On Dasher, On Dancer….

Have you ever imagined what it feels like to be Santa Claus, being pulled on a sled behind nine reindeer??? Me neither. However, during our one of a kind stay at the Reindeer Lodge outside Kiruna, Sweden, this long spoken tradition became a reality. Reindeer have long been an important component of the livelihood of the Sami people, who are indigenous to Lappland, the northern region of Sweden. Their hide is used as means to stay warm, their antlers as tools, and their meat for sustenance. In the span of twelve hours with the Sami people we fell in love with the reindeer and the people’s simple way of life. Reindeer are seemingly gentle in nature and welcomed us with open antlers. We started our encounter by sharing a lunch of Sami bread and reindeer meat in a teepee warmed by a wood fire. The smell of the burning birch wood made for a warm home-like feeling that lingered for hours. The meat was very lean and had a taste similar to pastrami. The savory smoked flavor enveloped each taste bud individually and made it jump for joy. The next part of our reindeer adventure was racing each other around a track driving reindeer sleds. We each had the unique opportunity to individually drive the reindeer and yell “AY AY” to get them to go faster. Some of the reindeer were moving at school bus speed while others raced off as though they were a ferrari. After taking our reindeer for a quick spin we had the chance to bond with them. While some of our group members were reindeer whisperers, others seemed to be wearing reindeer repellant, causing the animals to bolt the other way. We hand fed them reindeer lichen, a moss that is found in their natural environment that they seemed to enjoy. Following this we pow wow’ed in the tee pee and enjoyed blueberry muffins, homemade by our Sami guide Nils’s wife. We warmed up with reindeer hides and enjoyed coffee while intently listening to Nils tell stories of his culture and traditions.

Brittney Drogo and Heather Ambrisco

GCP Bahamas update

The GCP Bahamas group has enjoyed the first five days on the islands, Nassau and Eleuthra and are finally getting a chance to let you know what's been going on! Our schedule has been jam packed as we've already toured large portions of both islands and got extensive looks at an Evangelistic temple, Adastra gardens and zoo, Clifton Heritage, a Junkanoo shack, Parliament, the Post Office, and many shopping areas. We've also eaten among the locals at many restaurants (as well as eaten Bahamian food at Breezes Resort), meaning that we've had a lot of conch, grouper, snapper, chicken, and other spicy foods.

Today (Wednesday) we got to travel to Eleuthra, an island north east of Nassau. We headed for a two hour trip to Spanish Wells and then took a water taxi over to Eleuthra. And of course, the water is so BLUE! Our tour guide took us to a pineapple farm then off to the glass window bridge. Look left, you see the Atlantic Ocean, but look right and you see the Carribean Sea. This is mainly exciting because of the difference in colors. After this, we got to go on the pink sands of Eleuthra and saw some of the clearest waters. After some cracked conch and grouper at a local restaurant, we headed to Preacher's Cave. Finally, we headed back on the boat and returned to Nassau.

Other than some sea sickness, we had a great day and are excited to wake up early to go to school tomorrow!

PS Encanacion

Not that we're trying to compete with the Australia trip who we hear have feasted on crocodile and kangaroo, our dinner this evening featured a local delicacy, which according to Jay Gonzalez consists of pig intestines stuffed with ground up various internal organs. Everyone had a taste, some enjoyed it more than others. But there was ice cream too!!

On a late night stroll we ran into another American, who attracted by our english approached us. He turned out to be a Peace Corps volunteer from upstate NY, on a 4 year commitment to work with thos who live in the barios of Encarnacion. We exchanged emails and hope to stay in-touch.

RO

On the Road to Encarnacion

After leaving Asuncion very early this morning, we spent most of the day traveling through the beautiful Paraguyan countryside. The lush and green country could easily resemble Virginia except for the occassional clumps of palm trees. Horses, cows and sheep seem to wonder anywhere they want to, including along the road side.

Our first stop of the day, was for breakfast about an hour and a half out of Ausuncion. We dined on freshly baked cheese and corn empanadas and a variety of juices. A small store next door stocked us up with water and even Oreo cookies.

We drove on for a few more hours just enjoying the wonderful views, (and ofcourse the air conditioning.) Lunch was at what I would describe as a Paraguyan version of a road house restaurant. Nothing fancy, but loaded with local charm. The decorators from Cracker Barrel would have loved to shop here as the walls were hung with everthing from a stuffed python and various animal horns to guitars, hats and nuch more. We ate what has become a bit if a favorite of ours and that is Sarubie, a large fish caught in both the Paraguay and Parana River.

In the afternoon we toured the 2nd largest hydroelectric dam in South America. It was truly a technological marvel. As we were on restricted government land, (with atour guide,) we made a brief crossover into Argentina.

So now we are safely in Encarnacion at the southern tip of Paraguay. Entering the city almost everyone in the group commented that this city has a very different vibe from Asuncion. While Asuncion is very cosmospolitan, Encarnacion seems to have a bit more polish to it. The hotel we're stayinh at for the night is very nice and comfortable, with a pool and hot tub we hope to make use of later tonight.

So Encarnacion tonight and part of tomorrow and then on to Cuidad Del Este. More later.

Rick Ours

This is GCP Paraguay checking in, from poolside at the Gonzalez villa. The last three days have been extremely busy days touring Asuncion and the surrounding country side. We typically start the day around 8:30 and get back at our hotel around midnight. The days have been very warm, mostly in the upper 80's with high humidity. Yesterday was an especially scorching day, in the upper 90's. I think we are adapting well to the heat, thanks to Jay Gonzalez introducing us to a popular (non-alcoholic) drink called derere.

We have been shopping in local craft markets to very upscale Tyson like malls. Yesterday we visited the Makaa Indian tribe a native Paraguayan population. They performed a number of native dances, one of which many of our group joined in. Today (Tuesday) with visited the Presidential Palace and the congress of Paraguay where we met Shenandoah University graduate and current national Senator Hugo Estigarria.

Asuncion is definitely a city of contrasts, very cosmopolitan in certain areas of the and almost like driving in any city in the US. While other areas belay the undercurrent of poverty that you find in most any large world city. Tomorrow we leave on an almost 5 hour trip into the countryside to city of Encarnacion, then on Thursday we travel to Cuidad Del Este where Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil meet at one spot. Then back to Asuncion for one final night.

One comment on the food it is FABULOUS!! The best Meat (Asada) and wonderful fish that come out of the Paraguay river. I will be uploading pictures and video on Facebook when time allows. So for now back to the pool.

GCP Sweden, Ethiopia, and Australia arrive

GCP Sweden reports that they arrived safely and enjoyed a great first day. They will be traveling to the far northern town of Kiruna tonight in pursuit of the Northern Lights.

GCP Ethiopia has also arrived safely. You can read more about their journey at participant George Hoffman's blog.

With the longest flight of any group this year, GCP Australia has finally arrived in Sydney. More details at their GCP Australia group blog.

Team Paraguay Day 1

After traveling several thousand miles and three different flights, team Paraguay arrived in the capital city of Asuncion at miday on Saturday. The climate change from what we left in Winchester (35 degrees and cold) was in stark contrast to what welcomed us to Paraguay. Todays temperatures were in the mid 80's but the humidity is a constitantly high. After arriveing at the Asuncion Palace Hotel, a charming 1885 building chock full of Paraguyan history, we checked in quickly and went about a few housekeeping and getting settled items.

For Dinner our guide and SU student and Paraguyan native Jay Gonzalez and his father Jose took us to a wonderful (air conditioned) restaurant where we dined on a number of local favorites.

After dinner we were taken to an Asuncion professional football game (we call it soccer,) that was so exciting no a member of the group failed to jump to their feet to support the Olympic team, a local favorite.

On tap for tomorrow, shopping at a local market and a visit to some Indian ruins. So stay Tuned.

Rick Ours