Again, it feels like we've been here longer than a day. After a quick tour of the Maximo Nivel headquarters and our accommodations - "The Family House III" - we had breakfast and crashed for a few hours. Exhaustion was inevitable after our trip, but hopefully we won't fall prey to altitude sickness, which is quite common for volunteers. Advice abounds among our housemates, though, so we're in good hands if that happens. Overall, we are really pleased with our house so far. Everyone is friendly and fun, the food is phenomenal, and it's really accessible to the nicer and more historic parts of town. Josh and I went for a walk and explored a bit this afternoon. We ambled through a huge market, selling everything from meat and fruits to woolen goods and toys, and then spilled out into streets and streets of outdoor vendors. Though at first we got a little lost in the more "local" parts of town, we eventually found our way to the Avenida El Sol (the main drag in town, also where Maximo Nivel is located) and some of the more popular plazas. We took a few photos on our walk, though I wish I'd gotten one of a lady arranging her wheelbarrow display of oranges with her baby colorfully wrapped and dozing in the same wheelbarrow! I was wary of taking pictures of the locals and making spectacles of their everyday life, but I'm working up my courage to ask to take their picture - apparently they like that. The most interesting is how the older women all dress in their quintessential Peruvian skirts, vests, and hats, completely untouched by fashion evolutions. No photos of us just yet, but enjoy the few we have so far! Many more to come, especially once I get over my inhibitions about being too obnoxiously touristy.
We have our orientation tomorrow (and I have an English teaching crash course), and we will get to view our projects tomorrow and Tuesday, so more updates soon to come!
4 comments:
Adriana, How wonderful you make everything sound! I'm so glad you both arrived unscathed and are among friendly and helpful housemates! Can't wait to hear more about this amazing city you and Josh have ventured to. Thanks for the update! Love you both!
Definitely sounds like fun times are ahead! What a colorful marketing idea!! Oranges - baby - oranges, oranges... So glad things are coming along well.. oh no, i hope the 'sunglasses mishap' did not involve those cool Ray Bans.. Tell Josh he has my deepest sympathies if so.. have fun! Enjoy! love you!
Adriana, as usual, your writing "takes me there"! When Oma and I were in Cusco--back in the dark ages--the locals did like to have their pictures taken, especially if you slipped them a little coin. Today it may take a few bills, but don't be afraid to ask! "Puedo tomarle una foto?" :) Can't wait to see more pictures and hear more about your work. Aunt Betty
Thanks, everyone! Mom, unfortunately, the sunglasses mishap did involve Josh's Maui Jims - they disappeared in Bogota. Quite the tragedy :(
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