For the next week we are now based in Huancayo, still up in the mountains, but a lesser altitude than Huancavelica. We are taking spanish lessons for three hours each day for the week, and our first lesson was this morning. Wow, that was hard going back to school ! learning language rules and then as always the exceptions that just complicate things. Our hostel is also home to a large group of canadian university students working on a local volunteer building project which gives us a chance to socialise with other english speakers. Two days ago we travelled by train (a single carriage with engine) through the mountains to Huancayo. The mountainous route was unexpectedly inhabited almost the whole way with some cultivated plots high up on the steep mountain slopes. Any available ground with topsoil seems to be utilised, despite its inaccessibility. One highlight of Huancayo has been the sunday market which stretches for many city blocks - some unusual stands including a few selling cures for tape worm with accompanying displays of live and dead specimens !