Let me start out by saying to you all, thank you for your kind, kind words. This last week has not been the easiest of my life, but it has been rewarding nonetheless. When I last left off with post of pure negativity, i was feeling just that. It was hard to communicate at home, ciencia de politica (politica science) may be the hardest class I will ever have to take, and i was placed in a Spanish class i had been studying all winter break to NOT be in. On top of that, I was feeling quite sick (though, not nearly as bad as our dear boy Andy.) Now that the cloud of negativity has passed, and i actually realized people read this blog (I literally thought it was gonna be Rachael and Miss Sullivan) here is the real first week of Perú.
Let me start out by saying that Cusco has to be one of the most historically beautiful cities in the world. It's cobble stone or brick streets along with its antique adobie buildings and churches (there are 21 in the city) make it look like a step back in time. My house is located about three blocks away from the Plaza de Armas, which is the main tourist hub in the city. It is littered with hostels, bars (pubs included), discos, and most importantly, vendadors. Los vendadors sell your typical touristy things, bracelets, hats, paintings, a picture with a llama and baby sheep... oh wait...
Many of the indigenous people of Perú dress up in their beautiful traditional clothes, and walk around the plaza asking tourists if they want a picture with them and the llama or the baby sheep. Most tourists have never even seen these animals in real life let along touch them or hold them, so its too good of a deal for them to pass up. These people must make a KILLING.
Any way back to the square. Because I live so close, I walk there all the time. Just to people watch, or for a walk, or because its a nice day, something like that. I live about 10 min for the school, Centro Bartolome de las Casas, and another 20 from the ProWorld office. I love walking, even though whenever i pass a vendador the ask me if i want to buy something. I think i say "no, gracias" more than any other phrase here. Andy and I live on opposite sides of town. Literally. The combi to Andy's house is about 60 centimos (25 american cents) and a taxi is 3-5 soles ($2.30) So honestly, its not bad at all.
Now onto my family. I LOVE THEM! It's only two people, my host mom Pilar and my host sister Claudia, but they are so wonderful. Pili is the most caring person i think i have ever met. She Loves cooking for me, and makes sure I do not have a trace of wheat in my food. She literally grabbed a cookie out of my hand when she read the label and saw it had a type of grain that came from trigo. She also enjoys being my Cuzcanian tour guide in every way. She likes taking me around the city and explaining all the old buildings, squares, signs, and statues. She also studies Andian medicine. When I was sick she had her friend Ana come and preform a ritual with a huevo and petrólio de flores, egg and flower oil. I did actually feel better afterwards...
She has also explained to me all the important relics here. On top of many houses are dos toros, un crus, y un escalera. (2 male cows, a cross and a latter) The toros represent security, the crus is pretty obvious, and the escalera is what we have to climb to go to heaven. There is also very popular representations or heaven, human, and the devil, and they are hidden all around the city. There is the condor, which is said to be the closes living creature to heaven. There is the serpiente, which is once again, pretty obvious. And there is the puma. The puma is strong, quick, and reliable. Somos pumas.
Another thing i have to mention is the food. Its VERY different from the states, but VERY good. Potatoes and common here, along with papaya and grains. Desayuno is yogurt, cereal, bread, juice, milk, cheese, meat. Almorzo is GRANDE and awesome. It's normally two courses, salad or soup first, then a big dish with meat and potatoes and rice (always) with spices and salsas and other really good stuff. Cena is smaller, and really could be anything, a left over from yesterday, meet, rice. I literally look forward to ever meal. One time at a restaurant i had alpaca meat and chicha morada (a purple corn drink). That was interesting. Still on the lookout for good cuy (if you don't know what that is, google it)
It's actually really cool. Although i play tourist sometimes. I really feel like I live here now, which is weird becaues it is SOOOO differnt from the US, and my Spanish is still..... I'm unpacked, i know my way around the city pretty well, and i have good friends and family. The other volunteers on this trip are wonderful. I have really really connected with some of them. It's been a long week, but an awesome week. I've explored a city, learned (some) Spanish, made friends, and ate great food.
One of my friends Corey says all the time "I really can't believe we are here. In south america. On the other side of the equator. I can't believe it!" I have the same feeling. It's that increíble.
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