Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

Near the Sillustani Ruins in Peru we had an impromptu stop at a small farm. Maria welcomed us. Her son, running in from the field, proudly showed off his newly-built guest room. Using his only English word, "housekeeping", he made up the bed. He demonstrated the foot plow they use to plant potatoes after showing us the museum that will hold relics that have come from the fields. Maria pulled out the grinding stone to show part of her daily work. Then she offered us wonderful cheese. The biggest surprise came as we got ready to leave. She handed out a business card, complete with email and website. A small, local cooperative is helping tourist money go directly to local families by making home stays possible. I would stay with them in a heartbeat.