Tina's wanderings around the world

It occurs to me that I haven’t really written at all about the people that are filling my life while I’m here in Lima—my Peruvian family. I know that a lot of people were worried about my not having solid plans before I came, but this situation is a perfect manifestation that supports my decision to not plan. The story really begins August 15th, the day before I left to Peru. Peter and Ron threw a going away soiree at Ron’s house in Portland (it was a good going away party, both for Ron and me since Ron was headed out to Bali the same day I left for Peru). Ron, inspired person that he was, told me that Gary and Jose were coming and that I needed to talk to Jose since he’s from Peru and could have some good information for me. Great idea! (And I don’t know why, but that scared Tina voice in the back of my head had that hesitancy to new things, as usual, and I was a little frightened to talk to someone actually from Peru. That doesn’t make sense at all, does it? I mean, what could be mor...

I am inspired to write tonight after having read my husband’s blog, which I find to be ever insightful and amusing. (For any of you who don’t know, my husbands are Zach Braff and Jason Mraz—both have good blogs, but the lovely Mr. Az is much more entertaining.) I haven’t been writing as much as I think is needful, because, as I believe I wrote before, often times it seems that my life isn’t as exciting as maybe I perceive that it should be. OR is it that my life isn’t as exciting as I think others perceive it should be? Neither of those should really matter, since the beautiful part is, it’s my blog. I can write anything! I was reading (translating) The Alchemist, which has so many wonderful perspectives to offer. I’m still towards the beginning, if you can imagine, and the “muchacho” says that when a person thinks that that all of their days are the same, they have stopped perceiving the good things in their lives. I choose to take notice of the small things in my life and appreciate...

Here’s a run-down on some of my observations and generalizations I’ve made about Peruvians thus far. (Or to be more specific, Limeñans, since I’ve spent all of my time in Lima.) Food: Almuerzo (lunch) is the most important meal of the day. Desayuno (breakfast) is usually pretty small. Here at my house I have a giant mug of hot milk with cocoa or a little bit of instant coffee along with a package of maybe 10 soda crackers or, on occasion, some bread. But that’s it. Lunch, however, is a big to-do and is when all of the good stuff comes out. For example, the set lunch menu at a typical restaurant will include soup, a small Peruvian-type salad (lots of avocadoes), a main dish usually comsisting of some variety of chicken and potatoes (roasted chicken and fries, arroz con pollo with a side of boiled potatoes, a chicken sandwich with yuccas...you get the point), rice (naturally), and a drink. Here at my house, my favorite items thus far have been: Aji de gallina: This is a dish with shred...

Ha! I finally gave up on trying to figure out the inner workings of my computer (and why it decided it doesn’t want to give me pictures from my camera) and I went out and bought a media card reader. I win!!!!!! First picture? My Peruvian family: Let's see, next--I started my Spanish classes last week and was pleasantly surprised to find out that the class is easy. Perhaps a little bit too easy, but it’ll help me ease back into the life of a student. (2 hours per day—puh-lease!) “Me gusta chocolate. A mi tambien.” “No me gustan los platanos. A mi tampoco.” Yup, me gustan mis faciles clases, but I admit that I find myself wanting more of a challenge—three, four, maybe even five hours a day would be preferable. For at least one month. I just can’t seem to enjoy the idea of committing myself for more than a month at a time! And speaking of commitment issues…mm, things are winding down with the Peruvian (he does have a name but, let’s face it, nicknames are better). Is anybody surprised...