whims

not much to report

That's a silly title for a posting, I guess. Maybe I should not write anything instead of not much. Anyway.

This past weekish is was full of working. I worked and worked and worked. It's almost over. One class ends tomorrow and the other on Tuesday. Then, I'm going to Macchu Picchu!! Yay! I think I'll leave on Tuesday or Wed.! Hehe. I'm actually going with one of my students, so it's not all bad that I had to wokr (I can also afford to go now.)

On Sat. we celebrate Halloween with the boys. It's kind of surprising they celebrate Halloween because the cardinal said that Catholics should not celebrate it, that it's an evil holiday and the directors are seriously religious. BUt, they were educated by N. American Methodists and it's part of their personal culture. So, they explained to the boys that they were not doing anything bad, simply putting on costumes and having a party. APparently some of the neighbors think it's absolutely horrible that they celebrate Halloween. I tried and tired to find a pumpkin but I couldn't! BUmmer. On the actual day of Halloween, I went with one of my students to a bar. It was totally packed and there was a little salsaish band. We had a very good time. Apparently, in Peru, a large percentage of the population go out on Oct. 31st to listen to Musica Criolla (black Peruvian music) Cool.

Yesterday, someone tried to rob me. I was int he taxi, writing a text message and the front window was open. THe taxi stopped in traffic and a youngster (17-23yrs old) ran up, reached his hand through window and tried to take my phone. He didn't manage and we drove away immediately (he ran away too) It didn't scare me too much but it was definitely surprising!

Oh, I've decided to go to McGIll in Jan. I can't make an 8 month commitment with 0 concrete plans.

Since, there isn't much news, I thought I'd make some general comments.

WHat there is a lot of here:
Babies, young children, pregnant women, little stores, traffic, pollution, noise, people working all the time, racism, people, rice, good food, combis, religious processions (at least in Oct.), language institutes, public displays of emotion, kisses on the cheek, women in skimpy dresses trying to sell/convince you of things...such as political candidates, bicycles attached to carts toting everythign from mattresses to furniture to people to dogs to pastries, street corner cafes where you can eat bbq and cebiche (mmm had some from a street this weekend. wow amazing!), theives, brick walls, political propoganda, brick houses, houses painted in colorful ways, markets, people selling popcorn/cookies/gum/whatever in the street...they come onto the bus to sell their stuff, cellphones, fruit, short people, homes made out of nothing (not tons but plenty), kfcs, pizza huts, mcdonalds, chifas (chinese food), use of the diminuative, public displays of affection, hungry children, catholics

What there isn't a lot of here:
Blondes, foreigners, personal cars (that depends on the area, I guess), coffee shops, libraries, green things(grass, trees, flowers), birds, sun (for now), tall buildings, apt. buildings, swimming pools, female taxi drivers (have not seen 1), females who work int he combis/transport, fur coats, starbucks (but there are some), parks, live statues (ive seen one), insects (cant survive the pollution?), condoms, free education,

Well, that's a start. I'm leaving for Cusco and Macchu Picchu on Wednesday. I'm totally excited, evne though I'll be away from my boys for 9 days. :(

OH, there are more photos in the photo link.

besos y abrazos a todos

posted by Marielly @ 8:42 AM