Macho Mama!

This past Thursday I went to the fruit market in the center of Lima. It was quite the experience! I love going to the center of Lima. It's vivacity is so intriguing. When I went to the fruit market, I brought my camera in hope of catching the central market's liveliness. Considering how dangerous the center of Lima is, this was a daring act. There are so many robbers in the center of Lima. These people have no limitations. My family was telling me that these robbers would just rip my camera off from my neck or even throw themselves into the car through the window to get ahold of my camera. Thankfully, I had my mom there to protect me and watch over me. Here are a couple of pictures I took. Hopefully, you can get an idea of how the market it from the pics!

I like going to the market. This is what Lima is really like! Lima is not like the rich parts of La Molina or Miraflores where everything is nice. Going to the center of Lima is a real cultural experience that gives so much insight about Lima's people and how they work externally and internally. When I go to the center of Lima I feel like I am in a whole other world and time period. 

I was certainly glad that my mom was there to protect me! The looks some people gave me were definitely a warning that I could have been in trouble. But the looks my mom shot back were more threatening. My mom has so much brute force! Although the women of Peru are reserved and less-respected, my mom does not act this way. I love that my mom is strong and stands up for herself. At the dinner table, at which my mom (not dad) sits at the head of the table, we recount times such as when my mom beat up a guy on the street for grabbing at my sister's chest. My mom is such a character and a symbol of strength for women in Peru. I'm glad she's my mom! In fact, I'm glad my new family is my family! My dad is so sweet and kind. Both my parents are very down-to-earth and open. I have really nice conversations with them. My grandma is great too! She's really funny! My little brother has so much energy. He can always keep me entertained. My sisters are amazing. We get along so well! I love the nights when we just laugh. My family does an excellent job at making me really feel like part of the family! I love them! 

Well, I have to go pack for RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) this weekend-- a camp where we learn about and practice leadership. Until next time... Chau! Un besito! 

Que ràpido pasa el tiempo!

I have been in Peru for almost 6 months! I have already passed the half-way point of my exchange. I cannot believe that my stay in Peru is already half over!

I have learned so much during my exchange. My eyes have been opened to a whole other culture that includes male chauvinism, less independence, a slower and more relaxed internal clock, delicious food, and the language of Spanish. These are all things I have had to adapt to; some I'm still adapting to. I have learned so much about Peru in these past six months, and I hope to learn much more the rest of my stay!

Peru has not only taught me her culture (or should I say "his?" haha), but has taught me things about myself, too. Peru has taught me that I am mature and responsible enough handle and fix difficult situations. Peru has taught me that it's ok to ask for help. Peru has taught me to appreciate so many things-- the small things, the big things, family, support, love, things from home, things from Peru. Peru has taught me to see things from different perspectives. While in Peru, I have even realized that in college I will definitely be doing foreign exchange again. I've realized that whether it be an internship, summer job, or foreign exchange endeavor; I would like to try free-lance photography, restore ancient structures (such as Machu Picchu), or purify and find ways to purify dirty water. Peru has showed me that there is so much to discover in this world! Peru has showed me how much I love to travel and learn! I want to see the world! Peru has molded me into a more free-spirited, more willing, more mature, and more open-minded person. Peru has done so much for and to me in these six months, I can only imagine what the next five months will be like!

I am so glad that this opportunity has been given to me! The opportunity to learn a different culture, to learn a different language, to learn about myself, to see different and amazing places, to meet new and exciting people, to do service for the community, and to just make an unforgettable experience. I am very thankful that my sponsor Rotary club and district, my family, community, and Peru have given me this opportunity! This exchange has been one of the best decisions in my life!

Recently, I have had to say bye to some friends who left Peru. One friend was an inbound from Australia!  My two other friends are outbounds to Australia. Saying bye has been difficult and sad. Although, I am very excited for my outbound friends! Saying bye to my inbound friend was the hardest and the saddest. We were good friends! It's difficult to say good bye to someone when you don't know when you will see him/her next. When I left the U.S. for my exchange, I was so sad to be leaving family and friends; but, at least I knew I would be seeing them in a year. I cannot say the same about the family and friends I have made in Peru-- I don't know when I will see them next after I leave Peru. One of the saddest parts about saying good bye to my inbound friend was that I knew that would be me in only five months! In only five months I will have to say good bye to everyone and everything. But saying good bye to my outbound friends has made me realize that they will be starting a great adventure! This makes me think of the adventure I am already on, the adventure I still have left. I still have a great five months to look forward to! May the adventure continue!

Te amo, Peru! Until next time... Chau y un besito!

Oeee! Que tal extranjero?

Well, I've done it again. I have managed to put off blogging for a long time again haha! Oops! I have a lot to share! We pretty much have all of December to catch up on!

December went by so quickly, but a lot happened...

December 1-2, I participated in Handicamp with the other exchange students. Handicamp is a two-day camp in which we volunteer to spend time and do activities with people of all ages with mental and physical disabilities. We did activities including sports, art, and a talent show. It was fun! I was in charge of the soccer activities!

December 14, the exchange students and I held a talent show to raise funds to give to an orphanage. I really enjoyed doing the talents show. Plus, it made the exchange students and I even more united! I was in charge of the bake sale for the talent show! I made chocolate chip cookies-- this was a challenge! Why? Because brown sugar does not exist in Peru. Alright, so I tried to make my own brown sugar with molasses and white sugar... molasses is also non-existent in Peru. In place of molasses I had to use Chancaca-- this was a very hard substance. In the end, I didn't really use brwon sugar in my cookies haha! It was an interesting baking experience! Here's one of our acts from the show! Home

December 15, I went to an all-girls orphanage with my host Rotary club's Interact. At this orphanage we served lunch, danced, and gave out Christmas presents.

December 16, Rotary held it's Christmas lunch. All the exchange students went! We did a gift exchange among the students. Three of my friends and I sang "Santa Baby" for our exchange committee's president, too haha!

December 19, I had my school's graduation ceremony and prom dance! Leave it to my luck that on all days the water was turned off on this day!! And of course, I had gone running this morning. I had to bathe myself using a tub of water and a cup haha! Whatever, at least I was clean haha! It was so cool to graduate and have a dance in another country! I was glad that I could graduate here in Peru, too, because I won't be able to in the U.S.

My parents and me!

My date!

My teacher!

December 22, I went to a poor town in Lima to hand out gifts to children! I really enjoyed doing the little activities like this throughout December, it really made me feel the meaning of the Giving Season!

December 24, I stayed up until 3a.m. celebrating Christmas with my family.  In Peru, you start celebrating Christmas on Christmas eve. My family and I went over to my grandma's house around 11pm. At midnight, we ate dinner and opened gifts as a million fireworks went off outside. Afterwards, we stayed up listening to music and dancing. I fell asleep around 3a.m., but the rest of my family stayed up until early morning. Around 10a.m. the next day (Christmas) we got up and had Paneton (a bread with dried fruits) and hot chocolate for breakfast. Then, we went to my aunt's house and had Christmas lunch and opened more gifts. 

At Grandma's! 

December 31, I went to a New Year's Eve party with friends! It was so much fun! We stayed up all night! I was questioned the entire night why I wasn't wearing yellow-- the color of the new year. It's like not wearing green on St. Patty's day haha! Fireworks, were again set off at midnight to celebrate the new year. Although Peruvians do not do new year's resolutions, I still made one for myself-- exercise more!! I could really use it considering how much delicious food I eat here haha!

January 3, I had a dinner with some of my closest friends in Peru! We made my mom's spaghetti! It was so delicious! I really miss her food! 

January 5, I visited the governmental palace with the exchange students. The colonial Spanish architecture was beautiful! After visiting the palace, we roamed around the surrounding area-- Plaza de Armas (in the center of Lima). This part of the center of Lima is so beautiful and interesting for its colonial architecture! I love walking around and just looking! 

I also changed host families on this day (part of the rotation of host families in the Rotary program). Now I live with the Olivares family. I haven't gotten the chance for photos yet though! It was sad leaving my old host family, but that is how exchange works. It's part of the program-- to see how other families live and function. Plus, I can always see my old host family! I get along well with my new family! I can already tell we are going to be very close by the end of my exchange (they are my host family for the rest of my exchange)! In my new host family, I have two sisters that are 15 and 18, a 5-year-old brother, mom and dad, and grandma. 

The flowers I gave my family as a going-away gift!

Today, January 8, my host mom took me to Mercado Central (the central market) in the center of Lima (the most dangerous part of Lima). I loved it! There were so many venders and costumers! Lima's liveliness truly puts me in awe! This is one of the things I have come to love most about Lima-- it's people and their liveliness! Walking down the streets of Mercado Central feeling the sun beats down on your skin, hearing the venders yelling, smelling the food (...and the trash haha), and seeing all the different colors-- is an experience that I feel only Lima can offer. My host mom took me to see just a few of the countless stores in the market! We went to Calle Capon, which is where many Asian products and clothes are sold. Everything was so pretty and cheap! That's one of the great things about Mercado Central-- quality products at a very cheap price! My host mom already bought me pretty bracelets and hair pieces! She's so nice! We also went out for lunch! My host family has also taken me to their country club where we can go swimming, go to the beach, and play soccer, tennis, or volleyball. My host family also told me that there is a women's soccer team that I might be able to join!!! That would be great! I miss soccer so much! My sisters and I are planning on signing up for the gym soon, too! 

I have been on summer vacation since mid-December and I will me until March. I feel like the next couple months will fly by though!! There's a lot to look forward too-- trips, RYLA camp, tours, hanging out with friends and family, visiting more of Lima, etc. In March, I will begin university here at  la Universidad de San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL for short haha). 

One of the cultural customs of Peru that I continue to struggle with is its male chauvinism! I cannot walk anywhere without being whistled, slurped, or looked at! It's revolting! Naturally, I want to give them a piece of my mind, but I can't do that here. The way men work here, you would not want to see how they would react to a woman standing up for herself. I have to adapt to the customs of Peru, but this one has been especially hard to deal with. I'm not sure I will ever become accustomed to it. But have I already, if i don't stand up for myself? If I do things with more caution because of how men are here? 

One custom I have adapted to (more or less haha) it Peruvian time-- how much slower it is here than in the U.S. I have taught myself to relax more, to not always be in a hurry. Peru has taught me to slow down and really enjoy every moment. Hopefully, this will help the second half of my exchange slow down. I am really loving my time here in Peru! My first half already flew by! And I only hear that the second half goes by quicker! 

Well, that's all for now! Until next time, chau and besos!!