Layla, from Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

Sustainable Tourism Intern

A: How long have you been working with Awamaki?

L: I’ve been here for four months and I have one month left. I have to go back to university for my last year. My major is sort of a mixture between sustainable tourism and tourism networks.

A: What inspired you to volunteer with Awamaki?

L: There’s a lot of interaction between with different people and departments, which makes it attractive. Everyday is different; it’s not like a regular office job.

A: What is most the rewarding aspect of your work?

L: I’ve led quite some tours to Patacancha. People always tell me it’s one of the best things they’ve done while traveling, which is very rewarding. Also, every time I go up to Patacancha, I see that the women are happy we are there. The rewarding part of working on a project is seeing the good results. I’ve been learning a lot here through working with the communities.

A: Have you participated in any of Awamaki’s workshops?

L: I went on the Parobamba Dye Workshop. The drive there is stunning. Daniel and his family have so much knowledge and the area is amazing. It’s a really tiny town where everyone is spinning or dyeing or weaving.

A: What do you like about living in Ollanta?

L: It’s small but it’s also big. Small, because you know everyone in town. You always see friends on the street or at coffee shops. But it’s not claustrophobically small because there’s so much movement going on. You can go sit at the Inca Pool for a little while or go on a hike. I also spend a lot of time at home knitting.

A: What will you miss the most about Ollanta?

L: The people. You know almost the whole town from living in a homestay family; everyone greets each other. The people make it feel like home, I’ll miss that.

*Layla is wearing the Chusi Poncho from Awamaki Lab