Caribbean three times and might be going for my forth this summer. And I trust me I know what you guys are going through! When I heard I was going to the Caribbean, I started to flip out and scream (like what you would do if you won the trip to Peru) then I would start to count down (just like if I won) then when I got to the final day that I left I would get this weird feeling that’s indescribable, then when I would get to the airport I wouldn’t really know how to react, then I would board the plane, but it wasn’t until I got to Antigua (the second and third island I went to) that I realized oh my god this is actually happening to me! Sound familiar at all?! Well tomorrow will sorta be like today where I get to blog really fast in the morning then won’t get to blog until after three pm. Because I have drama practice from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon. So I just wanted to post again and tell you guys you have NO (hence the word NO) idea what you guys are about to go through! Trust me! You might but you don’t! Well have fun in…………………………………..

    Well so long and—–bueno noches (spanish for “good-night”!)

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

  24. jazzybirdexplorer
    May 23, 2009, 12:57 pm

    Wow! You guys are in for some exciting stuff!!! Say hi to the birds (and peruvian inhabitants!) for me too!

    Now the question I have is: Have any of you ever been out of the time zone/country before this trip?

    HAVE FUN!

    ~Jayme

  25. luckstomper
    May 23, 2009, 4:10 pm

    Hi everyone!

    The winners are probably in Peru right now! That’s so cool! I forget what you are doing right now I haven’t memorized where you are going each day yet! Don’t worry I soon will! I just got back from my seven hour drama practice on Saturday! Well I won’t get too over worked because I still have two more whole days too relax, because it’s Memorial Day weekend!!!! Well I can’t wait to read the blogs and watch the videos!

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

  26. BrookieCookie_7097
    May 23, 2009, 4:11 pm

    yes the answer to my question is TRUE!
    have fun in Peru you guys!
    Brooke :-P

  27. m&m
    May 23, 2009, 9:26 pm

    Hi its Cady’s little sister Emily. Cady just called from Peru and they are having a GREAT time!!!! They got bumped up to first class on the flight to Lima. They went to the Larcos museum today and saw 45,000 pieces of pottery. They went sightseeing on a bus and got to do some shopping. Cady is hanging out with Lucy right now. They can’t wait for the rest of the explorers to get there! Cady says everyone is really nice. Mom and I spent the night in Washington D.C. after dropping Cady and Dad off at the airport. We got to see all the memorials and we went to the zoo. The tiger was really mad and he roared. It was lots of fun. I miss you Cady and Dad!!!

    Emily

  28. cowgirlexplorer
    May 23, 2009, 10:51 pm

    AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I feel like i havent blogged in like forever!! I am so incredibly excited about the Peru trip that I would totally scream if I wasnt in a hotle lobby surrounded by a bunch of complete strangers!!!!!! I am positive I am waaaaaaay more excited than the kids who actually won! WoW! So much to say and my fingers wont type fast enough! Thanks everyone for saying that dynamite hank is a cool name but sadly I cant rake the credit for it. It was his registered name when we bought him! ~Shastasteph~ ( i think it was you, either you or wycombester) Im sure that one day you will get horses! I hoped and wished all my life that i could have horses and then one day my dad went to a horse sale and came back with three horses!!!!! Back to Peru, cant get off subject! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I want to scream soooooooo bad! I want to watch the videos! You guys are going to have so much fun! (How would I know?) Anywho, I cant belive I am not at home when the most exciting things are happening! Thankfully I was able to find A COMPUTER!
    Changing the subject, we have a whole bunch of cows and we just had another little baby calf ( no surprise) and my horse Jack started to attack it and almost killed it! How terrible! But enough with the sadness. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! ( i am screaming inside!)
    Thanks for answering my questions everyone! It is so cool tht you guys get to experience this sheer awesomeness!
    Well I guess I better go! (tear, tear) AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! ( one more scream just for the record!)
    have fun in Peru!
    ~Celeste~
    P,S,- AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  29. BTHT
    May 24, 2009, 12:53 am

    BTHT – thinking about u 2 – what was your first imprssion when you arrived in Peru. Can’t wait 2 hear from u. So exciting to think that you are there.

  30. CTKT
    May 24, 2009, 12:24 pm

    Hey McKenna and Mom,

    We hope that you are taking a lot of videos and photos!

    We hope that you are having great fun in Lima today!

    CTKT

  31. luckstomper
    May 24, 2009, 5:23 pm

    Hi everyone!

    Where’s the post for yesterday? I woke up at like 7:30 to see it! Well they’re probably almost or done with the horse exhibition and going to the water show/ water light show! Or they are getting ready for it or eating dinner!

    Well hope they post it soon!

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

  32. Gammie
    May 24, 2009, 5:24 pm

    Way to go, Ian and Ron…We hope your trip was memorable! How is Peru? Never been there…is it hot…beautiful…friendly…everything you imagined? We are so excited for both of you! We want to see pictures ASAP and ones with you in them :) . We love you both!
    Love, Gammie & John Baer/Garland Texas

  33. Baxter
    May 24, 2009, 7:49 pm

    HOLA Lucy…we miss you SO SO much and can’t wait to hear about the horse show and if you got to ride…? This is Lucy’s mom and little sister Lexi. They (Lucy and her Dad) called from the hotel last night and said they had an awesome day and were exhausted and excited to meet the rest of the group! Hope you see some rare cukamaka birds!

  34. luckstomper
    May 24, 2009, 11:03 pm

    Hi everyone!

    Yay they finally posted these posts all we need now is the videos and the blogs. Oh ya! Tonight I say Night at the Museum: 2 at the IMAX theatre. And you know how tonight the winners saw a water/light show tonight? Well I saw one too! At Jordan’s Furniture in Nadick or Reading I can’t remember but there was a water light show! It was soooooo coool! And at this Jordan’s Furniture the IMAX theatre has TEMPURPEDIC seats only one of two places in the world who has those kind of seats, also at Jordan’s there is something called Bean Town where they built these massive sculptures out of Jelly Belly jelly beans!!!!! It’s wicked cool!! This place also has an acrobat school! Well now to Peru! Just like cowgirlexplorer I’m probably more excited than the people who won! Well have fun in, Cusco. Then have fun journeying into the Sacred Valley of Urubamba and check in at Hotel Aranwa. Then you’ll visit the village of Maras, an important center during the Vice Royal period, and see the Maras Salt Mines. In the town of Chinchero, they’ll meet National Geographic grantee Nilda Callañaupa at her workshop, where she teaches traditional Andean weaving techniques. Then they’re off to the Moray Archeological Complex, believed to be an agricultural experiment station in the Inca times.

    Well hope to see the blogs and videos tomorrow, if not another da of depression! *sigh*

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

  35. Flame's Ash
    May 25, 2009, 12:23 pm

    Kenna! Omigosh! You’re in South America!!! :) You have ridiculous amounts of fun, take ridiculous numbers of pictures, and live it up, kay? ^^ HAVE FUN!!!!!!

    Missing you already, and thinking about you all the time. :D

    -Ash

  36. cowgirlexplorer
    May 25, 2009, 12:46 pm

    You guys are probably having a wicked amount of fun right now! I cant believe that you get to experience this! Where are the videos! I am getting a little bit restless! I think it is so cool that you guys got to go to a Paso horse show! Like i mentioned before I love horses! Its kind of funny because my dad has been telling me that he wants me to get a Paso Fino horse for a while. Did you know that they have the smoothest gait of any other horse? Anyway, I wonder what the explorers are doing right now? Sorry about all the AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! in my last blog! Like I said, I just really wanted to scream!
    Peruvian explorers ( winners ): Can you guys not believe that your in Peru right now? What kinds of food are you eating? Is it good, gross, exotic? Anywho, what is your most favorite thing that you have done so far?
    Luckstomper: WOW a seven hour Drama practice! That would be tiring!
    Something sad ( tear, tear ): the little calf died. Terrible, isnt it?
    Changing the subject, I am back home so I can officially scream now! (AAAAAHHHHHHHH!)
    I have a question for all of the bloggers! What kinds of animals do you guys have? I have been so curious! I have: about 160 cows, 3 horses, 12 chickens, 4 ducks, 2 bum calves or calves that dont have mother, and 3 cats. We are going to get a dog and some little lambs!
    Anyway, keep exploring maybe next year we can be the ones on the trip!
    ~Celeste~

  37. EFIPScience
    May 25, 2009, 2:27 pm

    Rebecca and Dad–Hope you are having a ball! Remeber to look at those rocks!
    Mrs. D

  38. 2baers
    May 25, 2009, 3:16 pm

    Hey Ian and Ron!!! This is Mom and Daria—Have you eaten anything interesting yet? How cool were the salt mines? Sounds like you are having a great time and making lots of life time friends. We miss you lots!!!!!

  39. Dewster
    May 25, 2009, 5:42 pm

    WOW I am in Peru!!!!!!!!!!
    ~Dewey
    Check out our blog soon!

  40. wycombestar
    May 25, 2009, 6:13 pm

    AHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I have been away all weekend so I missed a lot. But here I am!!!!! cowgirlexplorer, you asked what animals everybody had, I have a dog, a rabbit, a gecko, two rats, and a bunch of random tadpoles my dad found in a puddle.
    Why does everyone use the word “wicked?” I guess it’s not a PA thing. jazzybirdexplorer, I <3 Dunkin Donuts! I thought they were nation wide though.
    Hope the Peru people are having a great time!Now I have to go look at the itinerary…

  41. Emmyem
    May 25, 2009, 6:14 pm

    Hi, Cady! It’s me,Emma. You won’t believe how many strawberries we picked today. Wish you were here eating with us. Now we have both been to a salt mine! We went hiking at Humpback Rocks today in the rain. Basically, we hiked in a RAIN forest. At least we made it to the top. Can’t wait to see your blog.

    Emma
    P.S. I’ve enjoyed hanging out with your little sister. Emily says hi too!

  42. luckstomper
    May 25, 2009, 6:51 pm

    Hi everyone!

    Where are the videos??? I am getting a little impatient here! All you NG people said there might not be internet connection in SOME places, not all! So right now you’re saying that there is no internet connection in Lima OR Cuzco (ahem like the two most popular tourist destinations in Peru, now that’s just sad!)

    Cowgirlexplorer: Holy smokes that’s a lot of animals! And sorry about the calf, it must have been hard to see it go. I know cause when one of my cats died I was in depression for like weeks. And to answer your question I have 2 girl cats, named Brady (gray tiger), and Raven (all black). There is a huge story to what happened to Brady. I know it sounds like a boys name, but that’s part of the story.

    Well they better post the videos soon, and blogs, or else I will just stop coming to this site! (I don’t think that’s possible, I’m addicted to this site!)

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)
    P.S. I went on my boat today, we went on the Merrimack river, it flows through my town right into Nashua, NH.

  43. kassen15
    May 25, 2009, 7:15 pm

    Hi Nellie and Bill! Just a quick note, in case you are reading the blog, to say that we are thinking of you, and hope that the day in Cusco and the salt mines was memorable and enjoyable. All is well here. We miss you and check the itinerary each day to see what adventure awaits you. Our discussions often include speculation as to whether your luggage arrived with you; we hope so! with much love, Mom and Theo

  44. luckstomper
    May 25, 2009, 7:22 pm

    Hi everyone!

    I forgot to tell you have fun at Machu Picchu tomorrow!

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

  45. luckstomper
    May 25, 2009, 7:23 pm

    never mind in two days whoops my bad

    ~~~~JON~~~~
    (luckstomper)

  46. shastasteph
    May 25, 2009, 8:19 pm

    Wow, the second day of the Peru expedition! I really hope the team puts up the videos soon. I can’t wait to see them!
    I think that if I won I would be most excited about the Amazon rain forest scouting trip, visiting Machuu Pichu, and seeing the Paso Fino horse show.
    I’m with you all the way when it comes to horses cowgirlexplorer.
    The animals I have domestically are one red-eared slider turtle (Squirtle), one goldfish (not named), and one chinchilla (Bashful). I used to have two hermit grabs, a bass, a bluegill, and even a gopher! The wild animals that I consider pets are a small family of salamanders, and a little hummingbird. I don’t know what breed/type they are. The most salamanders I’ve seen together so far is six salamanders. Those are all the animals I have.
    I really hope they show the videos soon! I’m getting so antsy because I’m so excited to see them!
    I kind of have an idea for my 2010 HOEC essay entry. I now have to start adding details, revising it, and working on it over and over. I really want to win this contest! I can’t wait until the videos come up! Yahoo! LOL

  47. cowgirlexplorer
    May 25, 2009, 9:45 pm

    Wow Shastasteph, you have some really cool animals! I wish that i had all those different species! I just have the basic farm animals! I was going to get a sugar glider, ( flying squirrel type thing), but the lady who was going to give it to me moved away! But yeah, that’s awesome to have those animals. (I like turtles, hee hee) I totally agree with you that i would be most excited for the Amazon! I have always wanted to go there! I have written like 7 stories for HOEC 2010 but they are all just rough drafts. Anything cool that happens to me in nature I make it into an essay. I have been looking into a virtual school like Mckenna, my school is terrible!
    Anyway thanks for answering my questions!
    ~Celeste~

  48. calexplorer
    May 26, 2009, 9:15 am

    Hey – Can someone tell me how to see the daily blog entries. I can’t find them or the videos. I’m new to this blog.

    Lyla

  49. m&m
    May 26, 2009, 9:39 am

    Hi Cady! I’m glad you had fun at the Peruvian Paso horse show and that you are having a great time so far. And I can’t believe there was an aviary right in the hotel! Thanks for sending the picture!!!!!! The mountains in the background with snow on the peaks are amazing! Guess what? I’ve grown an inch!! And I had to get new shoes, two sizes bigger! You won’t be the “bigger” sister for long! Mom and I miss you and Dad like crazy! Keep emailing!

    Lots of Love,

    Emily

  50. cowgirlexplorer
    May 26, 2009, 6:52 pm

    Some of the blogs or essays or…, whatever you call them ( the things or stories that the winners wrote from Peru) are finally here! I still see no videos, ahem…! But the way they described the experience makes it sound so much more amazing! I bet the videos are going to be awesome! The food sounds pretty good too! Wow, 3000 types of potatoes! A lady in our town had a bunch of potatoes once, try about 20 tons of them, (seriously, I know) we got about 700 lbs. of potatoes! In case your wondering I dont think that well ever finish them! (hee hee) Back to Peru! I come home every day and go straight to this website, it is the coolest! Like Luckstomper, I dont think that i can stay away from it! Well, I am going to go “explore” the sight a little more to see if there is anything new posted!
    ~Celeste!

  51. BTHT
    May 26, 2009, 7:15 pm

    BTHT- WE R HERE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR 1ST BLOG FROM U 2. CAN YOU BELIEVE I REALLY KNOW HOW TO DO THIS. HOW WAS YOUR PLANE RIDE, HOW IS THE FOOD – I HEAR THE HORSE SHOW WAS GREAT – MAKE SURE YOU ALL LEARN ENOUGH AND HAVE FUN ENOUGH FOR THOSE OF US HERE AT HOME. ON TO PERU AND ALL IT HOLDS IN STORE FOR YOU. HOW MUCH SPANISH R U LEARNING AND USING.

    MISS U ALL – YOU STILL HAVE A WEEK TO GO YEA!!!! HAS RAINED EVERY DAY SINCE YOU LEFT.

  52. shastasteph
    May 26, 2009, 8:15 pm

    Cowgirlexplorer I think it’s really awesome that you have farm animals. Any kind of animal (that’s not a bother of really dangerous) is great to have! I feel sorry for you that you couldn’t have that sugar glider because the person moved away :( So sad. Well, at least you have the farm animals to talk to (I talk with my pets a lot. Hee-hee)!
    I also am making rough drafts for my many possible entries. I probably won’t have a final draft for a long, long, long time. LOL! Good luck with your essays, and I think it’s really awesome that you document your explorations as an HOEC entry. Don’t worry, I promise I won’t copy you. I’ll write what I’ve already thought about.
    Calexplorer, the reason you couldn’t see the daily blogs and videos is because they weren’t up yet! It takes a little while for the blogging staff to put up the entries since the info is coming all the way from the expedition in Peru. However, now there are three posts from some of the winners! No videos are up yet though. Just keep checking back.

  53. kassen15
    May 26, 2009, 10:17 pm

    Lyla,
    This is Nellie’s mom. I think that there must be a delay in posting the blog entries. Tonight I finally found entries for May 23 on the main feature on the NGK Home Page. Watch for the video to change. There should be a link for the Peru blogs, and I think it is feature #1. Good Luck! We are such a connected society, I am having a difficult time without email or cell phone contact with loved ones. It was great to read the three emails tonight.

  54. kassen15
    May 26, 2009, 10:57 pm

    Lyla,–I said three emails in my prior post, but should have said three posts to the blog! Sorry if I confused you. Nellie’s mom

  55. Flame's Ash
    May 27, 2009, 10:38 am

    Yay!! The blogs are finally up! :) Everything sounds amazing and totally rock-awesome!!!!!! :) )))) I can’t wait to hear about Machu Picchu and the Amazon (not to mention see Kenna’s blog post, lol)

    Daily Kenna Shout-out: MISSING YOU!!!!!!!!!! Have fun, take pics, and I’ll be flooding your inbox when you get back. ^^

  56. Kenna
    May 27, 2009, 4:36 pm

    Hi everyone, McKenna here!

    I can’t believe I am actually in Peru! I have absolutely fallen in love with this country. It is drop-dead gorgeous, to say the least.

    I am so sorry that I haven’t blogged with you all yet. I have been sick and recovering for the past two days. But, my turn to blog is coming soon, so I won´t spoil anything I want to tell you all! :)

    Before I log-off and get ready for the events we have planned for tonight, I want to let Dad, Collin, Kye, Kannon, Meme B, G-Dad, and Ash, know that I have been able to read your posts and am so excited you are keeping up with the blog. And a shout-out to the rest of my family and to Tash, too! Love you guys! I miss you! :)

    I also want to say hello to the fifth graders in Kentucky! Hope your end-of-the-year projects on Peru are going well.

    Last but not least, I want to say hi to students from my school.

    Wow, I am still having trouble believing that I am actually in South America! The sights are unbelievable.

    Hasta luego,
    Kenna

  57. cowgirlexplorer
    May 27, 2009, 6:31 pm

    Although I just blogged yesterday, I feel as though I haven’t been on this sight in forever! I could just stare at the blogs from the winners in awe for hours! The pics are amazing as well! I cant believe that were able to live this adventure with them! I bet Machu Pichu is amazing, they are there right now, i think (heehee)! Anyway, I am getting more and more anxious for the videos to come! It will really make the adventure come alive! Too bad that they are only a few minutes long! Hopefully this year they will be longer!
    -Shastasteph- don’t fell alone, I talk to my pets all the time too! Sadly, my cat, I love my cat, has run away! Hopefully he will come back soon! I miss him, his name is Todd. In my family we get really attached to nature and animals! Its almost weird!
    Ok, get this! My little sister went out to go collect the eggs today from our chicken coop and there was an egg that was probably like 4 inches long! (im not kidding, if i had a ruler right now i would totally measure it) But seriously, it is huge! And the texture, unlike other eggs, has really weird rifts and stuff in it, like some one had sculpted it with clay! It is wicked awesome! It is the biggest egg i have ever seen!(it is sitting right next to me at my computer right now, and is starting to creep me out a little bit!, I was going to measure it but i couldnt find the ruler!)
    Ok, enough about the egg! (heehee) How many of you have an idea of what you are going to write about for HOEC 2010? I have no clue! But I am so excited for when they announce where we are going next year! (we?, never mind) But hopefully we will see some of our names in the winners section next year!
    Well that is all I have to say for now i guess! Maybe tomorrow I will have another egg story for you! (heehee) Oh, my sister 8th grade graduation is tonight. Ok, now that is really all i have to say! Sorry this is so long and pointless, I am bored!
    ~Celeste~
    P.S.- Where are the videos!

  58. BTHT
    May 28, 2009, 12:52 am

    btht here!!!! WOW!!! 11;45 HERE – I HAD A FEELING
    I NEEDED TO CHECK BLOG ONE MORE TIME AND THERE YOU
    R -GLAD U R FEELING BETTER – NOW YOU MUST MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME – HEY – WE KNOW THAT U R N SOUTH AMERICA – MISS U BUT HAVE A GREAT TIME AND DON’T MISS A THING – LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR BLOG – TELL
    MOM HELLO FOR US 2. G-DAD SENDS LOTS OF LUV.

  59. CTKT
    May 28, 2009, 11:02 am

    Hey McKenna,

    Glad you are doing better and have fun at Machu Picchu.

    Also, have you taken any videos of the places you have been?

    By the way, if everyone knows where Machu Picchu is, why is it called “The Lost City of the Incas?”

    Shouldn’t it be called the “Lost But Now Found City?”

    We miss you Mc and Mom.

    CT

  60. cowgirlexplorer
    May 28, 2009, 8:54 pm

    Hey, the number of “Hi’s” are still the same as yesterday! You guys are slacking on the blogs…! Just kidding, maybe I’m just obsessed! (hee hee) Arent the blogs from the winners great! It makes the trip so real!
    ~Celeste~

  61. Flame's Ash
    May 29, 2009, 10:30 am

    Daily Kenna Shout Out: Missing you! You have to tell me everything when you get back!!!! The fountains, the horse show, Machu Picchu… I’m glad you’re feeling better, too! Have fun and be safe, okay? Love ya!!!!! <3

  62. peace1313
    May 29, 2009, 7:49 pm

    Hi Lucy!! It is Emma. I miss you very much, and hope you blog very soon. I am very happy for you, and can’t wait to hear all about your trip and see your pictures! You defintely deserve this trip, and I was glad to hear you were having a good time from the email your dad sent. I hope you are taking pictures, and of course having a GREAT time.
    Miss you,
    Emma :)

    Hi Lucy!! it is Liza K. We got your dad’s email and heard you were making some new friends! I really miss you and so does everyone else. We switched table groups and GUESS WHAT? We are together! SO EXITING! I miss you so so SO much and hope to see you on June 8th!
    Miss you,
    Liza K. :)

    P.S. We put up a comments sheet under your essay that is hanging up in the classroom. It is so full that we will have to put up a new sheet soon! Axel said on it that you are the bomb more than he is! Mira said QUACK! (fantastic!) :) Bye bye! (one bye from Emma, one from Liza!)

  63. BTHT
    May 30, 2009, 1:36 pm

    BTHT here on a Saturday at noon – wonder where 2 r – on the way to the rain forest – Mc I bet this will be your favorite part of the trip – we keep up with you all thru Dad – I would like to be in your shoes one day to just feel and experience with you – can’t wait til we can see video of all that you have done. We are doing great here – really getting used to have Kannon around – everyday she must go to the hanging wall print of you all and talk to you.

    Have all the fun you can have and now you will know how we lived without electricity.

    Love 2 u 2.

  64. shastasteph
    June 4, 2009, 11:33 pm

    I hope the videos come up soon! I also hope the winners blog again once they’re over their jet lag.

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