The weekend started off well. We were invited by Helen and Andy to their restaurant to "try out" their Halloween menu at a discounted rate! We had a great night, 3 course meal punch followed by a couple of Mojitos (well it was Happy Hour 7.30-10.00!!!). Have to say mojitos are now my absolute favourite drink so Paul, we now have a use for all that mint in your garden...you remember that green stuff in the corner!). After the restaurant we headed for Cross Keys to catch their Happy Hour - well it would be rude not to so I had 2 Lemon Daquiris in there. Then it was time to go clubbing...we headed across the square and could see HUGE trucks in the corner where the clubs are. We ambled across only to be confronted by loads of riot police in full gear! The Mythology Club had been raided apparently...the entrance door was breeze-blocked/cemented up and they were standing guard outside...only that could happen in Cusco! So...after oggling for a while wondering watthe hell had happened as went to Mama Africa Club. Was a good night and we boogied away until 3am...well Clare and I did (she's 24)...the youngsters couldnt keep up so they left at 01.30!

The next morning (and no hangover I have to say!) was our weekend in Chinchero with the family that Helen and Andy had volunteered with c. 1 year ago. We'd asked Helen what we could take them as a gift and she suggested a cake as they rarely get anything sweet to eat. Clare and I headed down to the street of cake shops down from our house and chose a large chocolate cake, they had to cut it in two to fit it into the box!

Clare got me to carry the cake, not good when wearing flip flips and walking on slippy cobbled streets! The other girls headed to Melino market to buy the three children a small gift and we all met at the restaurant, grabbed a taxi to Av Grau where we were to pick up a combi taxi to fit us all in (7 of us). Anyway, we arrived on Av Grau, the only westerners in site and stood waiting for Helen who had had to nip back to her house beforehand. We got some very funny looks, especially with me carrying a huge box containing the cake! Helen duly arrived and flagged down a couple of taxis and bartered prices. A couple we dismissed and the local people were finding it very amusing....even more amusing when we negotiated a price and all duly climbed in....2 in the boot!

We duly arrived in Chinchero and were greeted by the family, they were absolutely fabulous and made us sooooo welcome. We had tea, fruit tea with herbs that had just been picked and were then shown to our rooms, newly built and done so very basic but very nice. Chinchero is higher than Cusco so even MORE freezing...if tha was possible! We had numerous layers and within half an hour we'd all been and topped up our layers. We headed off for a walk to see the ruins at Chinchero, tha back way so we didnt have to pay! It was a lovely walk and we saw some amazing sights on our way. The ruins were fabulous and Raembert (Rainbear) and Fiorella, two of the children had a lovely time with us.

As were were walking past the church it started to ABSOLUTELY throw it down, loads of hailstones and we rushed to find shelter...we were all absolutely soaked eventhough we did have coats! Roxanna's husband came to pick us up, luckily he had his brothers car for the weekend. There we were, all 11 of us, piled into his estate car, the rain was lashing down and the car was totally misted up!

We got back to the house and were cold and wet but the main room was warmish, if a little smokey because of the open fire and we had more tea/coffee and sat chatting for a while. We gave the children the presents which they loved (a dart board and jenga game for the boys and a bead set for Fiorella).

We then had dinner...a lovely vegetable soup which was really good and then a vegetable dish with beans (sort of broad beans) and rice. It was lovely and I was amazed how they could cook such food on such basic facilities.

We all headed to bed at 9.30ish and we'd arrived to be up for breakfast at 8am.

Breakfast was more coffee (which is lovely) and some pancake style vegetable dish followed by fresh bread rolls and jam...they do seem to love their jam here.

The most bizarre thing then happened...over breakfast a woman came in....today was the Consensus Day and all Peruvians are not allowed out of their homes from 0600 til 1700, or until they have been 'processed'. The woman promptly started to go through the form with Milka (the eldest son). Milka has recently started working in H&A's restaurant, a lovely guy and yes, I have to admit that he is a good looking Peruvian!!! Way too young for me though so everyone can stop gossiping/worrying!!!! Each person was called to go through their section of the form...even the children! They were asked the same questions ie if they worked etc!!! V bizarre!

After breakfast we had a weaving lesson...I was totally RUBBISH and yep, Paul, Mum & Dad, I did slightly lose my patience and have an eeny weeny strop! Wasnt helped when some of the others were doing quite well and kept asking how I was doing! We did this for c. 3 hours but the time went soooo quickly.

It was then time to head to Wapau (need to check spelling!) to visit the grandparents which was c. 10 mins drive. On the way we stopped to see the project that they are doing, a building which they are in the process of building which will be a weaving tourist/demonstration centre. They have completed so far but now need more money to complete the project so are in the process of fund raising, Helen does quite alot for this project and she is in the process of raising money back in the UK. It will be a fab centre once completed and help the family immensely together with an association of local families in Chinchero.

We also stopped to buy some Chicha (local brewed beer) - we bought the strawberry flavoured one from a road-side seller, she jugged it out into a plastic tub and it was piled into the boot of the car with two of the people sat in there!

The grandparents house is set in the most amazing setting, snow-capped mountains all around. The grandparents were lovely and greeted us with the usual kiss and hug which I'm now in the full swing of giving. Its lovely that everyone says Buenos Dias or Hola followed by a kiss....think I may try it at home!

We were given a show round of their home/small holding together with the guineau pig shed....there were loads of them in there! Obviously they are for eating so I tried not to think of my old pet guineau pigs (Fluff and Nutty) who are now in GP heaven!

We were called back for lunch and were served a lovely plate of chicken, tomatoe, lettuce, cauliflower, cooked onions and potatoes. All this is cooked in a building that is open to the elements and they use it all year round.

It was then time to go and sit up on the hill so we all took up blankets (the most amazing weaved blankets that they make). The views were great and we could see across the whole valley.

For some mad reason we then agreed to play football, guys vs us westerner girls! The cows were promptly unstaked and moved further up the hill, the cowpats were cleared and the goalposts put in place! It was just the biggest laugh...we were absolutely hopeless, running for the ball and then dieing cos we couldnt breathe! Being higher up made it even more difficult for us to catch our breath! Score was 3-2 to the boys but I must tell you that the Salisbury scored a blinder of a goal!

It was then time for the Chicha....smells like cider, is very frothy and tastes not too bad!

At 4.30pm we left the grandparents and headed back to the house to collect our things before Rosanna's boyfriend took us back to Cusco.

It's been just THE BEST weekend, I've enjoyed EVERY minute of it.

Tomorrow is Monday and back to work/Spanish School...the weekend has gone FAR TOO QUICKLY.

I have loads of photos from the weekend and will add more on here tomorrow, cant now as my camera battery has just died.

As ever, hope you're all well. Email me with your news.

Lots of love
Dawn x