The day the earth shook.

Well I'm happy to say that I'm feeling 100x better from my mysterious cold/allergies/who knows what. I ended up going to an acupuncturist after spending almost a month and a half with the sniffles, cough, and congestion.  It took some time to find an acupuncturist here because in Lima business don't have websites, so it makes searching for services hard. Martin and I literally walked around 2 districts searching for a site, and either the doctor was on vacation, acupuncture didn't exist, or the place only sold needles and didn't administer the acupuncture. I finally encountered a place and made an appointment that night. The doctor and I talked for an hour about every health problem or surgery that I've had (which isn't really a long list), but with my Spanish, it took longer of course. In the end he understood everything! He then put me on his table, took out this long needle with syringe (with a mysterious liquid..), and explained that he would stick me all over my body. I had never had this type of acupuncture done before - its called German Acupuncture and isn't administered in the states (only Chinese acupuncture is used in the US). After over 100 sticks all over my body, I was done. And that's how I was cured, ie able to breath and go through out the day without tissues.

I went to Pachacamanc with my history class 2 weekends ago. Pachacamac is home to Incan ruins and is only 1 hour outside of Lima (a good distance for a day trip). It was there that we saw not only Inca ruins but also constructions of other ancient civilizations (Lima, Wari, and Yschma). There was an interesting site called "Mamacuna" which was an community constructed for only women. They would take the most beautiful girls from their families to live in this secluded place to learn rituals, to cook, and then were arranged in marriage. Can you imagine being beautiful and being taken away from your family? Also in Pachacamac, we saw a "templo del sols" (there are a lot of these templos that were dedicated to the sun god), which the Incas constructed on the top of a mountain and usually pilgrimed to every so often. The view was spectacular - unfortunately my camera died just as we were nearing the top, so I have limited pictures of this event. 

Last week, something crazy happened to me, I was sitting at my desk, checking my email, like I do (probably more times than necessary) when my house started shaking (and mind you my room is on the 3rd floor). It was bizarre, as I had never experienced anything like it. I ran downstairs to see what was happening, and it turns out to be a "tremor" (or small earthquake). Apparently in Lima, tremors happen frequently, so my host mom and sister were unconcerned with the circumstances. They said that it's good to have small tremors because there it is less likely for a full-blown out earthquake to occur. 

This past weekend I went with Martin to a military school to practice "tirar" or shooting. The practice was officiated with La Catolica (the larger of the 2 schools that I attend). It reminded me of my Pony Club days, participating in tetratholons and competing in the "shooting phase". This weekend I uncovered one of my many talents; I was  actually quite good, almost as good as Martin, who had been on his school's team and had been some sort of national champion. I may go back in the coming weeks; its really great therapy learning to concentrate and breath in a controlled, relaxed manner. The position however was somewhat uncomfortable, as we laid on our stomachs (on the ground) and had our elbows on the ground supporting the gun. The gun was really big, but the trigger was like butter (very smooth) to fire. I never would have thought that I would practice something like this, especially in Peru. 

I'm learning a lot about "Peruvian time". In the states, I definitely struggle with arriving on time and in a relaxed manner (it looks so bad to be even a few minutes late). Here it is customary to be late. In fact, if you arrive at a party on time, it's just weird, and the host probably won't be ready for you (or may not even be home for that matter). For example, my director had a dinner party for the students in my program last Friday night. Nearly everyone arrived 30 minutes late (we're learning), and I arrived even "more fashionably late". It's so comforting knowing that everyone has a carefree attitude about when things are suppose to start and that people won't get upset waiting, because they probably are just as late. For example, my class at La Catolica is suppose to start at 4PM; however, not once has it began at that time, normally we being class around 4:30. It's just a custom here that things do not start on time, that when I return to the states, I think this is going to be the hardest thing that I must adjust back to. Tuesday was our mid-way point for the program. We are over 1/2 of the way done which is ridiculous to think about. It seems the first day I arrived was yesterday. 

I've tried (and continue to try) a lot of things here. I'm no longer playing on the volleyball team - I was practicing while I was sick, so I decided to take some time off from it (and sadly haven't gone back). The food here is amazing (another thing that I'm trying a lot of)! I like to go to vegetarian restaurants (Martin happily tags along - I think deep down he wants to be a vegetarian). I usually have something soy based prepared with rice and veggies; "lomo saltado" is a beef stirfry that's good with soya. Also "chifas" are very popular (what we would call Chinese restaurants in the states); I have eaten at this type of restaurant a few times - they usually have tofu marinated in more of a Chinese (with some peruvian influence) style. Desserts are also phemomonal here. For example, last night I had mouse de maracuya (think frozen keylime pie), which prepared with lemon, milk, maracuya (passion fruit), sugar, all in a pie crust topped with chocolate frozen-syrup. Also this week, speaking of desserts, Martin and I visited centro of Lima, and a street dedicated to a particular dessert - "Turron Dona Pepa", which is a baked pastry, flour, lard, eggs, with layers of honey and sugar. The Dona Pepa, only prepared in the month of October; it was a recipe that was given to the black slave "Dona" in her dream by a Saint and signifies religious events. Furthermore, during the month of October, in the same celebration, the people will take a candle to the church, light it, and make a wish. They then place it in front of an alter or status of Jesus Christ for their wish to be granted. When I went, there were so many people that were in the church participating in this ritual.

This weekend is the last of the Spaniards. Cristina and Ana Marie will return to Spain next Saturday, so on Friday night we are going to have a party! Furthermore, Saturday (fingers crossed) I am going to Bikram yoga (the hot yoga that I do in Charlottesville). There is a girl here who graduated UVA, went to yoga training, and is now (back) in Lima teaching Bikram Yoga!