Unexpected Finds

I love the salsa music on the radio! Their station 101.1 plays it 24/7. My mp3 player has an FM tuner so I am able to listen in and dance along while doing chores around the house. Gradually, I have been taking on various projects and my efforts have been rewarded. When I organized the upstairs closet, I made the discovery of a yoga mat!!! Downstairs, there was a dresser that had not been organized since 2005. In it, I found a camera USB port so I can transfer photos without the risk of taking my camera around. I also found glue, screws and nails for minor repairs, band-aids, electrical tape, extension cord, and loose raspberry green tea with sealable tea bags (the good kind). I sound like I am dumpster diving but everything was legit and in need of attention. My last find was a simple string necklace with Our Lady of Guadalupe on a transparent piece of plastic. It was just what the doctor ordered - a symbol of faith in Latin America that I can wear daily without drawing too much attention to myself. Sometimes I desire to kick my plain clothing up a notch with accessories but we are told to play it safe. Our light hair, skin and eyes already serve as a big enough beacon for attention.

Saturday I was reminded a statement we were taught in our orientation, "we see what we understand." This is especially true whenever you see a mix of pagan and Christian religions such as the mixing of Mary with the Pacha Mama (earth goddess). I do not understand the killing of animals but I know I lack their cultural perspective. Saturday was the feast day of the Lord of the Spirits, another mix. Firecrackers, altar processions and the crass sound of a marching band filled the streets. In an impromptu moment, we left the dining room table and joined a parade going by the house. As we were skipping along, elbows linked, I came to the disturbing realization that the bull they were processing ahead of us was going to be slaughtered. I was horrified as they jeered, pulled on his tail and dragged his tired body in figure 8's. I couldn't help but liken it to the mob mentality during the crucifixion. I struggled to understand this aspect of their reality.
Later that evening, as if to answer my prayers, my spirit found refuge in the pride of Chimbote, Vivero park. It was a tranquil setting of green. They had pine trees, amusement rides, some animals and a swimming pool! Who knew such an oasis existed inside Chimbote! Just walking underneath the trees helped renew my spirit to face another day.

Money

I am learning to bargain. Gringas and gringos are frequently charged a little more than the locals. Sometimes shop owners will have different prices for foreigners. Many local Peruvians have a bias that Americans can afford to be cheated so you have to be careful and count your change and bargain down for a taxi or moto ride. The current exchange rate is about 3 sols per one U.S. dollar. Most locals earn about 5 sols a day. For example, the average Chimbote woman will wash one kilo of laundry for one sol. I try not to get too upset when they cheat me out of a sol, it is the equivalent of 35 cents but at the same time I am becoming more attuned the value of a sol and will take offense at the principle of it.

Schedule
I still have not settled on my schedule but there is time. Financially, I am needed to help out with the home health project for the chronically ill which I am willing and able to do but I might also seek to balance out some of the grim venues of life with an evening at Maternidad, an obstetrics hospital that has an orphanage. I think I would enjoy playing with the children who otherwise end up being developmentally delayed due to lack of TLC and neurological stimulation. We shall see. My language skills are still developing and I am limited for the time being where I roam. Opportunities however are plentiful.

I am amused to have received requests to teach music theory and yoga. There is a genuine interest because it is not offered in the universities. Tomorrow will be a trial run of yoga in the community. I have been practicing for 4 years but have never attempted to teach. Who knows what is in store for me. Poco a poco.

Food

Things that can be a source of tension in the house are food and chores. Food flies. I am learning to live in the present moment but I never thought that I would be incorporating food into that equation. High school boys have nothing on us. In a house of 5 women (with various guests and BF's) we went through 4 cups of humus in 10 days, a dozen eggs, one tub of margin and 2 jars of peanut butter in one week. A batch of fudge lasted 2 days and 3 dozen chocolate chip cookies and 4 cups of escebiche sauce lasted only 24 hours. We also average about 20 rolls/ pieces of bread a day.

The less expensive foods are bought in the market so everything is made from scratch in the kitchen with exception to bread. We get together for lunch, the big meal of the day. Breakfast and dinner are at your discretion and cooking skills. We have a supermarket downtown for some household items, the covered market for short runs and the open market for the big shopping; open 7 days a week in the mornings. Some of our staples for carbs are rice, quinoa, potatoes, pasta, & bread. Vegetables are spinach, lentils, beans and broccoli. Fruits are bananas, figs, avocados, limes, kiwi, pears, mandarins, peaches, strawberries, mangos, and more. 2 are vegetarians in the house so most of our meals are vegetarian but we average meat about twice a week. Just FYI coca tea has caffeine and makes you VERY alert.

Comfort

As you can guess, food is a comfort especially in a foreign environment. I have taken some of the money gifted to my account and purchased with a credit card some food items that would otherwise be outside of the household budget. Mailing a package can cost over 20 to 50 dollars so I find it is a better deal to make a bank deposit than to request someone mail things. I am adjusting to simple living and won't make a habit out of it but the comfort foods I purchased were ingredients for fudge, lasagna and chocolate chip cookies. It was the highlight of everyone's week.

Chores

Good news, Todd left some old shirts we can use as rags!
Some of the chores that are unique to this house involve sweeping the dirt up inside and the garbage up outside. Both accumulate at such a rate that the average Peruvian house does it twice a day.
Toilet tissue gets thrown into a waist basket so it has to be emptied regularly.
The trash man comes every day.
We boil water about 3 times a day. It is not safe to drink from the tap. You can boil it for your bath too if you are wanting something other than a cold shower.
Our stove is powered by butane which runs out about once a month and has to be taken down the street to be refilled. I am so proud of myself every time I successfully strike a match to light the burner. I must do that at least 5 times a day.
Bread is bought about twice a day at 8 am and 5 pm. Sometimes we buy an extra amount at night if everyone wants to sleep in.
Ants are a problem in the kitchen. Everyone fancies the idea of composting but the compost in the back is non functioning at the moment. Fruit peels and egg shells get left in a bag on the counter and are not always tied up. The ants are on to this so we are seeking alternatives. I still marvel at the strength of an ant to lift a crumb that is 3 times its size.
Dishes and laundry are all by hand.