Fast food

In the states we have McDonalds and Burger King (technically, we have those here in Lima, too), but here in the lovely coastal city of Lima, we have Pardo's Chicken. And I finally got me some.

I have internet!

The internet technicians were here today and we are now connected to the rest of the world, without having to snag an unsecure signal. That's one huuuge, "Woot-woot!" from my corner of the world.

Street begging

Young boys performing acrobatics, juggling, or playing instruments are common sights at the major intersections here in Lima. Wherever you see a traffic light, you are likely to also see one or two 10- to 12-year-olds cartwheeling, flipping through the air, tossing tennis balls, or even simultaneously playing a small guitar and the flute. These are the street beggars I have seen most often. And before the light changes again to green, they walk slowly down the line of cars, pleading for small tokens of appreciation.

These sights are a direct result of the poverty here, which, to put it in more understandable terms, as one of my Spanish language teachers tells me, means that the average Peruvian makes approximately US$170 per month, or under US$4 a day. Even though the cost of living here is low in comparison to the United States, that is still a miserable amount with which to eke out a living, especially if you have a family of mouths to feed, shelter, and clothe.

Having once worked with the homeless, I am comfortable with many people's reactions to the idea of giving money to the homeless or beggars. Personally, I try to never give money to people on the street, preferring instead to give my money to organizations that provide programs for the poor. In those instances, I am confident of the purpose my money is being used to obtain. It's a personal decision and I respect the thought processes that guide others reasons for giving or not giving.

That is all to say that I haven't once given these children money.

Just before I came down with food poisoning, one of my Peruvian friends informed me that the majority of these children who perform at street corners are in fact addicted to drugs. Although the Peruvian government is very strict and very strong in its response concerning drugs, that hasn't entirely eliminated their sale or distribution. And these young children are very poor and resort to the lowest classes of drugs because they are inexpensive. Even more disheartening, they are also the most deadly. I am told the drug of choice is cobbler's glue - these children sniff the glue used to attach the sole of your shoe.

In cases like this, I begin to wonder which is worse: the grinding poverty or the life of drugs these children sometimes succomb to...?

I HEART the internet

What was supposed to be a few days has now turned into a couple of weeks. Shortly after moving to the new house, two things happened and one thing remained the same - all of which prevented me from writing. They are as follows, in perfectly chronological order and numbered for Andrew's personal viewing pleasure:

1) My mom was visiting and we decided to attend the FREE PUPPY event at the American Embassy. And basically, all you have to do to have a whining, peeing, poo-ing, biting, vampiric little tramp in your house is to send my mom to an event that gives away FREE PUPPIES. So yeah, we got another dog. Her name is Maggie and I am dangerously close to losing my mind and have completely sworn off puppies for the rest of my natural born life.

2) Also since my mom was visiting, we decided to take her out for a nice meal. At this (supposedly) great restaurant that sits on a pile of rocks out in the middle of the ocean, La Rosa Nautica. Well, I basically consumed everything the books tell you not to, other than the tap water, which I specifically asked the waiter if that's what he served us. I ate shrimp coctail and ceviche (fish cooked in lime or lemon juice), I consumed a daquiri, and then I ate a completely raw strawberry. The fish tasted a little old or not all-the-way-cooked, and the daquiri was a little sweet - the strawberry? It was a taste of heaven. And for one of these fine dining experiences, I was destined to pay. I quickly contracted food poisoning and was down for the count for a week.

3) And the one thing remaining the same? We still don't have internet at the house. I don't know what's happening here, but I turned on the computer today and magically had a connection. I'm not questioning it right now because now? I'm loving every second of my connection to a world outside of Lima.

Moving to less humidity

We are packing up the cushy San Isidro apartment as I type, and are moving to the house in Surco in the morning. I don't know if I'll still be able to connect to the internet in our new home, but I will try. Otherwise, it may be a few days more until I am able to post again. We'll have to see about internet service...

On hold

I may be posting infrequently for the next few weeks. My mom arrived on Tuesday and will be here for three weeks - we need to show her a good time! Hopefully you are not too disappointed that you will not experience a daily dose of limeño life.

For your consideration

My friend, Akoua (see her Blog), is volunteering in Lesotho for the Peace Corps and I invite you to take a look at her Uncle Matt's charity webpage (Bike For Beds). He is attempting to raise money for hospital beds for the hospital with which Akoua works. I promise not to think you're a horrible person for not supporting his efforts, but it is a charity which will be donating ALL proceeds to the hospital. And it doesn't take much in this case to make a difference. Please consider donating.