Peruvian aerobics changed my life!

About a month and a half ago, I discovered a tiny aerobics studio in the next town over and it's been the biggest blessing to me! I'm a new woman! It felt so good to get back into the grove of making my body really work, sweat, release stress and energy and be rejuvenated. And one of the best parts- we now have Peruvian friends! They are really welcoming us and making us feel a part of everything. The first few weeks we went to class, we got free workout outfits (free marketing for her studio in the United States!), one friend took us out for ceviche, a famous fish delicacy here, marinated in lemon juice, another made us arroz con leche (rice pudding from scratch), a yummy meal of goat and tres leches cake, 2 bday party invitations (I need a separate blog for that), and a trip to tour a town called Otuzco. Thank you, Lord, for the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual lift that this has brought me. Niche #1 accomplished!




Ceviche- it was actually kinda tasty when I closed my eyes.



Fellow volunteer Ashley and aerobics friend, Ana




My new gear




Aerobics instructor, Nella




On our way to Otuzco. New volunteer Laura from New Zealand front right




The center of town in Otuzco




Lovin' the llamas




My first bite of fried guinea pig. Note the fear/shame blend in my eyes.




My guinea pig foot cigar. I am an unusual bird.




This guy played the drums for us and Ashley was prompted to give him a kiss on the cheek. Friends forever!




With Ana's son, Paolo




A waterfall we passed on the curvy mountainous way home




I miss old people.




Don't fret- I love the youngins', too.




Virgin de la Puerta- patron saint of Otuzco




These candles are lit at all times- ppl light them and lift up prayers.

Not going to lie- today was a really tough day. It felt like my emotions completely exploded and I was left out to dry. Life here is hard- but it's an amazing kind of hard. It's definitely one of the hardest things I've done in my life. I would kill for English subtitles when talking to ppl here. The funny thing is that I understand most of what the kids say, but definitely less than half of what the adults say. Can't we all just talk about coloring?! God is kicking my butt here. Communication, conflict-resolution, sacrifice, putting yourself last...those are ALL tough things individually and when you put them all together 24/7, it creates some major emotional commotion!

Today I had a cool revelation when talking with a friend. I was relaying to her how much I adore the two little boys in my tutoria and love to just overload them on hugs, praise, and love. I have definitely seen them open up more to me and enjoy all the affection and show it to me in return. However, when they disrespect me or lie or don't listen to my authority, I withhold some of my hugs and praise and I see the look in their eyes of almost shame and longing to make things right. Its not that I didnt love them, wasnt proud of them or didnt want to hug them. On the contrary. I just know the potential that they have and what is best for them and the bigger picture. What a glorious feeling to reconnect after they correct their wrongs and choose to come running back in my arms. I was brought to tears today in realizing this is exactly what the Father does for us. He never stops loving us when we mess up or when we stray. He loves us even more and longs for the day we come bounding back to his arms that are always open.




My little Jorge






My little Pedro


Pablo and Pedro


My 12:30 treat Mon-Friday-- picking these 4 munchkins up from school

Location:Gotta' keep your head up...the sun will come again tomorrow

I have a new definition of 'miserable' for Webster

Miserable: crossing the border between Tumbes, Peru and Agua Verdes, Ecuador. That was one hell of a sketchy/dodgy day! I felt like Ashley, my fellow border crosser, and I were trapped in a real-life Nintendo game and the object was to avoid getting scammed, dying, or getting lost while holding all to all your coins and not letting them be stolen.Crossing the border-each step of the way- be it getting to the next mode of transportation (minivan, motor taxi, walking across the bridge, taxi) was like passing a level and we didn't win the game until we arrived safely back in the relaxed and comforting hands of beautiful, Mancora, beach and surf haven on the northern coast of Peru. We only slightly got duped out of 3 soles (a little over a dollar), but many others tried and were severly rejected by the Ashley/Kelly force once we were on to them and started playing their game. Our treat for our rough go of a day was amazing chicken pad Thai, a glass of white wine (oh, how I've missed you!), and a shared brownie with lucuma-flavored ice cream (a popular local fruit). We made new friends in our hostel and even got welcome drinks, maracuya (passionfruit) cocktails-yum!







Me with my 8 chins at Level 7







Ashley passed, too!







Pet monkey for sale in Ecuador!







Near the border







Ashleys new bestie. We called him GG, standing for Gentle Giant.































The oh-so-ugly Peruvian hairless dog. Kinda' looks like a leper.







Beautiful sunset







This lil' monkey has been caught red-handed!







New hostel friends from Germany, Denmark, and Massachusetts







Not ready for the 9 hr bus ride home (which turned out to be cancelled! Oh Peru! Thus, we had to buy other tickets to a city 3 hrs from home and switch buses at 6am. Happy for a shower and early bedtime tonight!)

I could really use a beer or chocolate right about now!

Wow! Again, I don't know how to put into the exact words my past 4 RIDICULOUSLY CRAZY hours with the kids, but I'm willing to give it a try. Let's see what my creative writing classes of the past can help me produce for you...
Yesterday they just played "kid scramble" between all 4 houses. Now there are 2 boys houses and 2 girls, two with lil' ones and two with biggins'. Today I had the chiquitos (little boys) for what felt like an eternity. Picture the scene- 3 three-year-olds in the process of being potty-trained, 2 five-year-old hyper-active twins that most likely have ADHD and something else, 3 insane six-year-olds( 2 that also act attention-starved and thus require TONS out of you), 1 youngster that seems to have Autism/OCD and is constantly in the bathroom playing with water or flipping the lightswitches on and off, on and off, on and off, on and off, on and off...you get the point!
Also enter in Luis, the sweet boy in the wheelchair that is SO EXCITED about his trip out tonight for his birthday (it's not actually his bday bc no one knows when his real bday was bc he was dropped off outside the orphanage walls with no one to tell his story and with his special needs, he's not able to tell us much of his past either. Tomorrow he is leaving for another orphanage that can better accommodate his wheelchair and disabilities. I'm sad to think of him not being here and the insta-smile I can get from him. I love how he sees me coming and asks for "cosquillas", basically to be tickled.)
As soon as I came, 2/3 of the potty trainers pooped in their potty-training basins. When I wasn't watching them like a hawk, I was saying "NO!!!" to the constant hitting and wars between all the tikes. During lunch time, very few were following instructions that they KNOW and so after many opportunities to correct/change behavior, those that didn't listen were sent to their beds. Meanwhile on "bed patrol", the last of the potty trainers came to my with poop running down his leg into his socks. Perfect. Since they just all changed houses and closets, I had no clue where to find clothes or supplies.
This didnt stop Mr. Poopy Ankles from darting here and there and all around the square. I finally let some of the "bed-bound" children play and resume their chaos, just to find that as soon as one of them ran outside and started playing, he also started puking! What the heck?! I tried to shoo as many kids outside to play as I could to claim some peace of mind. However, they just came in minutes later crying, saying someone threw a rock at someones head, someone pushed someone else, etc.
At 3:00, the madre was supposed to return. However, in Peru, you always add AT LEAST an hour on to whatever time they tell you. She got back at 4:20. This meant me leading her homework group and taking Luis in the wheelchair to the bathroom. When she got home, my mind was so frizz frazzled that it was almost impossible to relay all of the wonderful events of the day to her in Spanish!!
I just keep thinking that I will be at a beautiful beach with a wonderful new volunteer friend in a few days. Ashley and I need to renew our visas by crossing the border (and I DON'T mean going to Taco Bell) to Ecuador and returning. We are hitting the popular beach town of Mancora, Peru on the way. SERENITY NOW!!!

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