While in Cusco, the capital of the Incas, this past week, my buddies and I were trying to figure out the Spanish equivalent of the American slang, "random". Our Peruvian pal told us that the equivalent would be "inesperados," so that is the word for this week. I've found that some of the most unexpected moments have been some of the most memorable.
Obviously, being a foreign country calls for small little adventures every day, so there's a lot to catch up on. Here it goes.
Feb. 22, 2011
Jenny and I spent the morning at the Resource Center getting flyers ready to advertise our next workshops. We barely made it in time to go do local splits, or divisions, with the LDS missionaries who lived farther up the volcano, El Misti. Basically, I was the companion of a fellow Peruana, Hermana Inostrozosa for about five hours. Although it was cold and raining, we knocked on people's doors all afternoon until one appointment finally worked out. I have a greater appreciation for missionaries, no matter what their religion.
We visited the humble one room home of a family who are nearly all members, except for their youngest who is handicapped and in a wheelchair. She has plans to get baptized later this month by her dad.
I immediately felt so welcome in their home- immediately invited to her 21st birthday party, to comb her hair, and to come eat lunch with them later. I haven't felt that loved by strangers EVER. I loved it.
Got a very anticipated package in the mail. Three weeks after it was sent ;).
Feb. 25, 2011
I work at the Missionary Training Center in Provo when I'm there. One of the perks about working there is that more than half my coworkers are from foreign countries. I finally got to see one of them who lives here in Arequipa. Shout out to Ivo Ortega, who was studying English at the ELC for a whole year and then moved back home to Arequipa! Needless to say, hanging out with him and his wife for a whole day was the perfect cultural experience. We wandered around the local market, got to experience a Young Men's/ Young Women's activity in his local branch (rama), and rode a sketchy combi back home to my district. Immediately felt right at home with them and hoping to see them again!
Feb. 27, 2011
Attended a stake conference in a different chapel today. Each Sunday we are in a different ward, which makes for lots of opportunities to meet new people. Met some gringos from Arizona who work in the mine here in Arequipa. They invited us over for lunch later on and gave us a ride home.
Visited El Monasterio de Santa Catalina in the town's center, which is so big that it actually takes up a whole block of the city and is still in use.... Our friend Karina is a tourism major and gave us the inside scoop. Awesome fotos on Facebook.
March 2, 2011
Cusco and Machu Picchu
It was a dream, still is, to visit this city and be able to hike Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, that literally rests in the clouds. After a ten hour car ride, the next day was designated for Machu Picchu day. It was a fiasco getting our whole group there, but we made it. It was pouring rain when we scaled the Andean mountains in a rickety bus. We were literally on the edge of these roads switching back and forth for about a half an hour until we got to the top.
It was cloudy at first, but once the fog temporarily lifted, the view looked surreal. Better than the pictures, cooler than anything I had ever experienced before. Felt like I was not on Earth, only the rain was still there. Just to paint a picture.. a dirty river ran directly below us in between the canyon. Sharp, hunter green mountains surround us with fog and clouds running between us. Steep steps surrounding us with llamas grazing on the greenery. UNREAL.
We were all soaked for about 4-5 hours, and still had to wait for the train to take us back to where it picked us up. So, we spent part of the night in Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu town, waiting for the train to take us back.
A brick oven in a restaurant warmed us up as we sat for hours telling lame jokes. In our wet clothes.
Bought choclo con queso, which is a massive piece of corn on the cob with a slice of cheese.
Took pictures in the tiny Plaza de Armas, or center of the touristy town with the statue of the honored Inca, Pachacutec.
Had a local girl tell me my Peruvian hat was on backwards and had been for hours :).
Listened to a local band play in the center and watched what appeared to be twin brother of the bearded "Tevya" from Fiddler on the Roof dance ALL BY HIMSELF in the center of the square as people laughed at him. We decided to dance in a circle around him, and were later joined by people watching. How many people can say that they danced IN Machu Picchu, WITH people from literally ALL over the world in ONE place? That was the icing on top of the already delicious cake.
On the combi ride back home, Jenny and I were so tired, we laughed and cried about nothing at all.
March 4, 2011
Jenny and I taught our 4th workshop in Cusco. Different crowd. Interesting to see the differences in people we teach depending on each city we go to.
Because we taught so late in the evening, it was our responsibility to close the chapel gates at night. We couldn't figure out how to open it to get out. So, naturally, we SCALED the 12 foot iron gates in our black Sunday clothes. Dresses/tights/heels. Literally two minutes after I got over the fence, our directors drove up in their fancy schmancy car, asking us how we were doing. Oh man. Close call.
Visited Qoricancha in the center of Cusco, which contains three walls of three different time periods. Pre-inca, Inca, and Spanish. Historical jackpot.
March 5, 2011
Visited Sacsahuayman, a.k.a. "sexy woman," a Incan fortress that was used to fight against the Spaniards. Took some awesome jumping pictures. The coolest part is that they're still excavating parts of this ruin.
March 6, 2011
Went to church in our friend's ward, and had a unique experience that was totally unexpected and just made life that much better.
Decided to spend an extra day in Cusco to take advantage of everything it has to offer, or doesn't offer to tourists. Bitter feelings about the tourism industry.
Visited the museum of Pre-Colombino Art. The Incas conquered pretty much every other culture in Peru, and then were taken over by the Spanish. Crazy.
March 7, 2011
Rode a bus home to Arequipa last night, and then spent the day getting plastered in the face with powder, as a late Carnaval, or festival trick, by our neighbor Gloria. Learned how to make lomo soltado with french fries, as well as SOUP. Finally!!!!
Enjoying the few days we have in Arequipa to do homework and relax a little bit.
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