Santo Hogar

So the last few days have been pretty chill around here. And I haven't been very good at taking pictures either. Sorry! So this post is going to be pretty short.

This morning I sat on the roof of our house to watch the sunrise. It is seriously so beautiful here! I just can't get enough of it!

This afternoon, we went to a place called Santo Hogar. It is a place for kids with special needs. That has definitely been my favorite part of being here so far. Today we just spent our time playing with them and getting to know them. Eventually, the plan is to help them out with any exercises and therapy that they need. Those kids are adorable! And they are so happy! It really made me realize that I don't need much in the way of material things to be happy. These kids have so little, and some come from some very hard backgrounds, but they are happy. I just love those kids. 

One thing about people here in Cajamarca, it's really hard to tell how old people are. Because the people are so malnourished, it stunts their growth. I met a kid who was eleven years old, but he looks around seven or eight years old. A lot of the kids are this way. It just breaks my heart to see it. I am so fortunate to live in America where all of my basic needs are easily accessible. 

In other news, our water has been out for most of the day. We're not sure why. So, currently, our two toilets don't flush, and one sink has water sometimes. Hopefully, it will be back on tomorrow.

Well, I believe that is it for this post! Adios!

I ate my childhood pet!

For those of you who don't know, when I was a little kid we had a pet guinea pig named Teak. He was the cutest, fluffiest orange and white ball of fur you ever did see. We called him Teaker Sneakers. In Cajamarca, people eat guinea pigs. It's called cuy. I would have never guessed that I would some day eat a relative of my pet Teak. I was a little hesitant at first at the restaurant on Saturday, but I did it! I ate it! The part I had was a leg. And the little nails are still attached and everything. It's actually really good! And yes, it really does taste just like chicken.

We spent most of Saturday up in the mountains (campo) talking to families with kids who have disabilities. Because they are in such a rural area, they don't have access to the medical attention they need. We are working with an amazing group called Camina Conmigo who runs the project. Right now, they are still just in the process of finding kids who need help, and documenting information on them and their needs. This group is going to do amazing things for so many people!

Up in the campo, they farm corn. And let me tell you, this corn is so yummy! It's huge! After we finished talking to one family, the mom brought us a bowl of freshly cooked, steaming hot corn kernels. Those things were so juicy and good! I took a picture just to prove how big they are.

After we got back from the campo, we decided to go the hot springs in Banos del Inca. They were amazing! You basically fill up a big bathtub with the hot water in a little room. You have thirty minutes to chill in there. And since we don't really have hot water at the house, we all brought our shampoo and conditioner, etc. so that way we could wash with hot water. It was so nice! I've never really appreciated having simple things like hot running water before. 

There are a lot of things that I appreciate so much more now. For instance, we are all just sleeping on mattresses on the floor. And to go to the bathroom here, you can do your business in the toilet, but you can't flush toilet paper or it will clog the pipes. So you have to throw that away seperately. Everything is really simple and basic here. It makes me realize just how blessed I am to live in America. But that being said, I wouldn't trade my time here in Peru for anything! I just love being here. I'm not sure that six weeks is long enough. I guess I will just have to work my hardest and enjoy it that much more!

I'm lovin' it!

Well, day two was a success! Word of advice: exercising when you are at twice the elevation that you normally are makes it kinda hard to breathe. Cajamarca is at about 8,900 ft. So it just makes it a little hard to catch your breath for a minute. Don't worry Mom, I'm breathing just fine. :)

We started the day bright and early by going into the city to teach English classes. That was really fun, but pretty hard, too. My Spanish skills are next to nothing, so the language barrier was hard to get around. Gestures are my new best friend! I've decided that teaching English is an excellent way to learn Spanish!

Just a heads up: I'm going to be talking about the food A LOT. It is all just so stinkin' good! We went out for chifa for lunch today. Chifa is Peruvian and Chinese food mixed together. I got pollo de pina (chicken and pineapple) with limonada (lemonade). It was so yummy! I also really love granadilla. That stuff is so good, but so weird at the same time. I peeled about half of the peel off, poked a hole in the top, and squeezed the seeds out like a Go-Gurt. I think it tastes like Starbursts.

Granadilla

We also did some exploring around Cajamarca today. This city is seriously so beautiful. I love the mixture of the old and modern cultures. I love seeing at the street vendors and women carrying babies on their backs. Because of the elevation, it does get pretty cold at night. And since we don't have a heater in our house, last night I actually wore a skirt with my pants because I was so cold. During the day, the temperature is around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit, and at night it is around 40ish degrees. I have been wearing a light jacket most of the time during the day.

I seriously love Peru! I just really know that this is where I am supposed to be right now. I am completely and thoroughly exhausted, but I am happy. So, so happy.

I made it to Peru!!

I am finally in Cajamarca, Peru!! Woooo! It still doesn't quite feel real, yet. It feels like I'm going to wake up, and none of this will have actually happened.

But, first thing first. Cajamarca is so beautiful! Holy cow! There are cows and fields everywhere. I love it! It reminds me of home a bit. I can smell the cows from my house, and it's wonderful! 

And second, Inca Kola is amazing! It tastes like bubble gum mixed with a pineapple Jarritos! So flippin' good! (Ps-Jarritos is a Mexican soda that is amazing!) On my plane to Cajamarca, I experienced keke and habas. I really liked both! Favorite airplane snacks I've ever had! Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but keke is like a thick cake made of eggs and other stuff. I'm not sure what other stuff, but it's really good. And habas are a type of bean that is fried in oil until it splits. Then it is salted. Habas reminds me of chicharrones (fried pork rinds), but with a more peanut buttery taste.

Well, I am exhausted, but so excited to get started on this adventure! We haven't done much in Cajamarca, yet. But, tomorrow the fun begins!