Last night I went to a soccer game: La U (Perú) vs. Bolivia. I took a taxi with 5 other people and it took us 2 hours to get to the stadium. Had I given it much thought beforehand, I probably would have been a little bit more prepared and expected a similar atmosphere, but I didn't so was caught off guard when we arrived.
We ended up getting out of the taxi and going by foot from several blocks away because it was quicker than riding through the heavy traffic. We had to pass through an insane number of people trying to sell us things. When we got to the gates, our tickets were examined to determine whether or not they were "counterfit". Then we went through the rotating doors/gates and were frisked by police officers. They then proceeded to examine the books that we had with us from the university because you can't take anything that can be thrown in with you...meaning no waterbottles (even if empty) and no hair clips. They even took most people's belts, I was fortunate enough to keep mine.
Inside the stadium the crowd was crazy! There were police officer with shields and their other armor stationed every 5 feet in all the walkways/aisles! The fans were screaming, chanting, and jumping. People were lighting off fireworks from in the stands while others were waving enoromous flags. During the game people threw rolls of reciept paper over the fences onto the field. It was definitely an experience.
The game ended in a 0:0 tie. It took us an hour and a half to get home, which was way nearer that the university, because of the traffic. My understanding now is that since this was a game for the Latin American Cup or some such championship tournament, neither team will probably advance to the next round, because they did not score anything.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Ica and it's surroundings
During our break from classes for Semana Santa (Holy Week), 5 friends and I took a trip south of Lima to Ica. We had a great time and it was very relaxing. The weather was much warmer than in Lima, which surprised me since we were moving farther away from the equator, my only idea as to the reason for that is that Ica is not situated quite on the coast as Lima is. Due to the heat, we tended to lack the desire and ambition to do a lot during the afternoons. We stayed at a hostel in Ica, which was a good place to keep our bags but we had quite a few inconveniences and continually had to ask the señora for things. It may not have been a problem had we not gotten off to a bad start with her, but just after we arrived, since there were 6 of us for the 4 person room (since originally only 4 of us had planned on going), she demanded that we pay extra. We were in agreement to pay for the extra people but not at the prices she wanted. She wanted us to pay triple the prices for all 6 people since it was a holiday weekend, but we felt like that was unneccessary especially because we had reserved it and had a contract at a lower price. From there we had to request our breakfast multiple times, to ask for sheets for the beds when we got back to our room and all of our sheets and pillows were gone, and ask for buckets of cold water to shower with since we had no running water in our 4th floor bathroom.
One day we went to Nazca to see the symbols on the desert floor and also the geometric lines. I was surprised when we actually walked up to them to discover that they are not trenches, meerly formed by clearing desert rocks from certain areas to leave patches of ground without rock to make the designs. Although the Nazca lines date back thousands of years, they are not buried because the desert dust is too fine to settle there and cover them. Wandering the desert looking at Inca, Nazca, and Huari ruins was enough to convince each of us that living in the barren desert is not something we would ever like to do. The heat, aridness, and sand/dust were not particularly present. Walking around there gave Jesus's washing of his disciples' feet an entirely new meaning.
That day we also got to go to the home of a man who uses the same techniques of the Nazca to make exact replicas of their pottery by hand. (National Geographic actually did a story on him last year.) Learning about the process of using only natural colors from minerals for paint which will not fade was interesting, but I was especially intrigued to learn that the bristles of his paintbrushes (as those formerly used by the Nazca) which made wonderful smooth and straight lines, are made from the hairs of a child's first hair cut.
We also saw the aqueducts created by the Nasca. They are in the shape of circles spiraling downward. It was dizzying going down towards the bottom to where the water was. Nearby was a cactus farm. Strangely, later that day 4 of us commented how coincidentally, being Good Friday, none of us could stop thinking about Christs crown of thorns as we walked past all the cacti.
Another day we went to Huacachina, a desert oasis. There we went dune buggying and and boarding on the surrounding dunes. I was terrified. I'm glad that I did go down the dunes since I had the opportunity, but it is not something that I feel the desire to ever do again. In the evening we found a quiet place to star gaze and also went and got enormous dishes of icecream for supper.
We also visited Paracas and the Islas Ballestas, also known as the "Poor Man's Galapagos Islands" although I'm sure many islands off of the coast of western South America would like to claim that title. The boat ride to the islands was very enjoyable. We got to see a variety of animals that I had never seen before in the wild including sea lions, penguins, Peruvian Boobies, and a variety of other unique birds. The islands are important to Peru because they are extremely rich in guano.
In Ica we visited a museum of several ancient Peruvian cultures including the Wari, Chimú, Nazca, and Inca. There were many artifacts and mummies. Before departing for the city, we bought supplies and had a picnic, which was something that we all really enjoyed. Now, we're back to classes again.
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One day we went to Nazca to see the symbols on the desert floor and also the geometric lines. I was surprised when we actually walked up to them to discover that they are not trenches, meerly formed by clearing desert rocks from certain areas to leave patches of ground without rock to make the designs. Although the Nazca lines date back thousands of years, they are not buried because the desert dust is too fine to settle there and cover them. Wandering the desert looking at Inca, Nazca, and Huari ruins was enough to convince each of us that living in the barren desert is not something we would ever like to do. The heat, aridness, and sand/dust were not particularly present. Walking around there gave Jesus's washing of his disciples' feet an entirely new meaning.
That day we also got to go to the home of a man who uses the same techniques of the Nazca to make exact replicas of their pottery by hand. (National Geographic actually did a story on him last year.) Learning about the process of using only natural colors from minerals for paint which will not fade was interesting, but I was especially intrigued to learn that the bristles of his paintbrushes (as those formerly used by the Nazca) which made wonderful smooth and straight lines, are made from the hairs of a child's first hair cut.
We also saw the aqueducts created by the Nasca. They are in the shape of circles spiraling downward. It was dizzying going down towards the bottom to where the water was. Nearby was a cactus farm. Strangely, later that day 4 of us commented how coincidentally, being Good Friday, none of us could stop thinking about Christs crown of thorns as we walked past all the cacti.
Another day we went to Huacachina, a desert oasis. There we went dune buggying and and boarding on the surrounding dunes. I was terrified. I'm glad that I did go down the dunes since I had the opportunity, but it is not something that I feel the desire to ever do again. In the evening we found a quiet place to star gaze and also went and got enormous dishes of icecream for supper.
We also visited Paracas and the Islas Ballestas, also known as the "Poor Man's Galapagos Islands" although I'm sure many islands off of the coast of western South America would like to claim that title. The boat ride to the islands was very enjoyable. We got to see a variety of animals that I had never seen before in the wild including sea lions, penguins, Peruvian Boobies, and a variety of other unique birds. The islands are important to Peru because they are extremely rich in guano.
In Ica we visited a museum of several ancient Peruvian cultures including the Wari, Chimú, Nazca, and Inca. There were many artifacts and mummies. Before departing for the city, we bought supplies and had a picnic, which was something that we all really enjoyed. Now, we're back to classes again.
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Lunahuaná
This weekend I went to Lunahuaná with about 20 other exchange students. It was a lot of fun, although most of our activities were fairly short do to a lack of time and also because as the tourism industry goes, they gave us enough of each thing to enjoy the activity, but not enough for those who really don't like certain activities to detest them. I was so happy to be in the country, to breath fresh air, and to see and hear sounds of nature rather traffic.
Lunahuaná is located to the south of Lima in vinyard country. It is actually very interesting because the village is located in a valley near a river and is a stark contrast to the desert around it. In the valley everything is green and lush, but all around is a difinitive line where between desert and vegetation. In the desert literally nothing grows...there are no cacti, nothing. I am in awe that so much land (mountains) can be so naked. We got to visit 2 family own businesses where they grew their own grapes, smashed them, and turned them into wines and piscos without adding any preservatives or other flavors. It was very interesting.
My favorite activities included going white water rafting, going hiking, and going mountain biking, although...the latter seemed much more fun when it was over than while I was doing it. The white water rafting took place in the river on whose banks our hotel was situated. We hiked to some pre-columbian ruins 2 different times and also saw 4 ancient pathways. On one of the hikes, we got to cross the river on a rickety board connected to a zip-line. That was fun...kind of reminded me of an Indianna Jones escapade.
The biking was just rediculous...not because it was physically strenuous, but because it was terrifying. I didn't care about having to ride the bike up the side of a mountain, but some of the narrow paths we took the bikes on should not be used for anything but walking. (Only 2 of us went mountain biking because we preferred not to ride horses). Some of the paths were barely wide enough for the handle bars if one did not want to be clutched by grape vines or drive over the edge to 5-10 foot drop-off or fall into a river. There were hole that bike tires could get stuck in and also narrow rocks or boards that we were supposed to carefully maneuver our bikes across. Needless to say, Maya and I walked our bikes in a few places and definitely laughed a lot at the end of the journey out of sheer relief that we were done and that we survived. That is one thing that is funny looking back on, but I wouldn't do again.
All in all, it was an enjoyable and refreshing weekend. We're back at classes now, but only until tomorrow :)
Lunahuaná is located to the south of Lima in vinyard country. It is actually very interesting because the village is located in a valley near a river and is a stark contrast to the desert around it. In the valley everything is green and lush, but all around is a difinitive line where between desert and vegetation. In the desert literally nothing grows...there are no cacti, nothing. I am in awe that so much land (mountains) can be so naked. We got to visit 2 family own businesses where they grew their own grapes, smashed them, and turned them into wines and piscos without adding any preservatives or other flavors. It was very interesting.
My favorite activities included going white water rafting, going hiking, and going mountain biking, although...the latter seemed much more fun when it was over than while I was doing it. The white water rafting took place in the river on whose banks our hotel was situated. We hiked to some pre-columbian ruins 2 different times and also saw 4 ancient pathways. On one of the hikes, we got to cross the river on a rickety board connected to a zip-line. That was fun...kind of reminded me of an Indianna Jones escapade.
The biking was just rediculous...not because it was physically strenuous, but because it was terrifying. I didn't care about having to ride the bike up the side of a mountain, but some of the narrow paths we took the bikes on should not be used for anything but walking. (Only 2 of us went mountain biking because we preferred not to ride horses). Some of the paths were barely wide enough for the handle bars if one did not want to be clutched by grape vines or drive over the edge to 5-10 foot drop-off or fall into a river. There were hole that bike tires could get stuck in and also narrow rocks or boards that we were supposed to carefully maneuver our bikes across. Needless to say, Maya and I walked our bikes in a few places and definitely laughed a lot at the end of the journey out of sheer relief that we were done and that we survived. That is one thing that is funny looking back on, but I wouldn't do again.
All in all, it was an enjoyable and refreshing weekend. We're back at classes now, but only until tomorrow :)
Monday, March 22, 2010
Matriculation for classes
Monday I matriculated for classes. It was quite the ordeal. Regular semester classes began at "La Católica" last week on Monday. They have an interesting method of registration for foreigners. There are aproximately 250 foreign students who study at La Catolica. We could not register at the same time as the other students. During the first week of classes we had to go to classes, but were not registered.
Because there are a limited number of spots available in various classes, we had to attend many classes that were possibly interesting in order to find classes that we thought we would like to take. That is where it becomes tricky. After observing some classes, it becomes immediately apparent whether or not one wishes to continue with it.
On Monday we had to register. If we didn't get into the classes that we visited, then we had to choose other classes and were automatically a week behind... which would be hard enough in the USA but becomes increasingly more difficult here. Spots in classes are given on a first-come first-serve basis.
Registration was supposed to begin at 9:00 am, but like most things it began 15 minutes late. I went to wait for registration at 6:45 am in hopes that I could get into classes that I wanted to take. I was #36. There were students who went at 5:30 am! Rediculous...that there isn't a different method.
I got into only one class that I hoped for. My classes include Spanish, Peruvian Social Reality, Film, and Anthropology of Language and Society. As the weeks go on, I'm sure I'll come to understanding more about how the university works. Right now, it is still a bit confusing as the method of teaching, of learning, and definitely using the library are different.
Because there are a limited number of spots available in various classes, we had to attend many classes that were possibly interesting in order to find classes that we thought we would like to take. That is where it becomes tricky. After observing some classes, it becomes immediately apparent whether or not one wishes to continue with it.
On Monday we had to register. If we didn't get into the classes that we visited, then we had to choose other classes and were automatically a week behind... which would be hard enough in the USA but becomes increasingly more difficult here. Spots in classes are given on a first-come first-serve basis.
Registration was supposed to begin at 9:00 am, but like most things it began 15 minutes late. I went to wait for registration at 6:45 am in hopes that I could get into classes that I wanted to take. I was #36. There were students who went at 5:30 am! Rediculous...that there isn't a different method.
I got into only one class that I hoped for. My classes include Spanish, Peruvian Social Reality, Film, and Anthropology of Language and Society. As the weeks go on, I'm sure I'll come to understanding more about how the university works. Right now, it is still a bit confusing as the method of teaching, of learning, and definitely using the library are different.
Villa El Salvador
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to go on a tour to a "pueblo joven" named Villa El Salvador. Los pueblo jovenes are the shanty towns that have sprung up around Lima. Villa El Salvador has won many awards an city's world-wide have used its methods of organization as models for their own.
This town began in 1971 when people invaded unoccupied land near Lima after being left with nothing due to an earthquake. There was absolutely nothing on the land before just barren desert. They claimed the land and built homes on it. It now has a population of 400,000 people after only 39 years!
Though remarkable changes have occured in Villa El Salvador, it is still a very impoverished place. There is a little bit of landscaping, but not much. Water is extremely expensive and scarce. The majority of the roads are sand. Actually our bus got stuck in the sand, and some children helped to shovel us out. Communal living is definitely a way of life there.
The tour was extremely intereting and gave me another perspective on Lima.
This town began in 1971 when people invaded unoccupied land near Lima after being left with nothing due to an earthquake. There was absolutely nothing on the land before just barren desert. They claimed the land and built homes on it. It now has a population of 400,000 people after only 39 years!
Though remarkable changes have occured in Villa El Salvador, it is still a very impoverished place. There is a little bit of landscaping, but not much. Water is extremely expensive and scarce. The majority of the roads are sand. Actually our bus got stuck in the sand, and some children helped to shovel us out. Communal living is definitely a way of life there.
The tour was extremely intereting and gave me another perspective on Lima.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Wedding
This weekend I returned to Chiclayo for Ruben (my former host cousin)'s wedding. The bus ride there and back each were a little over 12 and a half hours. The bus ride along the Pan-American Highway has far-from-exciting scenery. During the hours of light, much of what I saw was desert...baren brown dirt flat as far as the eye can see, or brown dunes. Nevertheless, it was definitely worth the ride, because it was a lot of fun seeing everyone from my last host family again.
Typical clothing for weddings here are similar to prom or homecoming clothing, so I went with my host cousins to the market where we rented dresses, bought shoes, and got pedicures and manicures. It was quite the ordeal. I am continually amazed at what the markets have to offer.
After the church wedding at 8 pm on Saturday, we all went to the reception. At the reception we awaited the bride and grooms arrival. They were greeted with a bell of rose petals (similar to a piñata) opening up and falling gently on them. It was lovely. Apparently it is also often tradition to have a bell of small coins shower them with monetary luck/blessing.
They paraded around the hall a few times. Then they danced a waltz together before each member of the family danced with them. Then various family members wished them the best. There was a live band playing the music for dancing (mostly merengue, cumbia, and salsa music). We began to eat. During the meal, a man announced each guest giving a short biographical description.
We danced all night until five am. It was a lot of fun. From 2:30-3:30 am was the Hora Loca ("crazy hour"). During this time, it really was crazy. People had balloons, whistles, crazy hats, large foam-like ties, glow sticks, and other such things. The music played without stopping and there were two people on stilts dressed as a bride and groom who came danced and kept things riled up.
Afterwards, many people went to my host family's house to sleep. After very few hours we got up and ate all day. In the evening I left on my bus ride to make it back for class in Lima this (Monday) morning.
Typical clothing for weddings here are similar to prom or homecoming clothing, so I went with my host cousins to the market where we rented dresses, bought shoes, and got pedicures and manicures. It was quite the ordeal. I am continually amazed at what the markets have to offer.
After the church wedding at 8 pm on Saturday, we all went to the reception. At the reception we awaited the bride and grooms arrival. They were greeted with a bell of rose petals (similar to a piñata) opening up and falling gently on them. It was lovely. Apparently it is also often tradition to have a bell of small coins shower them with monetary luck/blessing.
They paraded around the hall a few times. Then they danced a waltz together before each member of the family danced with them. Then various family members wished them the best. There was a live band playing the music for dancing (mostly merengue, cumbia, and salsa music). We began to eat. During the meal, a man announced each guest giving a short biographical description.
We danced all night until five am. It was a lot of fun. From 2:30-3:30 am was the Hora Loca ("crazy hour"). During this time, it really was crazy. People had balloons, whistles, crazy hats, large foam-like ties, glow sticks, and other such things. The music played without stopping and there were two people on stilts dressed as a bride and groom who came danced and kept things riled up.
Afterwards, many people went to my host family's house to sleep. After very few hours we got up and ate all day. In the evening I left on my bus ride to make it back for class in Lima this (Monday) morning.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Lima
On Thursday evening I left Chiclayo for Lima. It was a long trip since my flight was delayed twice and then I had to take a taxi for more than one and a half hours to the hotel from the airport. We (approximately 20 US students) had orientation at a hotel in Miraflores until Sunday. On Sunday, we met our host families.
I am living with a really sweet woman named Blanca in Miraflores. Each day I must take the combis or micros to and from school. It takes about an hour in each direction. I'm pretty excited that I've managed to navigate the system without getting lost. The combis are crazy because there is no space and they pack everyone in like sardines and have certain people who they pay on the streets to tell them if they should speed even more or slow down to get more passengers so that they can outdo their competitors and also these people warn them where the police are stationed. In both the combis and the micros, it is necessary to hold onto something tightly in order to maintain balance and not knock anyone else over and also to prevent oneself or someone else from falling out of the often open door. They are crazy! I'm so thankful I'm not any taller, so that at least I can stand in the micros without having to crouch the whole time.
We started intensive Spanish classes yesterday. They will last for 2 weeks. Then we will begin our regular semester. It is really hard to sit through classes all day....I don't know how I did it in elementary and high school!
So far, Lima seems much to be much better than I had imagined.
I am living with a really sweet woman named Blanca in Miraflores. Each day I must take the combis or micros to and from school. It takes about an hour in each direction. I'm pretty excited that I've managed to navigate the system without getting lost. The combis are crazy because there is no space and they pack everyone in like sardines and have certain people who they pay on the streets to tell them if they should speed even more or slow down to get more passengers so that they can outdo their competitors and also these people warn them where the police are stationed. In both the combis and the micros, it is necessary to hold onto something tightly in order to maintain balance and not knock anyone else over and also to prevent oneself or someone else from falling out of the often open door. They are crazy! I'm so thankful I'm not any taller, so that at least I can stand in the micros without having to crouch the whole time.
We started intensive Spanish classes yesterday. They will last for 2 weeks. Then we will begin our regular semester. It is really hard to sit through classes all day....I don't know how I did it in elementary and high school!
So far, Lima seems much to be much better than I had imagined.
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