Highlights with the Host Family
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We were in the middle of family dinner the other day when Eli, age 6,
randomly said, "Are we aliens?" His parents said, "Yes; we are in Peru. He responded, "I don't want to be an alien. I just want to be a person." I don't think that anyone sitting at the table thought that was nearly profound as I did.
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It was weird having my Thanksgiving celebration in Peru around a swimming pool with my tank top and capris! I think the warm weather is something I could get used to, especially when I hear weather reports from frozen friends in Philly. We had a grand fiesta of 27 missionary folk from the States. It was very homey in an unexpected way that I really enjoyed. Everyone brought a side dish. And I made Peruvian Sangria! Only Peruvian because... well, I made it in Peru.
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Last Sunday was the first day of advent. The family gathered around and lit the candle on Sara's homemade advent wreath and sang songs while Jim played the guitar. We all wanted to drink hot chocolate in the spirit of Christmas, but we had to open the windows because we were so hot. Ha-- Christmas in Peru. Eli is on this kick that every day since Thanksgiving (sometimes multiple times/day) he stops everyone and yells, "HEY EVERYBODY, I HAVE AN IDEA! LETS CHEERS TO CHRISTMAS!" and makes us raise our glasses. Boy after my own heart.
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Weekend Retreat
I remember staring at the palm tree outside the window during a particularly lengthy sermon and realizing that I came to Peru with (again) a completely romanticized idea of what it would be like to learn a second language. The more I stared at the palm tree, the more I knew from the depths of my being that there is nothing romantic about it. I found it easier to mentally calculate the cost of my trip per minute than to understand what Felipe preached.
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Much past my breaking point, the sermon ended and I wanted to hide from all Spanish speakers. But instead, I met this really sweet girl named Karolin. She was a 19 year old version of Tia Luz. She invited me to the pool and we sat out for hours chatting away about life. All in Spanish! She taught me new vocab, corrected my verb tenses, and rarely gave me blank stares or looked at me like I was incapable of conversation. She is in school to be a nurse and is dying to practice in Uganda. Yet another really cool person that I met here.
I met a woman that opened up to me, sharing some really messy life experiences and the deep depression that she has suffered as a result. I am grateful for the friendship that people are beginning to offer me, even though they know I won't be here long. And as a direct result of our conversation, I fell asleep that night wondering the cross cultural applications of the social penetration theory. Thanks, Kevin.
Weekend Trip to San Clemente
Someone told me that over 50% of Peruvians are unemployed. On average, they live on $2/day. I don't get that sense where I live, but I did when I rode the 4 hour bus ride to San Clemente and stayed there for 3 days. Economically speaking, it was poor. Incredibly poor. But rich in beauty, and in hope... and in so many other ways.
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It didn't take me long to realize that the team of Peruvian missionaries that I joined in San Clemente chose a different way of living their faith than I do. And that's ok. But at points, I was uncomfortable - and even frustrated - that I really had no option but to stand next to them in apparent agreement as I felt like one of those Christians-- somehow offering "repeat after me" magical prayers to salvation while taking excessive photos and video footage. I admit that I am cynnical, but I'm not throwing the first stone.
Wednesday was my favorite day in Peru thus far! Went to Pisco and walked to the ocean. So beautiful. It was my first day to really bust out my camera and be a tourist. Our taxi cab driver gave us a tour with Aerosmith's "Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" playing in the background.
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