This is Smith.

Smith is a 4-year old boy who is more street savvy than all of us combined. His mother has a small vendor cart that she parks in front of SALI most days, so she can sell sodas, snacks, and what not. Smith entertains himself by playing with other street children and random things he finds like string and boxes. He's been adopted by SALI in some ways, and many hours have been spent teaching him English, brushing his teeth, and playing games with him. There are some mornings when I find him helping Julio, our handyman, with odd-jobs around the place. He's even taught us Americans some Spanish slang. Sometimes it's easy to forget that he is 4, but he's a staple around here and we've all grown to love him.

Confusion or Disgust?

This past Saturday we had a SALI sports day. We invited all of our students at the language school to come play sports with the teachers and university students from Sociedad San Agustin (Peruvian RUF) and members of our church. For 3 hours we all ran around playing volleyball, soccer, and ultimate frisbee. Being that most Peruvians have never seen a frisbee, we enjoyed teaching them a new game. Despite the sloppiness of our game, everyone had fun. Here's a picture that apparently captured a mid-game moment of either confusion or disgust. I, myself, can't tell what's going on.

Holy Cow!

Apparently my holy sisters like ice cream too...

Te gusta bailar?

This weekend was the National Marinera Dance competition in Trujillo. For almost 2 full days the dancers competed for #1. Marinera is the popular historic dance here. It involves very rapid footwork, almost like tapping, and the guy and girl rarely touch the entire dance. The girls wear big brightly colored dresses. And both guy and girl dance with handkerchiefs. We went last night and watched the finals for the kids. The stadium was packed out and everyone was going crazy. In some ways I felt like I was in a scene from Strictly Ballroom (remember that one, Sheri?). I love watching Peruvians celebrate their heritage. In these celebratory times, all economic class distinctions are blurred and everyone is simply proud to be Peruvian. I love joining them, though I don't quite fit in with my blonde hair and blue eyes.

From NOVA to NOPU

I spent a year of my life living in Northern Virginia. I quickly learned that it is known as NOVA to the locals. Now I find myself living in Northern Peru, so I have decided to affectionately call it NOPU. Not quite the same ring, I know...

I'm including a picture per request of my dear friends who live in NOVA.

I have been taking violin lessons since I arrived in Peru. This is my teacher and me. His name is Diego and he plays first chair for the Trujillo symphony and I will admit that I have a small crush on him.

In the summertime...

I've been shy about blogging, because there are many normal, somewhat mundane, days in Peru.

Today was a typical Monday with staff meetings and test reviews. I'm teaching Basic 9 this month which is a grammar review class. The most exciting part of the class this month is the fact that I have 15 students! My class had 6 students last month, and now 15. Though a little more stressful at times, I have so much fun with my big class. It might be close to the largest class here at SALI.

When I went home for Christmas, Peru was still a little cool. Peru is now hot. It is trying my patience to be sweaty and glistening all day long. Erin laughs at my new found edginess with all this heat. They don't have AC here, so those lame oscillating fans are my only source of comfort. I'm trying my best not to be too smelly, but am fairly sure I'm not succeeding. In my pursuit of relief from the heat, I got my hair cut. And the woman who cut my hair just happens to be the hairdresser for Miss World. Yes, Miss World is from Trujillo, Peru. I can tell you that I, unfortunately, do not look like Miss World even after such a grand haircut.

En los estados unidos

Mis hermanos y yoI returned to the United States of America to spend Christmas with the family. I've been here for almost a week now. The time with my family has been great! However, I was hoping for a little more culture shock upon reentering my homeland. In a weird way I wanted to be even more disgusted with American consumerism and materialism than I usually am, but everything felt pretty much like normal. Coming back from Peru almost seems like waking up from a dream. The disparity between levels of wealth in the US and Peru is mind-blowing, almost to the point I've compartmentalized each place and can easily step in and out of each and never allow them to intersect in my head. (This is probably not a good thing...) My life in Peru feels a world away, but I miss it. I miss the challenges of a different language and culture, and I miss the people. I'm looking forward to pursuing even greater relationships with my Peruvian friends during this next year.

The biggest adjustment to being in the US again: Remembering it's ok to actually throw the toilet paper in the toilet. I nearly have a panic attack every time I go to the restroom and can't find the trashcan. Who knew it would feel so scandalous to just flush that t.p.?

New Year's Resolution: Blog more. I've received numerous comments about my lack of bloggage...sorry friends, I will try to do better.