Last night, after my sister, mother, father and I finished eating dinner (my younger brother returns from his summer camp next week), my mother remarked that the sun was already setting and that "fall is just around the corner." I thought to myself that, after six and a half weeks in Peru, today was really my first day of summer.
I've had mixed emotions returning to Andover. I'm very excited to be back to the gorgeous summer weather, to see my family and to be back to the various comforts of home (bed, car, clothes, favorite foods, etc.). Yesterday my mother, sister and I went to the beach and had ice cream on the way home- an idyllic New England August summer day!
As nice as it is to be back home, however, nothing here in Andover will come close to my experience in Peru. After our group program ended on July 28th, I stayed in Lima with one of our program organizer's cousins and her family. Getting a second look at Lima and some of its various districts (La Molina, San Isidro, Miraflores and Barranco) from the perspective of a Limenian versus that of a tourist was so much fun- all the cute shops, corners and cafes I missed the first time my host sister and friends made sure I got to see before returning home.
Along with seeing various sights in Lima, sampling delicious food and meeting friends of my host sister, I got to attend one of the meetings of a youth group she participates in at her church. After everyone arrived, we decided on a movie to watch and ordered lunch from Bembos (a Peruvian fast food chain, quite similar to McDonalds or Burger King). When our lunch arrived, we took a break from our movie and, lead by the young pastor who helps organize the group's meetings, dove into a deep theological/philosophical discussion related to marriage. Though I struggled to follow along to the conversation in Spanish, I absolutely loved the discussion, which reminded me of some of my favorite Religion/Philosophy classes I took this past year.
Though I suppose this summer learning experience has come to a close, fall and school are just around the corner. While I know I will soon be engrossed in my hectic life back at school, I'll always have my pictures and memories to look back on as a reminder of the relaxed surfer lifestyle of San Bartolo, the dynamic, vibrant atmosphere of Lima and the amazing experiences I had in Peru.
Chau!
Celia
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Peru Retrospective: 10 Memorable Expressions
Hi all,
Dave here - sorry it's taken me a while to post, but my Brazil travels the past week-plus have kept me rather busy. Looking back on our month together, it really is amazing how rich and varied our days were. In particular, a few vivid expressions have really stuck out in my mind that seem to encapsulate the magic that was "El Peru Crew."
Without further ado, I present...
***************************************
10 MEMORABLE EXPRESSIONS FROM THE ADVENTURES OF EL PERU CREW
(sponsored by Sublime Chocolate Bars)
1) During our first full day in San Bartolo, we meet Jorge, the Mayor of San Bartolo. Upon learning that Michael liked surfing, Jorge's eyes lit up and his childlike reaction said it all: "Forget work - let's hit the beach!"
2) Expression #2: Celia's look of sheer delight as chef extraordinare David brough out his spicy peppers to our first meal at "K-Town," the hottest new restaurant in San Bartolo
3) Nelly's face after swimming for the first time in her life with the helpful guidance of Manny and Patrick. Her expression can best be described as first terror, then exerted effort, and finally satisfied glee.
4) While starting a bonfire on the beach, Michael and Dave are stopped by a self-described "vigilante" San Bartolito and told that this is not allowed. Michael is not pleased, and comes close to responding, "You can't mess with me - the Mayor has my BACK!"
5) Alana's repeatedly futile attempts to stay awake during our personal Chopin piano concert, thus providing the San Bartolo kids with more entertainment than the concert itself.
6) Upon seeing a herd of stampeding llamas descend upon him at Machu Picchu, Manny's recognition that if he survived this bizarre attack, it would make a damn good story.
7) Cary's slight sigh just before she would begin masterfully translating a particularly complex argument, statement or Chat answer from English to Spanish (or vice versa).
8) Patrick's look of utter defeat on the evening of July 24th (his birthday) after consuming approximately 18,000 calories of food. Think that's an exaggeration? See for yourself the list of items Señor Wolber consumed on this gut-busting day:
* 2 cups of formula from Vaso de Leche
* 2 cups of Lorena's ambrosial banana smoothie
* 1.5 rolls with jelly
* 4 slices of birthday banana cake
* 3 more slices of different birthday banana cake!
* 4 mini ham sandwiches
* 2 Inka Kolas (aka, Peru's sorry excuse for soda)
* 2 plates of hurricaine potatoes (our patented name for the saucy Peruvian dish)
* 1 plate of chicken & rice
* 1 glass of "nighttime fruit drink"
* 1.5 of David's delectable fruit pancakes
* 2 toffees
* 1 chocolate bar
* 1 cup of Sunny-D
* 4 slices of chocolate cake (generous provided by the San Bartolitos...after shoving it in his face!)
* 1 plate of mayonnaise beets (one of Lorena's less popular dishes...)
* Half a plate of chicken, rice and potatoes
* 1 bowl of jello
* 2 s'mores at birthday campfire on the beach
* 1.5 hot dogs
9) Lorena's face of chiding disappointment as she scolded *certain* members of the group for not finishing a portion of one of her delicious meals. (Let's just say that Patrick did not fall into this category. Ever.)
10) While visiting the Polícia Militar, we visited one class room of 40+ eager female cadets. As we left, they pleaded Manny, Michael and Patrick to leave their email addresses on the blackboard, eliciting a collective reaction that can only be described as "a bit too eager." Well done, bro's - well done.
****************************************
In short, it was a pretty epic trip. Viva El Peru Crew!
Much love,
Dave
Dave here - sorry it's taken me a while to post, but my Brazil travels the past week-plus have kept me rather busy. Looking back on our month together, it really is amazing how rich and varied our days were. In particular, a few vivid expressions have really stuck out in my mind that seem to encapsulate the magic that was "El Peru Crew."
Without further ado, I present...
***************************************
10 MEMORABLE EXPRESSIONS FROM THE ADVENTURES OF EL PERU CREW
(sponsored by Sublime Chocolate Bars)
1) During our first full day in San Bartolo, we meet Jorge, the Mayor of San Bartolo. Upon learning that Michael liked surfing, Jorge's eyes lit up and his childlike reaction said it all: "Forget work - let's hit the beach!"
2) Expression #2: Celia's look of sheer delight as chef extraordinare David brough out his spicy peppers to our first meal at "K-Town," the hottest new restaurant in San Bartolo
3) Nelly's face after swimming for the first time in her life with the helpful guidance of Manny and Patrick. Her expression can best be described as first terror, then exerted effort, and finally satisfied glee.
4) While starting a bonfire on the beach, Michael and Dave are stopped by a self-described "vigilante" San Bartolito and told that this is not allowed. Michael is not pleased, and comes close to responding, "You can't mess with me - the Mayor has my BACK!"
5) Alana's repeatedly futile attempts to stay awake during our personal Chopin piano concert, thus providing the San Bartolo kids with more entertainment than the concert itself.
6) Upon seeing a herd of stampeding llamas descend upon him at Machu Picchu, Manny's recognition that if he survived this bizarre attack, it would make a damn good story.
7) Cary's slight sigh just before she would begin masterfully translating a particularly complex argument, statement or Chat answer from English to Spanish (or vice versa).
8) Patrick's look of utter defeat on the evening of July 24th (his birthday) after consuming approximately 18,000 calories of food. Think that's an exaggeration? See for yourself the list of items Señor Wolber consumed on this gut-busting day:
* 2 cups of formula from Vaso de Leche
* 2 cups of Lorena's ambrosial banana smoothie
* 1.5 rolls with jelly
* 4 slices of birthday banana cake
* 3 more slices of different birthday banana cake!
* 4 mini ham sandwiches
* 2 Inka Kolas (aka, Peru's sorry excuse for soda)
* 2 plates of hurricaine potatoes (our patented name for the saucy Peruvian dish)
* 1 plate of chicken & rice
* 1 glass of "nighttime fruit drink"
* 1.5 of David's delectable fruit pancakes
* 2 toffees
* 1 chocolate bar
* 1 cup of Sunny-D
* 4 slices of chocolate cake (generous provided by the San Bartolitos...after shoving it in his face!)
* 1 plate of mayonnaise beets (one of Lorena's less popular dishes...)
* Half a plate of chicken, rice and potatoes
* 1 bowl of jello
* 2 s'mores at birthday campfire on the beach
* 1.5 hot dogs
9) Lorena's face of chiding disappointment as she scolded *certain* members of the group for not finishing a portion of one of her delicious meals. (Let's just say that Patrick did not fall into this category. Ever.)
10) While visiting the Polícia Militar, we visited one class room of 40+ eager female cadets. As we left, they pleaded Manny, Michael and Patrick to leave their email addresses on the blackboard, eliciting a collective reaction that can only be described as "a bit too eager." Well done, bro's - well done.
****************************************
In short, it was a pretty epic trip. Viva El Peru Crew!
Much love,
Dave
Monday, August 3, 2009
Lagrimas
As I sat with Manny, Cary, and Nelly awaiting our 11pm red-eye back to Estados Unidos, I noticed something. I looked over at Nelly, noticed her eyes were already red, and chuckled. We were looking at other, so she gave me a confused blank face...but then she remembered that I am Patrick and I laugh to myself a lot so she turned her head away, biting her lip to resist a smile and the contagious laugh--she was only half successful.
I wasn't the first to cry... or was I? Ok, I started the cry fest as we met with the Sanbartolinos to say our goodbyes. I had held myself together pretty well for most of the day, and as Omayra, Juan, and I returned from our short little excursion to make a facebook I felt content. But as we were walking back they sat me down, put my hat over my head, and Omayra tied a gift around my neck. That was the end for my dry face. They say it never rains in Lima…
Patrick (or Patriccito)
I wasn't the first to cry... or was I? Ok, I started the cry fest as we met with the Sanbartolinos to say our goodbyes. I had held myself together pretty well for most of the day, and as Omayra, Juan, and I returned from our short little excursion to make a facebook I felt content. But as we were walking back they sat me down, put my hat over my head, and Omayra tied a gift around my neck. That was the end for my dry face. They say it never rains in Lima…
Patrick (or Patriccito)
BACK IN LAWRENCE
Peru was a great experience. I learned a lot of things during my month over there. The last few days were the busiest of the entire trip. We had things coming together like mural paintings, photo projects, and a conference for the younger youth, all in a few days. I dont think any of what everyone wanted to do worked out perfectly, but overall i think it all worked out.
Peru was a mix of a lot of things, it was part tourism, part social entrepreneurship, part making new friends, and getting to know a different society and culture. I cant really explain what Peru was in words. You had to be there to know.
To everyone I met in Peru, thank you for all the help and cooperation
To THE PERU CREW, thanks guys for a great month
-Emmanuel Castañeda
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Boiling Water
For those of you who are unaware, much like i was, it is advised that people residing in Lawrence boil their water before drinking it. Apparently there has been some e. coli contamination. I'm not exactly sure of what happened but from what friends and family relate to me a couple people working at the treatment plant have been fired.
From boiling water in Peru to boiling water back in the States, I think that everything I learned in Peru I have brought back with me. Prior to embarking on this amazing trip I had a vague understanding of social entreprenuership and service learning but meeting the San Bartolo kids and witnessing first hand their hunger for change, their hunger for having a voice in their community, made those terms resinate in me. There's a common misconception that money is needed for change to be effected and these kids, these young adults, taught me that it is not money but rather a strong will and the support of those around you that propels change. These jovenes from Colegio Victor Moron Munos also taught me the most important lesson of them all:
I, 17 year old Cary Trinidad of Lawrence, Massachusetts can change the world...
And I can't thank them enough for that.
From boiling water in Peru to boiling water back in the States, I think that everything I learned in Peru I have brought back with me. Prior to embarking on this amazing trip I had a vague understanding of social entreprenuership and service learning but meeting the San Bartolo kids and witnessing first hand their hunger for change, their hunger for having a voice in their community, made those terms resinate in me. There's a common misconception that money is needed for change to be effected and these kids, these young adults, taught me that it is not money but rather a strong will and the support of those around you that propels change. These jovenes from Colegio Victor Moron Munos also taught me the most important lesson of them all:
I, 17 year old Cary Trinidad of Lawrence, Massachusetts can change the world...
And I can't thank them enough for that.
Friday, July 31, 2009
San Bartolo Retrospective
A schedule of the last day at San Bartolo:
9 am- Dory boat ride with Manny and Felipe, a local fisherman and huge bro. Through fish tales and life stories, blew Manny and I away. A humble, joyful man who seems to know all of the secrets of Life from living through the roughest times.
11 am- Finish packing and PEACE Kauhuhu
12 am- Over to the mural. Kids already finished an entire panel. Looks beautiful, huge wave riding through, and in the distance the shore of San Bartolo. Two more panels to go. Help from Lía and Laurena, friends from Lima, makes the experience even better.
12:30 pm- Working hard. So much fun! Who knew you could mix lame colors to make awesome colors. Club manager next door lends us his restrooms, sinks to wash paintbrushes, and more. What a guy!
2:30 pm- Message across Mural reads "Sanbartoloian Youth for Future". Other panels consist of significant themes relating to the lives of the natives.
4 pm- Arrive at K-Land for going away party. Food is obviously delicious, made by our local bro and chef David. Quickly becomes tearful goodbye for many.
6 pm- Gifts are exchanged as the taxis wait outside. After a few more speeches, and kids are pulled away for "un ratito" by close friends, we gather to fill up the taxis. Wave goodbye to friends and San Bartolo.
11 pm- Sit on Spirit Air for flight to Ft. Lauderdale. Still thinking of those kids.
5 am- Arrive at Ft. Lauderdale. In a frantic feat of athleticism, retrieve the bagels from Ken and Astrid (thanks guys, hope to see you again soon!), and hop on the plane to Boston!
10 am- Woohoo! Home! After we get our bags, we see a sprinting woman (Manny's mom) quickly followed by a pack of everyones family! Good to be back.
And now, a day later, I am still suprised by how much I miss everything! Gloucester's been good to me (although it's pouring right now...) but it blows my mind how strong the connection I made with a few of those kids was. I only hope that they continue to do great things for their community.
And for Alana, Celia, Dave, Mandawg, Cary, Nelly, and Pat- I miss all of you! We'll be keeping in touch for important stuff, but I hope we still get together to have some more goofy times.
Thanks to everyone,
Michael
9 am- Dory boat ride with Manny and Felipe, a local fisherman and huge bro. Through fish tales and life stories, blew Manny and I away. A humble, joyful man who seems to know all of the secrets of Life from living through the roughest times.
11 am- Finish packing and PEACE Kauhuhu
12 am- Over to the mural. Kids already finished an entire panel. Looks beautiful, huge wave riding through, and in the distance the shore of San Bartolo. Two more panels to go. Help from Lía and Laurena, friends from Lima, makes the experience even better.
12:30 pm- Working hard. So much fun! Who knew you could mix lame colors to make awesome colors. Club manager next door lends us his restrooms, sinks to wash paintbrushes, and more. What a guy!
2:30 pm- Message across Mural reads "Sanbartoloian Youth for Future". Other panels consist of significant themes relating to the lives of the natives.
4 pm- Arrive at K-Land for going away party. Food is obviously delicious, made by our local bro and chef David. Quickly becomes tearful goodbye for many.
6 pm- Gifts are exchanged as the taxis wait outside. After a few more speeches, and kids are pulled away for "un ratito" by close friends, we gather to fill up the taxis. Wave goodbye to friends and San Bartolo.
11 pm- Sit on Spirit Air for flight to Ft. Lauderdale. Still thinking of those kids.
5 am- Arrive at Ft. Lauderdale. In a frantic feat of athleticism, retrieve the bagels from Ken and Astrid (thanks guys, hope to see you again soon!), and hop on the plane to Boston!
10 am- Woohoo! Home! After we get our bags, we see a sprinting woman (Manny's mom) quickly followed by a pack of everyones family! Good to be back.
And now, a day later, I am still suprised by how much I miss everything! Gloucester's been good to me (although it's pouring right now...) but it blows my mind how strong the connection I made with a few of those kids was. I only hope that they continue to do great things for their community.
And for Alana, Celia, Dave, Mandawg, Cary, Nelly, and Pat- I miss all of you! We'll be keeping in touch for important stuff, but I hope we still get together to have some more goofy times.
Thanks to everyone,
Michael
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Back in Lawrence ? mhm
wow what a trip :)
Its 3:05pm, July 29th .. I am back in Lawrence in howards office!
Yesterday was a sad day but a thrilling happy day as well..
Saying good-bye to the kids made me really sad and I cryed alot but I cryed of tears of joy. The kids have grown up so much and are leaders and I feel as if I accomplished something in San bartolo. I am goign to miss all the hugs and kisses .. all the names given to me " bruja" & " wich".
But This experience in San Bartolo has made me realize so much. I am very grateful to have had the oppurtunity to go to San Bartolo and meet with amazing human beings that are going to make a difference in thier community. I wont ever forget this experience , this Summer !!! Now that I am back in Lawrence I plan to continue what began in Peru here . I have my goals to accomplish and I have the passion fired up inside of me to do it.. the thanks goes to those amazing kids I meet..
Peru was the Best and I am so happy to here in the future about what the kids have done.. I have hope & belief that they will make a difference and make San Bartolo the best district in Peru ( :
June 29th- July 29th ( & it only continues..... )
always, Nelly Maria Alba ( :
Its 3:05pm, July 29th .. I am back in Lawrence in howards office!
Yesterday was a sad day but a thrilling happy day as well..
Saying good-bye to the kids made me really sad and I cryed alot but I cryed of tears of joy. The kids have grown up so much and are leaders and I feel as if I accomplished something in San bartolo. I am goign to miss all the hugs and kisses .. all the names given to me " bruja" & " wich".
But This experience in San Bartolo has made me realize so much. I am very grateful to have had the oppurtunity to go to San Bartolo and meet with amazing human beings that are going to make a difference in thier community. I wont ever forget this experience , this Summer !!! Now that I am back in Lawrence I plan to continue what began in Peru here . I have my goals to accomplish and I have the passion fired up inside of me to do it.. the thanks goes to those amazing kids I meet..
Peru was the Best and I am so happy to here in the future about what the kids have done.. I have hope & belief that they will make a difference and make San Bartolo the best district in Peru ( :
June 29th- July 29th ( & it only continues..... )
always, Nelly Maria Alba ( :
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