whims

how do u like it?

No yet can I say I'm used to it here. THe language barrier is too strong and honestly, I stick out like a sore thumb. It's insane how much attention I get, even in situations when u'd think I wouldn't (like walking with the boys from their school back to the house...holding their hands) Well, that's just part of life here.

When people ask me if I like it here, I don't know what to say right away. I'm really happy I'm here. This decision was a great one, but the question is, do I like LIma?

There is tons of pollution and no sun. COmbes and traffic everywhere and I can't go anywhere without someone saying something. It's noisy and dangerous. There's tons of poverty: people selling sweets in the streets, kids everwhere begging for money-on the street corners, doing cartwheels in the street, jumping and jumping to wipe the front windsheild off for a few cents. It's very sad. Trash on the street. Rubble from old buildings. Shanty towns. Stray dogs. It's the 3rd world....at least where I live and work. The other thing is, the discrepancy between rich and poor is enormous! I went to visit this woman from the airport (my friends were very concerned for me going alone...everything was fine) She's completely loaded. Lives in a secure neighborhood, has two servants, two cars...etc etc. SHe gave me a lovely necklace. Very generous and nice to me. ...she has a son who's about 30ish years old. My family here keeps joking that the only reason she invited me is because she wants a blonde wife for her son. COuldbe, could be. This woman, though kind, seemed to have no clue about what an average Peruvian life is. We don't have water from 10pm-3am because the community is trying to conserve it. WE don't get fresh milk,but use evaporated. We can't use the phone in teh day unless we have a special card. She grimiced and shook her head whenever I mentioned something. I have that, she'd say. HOw ridiculous that your Peruvian family doesn't! And my Peruvian family has a lot: like this internet connection, for example. The other issue is race. Last night I went straight from a failed birthday party for one of the chicos at Posada Belen to Miraflores: the bar section of town. Riding in the bus through Callao, I saw dark people-black people and darker hispanics who, perhaps, have recently moved from the mountains to LIma. I was definitely the only blonde. Once arriving in Miraflores, the palate changed drastically. Skin lighter and lots more blondes :) There are clubs here that won't allow darker skinned Peruvians in. Bull Shit. These things get to me everyday. This place certainly has its problems.

But, I love my boys. I love working with them even though it's very hard sometimes because they all have problems and the place is idiotically strict. I'm still trying to figure out what the need from me...I think, more than anything, they simply need some love and cushion in their lives. Less rules more compassion. My family is great. THe food is very yummy, but not super healthy. :) Learing Spanish, though tiring, is great and something I really want to do. All the people I've met have been amazingly nice to me. THey give kisses on the cheek. I like that. ALso, having this experience. Stretching myself. Trying new new, different things, that I like too.

So, do I like it here? I have no idea. COuld I live here forever? I have no idea. Am I glad I came? Hell yes. Hell yes. HOnestly, I don't think I have enough time here.

Well that's it.

posted by Marielly @ 7:10 PM