Sunday, September 19, 2010

Compañero de Cuarto

Well, I'm not alone any more. With just over a week left here (eek!) I have a room mate again, which now makes 2 cameras for the girls to play with. I was getting a little lonely by myself, so I'm glad to be sharing.
Making some friends in Chivay
Chivay is the little town wayyyy down there
This weekend I went on a trip to Chivay (my second visit) to help with a church conference for teens. I honestly wasn't able to do a whole lot, but I did get to play bass at a concert the first night. Not many people know this...but I've always wanted to learn electric bass. I just feel like girl bass players are the epitome of cool, and I strive to be that. I was horrible, since I only learned the notes about 10 minutes before the concert, but I made it through. The rest of the trip was spent sleeping on the floor, exploring Chivay, and going to church services. I also got some really good Salchipollo, which is a dish made up of rice, noodles, french fries, and fried chicken. They don't even feel bad about not eating vegetables here, it's great.

For my last week in Arequipa, I have some fun activities planned, in addition to FINALLY eating some ceviche. It's going to be so hard saying good bye to the kids, I don't even want to think about it yet. They were sad when I was just leaving for 3 days to go to Chivay... Anyway, my last music lessons will be over the next few days, and I'm planning a pizza party for Saturday night. Mainly so I can eat pizza.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

A View from the Top

Ephrain and Marita get older
This weekend was filled with a lot of fun activities. On Saturday I climbed a tower in an area of Arequipa on a hill, and it was an amazing view of the city. Later, it was one of the older boys' birthday, so we celebrated with lots of junk food and sharing.

On Sunday, I took all the girls to the pool after church. The water was cold even it was an indoor pool, but we all had a blast. I noticed that a lot of people here don't know how to swim or dive. There was one moment a young man was "swimming" and plowed right into me. Another time I witnessed a boy jump in, swim underwater for a bit, and then he somehow managed to capsize a very large woman and her child. After the pool we got some sweet treats similar to funnel cakes which I absolutely loved. I think you can put sugar on anything and I'll like it though.

Yesterday I bought some dog food for my favorite Peruvian perro, and among other things, I started reading Revelations. They're really big on the world ending in 2012 here, and after seeing a drama at a local seminary based on the impending apocalypse, I wanted to learn more. Luckily I have my 10 pound study bible to help me along.
Arequipa, with Misti in the background

Lately I've been spending more time with the older boys. I'll eat lunch with them, which usually results in someone making fun of someone else and it's hilarious. While the older girls have more cleaning and cooking-centered chores, the boys have different sorts of obligations. The wuachiman (I was told how to spell this by a 9 year old...) basically is the person who watches/guards the door. They open it when someone rings the bell, but also makes everyone feel more secure by their incredibly manly and guardian-like presence. Some boys do this, others work in the tech shop, and a few bake the bread for the whole home. I've started helping make bread in the mornings. I mostly just roll the dough once it's completed, and I like to make fancy shapes and designs. Luckily the boys find this humorous and don't mind that for every 20 rolls they make I can make about 1.

This morning I led the older girls' bible discussion! We're going through the book Captivating, which the girls are reading in Spanish. After eating a bunch of cereal with yogurt, I shared my testimony with them, and gave a message on being made in God's image. Luckily I have an amazing translator and friend here so I was able to do this. I was really encouraged that some of the girls asked questions and opened up. Every day that goes by makes it harder and harder to leave them.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Lessons and Chocolate

I had a bunch of lessons yesterday and today. And I can officially say that once I leave Peru, I hope I don't hear recorders for a while. Unfortunately, the ones they have here are really cheap and just don't have the greatest sound. But somehow, the kids continue to love them. They love having an instrument to keep, and even for the kids who don't practice (much to my dismay), they love coming to their lessons.

I've started teaching piano a little more too, and oh boy do the kids love the demo track. I've gotta admit, it's a pretty sweet demo. It's got nothing on my 90's Casio demo track. But I also show them the notes, and some are really getting the hang of it. Something fun to note, they use a fixed-Do solfege system here, or Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si (yeah...not Ti) Do.

Last night I stayed up until midnight helping my favorite middle-school-aged friend, Sofia, make chocolates for school. Elizabeth helped too. Another crazy experimental project, this time using Coca leaves mixed with Manjar, which is a caramel-like substance. After last night I didn't want to look at chocolate again for a couple weeks but I can say with confidence that I'm fully recovered much sooner than expected.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Departures and Frozen Avocados

Yesterday marked the day that my fellow gringa and Peru Best Friend, Audrey, left Arequipa. We had a lot of fun times together, but instead of telling you I'll show you!
Emily, Audrey and I in Chivay
Audrey, Greg and I help the girls paint their bedroom
Crazy Hour at Sybil and Fernando's wedding
Conjoined hair styled by Elizabeth
Scenic overlook of Arequipa with Edwin
I just went for a run. My first run in Peru, my first time wearing shorts in Peru, but not the first time listening to Joshua Radin on my iPod in Peru. The track was closed though so I found an open and unoccupied basketball court. Running in circles is fun! I needed some power food when I got home so I grabbed my half-eaten avocado from the fridge and stuck it on some bread. The avocado was partially frozen, which I didn't mind, and it reminded me of avocado gelato from Capo Giro (swoon).

Which made me think about their awesome and crazy flavors.
I then realized I've never seen carrot flavored gelato...or carrot ice cream in general.
And now I really think there should be carrot ice cream.
As in, I'm feeling very passionate about it.

Yeah, I know I can find some recipes online and make it myself. But can I buy Ben & Jerry's carrot ice cream and eat the entire pint in one sitting? Can I waltz into Superfresh and get a gallon of carrot Turkey Hill? Whole Foods at the very least should sell this. My other idea is carrot cake ice cream. That is all.