Tales of a gringa...

So, some interesting things have happened lately. I´m am trying to reflect on them in the internet cafe with 15 peruvian 13 year olds playing some online game together at every computer and yelling intimidation. I´m interested to see how my skype interview will go. Kevin Ayres cannot doubt that I am in Peru.

1. Gringos seek each other out. Its exhausting to translate everything you hear and say all day. So I met some lads from Inglaterra and we got to talking, they´re on a motorcycle trip through South America but had an extended stay in Cusco because of some sort of accident. I told them what I was doing here and the English man told me he had just finished a very interesting book about Autism! They were checking out the next day so he left it at the front desk of their very upscale hotel. Its called ¨The Mysterious Case of the Dog in the Night¨...I think. Definitely recommend it! Its written from the perspective of someone Autistic and its so incredibly accurate and interesting.

2. I went for a walk today to try to find American things in the super market. I found Ritz Crackers. I also wanted to buy some bread for some of my students because a lot of times they don´t bring food for lunch. I just wanted to buy four or five pieces of bread... instead I ended up with 15 pieces of bread in a giant bag because I didn´t understand. Luckily, it cost me $1.

3. My host mom told me this story about a ¨Frances¨ that she met. Unfortunately, when I was translating the story to my housemate, Katy, I thought his name was Frances and asked Aida what country he was from... ¨Frances¨means someone French. We all laughed.

4. I found a beer I like! The first I tried actually... Aida told me we were going to Urubamba to meet her family for a lunch thing. To me, maybe 10 people for lunch. No, 150 people for a family reunion. I got a button and a t-shirt and old men made me drink. And then I danced. It was fantastic!

5. Mom is collecting money for me to buy shoes for the kids at my school. There are a LOT of nonverbal kids whose shoes are very small. Imagine not being able to tell someone your shoes were too small! Vivian´s were at least 2 sizes too small. Feel free to help the cause! I am bringing the light to Don Jose de San Martin. Pics of the school to come ASAP!

Also, my family has asked me what I´d like to do for my birthday... Machu Picchu? Lake Titicaca? A quiet evening at home with a game of clue? No idea.

Also... Anne- remember in remember the 90´s when they said the US Gymnastics team has a contract with Scrunci? Wrong, Peru does. Even my very stylish Madre wore her lacoste polo to church today... with a scrunci. I don´t understand many things here. Scruncis might be number one!

Thank you to everyone who has been sending encouraging emails and messages! They are very appreciated. I am using my gmail account the most... skstello@gmail.com