Fresh from the States

A Few Highlights of the First Days

The Trip to Lima:
I spoke only Spanish for the entire day of traveling once I passed through the international gate at the LAX airport. Finally, now that I have no other choice, I have jumped in head first!! Of course, I should have started practicing well before my trip, but I guess no time is too late!
The airport in El Salvador was inviting, but there were two or three very serious and suspecting guards armed with drug dogs wandering throughout the small terminal. No messing around!

The Arrival:
My good friend Estefania, mi hermana española was so excellent to meet me at the gate upon my arrival. It had been EIGHT years since we had seen each other and it was a very exciting reunion at the Lima airport! We have both talked about a trip to South America together over the years since we first met in Spain. To be able to accomplish such an adventurous goal makes us both feel as though we can do ANYTHING we want to in life!

Accomodations:
I am staying with Estefania in a neighborhood (barrio) called Los Olivos across from a little park and just above the landlord who takes good care of us. We stay in a twin sized bed together (so generous of Estefania to share)!!! To be honest, it is a very poor neighborhood here, but we are very cautious and lucky to have a good family looking out for us. It is quite interesting to observe the contrast here between the very very poor and the very very rich. It seems that there is no middle.

Food (VERY important!):
A few yummy Peruvian things that I have tried
are... Chicharrones, a traditional charred pork which we ate in sandwich form, self composed at the table with pickled onion and cilantro mix, camote (slices of sweet potato), and au jús. That same day, our friend Fernando also introduced us to pink banana, called platano de la isla which has a very distinct flavor and consistency...maybe a bit of a citrus flavor. Then yesterday, we had an amazing lunch (also with Fernando and his sister Lisi). There we tried Chupes de Langostino a very rich and flavorful seafood soup and Chichamorada, a refresco (or juice) made from purple corn and cooked pineapple.

Sights:
Museo Banco Central de Reserva del Peru http://museobcr.perucultural.org.pe/ This museum is located in what used to be a bank and is under very tight security, but is free to the public and holds many sacred antiques from various, distinct Peruvian cultures that existed throughout the eras. We were very lucky to spend a full day in the Center of Lima with Eduardo, a friend of Estefania who has studied tourism and specifically enjoys architecture and history. He was our amazing tour guide that day.
Cirquito Magico del Agua - This park in the center of Lima is a great fixture for the hot summer nights and provides a serene, relaxing feel. It features a beautiful array of water fountains combined with light shows. Many of the fountains are made for walking through and there is even one in which a wet game similar to hopscotch is played by kids of all ages.

¡Despiértate!

¡Kikiriki!
La llamada del gallo fue el primero sonido que oí cuando me desperté la primera mañana en Lima. ¡Por fin, estoy aqui en Peru! El desafío de aprender todas las cosas de un lugar nuevo es increíble pero, en poco tiempo ya me he acostumbrado mucho y mi mente esta menos cansada cada día. El choque de los sentidos es del inmersión completo en una cultura muy distinta con un idioma que no es mio. Además, tambien tuve un choque real... La misma mañana que me desperté por el gallo, luego en la ducha, cuando toqué la instalación para ajustarla, recibí un bastante susto de electricidad. ¡Que fuerte son los mensajes de la vida a veces! ¡Despiértate!

Translation:

Kikiriki! (Cock-a-doodle-doo!)
The call of the rooster in español was the first sound that I heard when I woke up the first morning in Lima. Finally, I am here in Peru! The challenge of learning everything in a new place is incredible, but in just a short time, I have already become quite accustomed and my mind is less and less tired each day. The shock of the senses comes from the complete immersion in a very different culture with a language that is not mine. Beyond that though, I also received an actual shock... The same morning that I was awakened by the rooster, later in the shower, when I reached up to adjust the shower head, I received a signifiant jolt of electricity. Life´s messages are strong sometimes! WAKE UP!!

Instinctive Travel

Graced with the presence of the lovely San Diego, I continue to explore and revel in this enchanting world that has become a home. And yet, in one week, I shall be leaving the comforts of home for a long imagined adventure. This extended trek to South America, a dream that I had once filed away as "unrealistic", I am nothing short of ready for in 2010. Scheduled to touch down on Peruvian soil on February 17th, I look forward to this journey with my eyes and soul wide open. Stay tuned and stay in touch my friends.