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Youth is first Kansan to win spot on expedition

Staff writer

Nellie Kassebaum of Burdick recently spent 10 days in Peru on a National Geographic expedition.

The 12-year-old daughter of Bill and Jennifer Kassebaum was among 15 young people from across the nation who won the trip. Her father accompanied her.

Now in its fourth year, the Kids Hands-on Explorer Challenge is offered to youngsters ages 10 to 14 as a way to inspire them to a lifetime of exploration and discovery. Nellie is the first person from Kansas to be selected.

She won by submitting an essay about her experience in getting a close-up photograph of a grasshopper.

“My little lime green friend that I met that day imprinted on my mind and made me really think about the treasures in nature and how they are everywhere in all shapes and sizes,” she wrote.

In Peru, the days were crammed with activities.

“People were very nice and welcomed us,” Nellie said. “They wanted us to be there.”

One of her favorite stops was at the lost city of Machu Picchu, an ancient city built between mountains by 60,000 people. The town was so secluded that Spanish Conquistadors never found it.

Hiram Bingham, a National Geographic explorer, discovered the city in 1911.

Machu Picchu is listed as one of the seven wonders of the world. It draws about 2,000 visitors a day.

Intact adobe buildings sit on terraces hewn out of mountains.

The young explorers traveled by bus around steep mountains, then walked up a series of steps to get to the ancient city.

“Machu Picchu is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” Nellie said. “I couldn’t imagine all of the work that went into building this sacred city.”

Another highlight was a three-day stay in a tropical rain forest. The group flew into an adjacent town and traveled by bus and boat to an isolated lodge.

“Boats were my favorite part,” Nellie said. “You could see a lot of wildlife along the river.”

At a botanical garden, the group learned about natural medicines made from plants. They also visited a farm where yucca, oranges, lemons, limes, and other tropical fruit were grown, and fished for piranha at a lake.

The lodge was open to the outside, allowing birds and insects free access to the interior. Guests slept under mosquito nets. They learned about termites and fire ants. Electricity was provided two hours a day.

“The guides, cooks, and other workers had a pride of ownership,” Nellie said.

In the capital city of Lima, Nellie experienced streets lined with vendors persistently hawking wares. The climate was dry and foggy.

The team visited a farm that raises Peruvian horses. One evening, the camp was divided into two teams, each with a National Geographic photographer. Each member had a camera and received instruction in photography.

“We experimented,” Nellie said.

The expedition included a visit to the Sacred Valley, an old Incan city surrounded by terraces on which crops such as barley and corn were growing and a few cattle were grazing.

Plots were small, and everything was done by hand.

It was late fall in Peru, so harvest was underway. Nellie enjoyed huge kernels of corn served with cheese sauce.

The group went on a treasure hunt to learn about the Incan culture. Nellie participated in the ancient custom of braiding women’s hair. She also saw clay and straw being mixed together in large pits to make bricks.

The rock working skills of the Incas intrigued her.

“Every rock would fit together, like the pieces of a puzzle,” she said. “Looking at all of the tiny angles was amazing. Later, we slid down some natural rock slides. That was a very fun day!”

Nellie enjoyed the colorful clothes worn by the mountain people. A band and dancers entertained the Americans at a school. They, in turn, gave gifts to the students.

At a weaving school, the students watched as intricately designed clothing and other items were made from alpaca wool.

After two days of travel to get from the rain forest to Wichita, Nellie and her dad were ready for a rest.

“It was good the days were full,” Nellie said. “I saw a lot.”

Nellie is the granddaughter of former Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker and the great-granddaughter of former Gov. Alf Landon.

Last modified June 18, 2009

 

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