Fond farewells

Monday was our last day in Ayacucho. We didn´t have any activities planned in the morning so we got to sleep in for a change. In the afternoon, the local youth group came and got us and walked us over to their craft centre where they showed us how to make paper out of recycled paper, to carve stone, and to make cyramic crafts. It was very interesting.
We finished the day by giving them a performance of drumming, singing, throat singing and Inuit games. Finally, there was a big exchange of gifts: we gave them a Nunavut flag, an NS t-shirt, some books about Nunavut, and a cash donation for their organization. They, in turn, gave us a beautiful sculpture as well as other small gifts. It was a very emotional goodbye, with lots of photos, hugs, and tears. They were wonderful people, and marvellous hosts.
They were such wonderful hosts, in fact, that when we were at the bus station later that evening for our overnight trip back to Lima, they all showed up with their musical instruments and performed a goodbye song for us in the middle of the station! The song turned into one big dance involving everyone, followed by more hugs and more tears of farewell. We will never forget them!!