Acostumbrandome (growing accustomed)

The more I leave Arequipa and come back I realize that I´m coming to love it. It makes me a little worried that I am because I know I will have to leave it! I had just been learning about not making this world my home. I know it is normal to settle into a place and I´m glad am doing that! I was able to talk with a couple who had been traveling around the world for the last 6 months. I really felt bad for them and how much I would long for home at this point of their trip ( they only have a week or so left). They seemed to be searching and there are some crazy ideas especially with all the mysteries of the Incan people! I shared with them the comfort that I feel seeing the beautiful creation and knowing God is caring for it all and he cares for me and wants a relationship. We also talked about injustice that they had seen in the church and elsewhere. I´m praying for these two and others who come looking for meaning.

Easter in Ica

Some of you who received my update saw a picture of part of my time in Ica. We left last Wednesday night and rode a bus for 14 hours to Ica. The early morning was a neat time to look out the window and see waves crashing on an untouched beach lit by the moon... one plus for being awake at that hour! I was inpacted by how much God cares for all the places of the world that we don´t even think or know about!
We got there and rested and then were off to see and do everything Ica had to offer; wine tours, dune buggies and sand boarding, watching the Good Friday procession, having a bonfire in the outskirts of town, swimming in a pool and tasting Ica´s finest fare! We had a great time and almost every moment was filled. Our host family´s dad is a great HOST! Ica is know for it´s wine and pisco. The stuff that´s in Pisco Sours- the alcoholic drink of Peru! Ana´s dad, Litos, works at a manufacturing plant for small grape farmers so we got a taste! Strong stuff!
Right outside Ica are the dunes and the only Oasis in South America. The picture was of us walking up the sand dunes(hard work) with family friends and then running down the face of them (scary at first but fun)! Sandboarding was actually sand sledding for those who had no snowboarding experience but fun all the same. And yes you find sand all over your body, even in your ears afterwards. The dune buggy ride felt like a roller coaster without the security of a closed course. I realized we hadn´t signed anything before getting in and taking off. You never knew if it was a steep decline or a little hill ahead!
The procession was impressive! First, the rugs, they call them that are on the streets- formerly made of flowers but now done with tinted chalk of some kind. Some great artistry! Then we walked the streets trying all the fare that only comes out during Semana Santa- manjar- thick caramel, ponche- hot milk drink, anticuchos- cow´s heart- really pretty good, chinchuli- intestines- chewy and yuck!, etc. Then we headed to a spot above the street to better observe the slow procession of about 40 men carrying on their shoulders an enourmous float of Jesus on the cross. The float was lit by lights all the way around and flowers were on top that people threw as it passed. The people carrying incense were in front. The priests surrounded the float to coordinate the men changing positions with those others that were lined up, smashed together waiting for a chance to take part. The band was behind them playing loud funeral type music. If I had only had my camera... The mood was somewhat depressing for me. So many people watching it but really not having a part. It was a reminder to me that we need to take up Christ´s cross each day, not just on special holidays. Those men seemed to get a glimpse of what Christ suffered carrying his cross up the hill, but for what? The procession supposedly went on for 16 hours. It gave me a glimpse into their reality. I asked one Catholic we were with, was this all they celebrate but he assured me in the churches on Sunday they celebrated the Resurrection. We didn´t get an opportunity to see that part but I sure did see a lot fo people walking around town on Sunday morning like a normal work day! ( As were we!)
Not a usual Easter to say the least!

Claudia

This is one of my teacher´s names. She´s about 22 years old and studying economics at university. Her birthday was this week- on Monday. I went on an open invitation- LAura was going, and said basically, your friends just drop by your house on the night of your birthday. We came from another meeting at about 9. Everyone was seated in a circle and there were snacks and drinks on the table. American music was playing. I realized I need to get used to this-- in this culture-- American music is playing everywhere- in the stores, on the buses. Claudia lived in the states for a while so she know a lot fo American music. Comversation is more with those you sit next to, than across the room. Her friends from the neighborhood were there as well as cousins and others that work at the Insitute. As more people came in, she introduced each of us and we all greeted with the customary cheek kiss. We were given a fork and a napkin and so I figured it was for cake, but little did I know we would be served a meal! It was good! And guess who served it- Claudia! When it was time for the cake the lights were turned off, and we sang three versions of Happy Birthday- a christian version in Spanish, the English version and then the Spanish one- they joked we would sing the Norwegian one next. Once she blew out the candles the lights were turned on, the candles were taken out and we were waiting for something. Her close friends gathered around close to the cake. I wasn´t sure what they were gonna do but it seemed like it was gonna be messy- she made it without too much frosting on her face. And she only took a small bite. Then another cake was served. Guess who served it- Claudia! I was blown away that in America we are the ones served on our birthdays! As I talked to her the next day in class, I commented on this difference and she said it´s because they´re Christians. At a normal Peruvian birthday they would be drinking! It was very fun and I was glad to be a part!