First for Every Thing
Right now I am living in Peru and trying to improve my Spanish skills at a rate that may not even be possible for the most brilliant minds in the world. To say the least, I am suffering from a short term disease that is called over-stimulation. This disease can be contracted in more ways than one, but I do not feel the need to explain the more perverse ways. With that being said, today the disease progressed to an entirely new level. A level that can only be compared to being high on heroine (disclaimer: I have never tried heroine, and will never unless it is snuck into my cereal).
Today was a day of firsts!
At approximately 9:03 am I took my first shower since arriving in Peru. I have been here a week already so one can imagine how stimulating the shower was. The moment the water touched my skin, I forgot all the Spanish I knew. Seconds later I applied soap and instantaneously forgot the English language. From there I applied shampoo and conditioner and lost my entire chilldhood. Fortunately in Peru the streets are extremely dusty and as soon as I was exposed again I became less stimulated and began to remember all the things I once knew.
A few hours later I was in a 15 passenger van on the way to the country and before we could leave the streets of Cajamarca we crashed into a taxi. This was my first real car accident and by real accident, I mean the first car accident I have participated in, in which both vehicles were moving. Nicolas the driver said it was his first car accident as well.
Finally after driving around the city aimlessly for half an hour, stopping at the police station to pay for the accident, a market to buy beer and ice, and someones house to get something else, we left the city. As we climbed and climbed, reaching an altitude of over 10,000 feet we crossed many bridges. But these were not ordinary bridges. These were bridges made out of wood panes that bounced up and down as cars drive over them. This was the first time I feared for my life. But after driving over 3 of them I got used to the shakyness and stopped living bridge to bridge.
The destination was a birthday party on top of a mountain. This was my first Peruvian fiesta and perhaps the most overstimulating event of the day. The party started with lots of drinks. Once every one was content with their level of intoxication the first course of food came. I should mention that their were places set at 4 tables for about 50 people. Then their were another 30 or so people eating in the lawn which looked out onto an incredible view of a typical Andean farm with pigs, donkeys, horses, two giant peaks, and a green valley separating them. The first course was chicken, beef, ham, potatoes and some purple vegteables that looked too purple to eat. Then came the second course which was guiney pig, rice, and potatoes. The woman to the right of me was persistent in trying to convince me to try the guiney pig but I reasoned that in my country guiney pig is a pet and I have known too many respectable guiney pigs throughout my life to consume them. The next course was a bland vanilla cake. And the next course was two more cakes, which we all crowded around and sung happy birthday in 3 different ways upon the cakes presentation. Many speeches were made and we were led to their private church to admire its beauty.
And tonight was my first earthquake. This actually was a bit humorous because the waitresses in the cafe who were all Peruvian started screaming upon feeling the room tremble and watching the chandelier shake vigorously. The chief waitress yelled at the screamers to remain calm. The customers sat calmly and watched with pleaure the paintings on the wall tilt back in forth. The earthquake was like a weak amusement park ride. It lasted about 30 seconds, a few people screamed, and I felt ripped off once it was over.
Buenas Noches desde Cajamarca!
Today was a day of firsts!
At approximately 9:03 am I took my first shower since arriving in Peru. I have been here a week already so one can imagine how stimulating the shower was. The moment the water touched my skin, I forgot all the Spanish I knew. Seconds later I applied soap and instantaneously forgot the English language. From there I applied shampoo and conditioner and lost my entire chilldhood. Fortunately in Peru the streets are extremely dusty and as soon as I was exposed again I became less stimulated and began to remember all the things I once knew.
A few hours later I was in a 15 passenger van on the way to the country and before we could leave the streets of Cajamarca we crashed into a taxi. This was my first real car accident and by real accident, I mean the first car accident I have participated in, in which both vehicles were moving. Nicolas the driver said it was his first car accident as well.
Finally after driving around the city aimlessly for half an hour, stopping at the police station to pay for the accident, a market to buy beer and ice, and someones house to get something else, we left the city. As we climbed and climbed, reaching an altitude of over 10,000 feet we crossed many bridges. But these were not ordinary bridges. These were bridges made out of wood panes that bounced up and down as cars drive over them. This was the first time I feared for my life. But after driving over 3 of them I got used to the shakyness and stopped living bridge to bridge.
The destination was a birthday party on top of a mountain. This was my first Peruvian fiesta and perhaps the most overstimulating event of the day. The party started with lots of drinks. Once every one was content with their level of intoxication the first course of food came. I should mention that their were places set at 4 tables for about 50 people. Then their were another 30 or so people eating in the lawn which looked out onto an incredible view of a typical Andean farm with pigs, donkeys, horses, two giant peaks, and a green valley separating them. The first course was chicken, beef, ham, potatoes and some purple vegteables that looked too purple to eat. Then came the second course which was guiney pig, rice, and potatoes. The woman to the right of me was persistent in trying to convince me to try the guiney pig but I reasoned that in my country guiney pig is a pet and I have known too many respectable guiney pigs throughout my life to consume them. The next course was a bland vanilla cake. And the next course was two more cakes, which we all crowded around and sung happy birthday in 3 different ways upon the cakes presentation. Many speeches were made and we were led to their private church to admire its beauty.
And tonight was my first earthquake. This actually was a bit humorous because the waitresses in the cafe who were all Peruvian started screaming upon feeling the room tremble and watching the chandelier shake vigorously. The chief waitress yelled at the screamers to remain calm. The customers sat calmly and watched with pleaure the paintings on the wall tilt back in forth. The earthquake was like a weak amusement park ride. It lasted about 30 seconds, a few people screamed, and I felt ripped off once it was over.
Buenas Noches desde Cajamarca!
posted by mikedon at 12:06 AM
3 Comments:
boo to earthquakes that are rip-offs.
i hate ak
i mean, i never liked him
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