Just breath

Hola a todos!

I made it, safely! After a few rocky moments as well as miraculous friendships, this trip is on the right track. Spanish is coming back to me...slowly! Peruvians speak so fast, and use so much slang! Sometimes I do fine, but other times my spanish is completely useless and they nod their head and start speaking english, jaja.

While on my way to Lima, many thoughts, good and bad, were going through my head. However, gracias a Dios there were many people He sent to help me out. One was a Peruvian lady who was finally returning to her country of birth after 60 years of living in the states! She sat next to me on the plane and...without any request from me...treated me like her grandson! Giving me cookies, candy, and encouraging words. We landed very late into the city and I definitely did not want to venture out. So I slept near the chapel, which was actually very safe! Flights came into Lima all night, and the airport was always packed full of families. When I awoke, I had my first Peruvian breakfast: a bottle of ´Inka Kola´, jaja. They should export it to the states!

Every relationship is important, and each should be treated with care. My friendship with a nun in Philadelphia led me to her old friend in Lima, Sister Anne of the Immaculate Heart elementary school. She offered to pick me up from the airport in the morning, and WOW we went above and beyond anything I was expecting. I felt so guilty! Sister Anne really thought I was her grandson. She fed me a huge breakfast, gave me clean towels and offered the convent´s shower, toured me around Lima, took me to see one of those ¨vocation doctors¨(he´s from Tulane!), and then fed me a huge lunch. It was wonderful. Jaja, it was also surprising to see such a gentle and old woman navigate the completely insane streets of Lima. Somehow no one hits each other, but these were by far the most aggressive drivers I have ever seen! Amidst my anxieties, she really made me feel welcome. And we spoke in Engish too! With a slight Philly accent.

This ¨vocation doctor¨ from Tulane was named Dr. Tony. He became disenchanted with using his skills in the states, but then he received a higher calling. Dr. Tony is a living and breathing St. Francis of Assisi. He gave up everything to build a shelter/school/clinic for the poorest kids. He´s been here for so many years. Not only does he give them care, but he is also really tough on the kids! Making sure that they are not ¨babied¨and are taught to do things for themselves. Sister Anne and I jumped when I told him about Tulane, because he said that he graduated from there too! So I wondered if Dr. Tony is also an ND man, but sadly no. There was, though, a volunteer there who was from ND! Theresa, ´07, from Mcglinn, majored in Psychology. Anyone know her? Small world!

The strength, courage, and dedication that Dr. Tony and the sisters possess was so inspiring. They truly love life and understand that their work pays them in something much more than what they can make monetarily in the states. I´ve never seen a cleft palate before in real life, but there was a crib where a baby was waiting for his operation, and next to it a baby whose face was fixed. The results were amazing! They bring hope to those who seek to bring good. I want all of yáll to meet them! Seeing all the kids, I started to grow angry at all the young people who want to do medicine solely for the money and prestige. Shame on all of you.

After a wonderful day, Sister Anne drove me to my hostel. Lima may be crazy, but I have never felt so unsafe as I did in this place. PEOPLE, DON´T EVER RESERVE A PLACE AT INKA LOUNGE! There was not even a reception area. Just a locked door that I had to knock to enter, one big dirty room, and a bunch of cells. My room had 8 other guys, oh man. I don´t know how I slept. What a spine-tinging night. It was the cheapest place I found online, but in the future I will spend the little extra for feelings of security. I did meet some non-intimidating guys there: 3 Indians who spoke neither Spanish nor English! These guys had courage. We were laughing together as we watched a bollywood movie. They warmed to me instantly due to my interest in India (thanks KC!). After one night, I changed hostels right away. However, it was located in a beautiful area of Lima: Miraflores. Right next to the Pacific, there is a long stretch of parks where people and families run, study, have picnics, and simply hang out. So many Peruvian couples too. This culture is extremely OPEN when it comes to P.D.A.! Especially in ¨Parque de Amor,¨oh man it was too much! Friends, check out the view!

I made a friend too while walking. Antonio se llamaba, y teniamos la misma edad! He works in Machu Piccu, and is very Incan. We had a contest testing to see who was stronger via pullups and pushups. Jaja, I think I won only because of the better food I have had...but if you equalize the food, Antonio would definitely have won!

A little ways south is the costal shopping mall called LarcoMar. It was here that I had my first ¨ceviche.¨Its alot like sashimi! They say Peruvian food is some of the best in the world because it blends together Spanish, French, Incan, Asian, and a little Creollian together. This ceviche, though, was outstanding. It consists of raw sea bass covered in a strong lemon juice and orange sauce. I thought that this would be a great breakfast!

While Miraflores is chill, the center of Lima is a mess. Millions of poor crammed into one place, because this is the best place to find a job...any job. I got a flashback to Mexico when I saw two young girls juggling balls in the street for money. Unemployment here is about 30%, so ANY job that these people can get, they do it with absolute pride. All walks of life, though, were found on the public buses (called ¨comby´s¨). What made an impression on me were those who worked the bus, consisting of a two person team: the driver and the spotter. The spotter is the real superhuman. He/she hangs onto the bus all day advertising to the people where the bus will go..while also collecting money. Many times the driver gets impatient and drives away while the spotter is still on the ground trying to get more people! Sister Anne told me that some make up to 13 soles/day (about 5 dollars). But they work so hard. On the bus, I was so lucky to befriend Rafael, a manager of a travel agency. He guided me to the center of Lima from the bus!

The absolute center of the city (La Plaza de Armas) is usually where the government and cathedral are located in latin-america. Lots of tourists there. I felt very safe. The cathedral was beautiful, and of course designed to make you feel small. I stayed there for nearly an hour just looking around, praying, and thinking. Peruvians were coming in and out all day. There was even a school trip for kids! I heard the kids whispering, ¨Mira al japones, jaja.¨ Afterwards, I checked out St. Francis of Assisi church (much respect for Dr. Tony!). They had a tour, but they did not allow photos! It was beautiful, I wish you guys could have seen too. It was the most unique decorations I have ever seen. Instead of painting the ceiling, wood was carved and placed onto it, much like pasting macaroni on paper. The choir loft was incredible. Remember in the basilica, all the way in the back? Those wooden chairs? This church had 130 all around. The center of the choir loft had a rotating block of wood, so that the director could quickly move onto the next page for the choir! The guide also took us to the catacombs...ooo bone-chilling. The dead´s bones were exposed for all to see! Can you believe also that there is a huge China town in Lima? Chinese food in Peru is also one of the best in the world (they call it ¨chifa¨ here).

On Friday night, Sister Anne took me to ¨El Parque de Agua,¨ a park that is filled with fountains. It holds 2 Guinness World Records for having the highest fountain and the most spectacular laser/fountain show! The government spent a ton of money for the park, but it was well worth it. Friday night was filled with hundreds of families. They deserve it, for they are the ones who pay government. Some cool sites were the Labyrinth (where kids go in and don´t know when water will shoot up!) and the laser show.

The next morning, Sister again took care of me! She invited me to go with the convent to help out at ¨Hospital para los niños.¨Early Saturday morning, this place was packed full of families and children. Many (not all) of the services are free, including community meals. The doctors, though, are top-notch. I got to help out distributing clothes! Wow, how incredible where life goes...when you pay attention. I was so lucky to have met the Sisters.

Alas, my short stay in Lima must end. Yesterday, I took an overnight bus to Arequipa...which is where I am now! In a very nice hostel where gracias a Dios I have my own room. On the way to the bus station in Lima, I had a great chat with my cab driver, Carlos. He is also a policeman! I asked him when he sleeps? He said to me, ¨tomorrow.¨But Carlos, what do you do when tomorrow comes? ¨Well when it comes, I will also only sleep tomorrow.¨Wow, what a tough guy. He works nearly 24 hours! Because he has 2 kids. He told me that Arequipa and Cuzco are beautiful places, but he has never been there. So many Peruvians live like this. The gap between being poor and becoming middle class is like long-jumping the Grand Canyon...yet some superhumans have achieved this leap. Many are kids, mostly girls, dressed poorly are still diligently studying math on the bus. They want to get out of that life. The next time you have a big test/paper due, remember that this stress is such a blessing.

Here I am on the bus! ooo, I was tired, but so excited. In the morning, I awoke to see something that reminded me of the book, the Alchemist...OK guys, I have more stories to tell of Arequipa, but its really late! Next time, ok? Thanks for reading!