Home sweet home
Trip Start
Dec 26, 2008
1
10
Trip End
Jan 15, 2009
Lima,
Peru
Thursday, January 15, 2009
So in Huanchaco Jason, another lifeguard friend, showed up on the 11th. It was so good to see him! and strange all at the same time. I picked him up from the airport with Don Pepe's sons... the random boys that asked me if I was Michelle in the water...
from that moment on it was rush rush rush... The next morning I repaired wetsuits, helped with the surf lessons, had lunch, and then decided within five minutes to take my booked flight to Lima. I couldn't get a hold of Mariana, and Mariana's dad didn't really know what was going on with her either, so I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to find her... I do have her home address but she was at her summer home in San Bartolow further south of Lima. I was so torn because I was already missing the kids and Huanchaco, and Jason had just arrived... I was seriously considering just taking the 8 hour bus ride back on the 14th in order to make it on time to my flight that night. But, within a matter of 5 minutes I decided to take the plane to Lima. When I got there I went directly to a pay phone, when what I thought was another random guy came up to me and asked if I was Michelle (I am really popular down here). It was Willie! Mariana's taxi man, I didn't recognize him because last time he had picked me up at night, and honestly I hadn't paid much attention to him. I was so relieved to see him. He drove me 2 hours south to Mariana's home in San Bartolow. We also had a really intriguing conversation about Incan culture, and the town where he's from. He's a very hard worker, working to pay his way through school.
When I arrived in San Bartolow I felt like God just picked me up out of reality and placed me in a dream. It was so beautiful. Her house is set on a cliff that overlooks a cove where you can swim and snorkel... about a 10 minute walk along the malicon (boardwalk) is Mariana's beach.. her surf spot. There are barely any tourists, and the water is so clean and clear... Her house itself is made out of stone, filled with sunshine overlooks the bay with its breathtaking sunsets, and has an outside area also open to the cove with a white hammock wooden table for meals, and a stone built jacuzzi. Literally a dream.
Even better I finally saw my twin Sofie. When we got to Mariana's beach there was a girl packing up her gear into her car, and I nudged Mariana... "she looks like Sofie too..." I think she was distracted because all she said was "yea she does." A few hours later she mentioned it... "did you realize that was actually Sofie?" Kind of ironic huh? I kind of wish I would've had an opportunity to say hi since everyone thought we were pretty much the same person (until they saw me surf lol ;) )... but I'm sure when I come back I will get the opportunity.
That afternoon (13th) we were off to Lima to meet Mariana's friends..
I absolutely love them by the way. They are all a part of the privledged class here in Peru, but at the same time they are all very socially aware. Jemi is a Peruvian chic who is half Palestinian. She took me to a protest of the war going on between Israel and the Palestinians in the Gaza strip.. it broke my heart hearing of all the children and innocent people dying right now because the extremists on both sides are not willing to compromise. Apparently the biggest grievances are that press are not allowed into the area, and any medical aid that has been tried to be given by UNICEF and Red Cross have been shot at by the Israelites. So people are dying when there could be aid. Devestating.
It felt good to be a part of it. Intimidating too though, because there was a lot of anit-americanism because our country is the only one that is supporting Israel in this war effort. At one point I was at the front lines of the protest because I wanted to see the pictures and the articles that were posted. A woman grabbed my arm and asked where are you from? When I said the US, she paused for a second, and then pretty much screamed "this american wants peace!" It was really strange, and made me feel really uncomfortable, but at the same time I think it was inpsiring for her that I was there, so I'm glad for that. It was also very eye opening, and reaffirming to me to see how in most places American aid and infiltration really isn't welcomed. and it really isn't helping. I hope with Obamah we will focus more on our internal programs and pull out of places we just don't understand and so have no business meddling with.
Fiura is another one of Mariana's good friends here. She is so full of life and always singing and dancing to some kind of tune in her head. It's warming just looking at her because she wears her soul and heart on her sleeve. As I was leaving i was telling her I wanted to come back, and I started explaining to her my vision to want to help here, and about a desire that's been growing... these need to empower others. The more I talked the more she got excited. She said that I have a circuit of friends for support here because all of them are socially conscience and want to give back to..,
I left last night... had some yogurt with my mom when I got back today, who lovingly confirmed her support and belief in me... and now I'm sitting on my couch excited about my trip and everyone I met and everything I learned... but also really excited to see all my friends.
Thanks for being a part of this.
until next time...
peace in the middle east... some day :)
