Cumbe de Mayo

I had to celebrate the settling in the apartment by taking a trip out of town. With some friends I went to cumbe de mayo, a national protected inca heritage site up the mountain from cajamarca. I was in absolute awe. It is this series of majestic rock mountains that contain an ancient water canal system throughout. The aqueduct water canal system had perfect right angles, though it was made 1,200 BC. Originally, I thought we might see one rock formation, but it turned into an all afternoon hike with a stunning views at every turn. If my stomach hadn´t been grumbling I would have absorbed more of the history that our guide and friend, Paola, was explaining. But, I am not too worried, as I am planning on visiting again, with a picnic and warm sweater next time. This was a mind clearing and peaceful space to just be in, especially considering the spiritual history that it holds. I needed that - the past couple of days I have been running around looking for an empty gas container to give to my neighbor who borrowed me one. Everyone sells full gas containers, but nobody sells empty ones. The search continues...

Mountain and Rebar apartment

I can finally say that I am "somewhat" settled into my apartment that will be my home and refuge for this coming year. It took a whole lot of patience and uncertainity and paint fumes before I actually moved my suitcases and furniture there, but it is all in. I am living in a 2nd floor apartment that has windows that stretch the length of walls, which make the mountains seem larger than life. Besides the mts., I also get a great view of all the rebar metal sticking up from neighbors unfinished rooftops - the sense of optimism that the house is going to grow. I´ve got the works: kitchen, patio overlooking the downstairs garden, bathroom complete with a luke warm water shower, and internet soon. It feels a little more grounding to be in a place of my own. There is a sweet family that lives downstairs, although during the whole moving process, they continued to tell me something would be done and then come to find out it wasn´t. For example, the apartment wasn´t clean when I was going to move in. I have much to learn about Peruvian communication.

Something I do appreciate about Peruvian culture is that as soon as you meet someone, they are your friend. No matter if there are differences, peruvians have extended their friendship invitation to me only moments after meeting them. Now it is a matter of growing those friendships. Pictured here are my friends Maggie (Director of Discover Hope), me, and Elizabeth at a swanky karaoke bar in town.

Llacanora

This morning I went out of town to hike with a new friend, Elizabeth, who is Cajamarca for awhile. We took a minivan out to Llacanora and I immediately felt like the air was cleaner as we entered this little village on the base of the mountains. In the middle of the park there was a andean music band dressed in colorful clothes with their video man - they were recording a video for carnival. We found out they were hiking up to the waterfalls too, so there we were with the band in this beautiful countryside. The women in the band were hiking with their high heels, so I wasn´t complaining about being a little winded. I was picturing this peaceful hike to the waterfalls, but we were also joined by about 100 little kids on a field trip. The band did a performance alongside the waterfalls and I felt like we were witnessing live Peruvian MTV at it´s finest. The band, the kids, and the countryside, it was all a great get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Movin' and Shakin'

Maggie in market with all my housewares & our taxi driver carrying bed to apartment & Nora in the middle of the furniture section of the market.

BBQ Heart and other treats

My highlight of the past 24 hours was BBQ cow heart, yummy! My lowlight was remembering that I am on Peruvian time and things don´t always work out as planned. I was suppose to move into my apartment today, but when we arrived at the apartment with my kitchenware and some furniture, I was told, "mañana" (tomorrow, for sure). But tomorrow doesn't really mean tomorrow. It means at some point in the not-so-near future.

On the topic of food, I have also tried the local ceviche here, which is unlike ceviche in other latin american countries. It is more chewy. See picture. I like the BBQ heart better.

First week in Cajamarca

I woke up again this morning to the sound of trumpets. There has been a parade every other day outside of our hotel, conveniently located on the corner of the main square in town. Yesterday after I hiked up above cajamarca, when I came back into town there was a army gun parade, complete with bombs shooting up from the park. No one was hurt, everyone seemed to think it was a good time.
There are new noises to get use to - and on top of that I have to keep remembering not to put toilet paper in the toilet, look both ways twice before crossing the street because pedestrians don't have rights, prepare myself for past 3 am disco nights and watch my starch intake. Other than that, cajamarca has been treating me well and my heart is comfortable and happy here.

Safe landing

I have arrived in my new home for the year, after an uncomfortable 15 hr. night bus ride and some altitude adjustment I am soaking in cajamarca. Maggie has been a phenomenal guide, and I feel like I immediately have a ton of friends. The mountains are majestic, Guatemalan mountains feel like hills compared to the Andes. The people are beautiful; there is a mix of modern and ancient here. The mercado is like a piece of heaven, I will be getting fat this year, guaranteed.
Today I went out to the "campo," or countryside, to meet some of the women I will be working with. I went with one of my new coworkers, Vanessa. She told me as I got on the moto, "I don´t have my license (to drive), but I will drive safe." What else could I do, but let the wind brush my hair as I sat in awe of the mountains and surroundings that were a feast for my new eyes?