Lolo dedication -->
My first observation is that fútbol is like a religion here. This is really no surprise seeing as how it is like that just about everywhere but the USA. The game we went to was between La U, they won the Peruvian league last year so they are technically "the best" team in Peru, and a team from Brazil. Why I put "the best" in quotations is because I don't think that is the case this year, they were not very impressive. Apparently they are having a rough year. Coque, Aída's husband, told me I need to go watch some of the other Peruvian teams for some better games although he may be a little biased as he is NOT a fan of La U haha. It was really fun though to see how crazy the fans get, the stadium is pretty sketchy and they have guards all over to keep the crowd from going too crazy. We ended up sitting in a pretty calm section and I think I got the best education in Peruvian Spanish cuss words that money could buy, that part was pretty entertaining. They also had a dedication to a former La U player Lolo Amado, he passed away last year but apparently he was the best forward La U has ever had and whenever he scored the ball would rip the net because he kicked so hard. Just like me ;). Overall, even though the teams weren't that impressive it was still a pretty awesome experience.
A few other observations:
- People have a big thing about drinking and eating hot and cold things. Too much cold beer makes you sick, you only toast bread in the morning not the evening and tea cures everything. It's all about balancing hot and cold food and drinks to stay healthy... Or so they tell me.
- People walk REALLY slow.
- Children are really loved and respected here by everyone and I love it. It's hard to explain unless you see it first hand but they just seem to treat all children like little blessings, which of course they are.
- They think all white people are really rich. If only this were true because my life would be a lot easier.
- Speaking English is like a free pass to getting a good job here but Peruvians have to take language proficiency tests so when they apply for a job they will be able to say "I speak English at level 1, 2, 3, etc." and the company will know how fluent a person is.
- A good paying job here is around $25,000 a year. This really surprised me because that is like a Doctor or lawyer salary.
- Peruvian food is definitely not for the carbohydrate faint of heart. Rice, potatoes and bread are staples of just about every meal.
- All women wear heels. ALL of the time. I don't know how they do it.
- The grading scale here is 1-20 so a 12 is like a D or a just barely passing grade and 20 is the maximum.
- We (as in Nebraska group and I) have been a lot more adventurous lately with restaurants and there is some amazing places that I will definitely pine for when I go back to Nebraska! These being: Palachinke (the most wonderful pancake/crepe masterpieces), The Burrito Bar (puts Chipotle and Qdoba to shame), Gelateria Laritza (Ice cream place I have completely fallen in love with), La Lucha (BEST milkshakes in the world + some pretty amazing sandwiches and fries) and of course La Bonbonniere (cheesecake = heaven).
In other news...The new ice cream addiction I have here is a big time struggle.
And for some laughs...
Well to say a few of us have struggled with Spanish here is an understatement but that problem has lead to some pretty hilarious translation errors. I won't name names of who said these things... even my own haha
Setting: When we first landed in the Lima, Peru airport
Security Guard: "Usted tiene fruta en su bolsa?" (Do you have fruit in your bag?)
answer: "No tengo fresas." (I don't have strawberries)
meant to say: No tengo fruta (I don't have fruit)
Setting: Starbucks
Worker: blah blah blah (really fast Spanish)
answer: "uhhh... No sabes español" (YOU don't speak Spanish)
meant to say: "No sé español" (I don't know Spanish)
Setting: Restaurant
Worker: "Para tomar?" (What do you want to drink?)
answer: "Azul" (the color blue)
meant to say: "Agua" (water)
Setting: Fin's house
thing said: "escuchame" (listen to me)
meant to say: excuse me or "con permiso" in spanish
Setting: Hotel
thing said: "Dónde está el lugar para montar los caballeros?" (where is the place to ride the men)
meant to say: "Dónde está el lugar para montar los caballos?" (where is the place to ride the horses)
That's all I can think of off the top of my head but there has been many more. Gringa/gringo (white girl/guy) problems.
As for other things going on in my life... School is going fine, I'm addicted to sweets, Pinterest workouts and Netflix, I have a new found love for vending machine coffee, I've read a couple awesome books, procrastination is still my bff and I walk a lot because I don't like paying for transportation.
That about sums it up!
Besos :)
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