Monday March 16

The Twitter link below is fun to read if you wish. I'm sure Kelly is having an amazing adventure.

Candice (VP Music for Mankind)

This was posted on http://friendsofwfp.typepad.com/friends/

Our first full day in Peru started bright and early as we left our hotel for the airport around 5 AM. Even though we hadn't gotten much sleep and it was still dark outside, you could feel the excitement in the van as we went to catch our flight.

We flew in a tiny, 15-seater jet up to Ayacucho, a city at about 10,000 feet above sea level. I've never been a huge fan of small planes, but it's hard to complain when I look out the window and see the Andes Mountains sprawling before me and the other beautiful landscapes below. Not only is this my first time in Peru, but I realized it's my first trip south of the Equator!

After we arrived, we settled into our hotel to get some rest. With such a big altitude change, we didn't know how our bodies would react so we took it easy that day. I got especially lightheaded over lunch, but after drinking some matte de coca (coca tea, a local remedy for altitude sickness) I was feeling much better.

We spent the afternoon at the WFP Ayacucho office, and we met the staff who will accompany us on our program visits. We took this opportunity to learn more details about the journey. I just can't wait for tomorrow! We are leaving at 7 AM for the town of Union Potrero to visit the headquarters of ABA, a Peruvian NGO that works with WFP. Then we'll head into the field to see the incredible things WFP and ABA are accomplishing together on the ground.

Goodnight from Ayacucho!

Jessica Lennon
Communications Assistant
Friends of WFP