Extracurricular activities
We currently offer the following extra-curricular activities held once per week (generally in the afternoons) to all students:
Cooking classes
A two-hour lesson with a professional local chef. Students learn how to prepare, to cook, and to eat a variety of traditional Peruvian dishes, in a nearby fully-equipped kitchen.
Dancing classes:
A one-hour lesson with a trained local teacher. Students are usually taught Salsa, but are sometimes also taught Bachata or Huayno (traditional Andean dance).
Real city tour:
A three-hour tour like no other tour in Cusco, led by Amigos staff. Students are taken to a number of the most impoverished areas in Cusco, and are shown nearby locations such as schools, industrial sites, and private residences. The guide explains some of the issues that the people in these places must contend with every day.
Andean weaving
Additionally, we offer Andean weaving lessons by a Mrs. Eugenia Huillcahuaman (subject to request). This experienced weaver and teacher comes from Chinchero village (50 minutes by bus from Cusco) to give Andean weaving lessons at Amigos. Chinchero is a very well-known village, famous for its weaving belts and for its blankets. Chinchero weavings contain graphic designs that symbolize many of the festivals and rituals in the Inca culture. The teacher is not only patient and dedicated to her job, she is also a proud holder of pure Inca ancestry, and she shares with students her wealth of knowledge about her rich heritage.
