Hola amigos!
It’s the end of the day, and most
people are probably hanging out with friends, heading home, or getting ready
for dinner. Where am I? In a café listening to Jae-Hee tell us that people name
Angelica or more likely to go insane. Her reasoning? They associate their name
with being good, being an angel. Personally, I think this is great fun fact.
When I decided to go to Peru I
thought that I would only learn about the Peruvian culture; picking up some
Spanish and at least generally getting to know my homestay family. Thus far
this trip has gone above and beyond all expectations. I have made new friends
in other forms. More than that I have had an amazing experience with my
homestay family. Originally I didn’t expect to think of my family as a real
family, their home as my own. Now, however; I couldn’t imagine my life without
having known these people. For example, last night I made bracelet’s with my
mom, Yenet; her daughter, Macaela; and her nephew and nieces. In reality my
Spanish is sparse at best, and I probably didn’t do the greatest job of
explaining how to make the bracelets. Did this stop anyone from having fun? No!
We communicated with smiles, and laughter, and tons of hand motions. This Peru
trip has given me more than the chance to immerse myself in a new language. I
gained the opportunity to immerse myself in new friends; a new family.
My great experience with my home
stay isn’t the only awesome thing that has happened on this trip this far. Take
today. Today was the festival of Ollantayraimi. This is a celebration of the
founding of Ollantaytambo. I spent my day frolicking the markets, and watching
performances. In morning there was a huge theater production on the Incan ruins
of the history of Ollantaytombo. It was fantastic with amazing music. You really
felt transported as the backdrop of the mountains loomed over you, and the Incan
trails serenaded with music. Later there was a dancing performance, with girls
and boys doing dance routines so complicated they seemed almost to float as
their skirts and ponchos swirled around them. After the festival we were treated to a traditional
feast called pachamanca, in which food is cooked underground over hot
stones. We also had our first Quecha
lesson today.
For the people who don’t believe in
magic, or can’t find it, come here. It’s everywhere, and my adventure in this
magical place is just beginning.
-Nailah
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