Surfin' - whoooo!

We only got back from Colca on Wednesday, when all suddenly on Thursday morning we felt like - hey let's go down to the sea today!
That was pretty cool - random - but awesome!

So we got on the bus in Arequipa around lunch time. It was about a 2.5 hour drive. Again, the landscape on the way was incredible. Going down to the sea, it is mostly just desert. But since it only stopped raining a couple of weeks ago, there are these random lakes now - in the middle of the desert!

Also we got into a little traffic jam on the way down there. So because it was lunch and mainly because I was bored I started eating some crackers. It didn't take long until this little peruvian girl with her huge black eyes stood right next to me pointing at my crackers and then mumbling something to her mom. I took some of my crackers and handed them to her - she took them quickly with her little hands and sat back on her mommy's lap. She was just adorable!

Later on we ate lunch in a restaurant at the beach. For the rest of the time we took a walk along the beach! LOVE the beach!
The water was really freezing because of the streams down here... But it still felt amazing just to put our feet in. 5000m difference in altitude in only 3 days - phu - quite the adventure!

Oh and in case you were wondering about my little statement in the last entry about how many people can fit in a bus - depending if peruvian or non-peruvian way : Well on the way home we had to take one of these tiny little mini vans to the next village. Normally there fit about 10 people in that bus - that would be the non peruvian way. But in Peru there is about 25 people in that bus! Just try not to breath and you are fine!

A glimpse of Heaven

Early Tuesday morning we were picked up at our house. It was a tiny little bus and only about 15 people fit in there (well at least in the non-peruvian way). We were greeted by a young man called Gonzalo Pizzaro. He was to be our guide for the next two days. Since we were only the second group to be picked up, we drove thru the city for about 1h hour more, until we finally had all the passengers on board.

Then we started our journey up up up to the Vally of Colca. Frist we drove thru the slums of Arequipa. That was really interesting to see, since here in the city you basically don't ever see any of it. Thousands of houses have only been started to be built. Often there are only 2,3 or if they are lucky 4 walls standing. But then most people don't have enough money for the roof. So there is all these half way done houses, that nobody lives in. I asked, why people wouldn't start working together - so that one family builds the walls and the other the roof. It would be packed, but at least they would have a home. But they told me, that people don't mind. It's also a way of saving the space for later. And once the government will provide electricity and water, they will finish it.


For about 2h we drove up the mountain, before we made our first stop. On our first stop we got to see some Vicunias. They look like Lamas, only a bit smaller. It was interesting to learn, that contrary to the Lamas and Alpacas, one can never have a Vicunia as a pet. They have to live in the wilderness or else they will die. Also we learned, that their wool is really expensive and only a few farmers, wo live up there are allowed to cut their wool. The way they do is, that once a year all the 5000 farmers gather and make a huge line holding each others hands. They then walk thru the whole valley, gathering the Vicunia. They cut their wool and then let them run free again.

Later on we also stopped to look at some Lamas and Alpacas. Tho they didn't seem to be so happy about us taking pictures of them. Luckily we had the necessary distance, so they couldn't spit at us! Oh and fyi - they all spit! So next time you go up to an Alpaca or a Vicunia and think, oh they are so cute and ya right, it's no Lama so I'm safe to cuddle it - YOU MIGHT REGRET IT! ;)

At 4100m we made our third stop. Gonzalo told us all to go inside and have some Coca tea, because the next stop was at 5000m. So we did. The tea was actually pretty yummi and also they had a cute little market outside. Tho, I think what I liked most was the rock formation. There were these funny looking pillars. It looked simply amazing!

After this stop we drove about 1h more, till we finally got to the top - 5000m. Wow I think that's the highest I've gone so far. I was really surprised tho- I expected to feel worse. I think that Coca really helps ;) I tried walking up the hill, to the bathrooms (which is about 50m or so). Haha -  afterwards I felt like I just ran a half marathon! 

There was also a market. Gonzalo told us, we could only stay 10min. because of health issues. I looked at these ladies, who sit up there all day long and I really admired them for how fit they must be!
We also build little stone man. Apparently this is a old tradition. Different people used to worship different volcanos. So the tale goes, that if you build a stone man that looks like a volcano you have a free wish. haha, not so sure this is gonna work, but hey at least I can say, that I build a stone man on 5000masl.

I also learned, that we picked the perfect time to go up there. Normally it's all brown- really more desert like. But since the rain season only ended about 2 weeks ago, everything was perfectly green! I'm so grateful, that we had the most perfect weather! Blue sky all the time!

After our short stop on the top we drove all the way down to Chivay. It's one of the biggest villages in the Colca valley. This is also the place we stayed for the night. After a delicious lunch - for which I ate Alpaca meat for the first time - they took us to our hotels. At the hotel I had a slight shock, when I went into the bathroom for the first time.

Yes my dear friends - it's no joke! Apparently that's the rule in most parts of Peru (except Arequipa, phu - lucky me!). Naturally my first reaction was like - oh no, they hired somebody who sucks at translating - maybe I should go tell them. So I walked out and told it to this other women. She looked at me confused and said - no it's no joke- never flush your toilet paper down or you'll have to clean the mess! Oooops!

Anyways, after this little lesson about hygiene we went for a walk thru the village. They had the cutest market. There were so many delicious looking things there. Only sad, that one can't eat most of them, because it's way to dangerous. But we did try some sort of Cactus fruit. I've never had anything quite like it. The fruit flesh was super sweet, but then I bit on one of the little seeds inside. It was super spicy!! I looked at the lady - and apparently I looked a little confused, because before she said it was sweet. She started laughing and said: 'You shouldn't have bit on the seeds - they are spicy'. Well thanks - tho a little too late now! ;)

Only after a little while me and my auntie met the other guys from the tour again. We went to the hot springs, which were near by. WOW! Best thing ever! Only the sulfur sent is a little distracting at times ;) But truly it was amazing! I really enjoyed it!

 In the evening we went to a dance pub. There was a band who played traditional music and two people danced for us.

The next morning we had to wake up at 5am to go to the place where the Condors fly. It took us another 2.5 hours or so driving thru a rocky road - well let's say it was a road for the most part, but sometimes it resembled more to a creek. But in the end we got to see these HUGE birds. It was pretty cool, because we got to see the adult birds, but also the baby ones! Amazing!

Sometimes they flew only 2m above our heads - incredible feeling- I'm telling you.

On the way home we got to see some more of the beautiful landscape. I loved all the little terraces cut into the mountain.

Just like a little piece of heaven!

We also took a group picture! It was a fun group and we really had a great time together. I love to meet people from all over the world. There were people from France, Germany, Columbia, Peru, Switzerland (YAY:) ), Canada, Mexico etc. Good times!

 It was a great trip to the Colca Valley and I'm so grateful I could be part of it. If you ever come to Peru, this is something I would definitely recommend you!

Gourmet

This week we went to one of the biggest markets in Arequipa. I learned, that if you go there you need to have a strong stomach (so please if you decide to read on, make sure you either have one too or you have a bucket near you). Especially if you walk thru the 'meat section', you better not be sensitive to the smell. Haha!

But it was super pretty and so big! This is a view from the top floor down - and I didn't even get the whole thing on the picture!

First we went up on the first floor! There were flowers everywhere! They had the most beautiful bouquets there! I love all the different kinds of flowers here. I'm so happy my auntie has this paradise like garden! Eating breakfast in the morning, looking at all the beautiful flowers is just heavenly. 

Then we went down to the main floor. She showed me the section with all the magic-stuff. Well it's the stuff for the Inca-rituals etc. People buy these things to bless their fields, houses and whatever else. If you were wondering if this was a real Lama in the picture - yes it's a baby lama and it's real! I told you, one needs a strong stomach to go to the market! Poor little lama!

Later on we went to the meat section. Mh, lets say, if Migro or Coop kept their meat like that, it would have to be thrown out immediately. But it's fine here! It's actually really good meat and you don't get sick from it.
For lunch we then had something called chupe de camarones. Basically you throw the camarones, that you just bought on the market, plus fish eggs (like kaviar, but yellow), corn and potatoes in a soupe. While eating the soup you have to peal the camarones- because you just throw them in as a whole! Oh and as a yummi extra for all you out there - I learned, that you don't just eat the tail of the camarones but you also suck out the brain! Haha! Peru live! But it's actually not too bad, as long as you don't think about what you are eating X) Also the fish eggs are really yummi (in the picture - the yellow heaps)!

But then you also see things like this in the meat section (oh and by the way - you eat the feet as  well - apparently they taste like gum):

Next to the meat section was the queso. Delicious looking, but again, there is no such thing as a fridge:

I think my most favourite part was the fruit and vegetable section! I love all the colors and also the smell is just fabulous! There are so many different kinds of fruit, that one can try. I think one of my most favourite fruits so far, is the cactus fruit (green). It's super sweet, but at the same time not too much. You buy it and they cut it open for you right away - so basically like take away - but super fresh! Me gusta!

Yup, crazy market day! But definitely one of my favourite places so far! I love Arequipa!

Familiar and less familiar things

As for the familiar things, I was very happy to find a Pizza Hut, a BurgerKing, a KFC, McDonalds AND a Starbucks all right here in Arequipa. Also my aunt showed me the hidden places, where you can buy real good chocolate. So if I should get homesick at one point, I sure know where to go now.

But it seems like there are actually more unfamiliar than familiar things here. Just yesterday I learned again, that things just work slightly different here.
In the morning we had to go to a governmental office to pay taxes. The Invention of E-Banking or even just regular bills hasn't gotten all the way to Peru yet. So basically, you have to go to the office and they tell you how much you have to pay (right then and there). The only familiar thing seemed to be the bureaucracy with which these matters were handled. We literally had to run up and down the hall like 6 times, before we could finally pay the taxes. Also I learned, that if you are a gringo, they just put up the tax rate for no reason at all. But hey, whatever, right ;) But they were pretty nice at the end- they even gave us a discount! Imagine, asking the tax office in Switzerland, to please give you a discount on your taxes - haha - that would be to nice to be true!

Also later that day, when I went home from class, two chicos came walking from the opposite side. When they passed, me they yelled something like 'Hola chica'. As for me being completely tired, from the torture in class (no really, it's actually not that bad, but still lots of brain activity)- I decided just to keep a straight face and walk right past them - pretending I didn't hear them. They yelled again a little louder. But I just kept walking.
Maybe it's just me - but I feel like you can only keep a straight face for so long. So once I passed them, I couldn't hold myself. But since it might have been slightly weird, bursting out laughing in the middle of the street, I just did it secretly. Well at least I thought so. I'm sure we've all passed people on the street before, who all the sudden start to grin, even though nothing funny happened and you are pretty sure, that the ground itself can't be the reason for it.
So anyways, I guess that's what I looked like. So I only walked 10m before some random guy started talking to me. He asked me where I was from- and I answered him politely. He then said, that he ooooh so much loved Swiss girls (as probably any other girls) and he wanted to kiss me. Only, he could have been my dad! Haha, so good thing that my little legs can carry me pretty fast ;)

Also today I got ripped off. Yesterday I took my phone to some guy in a tiny shop, to get it unlocked, so I could use it here as well. Well he said, it would cost me 15 soles. Eventually I could have done it myself somehow, but I thought for 15 soles, oh well, he also needs to eat, right?!
So when I returned this morning he was like 'oh, it was soo sooo difficult to do it'. So all the sudden the price now went up to 80 SOLES! Whaaaat??!! But what was I supposed to do? If I wanted my phone -which I did - I had to pay.
We then talked for a little bit and he was really excited about my name - cuz the president's wife is also called Nadine. I then asked him really nicely if he couldn't give me a discount. He wasn't too happy about it - but I think it was the name bonus that at least brought me a discount of 5 soles. It was still a rip off, but at least I got my phone back and I bargained for the first time in my life! But ya, welcome to the life of a gringa! ;)

Ä ganz liebe Gruess a alli wo nid so guet English chöi. I ha vrsuecht e Sprach ds finde, wo di meiste wenigstens chly verstö. Schüsch isch ömu google.translate immer e gueti Hilf!
Ha nech gärn und machets guet!

Adventure BUS

Today I went on an adventure. I took a little excursion to check out the area, where I will be working all April-June. The area is called Sabandia and is about 40 minutes out from the city center of Arequipa.

As I realized, the first adventure was already to find the right bus. First we (I and my auntie) walked up to a street called Salavery, where most busses leave. This wasn't to bad, cuz it's only about a 10 minute walk from our house. When we got there, we asked this really nice police lady where the bus leaves. She pointed in a direction and said, only 4 cuadras up and then take a left and walk about 1 cuadra more. So we did. Only when we got there, there was no bus anywhere. So luckily there were two other police men right there (they are everywhere for some reason). We asked them and they told us to walk about 4 cuadras more. This happened to us even a third time, before we finally got to the right spot (this is  after about 40 minutes of walking).

The second adventure was getting on the right bus, even when standing in the right spot. Busses work slightly different here, than they do in Switzerland. It's sort of a non-stop bus. Literally! So basically you just have to read their signs (of which they have like 10 or so on the windshield), which says where they go to. Next you have to be quick enough to hop on the bus. You are lucky if the bus stops for 5s or so. Normally it's more like a slowing down and you just have to jump on.

So finally we were on the bus to Sabandia. I'm telling you, I was so relieved when we finally got a seat. Haha, these bus drivers are kinda scary- well more their way of driving I guess. But somehow it works for them. So finally arrived in Sabandia we got out and looked around. It was pretty amazing, cuz for a 40 minute bus ride you only pay about 40 cents! Happy savings!!

We quickly checked, where the orphanage is. It's right next to the 'bus stop' - YAY!! Then we took a walk to the old molino. As we realized pretty soon - this was adventure number three today. We passed some beautiful country side, but the road - well - I'm not sure if you could call it a road anymore, was slightly broken. In one part the road has turned into a creek, because it had rained so much in the past couple of weeks.

But in the end we got to the molino and enjoyed the beautiful gardens. Oh and the question for today: Do you know the difference between an Alpaca and a Lama?

Visitantes

Today was Tuesday. Yesterday wasn't one of my strong-days, haha. I had class, but somehow I could NOT remember even one palabra. But today was already better.

In the morning Maria, a good friend of my aunties, came to visit us. She brought me the cutest little placemat. We had a good talk with her and I got to learn a lot of new words. I now started to carry a paper with me, so that I can always write down new words, whenever I hear one. And believe me the paper fills up pretty fast, haha!

Just after Maria left my auntie got a call from a neighbour's son. He owns some parking spots in the city, I think. Anyways, there was this Swiss guy, who parked his motorbike there. So this Swiss guy asked if he could come by and say hi. So he and the neighbour's son came by and we had a great talk with them. He told us, how he's been touring thru South America with his motorbike for nearly 3 years now. He's travelled most of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile etc. Right now he is on his way North. It was interesting to listen to his stories. Around 4pm they left and we had lunch. The rest of the night was rather quiet.

la fin de semana

Wow, my first week in Arequipa is officially over!
After a busy week, we decided to just stick around the house for the weekend. On Saturday we tried to go for a walk - but somehow we didn't make it. Well I guess, part of the reason was, that none of us was eager to get soaked, because it was pouring down like crazy.

So finally on Sunday afternoon, we went for a little sightseeing tour around Arequipa. We went up on the bridge just right next to our house, where we had a great view all over Arequipa. One thing I found interesting was, that there was construction just at the beginning of the bridge. Well, the interesting thing was not the construction itself, but that for the same construction area in Switzerland, the government would hire like 20 people less. So it's not unusual that one guy just kinda walks up and down with a brick in his hand, just so he has something to do.

It was interesting how, even though living in the middle of the city, there is still a great difference in how people live. As for the guy who owns this property, he just doesn't wanna sell it, but at the same time he has no money to build a house.

Also we met the guy who collects metals, bottles etc. They drive thru the city with their bikes and collect whatever they can get. They also put speakers on their bikes sometimes. So whenever I open my window in the morning, I can hear them yelling things thru the speaker (no idea what tho).

Also the river in Arequipa carries a lot of water right now. It rained a lot these last couple of days, even storms with thunder and lightnings - which usually never happens around here. I like to think, that it just wants me to still feel sorta like at home - at least one familiar thing, haha.

So ya, after about 45 minutes of walking, we decided to quickly go to the store to get some bread. When we came out, we realized that a huge storm just passed. According to the sizes of the puddles outside, it must have rained really hard in those 20 minutes, that we were in the store. But when we came out the storm was over and we walked home dry. Tuvimos suertes!
So we had a really nice walk and I got to see some more of Arequipa.

la iglesia

My first week in Arequipa is almost over! Unbelievable! It went super super fast! I'm really enjoying my time here and I think Arequipa is a ciudad muy hermosa! I love the weather, the people and the whole atmosphere here. 

Today was Sunday, so I decided to go find the church building. Last night my auntie was so good to take me up to the adress, where we thought the church was located. Well, we found ourselves in a little alley in front of a locked door. 

So anyways, this morning I decided to walk up there again, to see if the door was open now. Though when I got to number 125 it was locked again. I looked up and down the street - nothing, no people anywhere. I assumed, that since church starts in 10 minutes (which means at 9.30am) and there are no people walking up or down the street anywhere, I must be in the wrong place. 

I had a little prayer in my heart, that I might still be able to find the church, since I now gathered ALL my courage to go there in the first place. 

A little dejected I turned around to walk back home. I just thought, that next Sunday I will just try to find another church building. 

I only walked down one cuadra when suddenly a Sister Missionary comes around the corner. YAY!! I was so happy!

She was accompanied by a young single adult. They were super friendly and they also showed me the church building. It wasn't to far from where I was in the first place!

 

So I had a good time at church. I understood at least some of what they said. 

Also when I walked in, there were to elderly men sitting in the very back. The Sister Missionary said hi to them, so I did likewise. Haha, all the sudden these old men got really excited. Later on I realized why - I think I am the only non-peruvian in that ward. 

So this YSA lady was super nice and she would repeat things for me like 10 times. This was my frist real time of having to speak JUST Spanish - cuz no one spoke English.

But they were all super sweet and patient. I might even join the YSAs this week for some event (haha - didn't quite understand what it was all about).

So yay- found my ward - I'm happy now!

Spanish classes - mañana

Hola!
Tengo que hablar espanol ahora. Or something like that at least. On Wednesday I was supposed to have my first Spanish class. My auntie dropped me off at the school and then went shopping.

I was already pretty nervous when I went in. But then the headmaster came in (Note: He was about my age) and told me that I was supposed to call yesterday, to confirm that I wanted to take classes.
Well I guess it wouldn't be Peru, if things just worked out, right ;) So mañana it is! But they were really friendly and told me to come back tomorrow.

The only problem I now had, was to find my way back home. I knew it was about a 35 minute walk and I sorta knew in which direction I had to walk. Well to sum it up, it took me a full hour to get home... Also at one point I found myself in this tiny little alley and I'm still not sure I really belonged there. Everybody stared at me. haha, gotta love the life of a gringa!

But I made it home ok. So all is well.

On Thursday I then had my first Spanish class. They already told me that my teachers name was Carlos. So all the sudden this young man walks in and introduced himself as Carlos. Fun fact about Carlos is, that he only came back from Switzerland a couple of days ago. He is peruvian, but studyied in Switzerland for a while. So whenever I get confused, I can just use my Swiss German on him.

So good times in Spanish class!

So far I've had two Spanish classes! There are sooo many things to learn. Right now it's irregular verbs - oh dear! But it's super fun and I learn a lot. I'll let you know as soon as I speak some more Spanish!

1st day

Today (Tuesday), I got to meet Carmen, the muchacha. She comes two times a week to help clean the house. I got to practise my first couple Spanish words today. YAY!! She is so kind to always repeat things two or three times for me, till I finally get it.

Then after a wonderful breakfast my auntie and I left to go to the city. We had some errands to do as well as go and sign me in for Spanish (castellano) classes. I will go in three times a week for 2h each time. It's super nice, cuz I will have privat lessons. Unbelievable, private lessons only cost 20 soles here - which is about 7 francs I think. But I'm really excited to finally start taking classes!

Also we walked by the plaza de armas and I got learn a new fun fact about Peru. My auntie showed me a corner, where people sit on chairs with these really old typewriters on their labs. If you need a typewritten letter, you can just go there and they'll do it for you. So peruanos are really creative in their job choice.

All last night our neighbour's alarm went off. So we hardly slept this past night. But luckly they came back from their vacation today. So it should get better soon.

One other thing I learned so far is, that birds don't sound like birds here. It sounds more like somebody is farting all the time. It feels slightely awkward whenever we eat outside and all the sudden you hear this fart sound, haha.

Lima

We arrived in Lima around 6.30 am. It was the most beautiful sunrise!!
So first order, after getting of the airplane was to go thru immigration. My organization told me, that I won't have to worry about a visa, cuz tourist visas are valid for 6 months in Peru. Well, so I  confidentiality went up to the guy  and told him in Spanish, that I was planning to stay 5 months, to learn Spanish and work in an orphanage. He gave me a concerned look and then spoke back in Spanish - but SUPER fast. So I just said: Lo siento, no hablo espanol. So he tried to speak English, but he didn't really know English after all. So I again told him that I wanted to stay 4.5-5 months. He then said something, like 'oh no, not so long'. I apparently looked really scared and confused, so he just made a stamp in my passport and said 'oh, just go on'. That was the end of the story! Well I guess, things work differently here. My aunt only told me later, that tourist visas are also valid 3 months here.
Next step was going thru customs. The way they do customs here is, that you have to press a button and îf the light turns red you have to go to another line to have your luggage go thru the X-ray thing. Well, the lady looked at my passport and told me to go to this very line even before I pressed the button. So I guess, the Swiss are quite dangerous after all.
At 12am I was supposed to take my connecting flight to Arequipa. Unfortunately my flight got delayed like 3 times. Welcome to Peru the second! But at 2pm we finally took off. I met a really nice Peruvian lady on the plane. She lived in Canda for the past 30 years or so. So she couldn't really speak Spanish anymore.
At 3pm I finally arrived in Arequipa. My auntie was already waiting for me. Thomas the taxi driver from the corner stationed just around my auntie's house, was already waiting to take us home. So Thomas drives one of these cabs that seem to fall apart, if you only stare at it for too long. Anyways, he put my suitcases on the front seat. But then he realized, that he couldn't use his stick shift properly anymore. So he got out and just pushed the car backwards, jumped back in and then started driving. Welcome to Peru the third!

Finally arrived at home, we went for a walk with cute little Osito.

Goodbye Switzerland

Sunday, March 3rd was the day when my new adventure was to begin. After a quick goodbye to beloved friends in the morning, I headed back home to pack the last few things! I'm telling you, only 23kg is hard to do in the first place, but even more so if a friend decides to hide in your suitcase. But I made it after all. I literally finished packing the last second before my wonderful family (incl. Dianne) had to take me to the airport in Geneva.
Again, I learned, that I'm really bad with goodbyes - I tell my folks every single time NOT to cry - but really, never works... If you have a good suggestion how to make goodbyes easier, PLEASE let me know! But anyways, it didn't help. Their parking ticket was only valid for 30 minutes and so they eventually had to leave and I went to find my airplane to Madrid.
In Madrid I had about a 3h layover, before I finally got on my plane to Lima. So Spanish it now was! WOW, crazy times! This is the language, that I'm gonna speak for the next 5 months - well lets say, I'll try at least. Even just the thought still appears terrifying to me!

The plane was packed! I sat next to some sort of celebrity, I guess - well at least he knew all the staff and he got tonz of free drinks etc. I fell asleep within the first 5 minutes. It was super nice, cuz it was a night-flight to Peru. So eventually I woke up 2 hours before arriving in Lima. I never slept that well on a airplane before! So I highly recommend night- flights to you all, they are awesome! Only 2 hours later we arrived in Lima. I expected Lima to be big - but what I saw from the airplane - it was quite overwhelming!