Wow, so let's see if this works. I need my little brother to help me. I thought keeping an online journal could be easier. Probably just me. Today is 8 December 2011. It is a holiday here in Perú. The immaculate conception. The whole thing makes me laugh. I mean, if you could balance the number of protests that go through the streets, shutting down traffic for miles versus the number of religious holidays here...it's quite amusing. Well, I'll be brief, I want to make sure everyone can see my blog and make comments. I want to make a pre-post script to Robert. Brother, could you give me some ideas to stream line this thing? I don't need advertisements and such. I just wanted to keep a journal and have people comment or post their own photos and such. Do you have any ideas? Sorry, I will make time later, I need a quick fix. I am working 12+ hours for this week and the next. Then, I will be relocating and travel is not productive. If you could help, I would appreciate it. Email or better yet, respond to this blog, if you can call it such. I love you all. I am well and can't wait to get through my finals and get out of this dirty city. Email me or reply to this. Philip.
Hola por todos! It's Saturday the 10th of December. Last night was the first time I really got to experience the nightlife in Cuzco. Yesterday, I taught a lesson on prepositions. I think I failed miserably. My lesson plan needs to be more precise and focused. I have arranged for open office time with my instructor to try and remedy this. I have a first full week of teaching starting Monday and want to make sure my planning is more systematic and not so obtuse. The students are so eager to learn and I want to ensure that they are getting the best of me. They pay for these classes and books. I am so much more aware of the phrase 'put the shoe on the other foot' and it seems that it has served me well. (at least that I am aware of it.) There is a huge part of me that feels much sympathy for these students, yet there is a greater part of me that tells me to be cautions and there are altered motives lying behind those bright eyes. OK, I digress. After class yesterday, I came back to the flat and knocked out my essay. My essay was on the chaos and order of adjectives. This subject fascinated me. As a native English speaker, I was unaware of the order and rule of adjectives. (also the rules of other grammar that we as native speakers take for granted.) Then, I finished my teacher observation papers. I was glad to be done with it. My lesson plans for the next week I will work on after I am done here. So, having done my work, I wanted to treat myself to a night out with my flat mates and other people that I have come to befriend. It started here at the hostel up on the roof. I had left for dinner with a good friend I had the fortune of knowing. His name is William and he is from Belgium. He is 25 years of age and quite a bright and intelligent young man. He, like a lot of the foreigners I have met here has had, (I believe, but have never felt comfortable about broaching the subject of wealth.) been bourne into, or allowed or allowance d, quite a tidy sum of money(ies) to travel, volunteer and play abroad. William is not like the others that I have met. He is, like me, here for some purpose. He is in bed at a respectable time and awakes early. This is how we became friends. Every morning we would arise at around the same time and found ourselves downstairs having tea and enjoying local fruits and the bread with a strawberry jelly that is to die for. (Sorry, mum and dad, your jams and jellies have always been a favourite of mine.) So, we would take a little alfresco tea and jelly and chat. This is how I came to know William. We would chat for, perhaps half an hour before I would go to class and he would be off to his volunteer work in the orphanage. So, in short, this is one of many ways that I have met so many wonderful people. (William left for Arequipa early this morning and I will be joining him later, there.)
WOW! sorry for the abstract writing. I don't write in proper form, but, just as I think. Lets see...So, after dinner with William, we returned to the hostel and there were many people on the roof. Everyone was knee deep in food, conversation and drink. Some people that I had met prior were here and when pressed, I found out that we had common friends and that's why they were here. I took my laptop out and listened to music that I had. It was much nicer than the conventional way with these young travelers. I just couldn't listen to music visa vie a cell phone. With the music flowing and everyone enjoying themselves, I did what I do best...the little social butterfly in me kicked in. I got to know everyone (around 20 mates) and the teachers here, I really got to know more and inquired as to their teaching techniques and what inspired them to come to SA to travel, work, live and study. It is so funny to watch things from the outside looking in. Yet, all the while being an active participant. I have found a drink here that suites me kindly. It's a coco tea and with a little honey is quite delicious. I don't know if it's the honey or the caffeine from the tea, but it really gets my activators rockin! I get really chatty and involved. It's not what you think...I think...not a cocaine thing but, I really like the taste and how the warmth just flows. I have given up coffee, the tea here is excellent. Perhaps this will change when I get further South or North. (the coffee in costa rica is SO good.)
Everyone was in good spirits. (pun, intended.) About 1a.m. this morning, everyone decided to hit the disco-techs. So, off they went. Everyone left, and left behind a proper mess. Broken glasses and coffee and tea mugs. I decided to not go and just tidy up. The hostel mum (her name is Yoni) came up after everyone had left and just shook her head in regards to the mess left behind. I helped her bag the rubbish and broken glass. Yoni is such a sweet woman. We worked and swept, mopped and tidied up the balcony. I just wanted to go to bed at this point. Then, the doorbell rang. It was a guy from Ireland. I had never met him before. He has dreads down to his belt and his face was painted up like the joker or something. He asked if I knew where everyone had gone. He was supposed to hook up with them, but, was running late. I told him I had no idea where everyone went. He had a look of disappointment on his painted joker face. I told him to come in and have a drink or something to eat. We sat down and ate an alpaca sandwich and we just talked for almost an hour. His name is Jaren and what a great person. We decided to leave the house and get some street food. We left the house, got some garlic chicken with potatoes from a vendor and it was delicious. She (the vendor) cooked a little meal in front of us while we attempted a conversation with her in Spanish. We took our skewer of chicken and potatoes and walked and talked. We stumbled upon a hooka bar and smoked pina and an apple hooka. It was wonderful! We met a guy from Sweden there and invited him to share with us. We smoked with him and we left for another club. Jaren and I went to a pub and he sampled some beer from Brazil and I took a local drink of star fruit and sprite. (it reminded me of when I was young and mum and dad would make a juice drink with sprite.) it just added to the memories of Christmas. We stayed for about an hour and decided to try a disco that was on the way to San Pedro, where we live. We arrived at the disco at about 3a.m. The club was hopping with music and people. The girls here are amazingly beautiful. But, the girls want one thing...American's and their money. It's nice to dance and chat with them, but they will try and find a way to your heart and your wallet. I danced (girls choice always) until 5. Our flat mates showed up at this club just prior. We were all tired and decided to leave and go home. There is strength in numbers and is safer (especially where we were) for gringos to travel in a pack. We took a taxi near to the house. We all were hungry again and stopped off at a little road side stand and had a bacon egg sandwich. The cook was awesome and let met get behind the grill and make it American style. Soon, the locals gathered around, having seen a gringo making breakfast for the 8 of us. This was awesome! Soon there was a crowd of around 15 people including us gringos. I think they were surprised how I THOROUGHLY cooked the bacon and eggs. NO under cooked food here. Too many viruses. I took out my phone and took pictures, listened to some Jazz music I had downloaded and we just ate, talked and listened to the sounds of the awakening city. We walked 15 minutes East from our breakfast kiosk and we all poured ourselves a large tea and went to the roof of the hostel. I took pictures of the sunrise, drank tea, smoked a cigarette and went to bed. I woke this morning just before noon and started working on papers, emailing friends I had met the night before, ate lunch and here we are. I have been writing intermittently,looking for a new flat to live, watching a little tv, practicing Spanish and a cat nap here and there. It's almost time for dinner. I will try and be brief tomorrow. Just a lot to catch up on. Mum will beat my bum if I don't let her know I am safe and well. I will try and write again tomorrow. I have decided to leave Cuzco and move South. This city is too dirty and the rain and cold are moving here. Not so good for me. I hope everyone is well. Happy holidays for all. Until next time.
Hello all. Today is the 19th of December 2011. I rolled into Arequipa around 0630 this morning after a long 10hr bus ride from Cuzco.Perhaps I should back up a little and tidy up the events prior to my leaving Cuzco. Our graduation was a hit and everyone graduated except a girl from London. She dropped out two weeks in. I don't know why other than to say I think she came to Peru for a different reason than the rest of the class. Moving on...the graduation took place at the school and there was a lot of local food and drinks and a lot of dancing and everyone was glad to be done with school. We got our teaching certificates and we all went out. We went to a club called "Mushrooms." They have a pool table and we all played a little, the drinks were flowing and the food kept coming. I don't know why I have been eating so much desserts here. If you know me, I don't eat many sweets. I find my self with a spoon and some mousse or fruit flavoured something in my hand. My body craves it so I eat it. Perhaps it's the altitude or that I walk so much or who knows. We left there and went to a restaurant called "Muse" we all met up and gave our teacher a gift we all pitched in for. The girls went after our last class and bought a set of earrings and a necklace made by an Inka artist in the San Blas Area. They were made of some local stones that when held a certain way, showed the sun coming up behind the mountains. They were encased in beautiful silver. The girls really did a nice job. Sabrina (our teacher) was quite moved and she said a few words and we ordered a late dinner.
Having eaten 6 times that day, I ordered an Alpaca skishkabob. I really have come to love this meat. It is similar to beef, but has a lovely butter flavour, it's very tender and not gammie at all. Some kids from the local orphanage came through singing Christmas carols. The class joined in and we got quite loud singing 'jingle bells and Santa Claus is coming to town'. We ate and talked until almost 2am. Then we moved across the hall were a live salsa band was just starting. These guys were awesome! I had never heard live salsa music before and it has become my new favourite music. The way the dances flow with the music, it's incredible. Especially if you know what your doing. A couple of girls dragged me out on the floor and I did my best to follow their lead. The music is fast, sensual and there are specific steps. I think the only steps I did were the ones where I stepped on my own two left feet. It was a lot of fun.We stayed there until 3 or 330. Most of the class left and went to another club. There was a Beatles cover band playing. I was too tired and wanted to get up somewhat early so I could get packed, run a few errands, get my laundry done and leave for Arequipa. I left the square and took a taxi home. I never walk the streets alone at that time of the day. Sunday's sun rose again at about 530 through my window and the riff of the train bellowed through the neighbourhood and awoke me promptly at 0545. (I stopped using my alarm when I found out this happens everyday, same time.) I grudgingly poured myself out of bed and stumbled downstairs for a cup of tea. Poured an etra large cup with two sugars and went upstairs to the roof and watched the new morning arive in the valley of the Inkas. Took my tea, smoked a cigarette and went back to bed. I slept for a couple more hours, woke up, took a shower and walked back to my school to pick up my certificate (I left it there so I wouldn't have to pack it around for last nights activities.)a letter of recommendation meet a friend for a quick lunch. We had lunch and watched Greenbay loose for the first time in 19 games. I wonder if I jinksed them. Got my laundry, went to the flat and packed.
I decided to leave a few clothes and a good pair of boots to Wilbur, our cook. He is the same size as me and needed them worse than I did. I was travelling too heavy anyway. Got to the bus around 1900 and hopped on the 2030 bus for Arequipa. It was a good 10 hour ride. I arrived this morning just after 0630. Took a taxi to a hostel here. I met the owner, she is a nice woman from Amsterdam and she showed me around. She has a son, he looks to be around 7 or 8 and they live here too. I got unpacked send dad a quick text and took a nap. I got up around 1000. Took another cold shower and walked up the the Plaza de Armas. Found a little sandwich shop and had lunch. I milled around in the Plaza. I will send pictures later, it's a beautiful plaza. Something that would make me think of a plaza in Spain. The center has been made into a HUGE Christmas tree that looks so beautiful from the plaza. When you get closer, you can see that this tree is made from pine branches making the outline of the tree and in the center, making the beautiful appearance of red decordations are hundreds of pointsettias. It's probably well over 2 stories tall and quite impressive. I will take photos and would like to see how it looks at night. I sat in the plaza taking in the beautiful weather, the clean city, the people, it's a beautiful city.
As I was walking through the plaza to the market, I spied my friend William. He was a flat mate of mine in Cuzco. We are going to Tamarino to spend a few days at the beach over Christmas. (I decided to not go to Panama, it's too difficult to coordinate with Andrea and so perhaps I will visit her another time.) I spoke with William for a few moments. He was on his way to the bus station and leaving for Puno. I am leaving for there the day after tomorrow. I will be there 3 days or so in the jungle and return to Arequipa. I wanted to leave tomorrow but I have a Skype interview and I need Wifi. So, perhaps, if my interview is early enough I will go to Puno tomorrow. I hope my interview goes well. The job description he/she (the directors name can be given to a man or a woman, so I don't know yet)gave me in the email and after reading it on their web site, I would like to try it. It's part time administration and part time teaching. The school is next to a Spanish school and was told I could exchange English lessons for Spanish on my own time. This is in a town called Canama. It is about 15 minutes from the beach in a small community and they expect their teachers to be involved in volunteer work with the families and local events, give of your time teaching or whatever skills you may have that you could give back with. I would really like that. I feel this will help me with more advice that dad gave me...always have a reason to get up in the morning. So far, that advice has served me well. Alexandra, the hostel mum has offered me use of a kitchen in a sort of make shift mother in law aparatment in the back. It's kind of like cooking when you go camping. I have graciously accepted her offer. It has a propane camp stove, refridgerator, some plates and utinsels. I have a few more emails to send off, I want to read a book I have started to read, (more about this book later)and then head back up to the Plaza de Armas to buy a few groceries to make dinner and breakfast tomorrow. This city is so much more modern and cleaner than Cuzco, but the cost of living is so much less. Dad would really love the gardens here. It has a great climate that supports the growth of those star pine trees that he loves and yet allows for palm trees, snapdragons, peonies, roses, geraniums, and flowers I have never seen before. The mean temprature here hovers just around 74F and is wonderful. I especially like that it is clean and not much pollution. Well, I have things to do before it gets dark. I don't know this city and don't want to be walking around after dark. Thanks for reading, if anyone is. If not, it's a good excercise for me. I want my family to know that I am ok and I love you all very much. I will write again as soon as it will allow. Love, Philip.
Yeah, Christmas eve 2011. I'm not getting any sleep. It's only the beginning of the Christmas eve. (It's 0100 December 24 2011) and I am so tired. I have been trough so much shit today. I was robbed by 4 men, a knife and a screwdriver. But, something about this place is not all bad. Tomorrow, I will go to the beaches. Ok, I will write tomorrow. I met some people after this incident and they are ok. Perhaps after breakfasts tomorrow.
Wow, it has been a time...I went to Gamana and met my friend Gurman...we spent the days on the beach and had a wonderful time. I went back to Arequipa and and spent the last days of Peru there. I love that town...modern and is just a great place to stay. The weather is wonderful...open, clean and a wonderful mix of people...
I left Arequipa and shuffled North to Quito for a job interview for a teaching position that I had applied to a month or so before...arrived at Arequipa and the weather was just horrible...out of 6 flights, only one went out that day to Lima...that was mine...the flight was delayed by almost 2 hours. That meant I had only 15 minutes or so to make my connection to Quito...got to Quito, after a bumpy, bumpy hard flight...missed my connection. The next flight to Quito was not for another 12hrs...shite...as you can see by my arrival here, I spent almost 10 hours in this airport waiting to be shuffled off to Cuzco...I hate this airport...more to follow.
So, a rough night in Lima...I had to go and make new arrangements with TACA, the airline to Quito...got the last seat and at 10am...I boarded this flight to Quito...I had booked a hostel in Quito and was glad I did...Landed in Quito, the taxi took me to the hostel...hostel revolution...great hostel...mathew, johnny and the crew were awesome! They gave me pointers of interest, and help with navigating the city. I emailed the director of Benedict English School and told them I was in country and would like to come for an interview. John, (my contact and who is the director for the Prensa school) asked if I could come that Tuesday...(I had arrived the day before, Monday) and I said yes. The next day, (Tuesday) I took a taxi to Prensa to interview...got there and talked with John. He told me some of what the job would entail and told me that I would have to interview with the supervisor of the directors. Her name is AnaMaria. I interviewed with her and she told me they had been waiting for me...I din't know what that meant. I caught a glimps of what I call a 'moment of silent desperation'...I didn't understand the impact it had on me until later...(more to come)
So, the interview went well with AnaMaria...she informed me that I would now have to interview with the board of directors...and that the person I would meet with was in a meeting until 1pm that day. She (AnaMaria) asked if I could come back tomorrow...(this is where the quiet desperation kicked in...) I told her that I would like to kill time in North Quito...grab some lunch...and I could come back after 1300...she said ok...just call me first...fucksocks, the first thing I thought of was...I don't have a phone...I don't even know how to use a cabina...(a public phone...) I said yes, I will call you in an hour and one half...my taxi driver had decided that he would stick around after dropping me off and make a day of things with me... essentially, I had hired him for the whole day...I am grateful that I did. I left the office and needed some time to kill...Pedro, the driver, was cool. He suggested a spot near and we could get some lunch. I agreed and off we went...I am by now loving the almuerzo specials...we ate and talked...the best we could...it was fine. Then, I told him that I needed to call Prensa...to talk to AnaMaria...he offered me his cell phone...I had no idea of what to do...how do I dial, what if...so...he dialed and I was connected to AnaMaria...her English is excellent...she told me, yes, please come in. Candy, the boards directive head of hiring was my next interview...Candy interviewed me...she is right up my ally. She just wanted to know that I was empowered to do what I needed to do to fire, hire and retain teachers, get asses in the classes and to bring Villaflora into this century. Get technology into the school...so we discussed contracts and salaries and benefits and soforth...here I am. The director of Villa Flora...I love it...More to come since that day...
It looks like if these are the comments...you probably will be celebrating in private...
ReplyDeleteWow, so let's see if this works. I need my little brother to help me. I thought keeping an online journal could be easier. Probably just me. Today is 8 December 2011. It is a holiday here in Perú. The immaculate conception. The whole thing makes me laugh. I mean, if you could balance the number of protests that go through the streets, shutting down traffic for miles versus the number of religious holidays here...it's quite amusing. Well, I'll be brief, I want to make sure everyone can see my blog and make comments. I want to make a pre-post script to Robert. Brother, could you give me some ideas to stream line this thing? I don't need advertisements and such. I just wanted to keep a journal and have people comment or post their own photos and such. Do you have any ideas? Sorry, I will make time later, I need a quick fix. I am working 12+ hours for this week and the next. Then, I will be relocating and travel is not productive. If you could help, I would appreciate it. Email or better yet, respond to this blog, if you can call it such. I love you all. I am well and can't wait to get through my finals and get out of this dirty city. Email me or reply to this. Philip.
ReplyDeleteHola por todos! It's Saturday the 10th of December. Last night was the first time I really got to experience the nightlife in Cuzco. Yesterday, I taught a lesson on prepositions. I think I failed miserably. My lesson plan needs to be more precise and focused. I have arranged for open office time with my instructor to try and remedy this. I have a first full week of teaching starting Monday and want to make sure my planning is more systematic and not so obtuse. The students are so eager to learn and I want to ensure that they are getting the best of me. They pay for these classes and books. I am so much more aware of the phrase 'put the shoe on the other foot' and it seems that it has served me well. (at least that I am aware of it.) There is a huge part of me that feels much sympathy for these students, yet there is a greater part of me that tells me to be cautions and there are altered motives lying behind those bright eyes. OK, I digress. After class yesterday, I came back to the flat and knocked out my essay. My essay was on the chaos and order of adjectives. This subject fascinated me. As a native English speaker, I was unaware of the order and rule of adjectives. (also the rules of other grammar that we as native speakers take for granted.) Then, I finished my teacher observation papers. I was glad to be done with it. My lesson plans for the next week I will work on after I am done here. So, having done my work, I wanted to treat myself to a night out with my flat mates and other people that I have come to befriend. It started here at the hostel up on the roof. I had left for dinner with a good friend I had the fortune of knowing. His name is William and he is from Belgium. He is 25 years of age and quite a bright and intelligent young man. He, like a lot of the foreigners I have met here has had, (I believe, but have never felt comfortable about broaching the subject of wealth.) been bourne into, or allowed or allowance d, quite a tidy sum of money(ies) to travel, volunteer and play abroad. William is not like the others that I have met. He is, like me, here for some purpose. He is in bed at a respectable time and awakes early. This is how we became friends. Every morning we would arise at around the same time and found ourselves downstairs having tea and enjoying local fruits and the bread with a strawberry jelly that is to die for. (Sorry, mum and dad, your jams and jellies have always been a favourite of mine.) So, we would take a little alfresco tea and jelly and chat. This is how I came to know William. We would chat for, perhaps half an hour before I would go to class and he would be off to his volunteer work in the orphanage. So, in short, this is one of many ways that I have met so many wonderful people. (William left for Arequipa early this morning and I will be joining him later, there.)
ReplyDeleteWOW! sorry for the abstract writing. I don't write in proper form, but, just as I think. Lets see...So, after dinner with William, we returned to the hostel and there were many people on the roof. Everyone was knee deep in food, conversation and drink. Some people that I had met prior were here and when pressed, I found out that we had common friends and that's why they were here. I took my laptop out and listened to music that I had. It was much nicer than the conventional way with these young travelers. I just couldn't listen to music visa vie a cell phone. With the music flowing and everyone enjoying themselves, I did what I do best...the little social butterfly in me kicked in. I got to know everyone (around 20 mates) and the teachers here, I really got to know more and inquired as to their teaching techniques and what inspired them to come to SA to travel, work, live and study. It is so funny to watch things from the outside looking in. Yet, all the while being an active participant. I have found a drink here that suites me kindly. It's a coco tea and with a little honey is quite delicious. I don't know if it's the honey or the caffeine from the tea, but it really gets my activators rockin! I get really chatty and involved. It's not what you think...I think...not a cocaine thing but, I really like the taste and how the warmth just flows. I have given up coffee, the tea here is excellent. Perhaps this will change when I get further South or North. (the coffee in costa rica is SO good.)
ReplyDeleteEveryone was in good spirits. (pun, intended.) About 1a.m. this morning, everyone decided to hit the disco-techs. So, off they went. Everyone left, and left behind a proper mess. Broken glasses and coffee and tea mugs. I decided to not go and just tidy up. The hostel mum (her name is Yoni) came up after everyone had left and just shook her head in regards to the mess left behind. I helped her bag the rubbish and broken glass. Yoni is such a sweet woman. We worked and swept, mopped and tidied up the balcony. I just wanted to go to bed at this point. Then, the doorbell rang. It was a guy from Ireland. I had never met him before. He has dreads down to his belt and his face was painted up like the joker or something. He asked if I knew where everyone had gone. He was supposed to hook up with them, but, was running late. I told him I had no idea where everyone went. He had a look of disappointment on his painted joker face. I told him to come in and have a drink or something to eat. We sat down and ate an alpaca sandwich and we just talked for almost an hour. His name is Jaren and what a great person. We decided to leave the house and get some street food. We left the house, got some garlic chicken with potatoes from a vendor and it was delicious. She (the vendor) cooked a little meal in front of us while we attempted a conversation with her in Spanish. We took our skewer of chicken and potatoes and walked and talked. We stumbled upon a hooka bar and smoked pina and an apple hooka. It was wonderful! We met a guy from Sweden there and invited him to share with us. We smoked with him and we left for another club. Jaren and I went to a pub and he sampled some beer from Brazil and I took a local drink of star fruit and sprite. (it reminded me of when I was young and mum and dad would make a juice drink with sprite.) it just added to the memories of Christmas. We stayed for about an hour and decided to try a disco that was on the way to San Pedro, where we live. We arrived at the disco at about 3a.m. The club was hopping with music and people. The girls here are amazingly beautiful. But, the girls want one thing...American's and their money. It's nice to dance and chat with them, but they will try and find a way to your heart and your wallet. I danced (girls choice always) until 5. Our flat mates showed up at this club just prior. We were all tired and decided to leave and go home. There is strength in numbers and is safer (especially where we were) for gringos to travel in a pack. We took a taxi near to the house. We all were hungry again and stopped off at a little road side stand and had a bacon egg sandwich. The cook was awesome and let met get behind the grill and make it American style. Soon, the locals gathered around, having seen a gringo making breakfast for the 8 of us. This was awesome! Soon there was a crowd of around 15 people including us gringos. I think they were surprised how I THOROUGHLY cooked the bacon and eggs. NO under cooked food here. Too many viruses. I took out my phone and took pictures, listened to some Jazz music I had downloaded and we just ate, talked and listened to the sounds of the awakening city. We walked 15 minutes East from our breakfast kiosk and we all poured ourselves a large tea and went to the roof of the hostel. I took pictures of the sunrise, drank tea, smoked a cigarette and went to bed. I woke this morning just before noon and started working on papers, emailing friends I had met the night before, ate lunch and here we are. I have been writing intermittently,looking for a new flat to live, watching a little tv, practicing Spanish and a cat nap here and there. It's almost time for dinner. I will try and be brief tomorrow. Just a lot to catch up on. Mum will beat my bum if I don't let her know I am safe and well. I will try and write again tomorrow. I have decided to leave Cuzco and move South. This city is too dirty and the rain and cold are moving here. Not so good for me. I hope everyone is well. Happy holidays for all. Until next time.
ReplyDeleteHello all. Today is the 19th of December 2011. I rolled into Arequipa around 0630 this morning after a long 10hr bus ride from Cuzco.Perhaps I should back up a little and tidy up the events prior to my leaving Cuzco. Our graduation was a hit and everyone graduated except a girl from London. She dropped out two weeks in. I don't know why other than to say I think she came to Peru for a different reason than the rest of the class. Moving on...the graduation took place at the school and there was a lot of local food and drinks and a lot of dancing and everyone was glad to be done with school. We got our teaching certificates and we all went out. We went to a club called "Mushrooms." They have a pool table and we all played a little, the drinks were flowing and the food kept coming. I don't know why I have been eating so much desserts here. If you know me, I don't eat many sweets. I find my self with a spoon and some mousse or fruit flavoured something in my hand. My body craves it so I eat it. Perhaps it's the altitude or that I walk so much or who knows. We left there and went to a restaurant called "Muse" we all met up and gave our teacher a gift we all pitched in for. The girls went after our last class and bought a set of earrings and a necklace made by an Inka artist in the San Blas Area. They were made of some local stones that when held a certain way, showed the sun coming up behind the mountains. They were encased in beautiful silver. The girls really did a nice job. Sabrina (our teacher) was quite moved and she said a few words and we ordered a late dinner.
ReplyDeleteHaving eaten 6 times that day, I ordered an Alpaca skishkabob. I really have come to love this meat. It is similar to beef, but has a lovely butter flavour, it's very tender and not gammie at all. Some kids from the local orphanage came through singing Christmas carols. The class joined in and we got quite loud singing 'jingle bells and Santa Claus is coming to town'. We ate and talked until almost 2am. Then we moved across the hall were a live salsa band was just starting. These guys were awesome! I had never heard live salsa music before and it has become my new favourite music. The way the dances flow with the music, it's incredible. Especially if you know what your doing. A couple of girls dragged me out on the floor and I did my best to follow their lead. The music is fast, sensual and there are specific steps. I think the only steps I did were the ones where I stepped on my own two left feet. It was a lot of fun.We stayed there until 3 or 330. Most of the class left and went to another club. There was a Beatles cover band playing. I was too tired and wanted to get up somewhat early so I could get packed, run a few errands, get my laundry done and leave for Arequipa. I left the square and took a taxi home. I never walk the streets alone at that time of the day. Sunday's sun rose again at about 530 through my window and the riff of the train bellowed through the neighbourhood and awoke me promptly at 0545. (I stopped using my alarm when I found out this happens everyday, same time.) I grudgingly poured myself out of bed and stumbled downstairs for a cup of tea. Poured an etra large cup with two sugars and went upstairs to the roof and watched the new morning arive in the valley of the Inkas. Took my tea, smoked a cigarette and went back to bed. I slept for a couple more hours, woke up, took a shower and walked back to my school to pick up my certificate (I left it there so I wouldn't have to pack it around for last nights activities.)a letter of recommendation meet a friend for a quick lunch. We had lunch and watched Greenbay loose for the first time in 19 games. I wonder if I jinksed them. Got my laundry, went to the flat and packed.
ReplyDeleteI decided to leave a few clothes and a good pair of boots to Wilbur, our cook. He is the same size as me and needed them worse than I did. I was travelling too heavy anyway. Got to the bus around 1900 and hopped on the 2030 bus for Arequipa. It was a good 10 hour ride. I arrived this morning just after 0630. Took a taxi to a hostel here. I met the owner, she is a nice woman from Amsterdam and she showed me around. She has a son, he looks to be around 7 or 8 and they live here too. I got unpacked send dad a quick text and took a nap. I got up around 1000. Took another cold shower and walked up the the Plaza de Armas. Found a little sandwich shop and had lunch. I milled around in the Plaza. I will send pictures later, it's a beautiful plaza. Something that would make me think of a plaza in Spain. The center has been made into a HUGE Christmas tree that looks so beautiful from the plaza. When you get closer, you can see that this tree is made from pine branches making the outline of the tree and in the center, making the beautiful appearance of red decordations are hundreds of pointsettias. It's probably well over 2 stories tall and quite impressive. I will take photos and would like to see how it looks at night. I sat in the plaza taking in the beautiful weather, the clean city, the people, it's a beautiful city.
ReplyDeleteAs I was walking through the plaza to the market, I spied my friend William. He was a flat mate of mine in Cuzco. We are going to Tamarino to spend a few days at the beach over Christmas. (I decided to not go to Panama, it's too difficult to coordinate with Andrea and so perhaps I will visit her another time.) I spoke with William for a few moments. He was on his way to the bus station and leaving for Puno. I am leaving for there the day after tomorrow. I will be there 3 days or so in the jungle and return to Arequipa. I wanted to leave tomorrow but I have a Skype interview and I need Wifi. So, perhaps, if my interview is early enough I will go to Puno tomorrow. I hope my interview goes well. The job description he/she (the directors name can be given to a man or a woman, so I don't know yet)gave me in the email and after reading it on their web site, I would like to try it. It's part time administration and part time teaching. The school is next to a Spanish school and was told I could exchange English lessons for Spanish on my own time. This is in a town called Canama. It is about 15 minutes from the beach in a small community and they expect their teachers to be involved in volunteer work with the families and local events, give of your time teaching or whatever skills you may have that you could give back with. I would really like that. I feel this will help me with more advice that dad gave me...always have a reason to get up in the morning. So far, that advice has served me well. Alexandra, the hostel mum has offered me use of a kitchen in a sort of make shift mother in law aparatment in the back. It's kind of like cooking when you go camping. I have graciously accepted her offer. It has a propane camp stove, refridgerator, some plates and utinsels. I have a few more emails to send off, I want to read a book I have started to read, (more about this book later)and then head back up to the Plaza de Armas to buy a few groceries to make dinner and breakfast tomorrow. This city is so much more modern and cleaner than Cuzco, but the cost of living is so much less. Dad would really love the gardens here. It has a great climate that supports the growth of those star pine trees that he loves and yet allows for palm trees, snapdragons, peonies, roses, geraniums, and flowers I have never seen before. The mean temprature here hovers just around 74F and is wonderful. I especially like that it is clean and not much pollution. Well, I have things to do before it gets dark. I don't know this city and don't want to be walking around after dark. Thanks for reading, if anyone is. If not, it's a good excercise for me. I want my family to know that I am ok and I love you all very much. I will write again as soon as it will allow. Love, Philip.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Christmas eve 2011. I'm not getting any sleep. It's only the beginning of the Christmas eve. (It's 0100 December 24 2011) and I am so tired. I have been trough so much shit today. I was robbed by 4 men, a knife and a screwdriver. But, something about this place is not all bad. Tomorrow, I will go to the beaches. Ok, I will write tomorrow. I met some people after this incident and they are ok. Perhaps after breakfasts tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWow, it has been a time...I went to Gamana and met my friend Gurman...we spent the days on the beach and had a wonderful time. I went back to Arequipa and and spent the last days of Peru there. I love that town...modern and is just a great place to stay. The weather is wonderful...open, clean and a wonderful mix of people...
ReplyDeleteI left Arequipa and shuffled North to Quito for a job interview for a teaching position that I had applied to a month or so before...arrived at Arequipa and the weather was just horrible...out of 6 flights, only one went out that day to Lima...that was mine...the flight was delayed by almost 2 hours. That meant I had only 15 minutes or so to make my connection to Quito...got to Quito, after a bumpy, bumpy hard flight...missed my connection. The next flight to Quito was not for another 12hrs...shite...as you can see by my arrival here, I spent almost 10 hours in this airport waiting to be shuffled off to Cuzco...I hate this airport...more to follow.
ReplyDeleteSo, a rough night in Lima...I had to go and make new arrangements with TACA, the airline to Quito...got the last seat and at 10am...I boarded this flight to Quito...I had booked a hostel in Quito and was glad I did...Landed in Quito, the taxi took me to the hostel...hostel revolution...great hostel...mathew, johnny and the crew were awesome! They gave me pointers of interest, and help with navigating the city. I emailed the director of Benedict English School and told them I was in country and would like to come for an interview. John, (my contact and who is the director for the Prensa school) asked if I could come that Tuesday...(I had arrived the day before, Monday) and I said yes. The next day, (Tuesday) I took a taxi to Prensa to interview...got there and talked with John. He told me some of what the job would entail and told me that I would have to interview with the supervisor of the directors. Her name is AnaMaria. I interviewed with her and she told me they had been waiting for me...I din't know what that meant. I caught a glimps of what I call a 'moment of silent desperation'...I didn't understand the impact it had on me until later...(more to come)
ReplyDeleteSo, the interview went well with AnaMaria...she informed me that I would now have to interview with the board of directors...and that the person I would meet with was in a meeting until 1pm that day. She (AnaMaria) asked if I could come back tomorrow...(this is where the quiet desperation kicked in...) I told her that I would like to kill time in North Quito...grab some lunch...and I could come back after 1300...she said ok...just call me first...fucksocks, the first thing I thought of was...I don't have a phone...I don't even know how to use a cabina...(a public phone...) I said yes, I will call you in an hour and one half...my taxi driver had decided that he would stick around after dropping me off and make a day of things with me... essentially, I had hired him for the whole day...I am grateful that I did. I left the office and needed some time to kill...Pedro, the driver, was cool. He suggested a spot near and we could get some lunch. I agreed and off we went...I am by now loving the almuerzo specials...we ate and talked...the best we could...it was fine. Then, I told him that I needed to call Prensa...to talk to AnaMaria...he offered me his cell phone...I had no idea of what to do...how do I dial, what if...so...he dialed and I was connected to AnaMaria...her English is excellent...she told me, yes, please come in. Candy, the boards directive head of hiring was my next interview...Candy interviewed me...she is right up my ally. She just wanted to know that I was empowered to do what I needed to do to fire, hire and retain teachers, get asses in the classes and to bring Villaflora into this century. Get technology into the school...so we discussed contracts and salaries and benefits and soforth...here I am. The director of Villa Flora...I love it...More to come since that day...
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