09/28/10 kkh

HAYS, Kan. -- A trip to Peru this summer provided 10 Fort Hays State University students with more than just a vacation away from home. The students, Spanish majors and minors, were chosen based on academic standing in the Modern Languages Department. They traveled to Lima, Peru, and Cuzco, Peru, experiencing culture, art and food among many other things throughout their visit.

The students were Kathleen Batchelor, Colorado Springs, Colo., junior; Lauren Bolyard, Hays senior; Kimberly Conner, Elkhart senior; Ashley Cook, Hardtner senior; Heather Cox, Alma senior; Paige Kincade, Idaho Springs, Colo., senior; Stephanie Kramer, Atchison special student; Mallory Smith, Hays senior; Adam Trimble, Loveland, Colo., sophomore, and William Tuttle, Bennett, Colo., senior.

The first stop was Lima, where students visited colonial downtown; the Chinese neighborhood, "Chinatown"; and history and archeology museums to give them historical background before they flew to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire.

While in Cuzco, they visited Macchu Picchu, Sacred Valley and museums, attended cultural and artistic events and participated in a cultural exchange with the community of Chari.

"Students were immersed in Andean culture through an educational exchange with the Andean community of Chari," said Rosa-Maria Castaneda, instructor of modern languages. "Students learned about their social organization and traditional weaving techniques dating back to pre-Inca times, ate local food prepared by the community members, visited the community school and shared with the students traditional children's games."

Castaneda said the students rated the cultural exchange as their favorite activity of the trip.

The students will all share their experiences through the Travelogue Sessions from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 1 and 15 in FHSU's Cody Commons, Memorial Union, lower level.

Presentations on Nov. 1:

Kimberly Conner: "Oral Traditions in Andean Culture: Martes Campesinos at Casa Campesina, Centro Bartolome de las Casas."

Stephanie Kramer and Ashley Cook: "Religious Syncretism in the Andes: Religious Festivals in Pisac, Cuzco."

Lauren Bolyard: "Inca Architecture: The Lost City of Macchu Picchu."

Presentations on Nov. 15:

Mallory Smith and Paige Kincade: "Weaving Traditions: The Chari Community in Cuzco."

William Tuttle: "Cuzco School of Painting."

Heather Cox, Adam Trimble and Kathleen Batchelor: "The Macchu Picchu and Huayna Picchu Hike."