Shout-out today goes to my buddy Stan from France. While locked in a park in Spain, we thought it would be a good time for a photo op. Although he admits his Spanish has grown weaker, he is still the founder and proud member of the THC. Good luck with your studies my friend and I hope to see you down in South America by this time next year. 

I’m not one to make assumptions, but that looks like Hitler. If so, it begs the question, “Why the hell would someone draw that in Peru?”

I’ve been tutoring this 11 year old kid and at the end of our class we always play chess. This kid smokes me each and every time. He’s setting up traps, baiting me, he’s like the Peruvian Bobby Fischer. Part of me feels embarrassed, but I justify my losses by giving him the title of genius. 

I’m a big fan of all the pastel colors used in Latin American countries. A majority of cities in the States are characterized by big concrete buildings plated with glass and steel which make me feel cold. Having traveled through Central America and Peru / Chile, I much prefer the pastel color schemes and vibrant chalk-drawn signs offering daily specials. 

I got asked for directions today by a Peruvian and truth be told, it felt pretty good. There I stood, reveling in the fact that he didn’t think I was another bumbling tourist, oblivious to the difference between ‘caleta’ y 'calato’. (big difference by the way). After I had had my moment, I turned toward him, smiled, and said, “no sé”. Always glad to be of service. 

Outstanding Student Award // EWU

Received this little ‘award’ in the mail today and was inclined to think, 'I’m sure everyone got one’. Which at this point seems logical seeing as how I can’t recall ever doing anything outstanding. Regardless, I’m flattered. 

The Shout-out de hoy va a todos mis maravillosos profesores españoles en Eastern Washington. Gracias por toda su paciencia, orientación y conferencias interesantes (Aunque, en el momento, estoy seguro que 'interesante’ no era la palabra que habría utilizado). Mi aventura en el Perú no sería la misma si no fuera por ustedes. ¡Muchas gracias y disfruten de su verano!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more vicious looking smurf in my entire life. Thanks Peru for the interesting perspective. 

Uruguay

For the win. What a game. I bought an Uruguay jersey yesterday and my room mate told me that if I wear it in the streets of Peru, especially after the loss, I would get the shit kicked out of me. Perhaps I should change real quick…

Cada loco con su tema

An advantage of South American countries is all the soccer games on tv. Today is day 2 of the Eurocup and I’m hoping Ronaldo breaks his leg so Germany can pull through with a win. My cocky students, of course, want another shot at the champ and eagerly chose Spain because ‘well they won it last year so…’ I’ll take that bet. 

One of my students yesterday was talking about hookers (yes, as in prostitutes) and another student asked him what a hooker was. He told him that it was something you used when you fish. To which student #2 responded “Oh, hookers! Ya, I use them all the time, but sometimes they break and I have to get new ones”. <– I hate when that happens. 

DElicious Menu I ate at today. Stuck with a personal favorite and ordered ‘Matasquita’ which is chunks of potatoes & carne in a beef sauce and as usual, comes with white rice.

Finally bought the Peruvian national soccer jersey, which is a bit ironic since I bet against Peru at every opportunity. Call me a hater but it’s paying off. And on that note, let’s go Uruguay! 

Happy Flag Day

Feliz Día de La Bandera desde Perú! 

The soldier definitely thought I was a creeper when I asked to take his picture, but he was looking super fly in that uniform. Big parade later today and the streets are lined with soldiers in their formal military attire. 

Yum yum yum, ‘Lentejitas con Bistek’, another delicious option at the Menu down the street. (Lentils w/ potatoes, rice, steak, and an onion/tomato salad covered with lime juice and ají)

Started classes today and to no surprise, I only had 1 student. So what better way to spend 2 hours than for her to describe, in detail, the last season of a Telenovela called 'Rubi’. After listening to an intense combo of English and Spanish plot twists and character definitions, I was hooked. 

Hate to say I told you so

COLOMBIA FOR THE WIN! The ethical part of me questions if betting with Peruvians on a Peru vs. Colombia game is fair, knowing that although Peru’s soccer team isn’t so good, they’re going to pick their home team. And then I think, no, I don’t feel bad at all. With my pocket full of cash, I’ll happily bet against Peru any day. This would be an appropriate time to use my newly created spanish word ‘Odiador". 

Little parade going on outside of my house on a sunny day here in Arequipa. How did I come across such a spectacle? I think it was the blaring music and drums that drew my attention. 

2 big issues with Peru:

The transportation system #isamess. Everyday there seems to be more taxis on the road and more angry combo drivers blaring their horns at passing pedestrians. 

Peru doesn’t recycle glass. Sure you can get a discount if you trade a large empty beer bottle for a full new one, but they don’t cater to the 12 oz variety. Which of course ends up in the trash. 

And last but not least, drinkable water. What a luxury the States have…

Characato

Characato is a word from Quechua which is slang for someone from Arequipa. 

Big fan of the taxi system here. There are taxi’s every 5 feet and the price is negotiable. Although due to the abundance, it makes bicyclists obsolete and crossing the road can be like a game of frogger. 

And this is the infamous owner / freelance equipment builder of my gym. Here you can see he’s hard at work constructing god knows what, most certainly about to ask me to try it out. Well shucks, I’m flattered. 

Calvin & Hobbes is classic. This was a surprising gift from one of my students. I watched her draw it in class which was quite impressive to say the least. 

Exam day is tomorrow, which means for 8 hours I will be learning unnecessary words that exist in the English language only to make standardized testing that much more difficult. 

Today was pizza day and as always, it was entertaining. Whilst manhandling a piece of pizza, I watched a student stare in horror as a piece of sausage fell off the slice and onto the floor. As if in slow motion, he did 3 back to back glances from the pizza to the wounded soldier that lay isolated on the grubby blue carpet. He then swept his eyes around the room, and after confirming that no one was watching, bent down and picked up the sausage between his forefingers. Without even as much as a second thought, he delicately plopped it back onto his slice, smiled, and took a bite as if nothing had happened. Don’t worry, Gabo, I’m sure no one else saw it. 

This is the breakfast menu of a ‘quaint’ little place I eat at on Saturdays on my way to class. I usually get a big glass of maca and 2 egg and bread sandwiches. The whole thing costs $1. 

As I continue to study for the GRE, the one thing that seems to stick in my head is this quote: “What the GRE really measures is how well you take the GRE”. Ahh the joy of standardized testing. 

I suppose by adding a smiley face it makes it less offensive.

Hopes and Dreams...

Me:Has anyone ever wanted to be an actor?
Student:Like in a porn?
What do I even say to that? "You read my mind Jorge!"

BOOOOOM! Sriracha has made it to Peru. Besides having peanut butter for the first time in 4 months today, this is the 2nd best moment here in Arequipa. Shoutout to mi madre for looking out for her number 1. 

Also stoked about the steripen, which will replace the tedious method of boiling water then trying to cool it so it’s safe to drink. If you’re currently reading this and live in America, then you probably can’t relate to how big of a deal this is. But if you’re south of Mexico, I’m sure we can both celebrate this joyous occasion together. 

Nailed it...

Me:How would you describe Ghandi?
Student 1:Thin
Student 2:Bald
Student 3:Hungry
Student 4:Hungry?! I bet he was starving!
And once again I am outwitted by my students