Spanish. Girls. Puppies.

I’ve been dragging my feet into my Spanish classes this week. We’ve been working on grammar and all the confusing aspects associated with that. I love English. English at school was potentially one of my favourite subjects. I love grammar and punctuation and things that are well-written and blah blah blah but when it comes to trying to learn the basics in another language…it’s not so fun! Haha. All the ‘esta’ ‘estas’ ‘este’ ‘estes’ ‘ese’ ‘somo’ ‘hay’ etc….it drive me crazy! The others in my class also get private lessons, so I’m really feeling like I’m lagging! I keep trying though. Ahhhhh. Slightly annoying. It’s ok though. I’ll have some usable phrases memorized by the time I come home. I may not be able to write a sentence or even remember how to form one properly…but I’m ok with that! 

The orphanage is going well. The girls are just the best. I love them! They come up to you with big smiles and hugs at the ready. “Hola senorita! Hola senorita!”

I’ve been playing with them on their play equipment, starting ball games and just hanging out. They are so adorable…and love being the subject of the photo or the photographer. It’s fun to go there in the afternoons. It really improves my mood and I know it’s improving empathetic, sympathetic and any other motherly feelings. Bethany had two BIG boxes of undies/singlet’s/toothbrushes/socks/shoes/dolls/t-shirts, etc for the orphanage, which her employers sent over from California. The next day, after all the goods had been distributed, all the girls would come up to her and hug her and say “muchos gracias senorita!”. They genuinely looked grateful. It was so lovely to see.

Watching them all interact as they play games and do their homework and run around with each other is fascinating. You see who the leaders are and who the little monkeys are and who is tend to stick to the shadows. They are all so nice to each other and thus far I have never seen a fight break out or one be mean to another.

I am so convinced that everyone needs to do some kind of volunteer work. There is something for everyone and I just know that it would be such a positive and wonderful experience. I honestly wish my friends were here and were able to help out with me. I can’t stress enough how good it would be for them. Not that they are bad people or anything, but I just want everyone to feel what I feel and experience what I’m experiencing. I feel I go on about this a bit, but honestly…everyone would benefit!! COME AND VISIT.

I have only 5 more weekends here in Peru. Which is slightly crazy. I’ll be hitting up the USA in only a month’s time! It still only feels like my second week here. I was reading through my ‘Lonely Planet’ guide earlier this week and started making a list of all the places, in a relatively close vicinity that I want to visit. I have at least 4 overnight trips and a few others in and around Cuzco. The next month will be fairly packed! I’m a little apprehensive about these trips, as unless I pay for an organized tour (which I want to steer clear of as much as possible, as they will most likely over-charge me…as with any tourist) I will be going by myself. I know a few people here, and also know that they are waiting for friends to come over and travel to all the touristy stuff with them or they have a few more months and are going to leave it till later. I’m not overly-confident about going by myself, not for any other reason than I don’t have a fantastic grasp of the language. PLUS it’s not the safest country to be wandering around on your own when you don’t speak Spanish. Haha. This weekend I think I’ll just be sticking near Cuzco. I’lll go see ‘Temple de la Luna’, ‘Sacsayhuaman’, ‘Pukapukara’, Tambomachy’ and the like. These and a few other ruins and sanctuaries are all within and hour of the city. Buses and taxi’s run up the frequently, so I shouldn’t have too many problems.

One of the other volunteers, who I have mentioned previously, Bethany, leaves today. She was really cool and we became friends for the few weeks that our time here overlapped. Last night, we made dinner and she wanted it to be an all-American feast – so we bought 6 boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese, and also a loaf of white bread, grape jam/jelly and crunchy peanut butter. We had a table piled high with Mac and Cheese and Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. Haha. It was pretty funny. We had an unexpected dinner guest from Maximo Nivel come. I felt bad that we wasn’t able to try the wonderful food that Joni makes for dinner, but he seemed to like the ultra-processed food we had prepared. Haha. I have photos and they will go up on Facebook soon (along with photos from the orphanage). Last weekend, Bethany came home with a PUPPY. She paid s/35 (AUD$17.50) her. (NB: her friend also bought a puppy –presumably a husky cross- and only paid s/5 or AUD$2.50) Bethany named the little cutie CHASKA, which means ‘star’. She is a Labrador cross and a darker brown colour. So so cute. Bethany’s friend paid off the vet to sign all the forms and say that the dog is fit and well and old enough to travel. In reality, we all fairly accurately guess the puppies ages to be, oh, I don’t know, 4 weeks! So wrong. Bethany was going to take Chaska with her, however she has now decided that she will leave her in the care of me…until some friends of the family we live with come and pick her up. CRAZY. I’m thinking of buying a little turtle for s/25….just like my little babies at home. Ha.

It’s Friday, 13 March for me; but Saturday, 14 March for everyone back in Sydney…so…HAPPY BIRTHDAY LACHLAN J I love you and am thinking of you (and will bring some good presents!)

XX

...it's been a long time coming...

(thank you Oliver James...)

I have finally started my project!! My goodness. It feels like it’s been a long time coming.

 

I had my orientation on Monday and there were two other girls from Australia there in my morning session. One from Cairns and the other from Brisbane. They seem nice enough. I’m not convinced I’ll be best friends with anyone from my intake, however they are lovely people, are here for good reasons and have many interesting stories and experiences to tell.

 

After orientation in the morning I had a meeting in the afternoon and was taken out to see my project. It’s an all-girls orphanage, near Cuzco airport (as in, you can hear the planes take off and land…and it’s quite loud!). These girls are all wards of the state and have no family (they were abandoned), or their family isn’t fit to care for them. There are 32 girls currently there, ranging in age from 4 to 15. As I approached the gates, with the Maximo staff I started tearing up. I hadn’t even seen any of the girls yet and didn’t know anything about the orphanage…yet just standing out the front, by the dirt road, looking at the tall walls with broken bottles on the edges, thinking about how they don’t leave this compound, it really affected me.

 

The next day (yesterday for me, the day before yesterday for you!) I went and took my first Spanish class in the morning. It was…ok. I wish learned more French in school, or actually paid attention to the technical side of the language, as I think it might have helped me! The rules are apparently very similar. Anyway, Spanish is a go-er every morning from 11am-1pm. During that first class, there were only 3 of us. I hope the class stays that small, even though there are meant to be able 6 others in the class. A smaller class is much nicer…and I don’t feel as intimidated and self-conscious about speaking and learning this foreign language!

That afternoon I went over to the orphanage. The lady who runs the institute is very well-dressed and well presented…and doesn’t speak any English. So there are just lots of smiles and nods that take place between the two of us. The girls know “Hello” in English and some even know how to say “what is your name…?” and “my name is…”. I found it hard to catch some of the names as they were being said…they are unfamiliar to me….I have 6 weeks to remember and learn them though! The girls are so friendly and affectionate. I don’t even know them and there were some that were coming up and giving me hugs; taking my hand and showing me the flowers and vegetables they are growing; teaching my hand-clapping games and just wanting to sit next to me and link arms. I see so many good qualities in these girls. You look at them and see how good they are. When they come up as close as they can to you, and look up into your eyes, you can’t help but think…why are you here? Are there people that love you, outside these walls? What will your life turn out like? I have a lot of empathy and love for them already. I want to do something fantastic for them and really help them. I’m still thinking….

But any ideas would be greatly appreciated…

 

I think that’s about it for me: I wish I had more warm clothes. I bought the warmest alpaca slippers, which keep my feet nice and toasty. I think the climate is the reason for my nose always running…and believe it or not, but I can’t find any boxes of tissues for purchase anywhere…toilet paper seems to be the material of choice. When thinking about it in terms of days, I still have ages here…but in reality, it’s only 6weeks. 6 weeks to go to Machu Picchu, Puno and Lake Titicaca, The Sacred Valley, The ruins around Cuzco (including Sexy-Woman…it honestly sounds like they are saying ‘sexy woman’ when they mention this particular ruin), AND to do all my shopping! I’m slightly concerned about how it’s all going to fit in my bags…and then how all my shopping from the next port-of-call will fit. (MUM BRING AN EXTRA SUITCASE!)

 

I still miss people terribly, but I have to get into this project and give everything I can. I’m here for these kids. I can’t keep thinking of all the good fresh produce I’m missing out on from home and the lovely weather and this and that and the other. I’ll get to return to my fam and friends maybe not soon enough, but soon.

 

lovelovelovelove

Catch-ups and Cuy

I am unfortunately unable to access the internet everyday and even when I do get online, the internet that I use cuts in and out so much that sometimes I don’t even get to respond to emails! Very frustrating, as I’m sure you can appreciate.

Since I last blogged, I have moved into my homestay, which is in Cuzco…and only a 10minute walk from the Maximo Nivel Office and a 15minute walk from the main square. It’s the home of a mother and daughter (21). The mother, Joni, doesn’t speak English, but Wendy, the daughter speaks it fairly fluently. When I moved in there were 3 other volunteers, (Rachel, 34, UK; Kristen, 20, USA; Bethany, 20, USA) during the week we have had Rachel and Kristen leave and Mary, 21, USA and Nathan, 20, USA, (TEFL teachers) arrive.

Last Saturday night I was able to see one of from friends, Tess who was here with some friends to do Machu Picchu. Our visit only lasted for a few hours, as her group was leaving to Lima that night, but it was so good to see someone familiar and chat! So so good.

I also cancelled my Machu Picchu trek. I will trek at some stage, but I didn’t think it wise to do so, whilst I was still adjusting to the altitude and getting over the flu (NB: which I am STILL getting over L). When I went to Llama Path, to ask that my deposit be transferred to another time/another trek/something, the lady behind the desk was like “you look fine to me”, meanwhile, I’m thinking, “uhhh I don’t care how fine I look, I feel terrible, so it’s not happening!” After a little bit of debate and not much negotiation, I left, with my half-paid for trek being non-refundable. Whatever, I was so over it by that stage.
When I got onto the internet next, I emailed Dad and told him, who then proceeded to investigate it further. Over the days that ensued he was able to secure a portion of the deposit to go towards another trek. Which is a much better result than when I dealt with the office, but still not ideal. Whatever happened to full refunds hey!?

OHMYGOSH, so I had to move into my homestay on the Sunday, and also attend church. I was supposed to be out of my hostel room by 10am, and I had timed it well so that I would be able to do all three of those tasks. It was going to work…had I not stayed up til 4am and then been woken up by the cleaning lady trying to open my door at 10:30am! I like leapt out of bed, ran to the door, told the lady “5minutes 5 minutes” and then rushed around packing and getting ready for church! It was fairly miraculous that I made it downstairs and to the front desk at 10:45am. AHHH! I took a taxi to Maximo and dropped off my bags then jumped into another taxi to take me to church. The taxi I caught had NO IDEA where he was going and took me like all the way up the other end of the city! I kept being like “no, no” haha and he’d say all this stuff in Spanish and I’m like, man I don’t know what you’re saying, but I know we’re not going the right way! After about 15minutes, I just got him to pull over and I got out. Not happy. I hailed down another taxi and got him to take me to the chapel, which he was able to do…unlike the last driver. I ended up getting to church at around 11:30am! Little bit late. Haha. For the half hour that I was there (it was Stake Conference), I just read my scriptures, as it was all in Spanish and I still don’t understand the language!

Anyway Anyway, for this past week, I’ve just been exploring the city (as per usual), and going around with Rachel doing touristy and Maximo stuff, before she left.
I was able to accompany her to her project, up on the moutain (a school house, with three rooms – that house approx: 50kids in each). It was a killer, there is no oxygen up there! I was dying. Huffing and puffing as we walked and walked and walked up the hill. Oh my goodness. It was ridiculous! When we FINALLY got up there (after a 30minute bus ride and 30minute walk) I had to sleep, on some wooden chairs for a few hours, just to get my head to stop spinning and my breathing to regulate. Haha so soft. I’m hoping that my project won’t be up in the mountains! We were there to help organize the school supplies for the year – put them all into backpacks, ready for the kids to pick up, to start the school year…pens, paper, glue, paint and the like. It was a big job and the small venue was bustling with volunteers. It was really cool. Freezing, but I was glad to be involved, even after the killer walk up the mountain.

Later on the in the week, Rachel and I went to Tipon to view these Incan aqua-ducts, that are still able to provide water from the mountains to the towns below. They were really cool. Amazing to think that they were built hundreds of years ago, and look so perfect. They are all perfectly in line, extremely functional and have hardly been affected by the years at all. These aqua-ducts were only discovered back in 2001/2002, so they aren’t very touristy yet, as the conservation process, is still underway. Tipon is also famous for ‘cuy’, which is guinea pig. Yeah. Guinea pig. We walked down to this restaurant (which is pretty much someone’s dirt backyard) and ordered. The look of it completely freaked me out, it gave me goosebumps, just to look at it, there was NO WAY I could even touch it…not even for a photo. Bleughhhh. It came with some roasted capsicum and salted pasta. It came out whole, and the son cut off the head and quartered it for us. Mmm. I still couldn’t touch it, so I had to get some of the meat out, with a fork. The texture is exactly like that of the dark meat of chicken. It’s a veryvery rich meat and overly greasy. The meat tastes like smoked bacon at first (keeping in mind the texture is like chicken) and then it kind of tastes like veal or duck.
I have put pictures on Facebook. I warn you though, the guinea pig can look quite gross.

I’m going to try and do some shopping today. I’ve found this private school uniform cardie, that I want to buy. It looks pretty cool. Preppy. Vintage. Haha and I do need to buy slippers, socks, beenies, all that cool market stuff. THEN I can try and work out what to buy for other people. Gosh. My list is so long, I have no idea how I’m going to fit it in my bags, THEN cart it around the USA THEN bring all my spoils from both Peru and the USA home. Man oh man oh man.

As I mentioned previously, I am still getting over the flu. It’s definitely in the later stages, but just not leaving yet. I’m also not quite adjusted here yet. The days drag on and it seems like my time just isn’t getting shorter. Everyone’s like “Oh the time goes so fast” – yeah, not yet.
On Monday I start Spanish classes in the morning, and then attending the orphanage in the afternoon. That should be interesting and hopefully keep me busy…actually, I’m sure it will.

 

Loveyarrr&Missyarrrr, too much.