Writings done for IW mission blog

iw mission blog

I am aware there are some pretty big holes in my blog. We have been living without electricity (community sacrifice for lent) and the battery life on my laptop died so my motivation to compose blog entries has been at an all-time low. Thanks to the generosity of family, I am back in action. I have decided to fill in the blanks with excerpts I have written for the IW Mission Blog in March and February.

Excerpt taken from the IWM Mission Blog;
On March 4, 2010

Because Food is Always Better When Shared

I am very thankful for food. It is a topic I can get A LOT of mileage out of in a conversation. I enjoy cooking, as do most Peruvians. Peruvians are very proud of their regional dishes and are more than happy to tell you everything that goes into preparing one. A conversation may start by someone asking what your favorite Peruvian dish is, and from there you may discuss a recipe, where to buy the food in the market or even how to grow it. It is a wonderful way to share in the culture. I have gleaned many a new recipe from my Peruvian friends and coworkers and look forward to sharing them with friends and family back home.

Something I noticed early on in my stay here: food is very communal. If you buy anything as a snack at a local corner store, personal size is not for personal use. It is considered proper etiquette to offer it to all in your company. A small personal size soda bottle, Halloween-size bag of chips and even an individual serving size of an ice cream bar, all germs aside, is expected to be passed around. You may only get a taste of your purchase but that is of no great consequence. Filling your belly is not the objective, sharing is.

The same goes in the work place. Since I have been working inside hospice, the staff all takes a break mid-morning together. We wait until after the doctor has made the rounds with the patients, then we retreat into the kitchen for a mini-potluck. Hot tea and sugar, bread, butter, marmalade and sometimes a fried egg is on the menu. Everyone brings something. I usually pick up bread for a sol on my way in. Others may bring the eggs, milk, butter or lunch meat. All is shared. It is the essence of what builds relationships here.

From IW Mission Blog February 4, 2010;

Summer in the Southern Hemisphere

Summer has returned for me like an old friend. Vamos a la playa! We may be in a dessert but we are also within 30 minute drive of three beautiful beaches. Public transportation easily gets you there and back for around 10 sols. I have to admit there is a certain satisfaction to be enjoying the fruits of summer once again in Peru while everyone else is complaining about the cold weather back home.


There are so many things to take in here. The sun is intense but there is always an ocean breeze so the heat index is not that high. Sunscreen and hats are a must. Anyone can sell anything here without a permit so there are many vendors for cool treats in every neighborhood. For 50 centimos, you can pick from a variety of treats made of ice & real fruit to cool down.

Neighborhoods come alive after night fall. The volleyball nets come out and the people sit outside their house to catch the night breeze, play music and watch the games. There usually is a sol at stake for those playing. Double or nothing. After 7 pm, you can hardly walk our dirt roads without passing a volleyball net or a soccer game in progress.

School is out too, so there are lots of children playing in the street. Spindle tops, though ancient, are still in play here with the youth. The public swimming pool is open for those who can or want to learn to swim. The shallow end of the pool is packed with those who want to splash. Unfortunately, for the most part, the swim lanes in the middle go unoccupied. Not too many know how. Classes are available for the brave.

In February, children have the added delight of Carnivales. At any given time, young or old, working or not, male or female, regardless of your age, you could become the innocent target of a random water balloon or water gun. Just laugh it off, you will be dry soon enough. It helps beat the heat. Peru knows how to enjoy the summer.