the dog days are done

As you can see, I haven't posted in a long time. So much for keeping everyone updated through blogging..

The funny thing about blogs is how easy it is to divulge too much information - documenting daily activities in full detail, revealing inner most fears or wishes (and in doing so possibly incriminate one's self). It's no wonder why people often privatize their blogs. When you think about it it's the same with Facebook, the only difference being blogs are lengthier and maybe more candid. Sometimes I'm surprised at how much people share.

*After re-reading this post, I realized that I failed to clarify a few things, some of which I originally had written but then left out:

But when you think about it, is there really such a thing as "too open"? It all comes down to what YOU feel comfortable sharing. What I should of said, and had actually written originally, is that I think it takes a certain amount of courage to share things about yourself, courage I don't have. It has to do with me and what I'm self-conscious about and too afraid to share. Blogs are meant to be personal, to be detailed and to share your hopes and fears. I think if I had a more private blog I would do so.

For now I'll continue to keep things I post trivial, superficial and vague for the most part *(as cowardly as that may be). In other words not worth reading. *I will also continue to use song lyrics as titles of posts (by the way - thanks, Sunny, for sharing this song with me).

For the few I promised to update via blog while I was in Peru, I intend to make good on that promise even if retroactively. I thought it might be difficult to look back and write about things after the fact, the things you notice when you're someplace new but quickly become familiar and forget. Later I realized some of those things end up being what you miss once you've left.

With that said I ended up writing a sort of free-flow list of things I miss, or are memorable and therefore missed, and thought I would share. Note that a few of the things I list are vague, some of which I plan to elaborate on in future posts but for now I hope this gives you a glimpse of my time in Peru:


Dusty, narrow, cobble-stone streets and the even narrower sidewalks.

The old ladies in traditional dress.

Parades every other day to celebrate one of the (many) Catholic saints.

The many tiendas and food carts on every street, asking for "un sublime leche, por fa".

The way the kids at school added "ita" or "ito" to everything, making it little or cute: "hoja-ita" when asking for a half sheet of paper or, "ami-gito" when talking about a friend.

Or my favorite: going into a shop and having the shop keeper's little girl yell to the back, "Mama! Gringita!"

Kids at school asking, "Puedo ir al baño?" after having gone five minutes earlier.

Witnessing just how much attention a blonde in South America gets, then thanking my lucky stars I'm a brunette.

Buying fruit in the market. After asking the lady for "tres manzanas" she would reply, "Si, Mami".

The rebel dog on our street with one blue eye and one brown eye.

Running from other rebel dogs wearing 'Toms'.

Buying a meat-and-potato-on-a-stick on the way home from school, taking one bite of the potato before it fell to the ground - every time without fail.

Which was okay, of course, because that meant a street dog could have it.

Entering the hostel after eating said meat stick and being harassed by Yanapay, the hostel dog - every time without fail.

Trying to get said dog to let me pet him.

Ridiculously cheap avocados, and ridiculously expensive Snickers bars.

Hanging out in the hostel courtyard with everyone, eating apples with peanut butter and getting sunburned.

Washington

Having to write our names on our food to save it from being thrown out.

Pistachios.

The "Free shelf".

Dinner parties in the kitchen, which on one occasion became a dance-whilst-cooking party.

Parasite stories.

Being covered in dirt and not caring.




The kids.