Quite often, I want to update my blog, but stuff always gets in my way. Oh well, right now I have the opportunity, so I might as well take it :)
Not much has happened since my last post, I caught the Flu for one, that was great. I have now been sick twice in the three weeks I have been here. Apart from that most of last week was just school. Now I'm sure I made school sound great in my last post. I was lying. It is very long. and very boring. And I figure that is primarily because I don't understand. What makes me really mad though, are the teachers. There are 2 that I REALLY like. The tutora, who looks after everyone in my grade, and my Spanish teacher, who I have just begun to have conversations with. Her class is likely the most boring though, as It is alot of spanish spoken very fast. Apart from that I can only say that I like the religion, the math, the civics and the art teacher, because they are the ones that understand what I am going through. Apart from that I dislike the other 7 teachers because the yell a lot, and they expect me to fully participate in all homework and projects. Now I might sound lazy to you, but when they don't even come up to me to explain it to me apart from everyone else you could imagine how frustrated you would get. I have a whole bunch of projects right now, including a chart retelling the reconstruction of the Soviet Union, a project on the holocaust, for which I must make a video, a ton of business homework, AND a project on The principles discovered by Archimedes. My least favourite teacher, ironically is the english teacher, who is quite rude. Probably because I know more than her.
On the bright side my spanish is getting better due to school, I have actually had small phone conversations with people. which is really cool for me. And I have been making friends at school, everyone wants to befriends with the white kid from north America :P so as for that area I'm doing well, I have also been making friends with the other exchange students which is really nice :) and this weekend I might be hanging out in Miraflores with some friends from school at a artsy cafe, very cool ;P. Hopefully I can also hang with some rotary friends? haha.
I also have hit the party trek again. 2 Fiestas this weekend, might hit one on saturday night too lol. Fiestas as I metioned are interesting, usually I dance for 10-20 minutes and then go outside for some fresh air, because in the house it is a fog of second hand smoke. The first fiesta was at my friend Luis and Sofiane's house, celebrating his trip to france, and the second was in my casa for nathaly.
Another fun thing that happened last week was the raising of my flag at school. It is amazing how patriotic I really am, and never knew it. I guess it takes living in another country for you to really notice how much you care about your own. I like Peru! Thats for sure, but Canada is always going to be my home, I have no doubt about that.
I have also hung out a lot this week with people. On Saturday Renzo and Ivonne came over to do a project, they are both very good friends at colegio, and on Monday I went with Nathaly, Adriana and Brenda for Sushi, it was sooooooo good :D how I had missed it :) <3. Also hung out in Miraflores last night, even more fun, but tonight I am just relaxing at home :)
Oh here is something else interesting that has happened to me. My Realization, that I am in fact a minority group. It is very strange living your life as a white man, and then going to Peru and becoming a gringo (the slang and somewhat racist term for North Americans and Europeans) There really aren't many white people in Lima, although it is likely the largest minority group in the city. Racism is very common however in Peru, and if you are of Asian descent you are called a chino, and if you are black you are a negro, or the other "N word." You can imagine how taken aback I am quite often by the talk they use, after all, I am a Canadian (likely the least racist country on the planet) who is considering applying for a degree in Social Inequality Studies. I However do not get the full front of Peruvian racism, as white people are usually very well liked in the city, especially because it is assumed they have money. Most people want pictures of me, or to be my friend at school, there is a project on me for the grade 9 equivalent and all the primary school kids stare at me. I have only ever been treated negatively by two people, a cab driver, and the boyfriend of a friend's sibling. Oh well, most people like me, can't please everyone right? Interestingly enough I went to Starbucks the other day, and (I'm not joking) almost everyone in the building was white haha. I think their will also be many more white people in the summer, because Peru is a great tourist destination, because apart from Nazca and Macchu Pichu we also have some of the best waves in the world.
Before I begin, I just want you all to know, that I am a practicing Catholic and believer. Anyways, Yesterday was also a very interesting day. The Feast of Nino Jesus (pronounced Kneen-yo Hay-zeus) or baby Jesus. We had mass at school, basiclly all 2-3 thousand of us stood in rows in the courtyard as the priest said mass, I said the our father in English, i is easier that way, because I haven't learned Padre Nuestro yet (but I'm halfway done the peruvian national anthem). The weirdest part was at communion when two students walked around to all of the teachers whit a plastic baby doll, and the teachers held it and prayed to it then kissed it, I know us catholics are kind of in to the idolatry and we embrace our latin-pagan roots, but the plastic jesus was pushing it a bit... Interestingly the Catholic Church is much different here. I am not allowed to eat communion unless I confess that day. So I have now went to two masses, neither of which I have eaten communion at, which is weird for me as I have eaten host at every mass I have ever went to since I was in Grade 2, and I likely won't eat it for a while because confession requires advanced spanish. It is also a sin to miss church here. So I have a number of sins that need repenting. I myself am not an avid believer in confession, but when in Peru, do as the Peruvians I guess.
Apart from that I haven't been up to much maybe it would be a good time for some facts?
Fact.1 Peruvians only eat their eggs sunny side up, I hasve now blown my mama's mind with scrambled eggs and an omlette (my real parents are reading this think, he knows how to make that?)
Fact.2 Peruvian culture is made up of three main areas, The Incas, The Military and the Catholic Church
Fact.3 Latin America generally doesn't like each other, with the exception of Brazil, Suriname and Guyana and French Guiana. When Spain finally got kicked out of latin america, all of the spanish countries began to fight for supremacy, Peru has been conquered by Chile in the past, and has had conflicts with its too main enemies Ecuador and Chile. I personally have become to dislike chile, because it is very mean to Peru.
Fact.4 Alpaca fur is very soft. I bought a scarf :)
Fact.5 Chocolate, junk food and condements all come in small packets here, because the climate in peru mixed with the sugar and fat leads to a lot of acne. (fortunately I learned this before I went and got junkfood)
Fact.6 Their are terrorist in Peru, tens of thousands, and their are multiple groups, some that are trying to over throw the governement and install a communist regime, and others in the jungle trying to secure their drug trade ruits. It is kind of scary, but they don't do anything in Lima ever.
Well I think that sums up life for now, more to come Later
Hope you enjoyed :)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
There is a reason why Cebicheria rhymes with Diarrhea
I am very sorry for not having updated lately, I have wanted to but Dios Mio (Oh my God) so many things have been getting in my way. I have heard that many people enjoyed my last post, so heres hoping you enjoy thins one two.
So where we left off I was at a point in my journey where I was this excited nerdy little exchange student ready to live in Peru, that was a two Thursdays ago, well not much else happened that week, except for I got to taste the fiesta side of Lima. In one week in this country I went to 3 full on parties. I was ridiculously pooped by Saturday. There are basically three things any Peruvian teenager does at a fiesta. Drink, Smoke and Dance. Thankfully I am not a Peruvian Teenager, and I decided just to dance. What blew my mind, is that it is cool to smoke here. Now I know some of you Canadian teens smoke, and I know you think, "man am I tough" well I hate to burst your proverbial bubble....but you're not tough, and you're definitely not cool, just the opposite actually. That being said, many teens smoke here at parties, but I dance. There is something about reggaeton that just moves you. (Physically, not emotionally)
So as stated, after all of these parties I was indeed very "pooped" on Saturday. But "Pooped" is not strong enough of a word to describe what was to come.... (yes their is a horrible pun brewing). On Saturday my parents went to the market and we picked up cebiche (no not from a trust-able restaurant, from a small market stand). Now Cebiche, is basically raw fish, no not like sushi, it is much more crude. Anyways I have been excited for it all week, because everyone says it is the best. I ate it. I regretted it. About 5 minutes after finishing I asked myself "What demon have you released into your bowels" My parents ran out with a shot glass and Anis, (a 45% Alcohol from Arequipa) and made me take a shot. Ok it subsided, and I survived. We went and bought my uniform for school, and everything was fine. That night we came home and I had milk for my light dinner. I regretted that at about 2 in the morning. Lets just say I should have taken 5 times the recommended dose of Pepto Bismol because I had all 5 symptoms. That Sunday we went to the hospital where I was plugged into an IV with Electrolytes and Anti-Biotics. It didn't help much. I went home that night, and the next day was just as bad. Back to the hospital for an all day stay, with another IV of both Electrolytes and Anti-Biotics. After a few jugs of that, my body had settled down, but it was monday, and the next day was supposed to be my first day of school. Well that didn't happen, and I just sleeped all day and watched TV. To make things worse, I also hit an important stage of my exchange, homesickness, I cried, It was embarrassing, but what can I say, I love my family and friends. Curious as to what set off? My Mom, Dad, Aunt, Oma and Grandma's favourite musician is Andre Rieu, a Dutch Violinist and orchestra conductor. It just so happens that Andre Rieu strangely also happens to be my host parents favourite musician. At the first sound in the car coming home from the hospital I broke down. Anyways I got over my sickness, and am doing much better now. Oh and as a Special shout out to David CA, I was proscribe Gatorade jajajaja!
So After all of that horrible experience, Wednesday was my first day of Colegio at Pedro Ruiz Gallo in Chorrillos Lima Peru. Pedro Ruiz is a high school for the children of military officers, and I'm sure I mentioned my father is Colonel in the Peruvian army, and the Commandant of an army base in Lima. Anyways this school is ran by the army. I get salutes from random people when I talk about it, oh and it is catholic, but its not like I don't have experience in Catholic School. South American high school is very different from North American High school. It is much longer from before 8 to after 3. I take 11 classes a week, usually 4 a day. I get RECESS AGAIN :D:D:D:D and the students don't listen and just talk. I am surprisingly good at school. Ingles is more or less the best thing in my life right now. Math and Physics are also ridiculously easy due to their lack of words, and even religion is fairly easy for me, I was very proud of my self when I wrote a paragraph on the death penalty being against the catholic faith in Spanish!!!! The only thing thats hard for me is Communicacion/Lituratura or Spanish class. I think that speaks for itself. the coolest thing though is that My Spanish (first language) teacher in Peru is EXACTLY like Mrs. Martin my English teacher in Canada, and I'm actually glad about it because its something familiar to me when there isn't much familiar. One other familiar thing for me is English Class (Second language). It is exactly like grade 7 French. The kids don't listen or care. The course material is so easy and meant for babies. And The teacher gets no respect. Part of me feels bad for her, but part of me also laughs. I of course come off as a nerd in that class, because I know everything. Oh and I forgot that I'm actually good at volleyball! Phys Ed ws actually fun, because its not full of jocks trying to act macho and show off, it was just a bunch of people who wanted to have some fun playing sports.
More Peruvian Facts! Fact 1, When your Dad is a colonel your life is made in Peru, you get cheap education, free health care, access to special clubs in the city, and more! Fact 2, the stereotype Fidel Castro created about Latino military officers wearing Track suits outside of work is TRUE (my dad wears a track suit ALL THE TIME) Fact 3 Gatorade is a prescribe-able medicine in South America. Fact 4 (for Catholics) You cannot receive the host at church without having gone to confession THAT DAY. Fact 5 Peru uses the French Law system, Napoleonic Law where you are assumed guilty until proven innocent. That is very interesting for me, someone who is considering becoming a criminal lawyer. Fact 6, Lima is basically covered by clouds all the time in the winter, but...since I have been here, strangely the sun has been out about 6 days, which makes me very happy. Fact 7, the past faact is one of the reasons Lima is considered the most melancholy city in the world. Fact 8, elections are going on in Lima right now! which is very interesting! You will get more info on that after, along with much more on Peruvian Politics.
I have gotten my first taste of culture shock and boy is it bitter, more on that as well coming soon! (along with hat philosophical post i promised)
Have a great Week if I don't post soon!
So where we left off I was at a point in my journey where I was this excited nerdy little exchange student ready to live in Peru, that was a two Thursdays ago, well not much else happened that week, except for I got to taste the fiesta side of Lima. In one week in this country I went to 3 full on parties. I was ridiculously pooped by Saturday. There are basically three things any Peruvian teenager does at a fiesta. Drink, Smoke and Dance. Thankfully I am not a Peruvian Teenager, and I decided just to dance. What blew my mind, is that it is cool to smoke here. Now I know some of you Canadian teens smoke, and I know you think, "man am I tough" well I hate to burst your proverbial bubble....but you're not tough, and you're definitely not cool, just the opposite actually. That being said, many teens smoke here at parties, but I dance. There is something about reggaeton that just moves you. (Physically, not emotionally)
So as stated, after all of these parties I was indeed very "pooped" on Saturday. But "Pooped" is not strong enough of a word to describe what was to come.... (yes their is a horrible pun brewing). On Saturday my parents went to the market and we picked up cebiche (no not from a trust-able restaurant, from a small market stand). Now Cebiche, is basically raw fish, no not like sushi, it is much more crude. Anyways I have been excited for it all week, because everyone says it is the best. I ate it. I regretted it. About 5 minutes after finishing I asked myself "What demon have you released into your bowels" My parents ran out with a shot glass and Anis, (a 45% Alcohol from Arequipa) and made me take a shot. Ok it subsided, and I survived. We went and bought my uniform for school, and everything was fine. That night we came home and I had milk for my light dinner. I regretted that at about 2 in the morning. Lets just say I should have taken 5 times the recommended dose of Pepto Bismol because I had all 5 symptoms. That Sunday we went to the hospital where I was plugged into an IV with Electrolytes and Anti-Biotics. It didn't help much. I went home that night, and the next day was just as bad. Back to the hospital for an all day stay, with another IV of both Electrolytes and Anti-Biotics. After a few jugs of that, my body had settled down, but it was monday, and the next day was supposed to be my first day of school. Well that didn't happen, and I just sleeped all day and watched TV. To make things worse, I also hit an important stage of my exchange, homesickness, I cried, It was embarrassing, but what can I say, I love my family and friends. Curious as to what set off? My Mom, Dad, Aunt, Oma and Grandma's favourite musician is Andre Rieu, a Dutch Violinist and orchestra conductor. It just so happens that Andre Rieu strangely also happens to be my host parents favourite musician. At the first sound in the car coming home from the hospital I broke down. Anyways I got over my sickness, and am doing much better now. Oh and as a Special shout out to David CA, I was proscribe Gatorade jajajaja!
So After all of that horrible experience, Wednesday was my first day of Colegio at Pedro Ruiz Gallo in Chorrillos Lima Peru. Pedro Ruiz is a high school for the children of military officers, and I'm sure I mentioned my father is Colonel in the Peruvian army, and the Commandant of an army base in Lima. Anyways this school is ran by the army. I get salutes from random people when I talk about it, oh and it is catholic, but its not like I don't have experience in Catholic School. South American high school is very different from North American High school. It is much longer from before 8 to after 3. I take 11 classes a week, usually 4 a day. I get RECESS AGAIN :D:D:D:D and the students don't listen and just talk. I am surprisingly good at school. Ingles is more or less the best thing in my life right now. Math and Physics are also ridiculously easy due to their lack of words, and even religion is fairly easy for me, I was very proud of my self when I wrote a paragraph on the death penalty being against the catholic faith in Spanish!!!! The only thing thats hard for me is Communicacion/Lituratura or Spanish class. I think that speaks for itself. the coolest thing though is that My Spanish (first language) teacher in Peru is EXACTLY like Mrs. Martin my English teacher in Canada, and I'm actually glad about it because its something familiar to me when there isn't much familiar. One other familiar thing for me is English Class (Second language). It is exactly like grade 7 French. The kids don't listen or care. The course material is so easy and meant for babies. And The teacher gets no respect. Part of me feels bad for her, but part of me also laughs. I of course come off as a nerd in that class, because I know everything. Oh and I forgot that I'm actually good at volleyball! Phys Ed ws actually fun, because its not full of jocks trying to act macho and show off, it was just a bunch of people who wanted to have some fun playing sports.
More Peruvian Facts! Fact 1, When your Dad is a colonel your life is made in Peru, you get cheap education, free health care, access to special clubs in the city, and more! Fact 2, the stereotype Fidel Castro created about Latino military officers wearing Track suits outside of work is TRUE (my dad wears a track suit ALL THE TIME) Fact 3 Gatorade is a prescribe-able medicine in South America. Fact 4 (for Catholics) You cannot receive the host at church without having gone to confession THAT DAY. Fact 5 Peru uses the French Law system, Napoleonic Law where you are assumed guilty until proven innocent. That is very interesting for me, someone who is considering becoming a criminal lawyer. Fact 6, Lima is basically covered by clouds all the time in the winter, but...since I have been here, strangely the sun has been out about 6 days, which makes me very happy. Fact 7, the past faact is one of the reasons Lima is considered the most melancholy city in the world. Fact 8, elections are going on in Lima right now! which is very interesting! You will get more info on that after, along with much more on Peruvian Politics.
I have gotten my first taste of culture shock and boy is it bitter, more on that as well coming soon! (along with hat philosophical post i promised)
Have a great Week if I don't post soon!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The First Week
So before I begin this very lengthy post, I will apologize for not Posting since last Tuesday....It has been an amazing week, and sorry Mom and Dad for not reply to your emails more, but (and this is for everyone) If I live in the Cyber world, I won't learn Spanish.
Anyways, I arrived in Lima last Friday at 00:15 (I am getting used to the 24 hour clock, although both are used) I got a warm reception from my host Mom and Dad at the airport, although I understood almost none of it, and all I really said was "HOLA, COMO ESTAS?... BIEN GRACIAS) We went back to the house and I was intruduced to my siblings, Edson, my Brother, and my sisters Fiorella and Nathaly. I also met Luis, another exchange student who is from Peru and going to France, and Sofianne who is from France and now living in Peru. These 5 have been my friends for the past week. Life in the family is great. Mom and Dad are working by the time I wake up, and sometimes Edson and Fiorella are gone to university. They are done around 12:00 and mom comes home around 14:00 (2:00 PM). Dad doesnt return until arround 18:00 or 19:00. My Mom is a Dentist and my dad is a colonel in the Peruvian army. We eat breakfast, usually just me and Nathaly around 10:00 and we eat Dinner/Lunch at 3:00 or 4:00, we usually don't eat a meal after that. Usually we just have tea or soup and a sandwich around 21:00.
In the last week I have been in many different parts or "districts" of Lima, the are 43 in total, and even my host brother hasen't been to them all. Imagine the GTA but three times bigger, that is Lima. Lima's population is 9 million, by the way. I live in Santigo de Surco, which is a very safe and almost residential district of Lima. I will be going to school in Chorrillos, where my mom works. The rotary club I am in is from the San Isidro District (where I have never been) and they meet in Miraflores which is a very beautiful district, and considered part of downtown. I have also visited El Centre De Lima, which is the Old Lima, and it is also very historic and beautiful, although there is a lot of crime.
Finally I have also went to "El Marcatto: (The Market) to buy Fruit and Bond with my Mom. Oh also, When I get back to Canada I am never eating fruit again, it doesn't even compare to the non chemicalized fruit of Peru.
A Manana (Tomorrow) I am going back to miraflores hopefully to go shopping with the gang and finally eat Chebiche, which is a way of preparing fish. We are also going to go get Nathaly's passport. Odia (today) I met all of the other rotary students in my district, and of the (around) 12 of us 8 were from the US, the other 4 of us are from France (Sofianne), Germany, Switzerland and CANADA!!!!
So I made some new friends, who speak english....which isn't good haha.
So Some more interesting fact about Peru.... We are in a cold wave.....now to a Canadian you probably think "big deal" (I know I did) well....in Canada winter is usually dry is our isolated house, to keep out the cold of winter, In Peru it is a humid cold.....which is evil....it goes in your clothes and makes everything moist AND cold......and thus I have caught a cold. Fact number 2, Peruvian moms freak out about colds...especially when they warned you, and told you to put on more clothes, and you ignored them saying "I'm Canadian, this isn't cold!" Fact # 3, You must wear shoes inside, or your cold will get WORSE.... Fact # 4 After eating certain Peruvian foods (thats names escape me) drinking water will cause diarrhea, where as carbondioxide from Pop will prevent it, as will one Peruvian hard liquor shot, I went with the pop... Fact # 5 THERE IS NO SALES TAX :D. Fact # 6 , when you have no sales tax, roads are much less funded, as is the liscening system. Fact # 7 half osf the populatinon of Lima drives taxis.....ya if you though New York City was bad.....and there are more facts to come :)
Anyways I think that is all for tonight, picture are coming soon! My next post will be rather philosophical, on Lima Peru as an identity, it should prove interesting for all of you :)
I hope you are all enjoying life in Canada and in el Mundo I know I am :D
CIAO
Anyways, I arrived in Lima last Friday at 00:15 (I am getting used to the 24 hour clock, although both are used) I got a warm reception from my host Mom and Dad at the airport, although I understood almost none of it, and all I really said was "HOLA, COMO ESTAS?... BIEN GRACIAS) We went back to the house and I was intruduced to my siblings, Edson, my Brother, and my sisters Fiorella and Nathaly. I also met Luis, another exchange student who is from Peru and going to France, and Sofianne who is from France and now living in Peru. These 5 have been my friends for the past week. Life in the family is great. Mom and Dad are working by the time I wake up, and sometimes Edson and Fiorella are gone to university. They are done around 12:00 and mom comes home around 14:00 (2:00 PM). Dad doesnt return until arround 18:00 or 19:00. My Mom is a Dentist and my dad is a colonel in the Peruvian army. We eat breakfast, usually just me and Nathaly around 10:00 and we eat Dinner/Lunch at 3:00 or 4:00, we usually don't eat a meal after that. Usually we just have tea or soup and a sandwich around 21:00.
In the last week I have been in many different parts or "districts" of Lima, the are 43 in total, and even my host brother hasen't been to them all. Imagine the GTA but three times bigger, that is Lima. Lima's population is 9 million, by the way. I live in Santigo de Surco, which is a very safe and almost residential district of Lima. I will be going to school in Chorrillos, where my mom works. The rotary club I am in is from the San Isidro District (where I have never been) and they meet in Miraflores which is a very beautiful district, and considered part of downtown. I have also visited El Centre De Lima, which is the Old Lima, and it is also very historic and beautiful, although there is a lot of crime.
Finally I have also went to "El Marcatto: (The Market) to buy Fruit and Bond with my Mom. Oh also, When I get back to Canada I am never eating fruit again, it doesn't even compare to the non chemicalized fruit of Peru.
A Manana (Tomorrow) I am going back to miraflores hopefully to go shopping with the gang and finally eat Chebiche, which is a way of preparing fish. We are also going to go get Nathaly's passport. Odia (today) I met all of the other rotary students in my district, and of the (around) 12 of us 8 were from the US, the other 4 of us are from France (Sofianne), Germany, Switzerland and CANADA!!!!
So I made some new friends, who speak english....which isn't good haha.
So Some more interesting fact about Peru.... We are in a cold wave.....now to a Canadian you probably think "big deal" (I know I did) well....in Canada winter is usually dry is our isolated house, to keep out the cold of winter, In Peru it is a humid cold.....which is evil....it goes in your clothes and makes everything moist AND cold......and thus I have caught a cold. Fact number 2, Peruvian moms freak out about colds...especially when they warned you, and told you to put on more clothes, and you ignored them saying "I'm Canadian, this isn't cold!" Fact # 3, You must wear shoes inside, or your cold will get WORSE.... Fact # 4 After eating certain Peruvian foods (thats names escape me) drinking water will cause diarrhea, where as carbondioxide from Pop will prevent it, as will one Peruvian hard liquor shot, I went with the pop... Fact # 5 THERE IS NO SALES TAX :D. Fact # 6 , when you have no sales tax, roads are much less funded, as is the liscening system. Fact # 7 half osf the populatinon of Lima drives taxis.....ya if you though New York City was bad.....and there are more facts to come :)
Anyways I think that is all for tonight, picture are coming soon! My next post will be rather philosophical, on Lima Peru as an identity, it should prove interesting for all of you :)
I hope you are all enjoying life in Canada and in el Mundo I know I am :D
CIAO
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