Writing Llamas

This is Smith.

2007-02-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

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?

2007-02-13T11:47:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-02-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

Apparently my holy sisters like ice cream too...

Te gusta bailar?

2007-01-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-17T06:09:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-01-15T18:21:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-01T20:28:00.000-08:00

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.

Chocolatada con los niños

2006-12-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday, we visited one of the poorest areas of Trujillo to celebrate a "chocolatada" with the kids of the neighborhood. We played games for a couple hours and ended the party with passing out cups of hot chocolate and bags of goodies. For most of these kids, this will be the closest thing to Christmas that they will get. To watch the delight on their faces was a blessing. Sitting admist the kids, dust, and stray dogs I wanted to breathe in their life. I wanted to know it better, to really understand what their lives are like. In these moments, my life seems a world away, and it is easy to feel guilty for what I've been given. In Peru I find myself torn many times between wanting to understand these people's lives better and wanting to continue in my own comfortable, maybe somewhat sterile, life.

Las Calabazas y Una Monja

2006-11-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

We've decorated the sala here at SALI with pumpkins and other such gords. The Peruvians think we're crazy for decorating our place with "calabazas" and I do have to admit that we North Americans have some weird ways about us. The students keep asking us if we plan to eat them and when we tell them no, they become even more confounded by our decorating.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and the weather here feels like May. Maybe I should be celebrating Cinco de Mayo instead. The missionaries will gather for a "feast" tomorrow that will not include turkey, and I can't say that I'm too disappointed. Though I will be missing my family and mom's mashed potatoes and berry pie.

I've been in Peru for four months now. I really love this place and my Spanish improves little by little. Peru Mission continually amazes me with its holistic approach to the Gospel. Not only is the Gospel going forth, but there are educational, medicinal, and economic development endeavors as well. I am teaching Basic 7 English this month. I have 6 students who are all very bright and fun.

I spent last weekend at the beach with a couple of girls from SALI. It was challenging to talk in Spanish for 6 hours, but with some repetition I was able to communicate. They asked me my views on abortion, and speaking in my broken Spanish, I tried to explain my views and how God works into all of that. Oh, how I pray the Gospel goes forth in spite of my inability to speak the language.

The missionaries had a murder mystery dinner last weekend. I played the part of a bitter old nun who hated men and alcohol. Here's a picture for your viewing pleasure.

For the skeptics

2006-11-03T08:03:00.000-08:00

I moved to Peru with the intention of riding a llama. Many of you were skeptical...

This week I went to Lima, and proved everyone wrong. BOO-YA!!

Ahhh, the nightlife...

2006-10-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

I received a phone call from one of my students last night. He quickly tells me in a flurry of excitement that he saw my picture on the internet. He tells me to go to the website...www.lima2night.com and I will find a picture of me at the premier spring party of Trujillo. So, I check it out and sure enough he's right! Last Saturday night was a night of salsa dancing and celebrating spring with the who's who of Trujillo. A student invited me to go with her to the party. Here's the picture (not the best), but I'm making the press here in Peru...get excited.

The last 6 weeks...

2006-10-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

Though I have been suffering through bouts of sickness, the month and a half gap in my blog is purely due to the fact that Blogger hates me and refused to let me publish. I'm sorry to those of you who inferred from my blog absence that I was eaten alive by Peru.

Things that have happened in these past 6 weeks:

I visited the doctor twice and was prescribed 4 different medicines (I'm healthy now though!)
I accidentally told my violin teacher in broken Spanish "I need you."
I traveled to Hualqui, a tiny farming town in a valley in the Andes...the most vivid picture of creation and the Church that I have seen
I was nearly electrocuted by my shower and had to escape in mid-wash
I moved to a new house
I saw my first bull fight...pretty disturbing, but surprisingly fun
I received 3 boxes of Kashi in the mail from my mom...God bless her!
I went to the Spring parade that marched through town
I saw the Peru National Women's volleyball team beat Brazil

Erin (my roomie) and me at the bull fight

Up Close & Personal

2006-09-06T06:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is my first encounter with a llama in Peru. I was a little ecstatic as you can tell by the look on my face. The moment with this llama quickly became awkward when another llama approached and they began mating. At this point, I just ran away.

A window into the chaos

2006-08-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

The view from my bedroom window. Yes, that is a circus that takes place every night, elephants included.

Taxi rides with the interns usually means cramming 6 or 7 of us into one car.

Another hard day at the office...

Rain in the desert

2006-08-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

This past weekend brought the realities of culture shock. After a 5 day, 2 hour expedition with my roommate to find a new hairdryer, I was becoming disillusioned with Peru. It seems as though nothing comes easy here and my inability to speak the language really well just adds to the frustration. I found myself empathizing with Abraham when he was called to a strange and distant land.

Monday morning I woke up early to go running. As I stepped out onto the street I felt the unexpected cool mist of rain. Being that I live in a desert, this rain was an unusual occasion and I deeply breathed it in. The rain reminded me of God's renewal. Just as the dry earth needs God's renewal, so do I. And as God walked beside Abraham in a strange and distant land, so God walks beside me. I really enjoyed my run that day.

Pictures!

2006-08-06T18:22:00.000-07:00

My house in Trujillo. We live on the second floor. The store downstairs is kept by the man who owns the house. He and his wife are retired and have 2 kids.

The Moche ruins, a civilization that existed from about A.D. 100-700. A mummy was recently unearthed here!

The Pacific Coast in Lima.

A huge sculpture in Lima entitled "The Kiss" by Victor Delfin. Every Valentine's Day a city-wide kissing contest is held here. The record is 14 minutes for one continuous kiss.

Plastic Lawn Chairs & Mozart

2006-08-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went to the Trujillo symphony orchestra's celebration of Mozart. It was a 2 hour concert with solos by a cellist and violinist. It was a small orchestra and, I am assuming, not very well funded, yet the music was wonderful. What seemed the most odd was that the entire orchestra sat in plastic lawn chairs while they played. Even with meager means, there is something in man that strives to create beauty. I believe this is evidence of man bearing the image of God. And it made me love the musicians all the more for their stark white plastic lawn chairs.

Chaos

2006-08-04T15:14:00.000-07:00

That is the word I use to desribe Peru. My hair is chaos (due to funky outlets that make my hair dryer do weird things), my room is chaos, the taxi drivers are chaos, the streets are chaos. I've been here for 5 days now and am slowly adjusting to the chaos. I've learned that you don't watch the road while riding in a taxi or else you will wet your pants out of fear every time. To require an American to give up control is an interesting thing...

The people here are so friendly and generous. I live in the upstairs in the home of a Peruvian family. They speak no English so it took a while for them to show us how to use the shower and other such things. I've already enjoyed some Peruvian icecream, goat, Inca Kola, and asparagus soup (Peru is the world's largest exporter of asparagus). And I'm already taking weekly salsa dance lessons from a suave Peruvian man...woohoo!

This week has been a week of orientation and exploring the city. Next week I begin teaching classes and working with the pastors.

According to Fodor's

2006-07-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

The move date is set. I will be boarding a plane to Peru on July 31. I am simultaneously excited and scared. I think it is impossible to prepare oneself for living in a third world country. You kinda just hafta do it.

A couple of weeks ago, in anticipation of my move, I checked out a guide to Peru from the public library. For all of you who are worried about my safety, being that I'm a blonde American girl, Fodor's guidebook offered the following reassurance:

"Women, especially blondes, can expect some admiring glances and perhaps a comment or two, but outright come-ons or grabbing are rare...Unless you speak Spanish you won't understand what they're saying anyway."

So as long as I don't understand the comments, then who really cares...right?