Another close encounter with the Alpaca world or "a trip home from Huamachuco.

Oh yes, we will miss this lovely creations when we go home.

And I have the best husband ever, who stops the car every time I spot an Alpaca or Llama.

 I think if we had alpaca's in the United States, they would have been the official cutest stuffed animal, instead of a teddy bear!

 Elder Craft teaching a group of alpacas.

 Alpaca herding and its finest, Elder Marshall using his best skills to coral them.

 This cute little baby just stopped and stared at us.

 After a successful day of herding alpacas...

 We also found a Llama beside the road, we had to stop, get spit at and take a few pictures.

 Elder Arenas, with his new friend.

 We also found a friend from the ward walking down the street, Sister Juana. 

It was so nice to see her and have a visit.

 It started to rain and around one corner was a beautiful rainbow.

 We also saw a few turkeys.

 We just loved our drive home from Huamachuco, we will miss the Andes.

Perfect P-day, Anniversary and Elder Craft's Birthday

Traveling to Cajarmaca is beautiful.  

We are able to stop only the way take a hike, fish, and see some wildlife.  

We celebrated 3 special events while traveling

Elder Craft's Birthday,

 Our 41st Anniversary,

and

a perfect p-day.

President Marler loves to fly fish, 

he gave me my first lesson today, and I caught my first fish with a fly rod.

 No I did not kiss it...

as you can see it is a 2 foot fish called a "Fino"

I have mastered the most important thing about fishing, exaggerating the size of your fish.

 Elder Arenas, our new assistants, spent his day fishing as well.  

He didn't have as much luck,

President says that fishing is a great way to learn patience.

 Elder Marshall, Elder Craft and I went on an amazing hike along the river.

We then drove to Cajamarca and Elder Marshall spotted an Alpaca herd.

We asked the family that was shepherding them if we could pet them,

they laughed and gave us permission, telling us to be very loving, quiet and gentle.

 I can see it in their eyes, "really, those people think they are going to pet us!"

 Sister Marler was the first to catch a little alpaca baby...so cute, softest thing I have ever felt.

These are really smart animals, if you look at them, they run away, but a nursing baby, is distracted and you can just walk over and pick it up.

 Elder Craft started out a bit fearful but mastered the technique. 

 They are so light, about 80% fluff, but oh my can they kick!

Elder Arenas found that out the hard way.

 Elder Marshall found the pack animals could even support his weight, 

so Alpaca riding was also part of the day.

 "These missionaries are unbelievable, aren't they tired of us yet?"

 We all had a great day, and finished it off with dinner out for Elder Craft's birthday 

and our anniversary.

What a great way to spend a day.

Chasing Alpaca!

As we were driving along the highway in the Andies, we came across this heard of Alpacas.  We all got out of the car and walked among the heard.

 We moved in slowly , and they just looked around, checking us out a little bit.  They all gathered around the babies to protect them.  They were so cute.  This is Sister Lopez, Sister Sarrat, Stefay and Elder Jackson approaching the heard.

 Elder Tirado is in the background getting a few pictures of the Alpaca that would pose for him.

 Sister Marler thought if she dressed in a wool blanket, the Alpaca would think she was family.  

Actually, it was 6 degrees centigrade and she was freezing!

 President Marler enjoyed watching everyone run with the alpaca

 Scott, trying to heard an alpaca.

 Elder Jackson running to greet the heard, this herding Alpaca is hard work

 Sister Lopez, Sister Sarrat and the Marler's

 Stefany with her new friends

 Then Sister Sarrat decided to pet an Alpaca

 Maybe not the smartest idea, but it sure was exciting!

Sister Marler in her Alpaca sweater, now she blends in…just a part of the heard.

Ode to Elder Boekweg

Now you may be wondering why this blog is entitled, Ode to Elder Boekweg.  I has been his one desire to go to the Andes and nestle in among the Llamas, Alpacas, sheep and pigs.  

He went up to Otuzco for a Zone Conference, but the medicine man got sick and went back home.

This is what he missed!

I hope you all enjoy seeing a little of the Peru countryside.

Waterfall on the way to Otusco
there had been torential downpours and there were waterfalls everywhere

This little girl was riding up the highway on a burro, I couldn't resist taking her picture

Another waterfall

Elder Antuña, Elder Zavaleta and Sister Marler at 12,000 feet

Same elevation with the President

Literally on top of the world...

While Elder Antuña, Elder Zavaleta and I hiked up the mountain, President contacted a vigilante for Claro Telephone and he is interested in having the missionaries visit his home in Huamachuco.

Our new friend explains what he does for a living

A beautiful butterfly

A little girl dancing in the streets of Huamachuco

We had hopes of going to the Markahuachaco ruins, but a mud slide changed our plans

But look at the gorgeous view of Hamachuco from up above

Here President Marler is helping a lady find her child's shoes in the mud.  

Meanwhile Sister Marler washed off the little girl in the mud puddle

Elder Zavaleta and Elder Atuña with a giant Cuy

President Marler Posing with a Llama

Just a lady walking her sheep down by the river

We couldn't resist this cute little pig, playing hide and go seeks with us.

and some sheep along the river banks

After Church on Sunday, we took a picture of the Huamachuco Branch.  It was a beautiful day.

Here we are with Elder Mollo

…and here with Elder Harris

Sister Romero and Sister Wisa love their new little friend

On the way home, we saw a couple of herds of Alpacas.  

So we got out in the 8 degree weather (it is the Andes, don't be so surprised)  and walked among  the Alpaca…aren't they so cute!!!

…and this darling little baby

…and here with his mama

A big male looks over the herd.

The Alpaca Family, Dad, Mom and Junior

Here the Assistants are, begging to be adopted by the family of Alpadas.

This is a tent city…these houses are made of a blue tarp over some cut tree trunks

This is a picture of a Palas Celolu- a tree that has gifts on it.  The men dance around with machetes and and take one chop at the tree.  When the tree falls everyone rushes in to get a gift…watch out fore the machetes!  The one who actually makes the final chop before the tree falls has to purchase the gifts and provide the party for the community the following fiesta.   It must have been some festival day yesterday as we saw two of these trees in the small mountain communities.  We were invited to participate and dance with them, but the amount of cerveza flowing and the machetes kept us at a distance. 

and then one more waterfall
We sue loved our weekend in the Sierra
What a lovely way to spend a weekend