I'm in Peru, baby!!

Since the day I left for Peru, I have been writing spontaneous entries in my journal…. The following is a wrap-up of all I have deemed significant, comical, or interesting enough to post in a blog.
Before I return home I shall most likely post another. Hope I don’t disappoint!! Thank goodness for spell-check; I have atrocious spelling skills!
Oh, and the spaces between paragraphs indicate a lapse in minutes or hours, not days….

5-16-10
“Waiting at the Terminal”
On the way to the airport, at approx 6am on Sunday, John and I witnessed a deer on the shoulder of 35W struggling relentlessly to get up on her two busted-in-to-multiple-pieces front legs. Is that some sort of bad omen?? Should I be concerned? Trying not to be a drama queen about it, but inside I’m quite thoroughly disturbed…. Regardless of my freakish feelings concerning the possible “bad omen”, at this time of the morning the last thing one wishes to experience is the sight of a living creature experiencing horrendous suffering before (hopefully) being shot in the head by a nice police officer man. I’m telling myself that the deer has such an incredible amount of adrenaline rushing through her that she cannot feel a bit of the pain….

I love fartin around at airports. I always bring/buy a book to read buy usually only get about ¼ through the first chapter. Airports always offer wonderful grounds for people-watching! Ah, the diversity….Grown men should never wear pink pants, especially not with a navy suit-coat for cryin out loud! Or unless one is homeless…Okay, maybe there are many other exceptions to my rule…. Whatever. What am I? The fashion police?! Just saw a group of good-lookin black men that Jeanette would go NUTS for!

“On the Plane to Peru!”
Watched “Invicitus” for FREE! Yeeeeah! Note to self: movie much worth watching with John, extremely inspiring and all around feel-good. What’s-his-nuts who plays Nelson Mandella does a great job, based on what I have learned about Mandella; how he treats others, his history, demeanor, etc. John should know about this man. Everyone should.

5-17-10
“8:30am in Lima Hotel”
I noticed last night, on the way home from Lima airport, many billboards and various large public ads feature white models with long, thin, and straight hair. WTF? You’d think that in their own country they could at least be bombarded with ads that feature models of their own skin color/ethnicity. I’m absolutely positive there are many willing and WORTHY men/women in South America to work as models. I am a cynic, I know….but I am willing to bet this is because….WHO owns all these large companies?! That’s right! Whities!! White MEN to be more specific. I know there are many women nowadays working their way in to corporate America, CEOS, etc…. But I can think of no other logical explanation at this point. I have seen many many many beautiful Peruvians. COME. ON. Now, I am not saying that there aren’t Peruvians who own successful businesses, I am talking about big-name brands such as Pampers, Pantene, Nextel, Nestle, Coca-Cola (same thing), etc. Oh yes. You bet your ass I’m taking note, making lists. I am THE queen of lists.
Scrumptious breakfast buffet at this place. Coffee rocks. So do the mini-magical croissants! Mmmm and fruit and toast and stuff. Yeah buddy.

I have been watching Spanish TV most of the morning/evening with my roomie in the hotel. Spanish cable networks DO utilize mostly Latin-looking models in their TV commercials….NOTED.

Tonight, had awesome food and watched an awesome traditional Peruvian dance/music show at a VERY fancy-dancy restaurant in Lima! FREE – included in ISA program. So far, impressed with ISA director (Gabby) and co-directory (Andy). This place was top notch dude.

5-18-10
“At the Hotel after the Bus/Museum Tour”
Oy. Also, Offdah. Has been another long an crazy day! Had amazing food AGAIN. Went to a restaurant in Lima with the group. Had an awesome ravioli stuffed with cheese and spinach and covered in delicious mushroom sauce and fresh-grated cheese. Touched the tip of my tongue to a red pepper off someone’s Ceviche (traditional Peruvian sea-food dish, fresh off the coast). BIG mistake. Muy picante holy CRAP!
Having a rather difficult time getting enough oxygen here. We are at sea level, so it’s not that the air itself that lacks oxygen. Although it’s winter here, and the temp only gets to about 65 degrees, it is extremely humid (98%). I think the humid and smog-cloaked air is causing my shortness of breath…. Oh well. Too many distractions to really care at this point! Better just take it easy….

Screw it, I feel like shit. I’m ordering room service. Actually costs less to eat room service than at the famous Peruvian fast-food place (“Bembos”). Chicken noodle soup and Inca Kola sounds perfecto. Mmmm…..I heart Inca Kola! Tastes like cream soda to me. Good bubbliness makes me burb. Nice. Room service totaled s/16.50, which is about $6. Sweeeeeet. First time ordering room service!!

I don’t feel like shit anymore! That’s a good thing since 3am leaving for airport to Cusco will come fast!

5-19-10
“On Plane to Cusco”
Lucky ducky! I got a window seat!

Cried like a baby flying over the Andes at FREAKIN SUNSET!!!!!!! Are you KIDDING ME with this shit?!?!?! I’m so blessed. Incredible. I’m SO glad I didn’t continue to limit myself and my options for this one life I have. And all along the way, things just kind of worked out. SO many things could have gone WAY wrong. I had to jump many hurdles to get here and I am feeling an overwhelming sense of, not only spiritual intensity, but pride in myself for getting me here.

“En mi Nuevo Casa en Cusco”
Breath-taking, tear-jerking views. Apparently there is something like an “orphanage” in my backyard….consists of a soccer field and a few large stucco buildings that look like warehouses….sheep, crops, a few various flower gardens. Trying to communicate with Mama (Nany) because she habla muy poco Inlges and yo hablo muy poco Espanol. Will be good for me, however. Will force me to really work on it! Mama and Gabriel (Gabo, my host father) picked us up at airport in Cusco. Gabo speaks excellent English. Something about Nany just compels me to call her Mama already. She exudes warmth and mom-like energy.
I have two housemates from the US, both attend Mississippi University together as Anthropologist students. I have my own room. WHAT?! That’s right! RockIN!!! As I was settling in, and my roomies were takin naps, I heard a pan flute being played outside. Looked out the window and witnessed a man walking a bike along the street, playing random notes on his flute. VERY cool. Host parents are seriously sweet as pie and I can already tell they have great sense of humour! YAY! They appear to be modern/non-traditional Peruvians. They are a re-married couple each with two children who attend Universities in Lima and Cusco (live outside the home). I hope I get to meet at least few of them at some point.

5-20-10
“Muy Enfermo”
Oy, I’ve been very ill. Altitude sickness (“Soroche”) kicking my ass.

Host father (Gabo) has “Black Betty” as a ring-tone for his cellphone. How kick ASS is THAT?! Did I mention that Mama gives GREAT hugs? Came in to wake me this morning with a big ol hug in bed. I heart Mama. She also gave me Limon tea (Mate de Limon) in bed.

21, 5, 10
Started classes today. I am VERY lucky because both my classes are in one building (actually an old Spanish-colonial house with two open courtyards). Some students have to trek about 15/20 minutes across town in between classes. There is a Café adjoining the street/school. Looks like it has affordable prices and a great menu with plenty of options. This place is great!! Classes are on second floor. To get there we go up the stairs and then across some wood planks on a type of cat-walk overlooking the main courtyard with a tree.
Spanish is taught all in Spanish. OY! REALLY wish ISA would have told me their website and their brochure LIES when it says taught in English…. Oh well. I was pissed for about 10 min but I’m over it now. This will make me learn faster. Also, at least I am HERE and learning Spanish as intended! All will be well. My classmates are great and answer the questions I have (teacher doesn’t seem to know much English and answers my questions in mostly-Spanish Spanglish). Oh, btw my Spanish teacher wants us to date things as they do here in Peru, so I am getting myself in the habit….(DD/MM/YY).
My other class, Peruvian culture, seems like it will be very interesting and great fun. My professor is French, but he has been living in Cusco for many many years. He is an anthropologist. Has been all over the world. Probably his written many books and been part of many great things. I think he started the school. AND he owns the Tinku Café in the bottom floor of school. His dog, a golden named Cory (in the indigenous language of the outer villages it means “Gold”) is at school all day, begging for scraps. Cory is super sweet. Reminds me a lot of June. Loves to beg, get pet, sniff, and sleep. I think I will LOVE IT here!

22, 5, 10
“In Town Below Machu Picchu”
So I have no idea what the name of this town is…. But it is the last tourist village before taking a bus to the ruins. Had to take a taxi, then a bus, then a train to get here. Wow. Amazing village tucked in between GINORMOUS mountains covered in moss and vines. There is a river going through town. Beautious. Narrow and STEEP walking-only streets made of brick/stone single way to get around here; small place.
I feel so emotional and spiritual since in Peru! Casey said he would pray with me in Machu Picchu. Since I have been feeling a calling to pray (to whom/what/how/what about, I have only the slightest inkling), I feel I cannot ignore it. I have been lost in my faith for many years; since shortly after leaving Treehouse. Sometimes I really want to believe, other times, logic and cynicism takes over and I cannot bring myself to take any of it seriously. Casey takes Christianity very seriously and a few of us have had some great conversations/debates on religious topics. LOVE. IT. I’m worried I will fall apart once in the ruins. I’ve been blubbering away (happy tears) at the drop of a hat lately!

After dinner at a local restaurant (which consisted of great food, drinks, and MANY MANY laughs), I went with the ISA group to the “natural hot springs” tonight…. I’m sorry to say they were rather disappointing. The “natural” “hot” “springs” are actually a series of concrete hot tubs set in a large concrete pad in the mountains (cue Pink Floyd to play in background – for real). The view above/around was great!! We were completely outdoors and literally right in the crevasse of mountains. However, we could not see (only hear) the river that flowed down-hill beside us because of the high concrete walls. Also, by the time we got there, the water was slightly warm. Not remotely hot. However, that was OUR fault for not getting there sooner in the day. Supposedly the water is brought in daily from the hot springs. I smell bullshit….Maybe not. AGAIN, I am an admitted cynic. Lol.

As I am falling asleep in the hotel room I can hear live Andean music somewhere outside. Great background to fall asleep to….

MORE TO COME!!!!