Before leaving the village where we had stayed overnight we stopped at the primary school and were fortunate enough to see class in session. We gave them the games we had brought for them and took some pictures. The school only had two children because so many families have moved out of the village to the bigger towns outside the canyon. Pablo told us that there were only ten families left and the teacher was worried that he would soon lose his job because the goverenment would close the school. To attend secondary school the kids would have to walk to the top of the canyon to the village of Cabanaconde and then come back down again every day - a six hour hike! This is another reason why many families chose to leave the canyon.
We then started the second day of our hike. Our destination for the day was the village of Sangalle, which is an oasis at the bottom of the canyon where there was the promise of a pool and lush greenery to provide relief from the dry, desert like climate of the canyon. As we hiked, Pablo stopped on numerous occasions to pick fruit for us to try from the groves of fruit trees we passed along the way. We got to try pears and cactus fruit and something that looked like kiwi but was very sour and lemony.
The lower part of the canyon was green and lush with avocado, apple, lemon, fig, pomegranate and all sorts of fruit trees. Unfortunately transporting this bounty to the top of the canyon and to market to sell was so difficult that the villagers couldn't use the harvest for income. Instead they consumed it themselves and used it to barter amongst each other.
We hiked steadily for about two and a half hours and then came to a point where we could see the oasis down below. That motivated everyone and we practically flew down the canyon to get there, although it took another hour to actually reach our lodgings. Most of the students went right to the pool; I took advantage of some hammocks to rest after the hike.
After a late lunch we then had the entire rest of the day free, something that hasn't happened yet during our travels. Students rested, wrote in their journals and talked. Then a couple of the guides set up a volleyball net and we played volleyball for close to two hours. I had never played volleyball before and have concluded that it is a decidedly painful game; my forearms and hands are still sore. The fact that I was probably not hitting the ball correctly might have something to do with it. The students however had a blast and as always became competitive with some good natured taunts being thrown on both sides. I think they've really enjoyed this day; I'll get some feedback from them over dinner which we are waiting for.
After dinner it will be early bedtime because we are to leave at 5 a.m. to begin the climb out of the canyon. Pablo has shown us the zigzag path that will lead all the way up and it looks intimidating. The students are preparing themselves for a tough hike tomorrow. Buenes suerte (good luck) to us!
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