Notes

Note about Dogs:

I have mentioned the noise has probably been the biggest unexpected adjustment for me in Chimbote. It is 24/7 - dogs, cars, marching bands, fireworks, music and random traveling vendors on speaker phones. Non-stop. There are roosters but you do not hear them as much because the dogs are louder.

The stray dogs are numerous in the streets. I have a varied fitness routine; yoga, jump rope (boxing style) and running. When I run, I have taken to carrying rocks which I aim at the feet of dogs that are a little too territorial. Most dogs will not even bark if they see the rock but it does stop the occasional pursuit. Don't worry, no dogs have been hurt. However, I felt inclined to share with you a sentiment that is apparently pretty universal and unchanging.

My father recently shared an excerpt about stray dogs he found in a Scottish tea merchant's journal that dates back to the late 1800's. The following journal entry is his description of stray dogs in Keelung, Taiwan. It reads below:

"The dogs of the town are numerous and as uncivil 'as they make them' in a domesticated state. If you have the misfortune to be spotted by one of them on entering the main street, you can depend on all the other dogs giving tongue in the usual cheerful and 'friendly' way, often noticeable in other Chinese towns through which the foreign 'barbarian' is accustomed to frequently pass. The key note having been given by the first observant friend of man is taken up by every dog in the street, and the yelping, barking, growling and snarling which accompanies you through the dirty town causes one to feel, I must confess it, most murderously inclined."

There you have it, solidarity around the world.


Love Note:

I usually write about some of the more grim aspects of life in Chimbote so when I heard about this story I felt obligated to share it with you. There is love in Chimbote, young love. After I got off the phone Sunday night with my weekly call from Sergio, I noticed Jennifer, who is a missionary at the church/ youth ministry, was helping a young man in the living room with an English translation. He (sorry no names) is 15 years old, in confirmation class and completely head over heels for a girl that he sees in confirmation class and liturgical theater. Jennifer made sure the girl of his affections was unattached before she signed on to help. He gave Jennifer a lengthy explanation of what he loves about his crush, thinks she is great, etc. Both 15 year olds are from Chimbote so I was curious as to why he wanted to write the letter in English. He explained he wanted to give her a puzzle/ a love letter that she had to decode and thus discover his sentiment. Jennifer has observed both in confirmation and theater and thinks they are well matched. I will try to check back to see if he was successful. Jennifer anticipates the young girl will approach her next for translation help putting the same letter back into Spanish. Young love is so beautiful and innocent.