Blessed Bits

A few shots through a lens at great moments in the pueblos jovenes:

Children playing in our "kitchen"

My treat...

I prefer shopping at the markets where I can buy fresh produce and grains at fair prices in a lively environment much more quickly that in a supermarket where it is always necessary to wait (sometimes up to a half hour) in line.  Thus, I seldom go to the large supermarkets here in Chiclayo, with Tottus and Metro being the most well-known.  I get used to eating typical Peruvian dishes which includes rice often with lentils or beans.  Additionally I eat salads, bread from the bakery with an avocado or olives and cheese, typical pastas or papa a la huancaina.  Despite the huge variety in Peruvian gastronomy, sometimes I get tired of the food here.  This last week, as I was telling Igor how I miss certain foods from home, he suggested we go to a supermarket for un gusto.  It was a great idea and we even got through the checkout line in 15 minutes!  Even though I think some of the prices are outlandish and I'd prefer to support small businesses, I must admit that my $8 box of cereal, $7 jar of peanut butter, and other over-priced foods taste great.  Making stir-fry, french toast and pancakes have been a great touch as well.  I long to have an oven again, but at least, this week my palate has had a treat!  :)

Peruvians Love to Party

If there is any special date be it a birthday, anniversary, the16th year since the language center began, the week of medicine, Women's day, a wedding, day of the volunteer, an engagement ceremony, holidays or whatever it may be, you can be sure that their will be a celebration full of food, pictures, a toast and dancing.  This last month has been full of celebrations at the university, at the language center, with friends, and a small ceremony for those with birthdays at the NGO and at our work sites.  Below is a glimpse:

My Interpreting Adventure

The opportunity to practice Spanish <---> English interpretation arose this week to translate for a visiting opthamologist from the US.  He was here with members of his charity organization who come from countries around the globe.  Conducting eye surgeries for free on people with great needs and living below the poverty line, his organization has also selected the community of Mórrope (about 40 minutes by Combi from Chiclayo) as their partner community in Peru.  There they are constructing a soccer complex as well as implementing healthy livestyle programs into the school for the youth.  Thanks to Igor and his hospital ratation group from the university, I was invited to interpret for his presentation at the city hall.  I was nervous and it was nothing like I had expected.  There were a ton of people and it was packed.  

Dr. Assil gave a motivational speech for the community explaining his past and why his team is in Mòrrope to do what they are doing.  He explained much of it through his own experiences of belonging to one of Iran's wealthiest families, but having his father lose the entire family fortune while he was a very small child.  He told of how they sold everything and moved to the USA and his father took ill and passed away.  Dr. Assil shared his tough jobs with the community and asked them to try to motivate their youth.  Afterwards there were questions and answers that included both good questions and offensive comments.  I felt embarassed at times interpreting their comments, but that was my job, simply to convert the words of one person into understandable words for another.

I enjoyed visiting with people from the community and the doctor's circle of friends afterwards.  They seem like people living life to the fullest with all kinds of interesting adventures as they work to serve others.  I was interupted by a man who thought that I, the gringa, could solve his land dispute problem as he thrust his documents into my hands.  He did not want to accept that I couldn't solve his problems when I directed him to a community leader.  "No, no señorita.  He already told me he can't help!"  he told me in earnest.  Inwardly I shook my head, feeling sorry for him, but also shocked at his ignorance and lack of understanding about how to go about finding a solution.  

Concluding with a walk around the main square, some photos and lunch, we returned to Chiclayo.  Despite being nervous, the experience was a good one.  It allowed me to practice thinking on my feel and converting languages, while also strengthening my desire to take a course in translation and interpretation in the future.  

In the main square in Mórrope

In Mórrope with Igor

Combi ride with Vanessa and Ginette