Borchers Shares on Incredible Journey to South America
7/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Coming off a productive freshman season for the Maize and Blue, rookie distance runner Claire Borchers recently returned to the United States after a five-week trip in South America through the College of Literature, Sciences and the Arts' GIEU (Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates) program. Initially, Borchers and a group of about a dozen other U-M students made their way through Peru, and during the final 10 days of the trip, the group explored Colombia.
As a Wolverine, Borchers has a bright future ahead of her. She got her first championship season experience last February at the Big Ten Indoor Championships but decided to forgo the a large part of the outdoor season to pursue this opportunity after careful deliberation and planning with her coaches. Upon returning to the states, Borchers talked with MGoBlue.com about her once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Q. Tell us about the program you took a trip to Peru with. How did this opportunity come about and what influenced your decision to be a part of it? Who was with you on the trip?
A. I went to Peru with GIEU, one of many study abroad programs that Michigan offers. I got one of the university-wide emails and realized the dates fit pretty well with track so I talked to my coach and filled out an application in October. I've always loved Spanish language and culture, but committing to running was quickly closing doors to pretty much every kind of study abroad opportunity. I was really excited to get accepted and the group of us (the smallest GIEU group, 13 people) ended up very close by the end of the trip.
Q. It looks like a very scenic area where you were staying. What was the coolest nature-related thing you did on the trip?
A. Yes, Peru has incredible mountains. We went to Machu Picchu, which was baffling, but I think my favorite hikes were actually in Chinchero. We spent a week there and a couple friends and I hiked almost every morning before our scheduled day began. Unlike the area around Machu Picchu, Chinchero is a tiny rural town with practically no tourists.
There is an archeological site there that is less well known, and behind the first range of mountains is part of the Inca Trail. We would hike for almost two hours and we never went the same way twice; we just explored. Standing on top of the mountains, we could watch the sunrise and look down on a layer of clouds; the elevation of the city is 12,500 feet so we literally gained a new perspective on clouds. That altitude and its expansive views came with a price though --walking has never been so difficult!
Left: A closer view from the top of Machu Picchu / Middle: Claire's favorite picture from the whole trip, during a morning hike in Chinchero / Right: Claire and her group members spent time learning weaving techniques from native women, and this was her final product
Q. What was the most memorable experience of this trip for you?
A. It's tough to pick just one. I think the most memorable moments for me were rather ordinary moments. For example, we interacted with some of the weavers' children during the days we spent weaving, and I can still picture how the babies and toddlers would just sit for hours watching their mothers and would never cry; they were incredibly content. I had never seen little ones with the grace and calm that they possessed.
Also, we spent a few nights just hanging out at the Plaza del Armas (a main public area of Cusco) and the conversations we had with locals and vendors always proved interesting. I think being in Peru for such a cultural purpose really gave us a unique point of conversation and maybe a little more respect than regular tourists get. Locals were typically surprised that we were there to learn so much about their culture, and the conversations that we had always resulted in some little gem.
For example, another favorite moment was inspired by some locals' recommendations. There is a statue called Cristo Blanco that overlooks Cusco from the mountainside among (yes, more) Incan ruins. We hiked into the archeological site before it opened to watch the sun rise over Cusco, and it was one of the most beautiful and spontaneous little adventures of our time in the city.
Q. You took time to learn some weaving techniques from native Peruvians with Incan influence. What was that like and what did you learn?
A. We learned how to weave from a Textile Center that formed about 12 years ago. There are now more centers that unite women with extensive knowledge of dyeing, spinning, and weaving. The women we worked with are a very experienced group with a strong presence in Cusco and Chinchero because they were one of the first groups to form.
There is a cultural preservation movement in Peru to keep the traditions alive because up until about 25 years ago, weaving and Quechua were highly discouraged as the pressure to modernize increased. History lesson aside, we learned some basic weaving techniques and worked up to a final project of a small bag or pencil pouch. What took about a week and a half for us to make would take an average weaver there about a day and a half. Watching their hands as they worked was mesmerizing because they work so gracefully and efficiently.
Left: A breathtaking view from the hike down Cristo Blanco as we wound down among houses / Right: Another scenic view, this time from the very top of Machu Picchu mountain, with ruins below in sight
Q. Before you came back, what were you looking forward to most about returning to the United States? What do you think are some of the major lessons or ideas you will try to bring back with you to Michigan?
A. Food, particularly salads and certain fruits. We haven't been able to eat anything washed with the water so that's eliminated a few natural options. Despite that though, their cuisine is pretty great. I also am excited to be back home in West Michigan for the trees, which probably seems weird but I love where I live. It's a pretty lush, humid area in contrast with the mountainous region of Peru where we've been living.
Also, the idea of Peruvian family is very well-connected beyond the nuclear family. It's endearing and inspirational to see how families respect and support the older generations, and how generally involved they are in each other's lives.
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