Fishing on Peru Coast

Welcome to Lucho's fishing school. What a patient guy. Tucked under his right arm is his handheld fishing tool....no rods or poles for these guys!

You circle your weighted line overhead and toss it out into the surf.


"You're going to catch a big one!!" he reassured us.

We explored some of the Peruvian coast south of Lima for two days with Liz and Lucho after Christmas. We had a lot to learn about fishing Peruvian style.

First we had to find our bait, "muy muy." We had to compete with all of the seabirds that also think that muy muy is quite delicious. They use their long beaks to dig into the sand where the muy muy are hiding.

We, on the other hand, used long nets to dig down into the sand and used the surf to wash the sand out.

Which left these little wiggly "muy muy", which look like beetles, in the net. You then bait your two hooks on your weighted line. Yum!

The handheld wooden tools with the line wrapped around them are a more refined version of what we, and some of you, have seen on the Mexican coast.

A big one? Well.....the next day fishing from a boat Bev was happy to catch anything!"

We spent the night in Pucusana, a quaint little fishing town with a unique feature. At the end of town there is a little beach where the ocean passes through a natural tunnel in the rock bluff. See the opening in the back that looks like a door that passes through?

Swoosh!! Very impressive and powerful, especially to watch from above at night in the dark.

Feliz Navidad, Lima

Oh dahling.....don't you just love Christmas shopping??

Are you kidding?

We had to drive to Lima to retrieve our long term visas, carnets de extranjeria, so took advantage of the timing to spend time sight-seeing enroute. We visited a national reserve on the Bellista Islands and Paracas. We also stayed in Nazca and took a flight to seee the 500 year old mysterious line drawings (HUGE!) in the desert sands. These guys were having a delightfully lazy day on the Bellista Islands. There were also an amazing amount of birds...penquins, pelicans and different kinds of terns.

The Bellista Islands are called the poor man's Galapagos, well worth a visit and they ARE much cheaper than the Galapagos Islands.

We celebrated a very festive Christmas Eve in Lima with Liz and Lucho Nakagawa and various family members, including Lucho's 93 year old mother, who is a remarkable woman. We ate a huge turkey dinner between 10:00 and 11:30 p.m., followed by a midnight street party complete with fireworks.

Hmmmm.....a not so subtle statement of what is happening to Christmas?

Tired, but happy Christmas Eve participants.

A Special Day with Puno Rotary Club

Just when we were feeling a little sorry for ourselves and missing family and friends during the Christmas season, we were sent a reminder of how blessed we are!

We went with the Puno Rotarians and their wives for an afternoon at one of the most impressive orphanages we have ever seen. There are approximately 35 girls who have been given a second chance at life under the supportive guidance of three very lively nuns. The girls have not only a loving home, they receive education, counselling and occupational training. What impressed us the most was the poise and confidence they have developed in this environment. They each stood up and shared a few words....more than we could have done with such grace in front of adults at their ages! They were captivated by our being from the United States, and wanted to learn some English....so here is Bev teaching them "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." We would love to garner support for these dedicated and talented nuns, as well as these young women who are becoming empowered to support themselves and give back to their communities!

Trekking in the Colca Canyon

Driving anywhere from Puno provides pastoral views and experiences with herds of alpacas, sheep, cattle, and an occasional vicuna, which is the smallest and most delicate of the llama/alpaca family. We saw many on our way west to the Colca Canyon. The shepherds are always close by, while the guard dogs seem to hang by the road. We thought they were posted there to keep the herd from wandering onto the roads. Turns out they are not that well-trained, they are simply waiting for motorists to throw them food.

Precious faces!

The Colca Canyon is said to be the deepest canyon in the world, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. After hiking down (way down), along, then back up.....I believe them!

It is also known for its soaring condors; poor guys have no muscles to fly. They have to hang out until they can catch a ride on an updraft.

No.....these are just local chickens where we stayed at Roy's place. How Quechua or Spanish is that? The condors were too far away for my camera.

In the town of Chivay they were having their annual dance festival. Outstanding costumes! While sick Bev hung out in the bathroom, Scott met the locals.

A couple of canyon views. We had a great guide for 4 days. He was born in the canyon, but left at the age of 11 for more education. When he pointed out his village high on a ledge down in the canyon, we knew why he was in such good shape. The remote villages were fascinating-tough people! The only mode of travel is by foot or mule. To climb out of the canyon they usually travel during the night to avoid the heat. We could watch their single lights climbing the canyon walls.

View down to the Colca River

Exploring

We took a day trip to explore and hike at Llachon, a small community to the north. It is such a tranquil setting with very friendly people, who are motivated to develop some ecotourism. Some of you know about my thing for hats, so I just loved these Quechua hats on these women spinning their yarn in the main square.

We took a hike along old pre-Inca and Inca trails they are preparing for tourists. It was fun to see many of the terraces still in use, farmers and their animals out working the hillsides.

Home Sweet Home!

Our home is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath apartment on the 4th floor just 1 1/2 blocks from the main plaza. During the week we awaken every morning at about 6:30 to our landlady, Carmen, playing her music as she opens her little snack shop/store on the first floor. She is a character! We have scrubbed and scrubbed, and to Carmen's amusement have used many of her wooden fruit crates to create our kitchen shelves. She was kind enough to also loan us a refrigerator and two burner propane cookstove. We be stylin'!

The rooftop is a fun place for a relaxing view of night lights, early morning view (as in photo) or to snoop on neighbors and surroundings. It is also where we do our laundry, and are learning to be very careful so as not to let the wind carry any more laundry to the streets below!

First Community Healthcare Visit

Sunday was our first visit to two church communities near the northern end of Lake Titicaca. Ten of us crammed into our 4-runner for the 4 hour drive, chattering and singing in 4 languages. Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, English. What a riot!

This is Jessica, wife of Venancio, District Superintendent. Their 3 month old son, Cristian is about to meet his great-grandma for the first time!








We passed many of these 3oo year old homes made of adobe along the way. The special design was to protect from the rain.












Pablo had to tie down his sheep before he could come to the service and meeting.

Water is a severe problem in these, as well as other communities. The communities we met with had no potable water, and very little water for their cattle and sheep. The churches were very interested in implementing a community healthcare project, and have invited us back to meet with their community leaders. As always, our main concern is sustainability!

Our landlady is a real character, and has a small snack/misc. shop on the first floor. She and two of her grown kids live in the building too, and although she says frequently how happy to have us all together as family, Scott is still "meester." Just like our kitchen in Boise....right? Our interior design includes two burner propane stovetop and small fridge, and cupboards made from our landlady's fruit crates.

Driving Lima to Puno

Scott and Lucho Nakagawa getting our new Toyota 4 Runner ready for the road.

This is a church project outside of Ica on the coast. A bad earthquake here two years ago left many homeless, including these children. They receive one meal a day and a safe haven when parents are away.

All of the shifting sands were just like snowstorms at home. Being down to one lane with all of their truck traffic is a bit unnerving.


















The Peruvian coast has hundreds of miles of wild coastline and very barren landscape. We felt like we were in Saudi Arabia. The steep drop offs would make nail biters of all of you hating heights. Guard rails? Are you kidding?

Bev and Rev.Guillermo in a veryvery poor area outside of Arequipa. This settlement has no water, makeshift homes and is mainly families who have migrated from Cusco and Puno looking for work.

Inside this humble church they sit on rocks and bricks for pews.

Proof we have arrived in Puno!

We met with this Peru/Bolivia delegation today to plan our year together with our new Peru/Bolivia Lake Titicaca Border Mission. They are very excited to put the church into action regarding healthcare, water systems, and improving the lives in their communities.

This last week has reminded us of how thankful we are for all we have been blessed with.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!!

Getting our act together....

Our hostess Liz (an M.D. in Lima) is having to keep an eye on her brother-in-law Willy's blood pressure.....oh those stress inducing Pressmans!

Lucho Nakagawa (Liz's husband) and Eliana Abarca (Liz's sister). Eliana is the travel agent many of you will meet in Cusco. Lucho speaks English and has been our car expert....a marvelous help negotiating red tape.

Scott getting used to our new little notebook computer in our temporary office suite in the national offices of the Iglesia Metodista Evangelica Peru.

Shhh....we are hiding from Lima. We have come to the quiet of our "suite" in the national offices of the Iglesia Metodista Evangelica Peru to get some work done and escape the large city noise and chaos for a few hours.

We have learned in just the past few days that everything you read about needing to pack flexibility and a sense of humor is absolutely positively true! To come into a new culture and to try to accomplish things like buying a used car, obtaining a longer term visa and opening a bank account are suddenly monumental tasks requiring days. All new rules and laws.....about which of course we knew nothing. For others coming to Peru for a year wanting to do similar things a word of warning: you DO need a carnet extranjeria, contrary to what you may hear before you arrive.

Our friends and the Methodist administrative staff are all patient and love to laugh....a huge help as we maneuver through the Peruvian system....and then we get to do it in Bolivia as well!

Packing and Preparing....

Thank you for finding our blog again! We leave bright and early tomorrow morning for Lima for our year as volunteers in mission through the Methodist Church. We have many unknowns to take care of in Lima (used car to hopefully buy, bank account to hopefully set up) and then on to Puno (home to hopefully find!).

In spite of the many piles of things in our Boise condo waiting to be packed, we must remember to leave room for our senses of humor! For both of us there have been long lists, last minute stresses, some difficult farewells. For both of us know there will soon be warm greetings, new adventures, and a wealth of cultural experiences. It is one of those life experiences where you hop on the train and hold on for the ride!

Sad news from Puno, Peru...

Snack time at school...favorite time for kids everywhere. Hamming it up for photos is also a favorite for kids everywhere...note the two at the far end of the table!

Since we arrived home last night we have continued to hear about the high number of deaths recently in Puno of young children under the age of five. The current toll of over 130 deaths are related to the unusually cold winter they are having, pneumonia, malnutrition, and lack of access to medical care. Since it is not getting the same news coverage as the swine flu, we are having to contact local Peruvians and the General Board of Global Ministry in New York today for accurate information.

Although the death rate is much higher than normal this year, this is often a seasonal situation for this very poor region of the altiplano region surrounding Lake Titicaca. It is a strong reminder of why we both feel called to return in November to work alongside them to build more sustainable healthcare and educational services. Anyone interested in supporting or joining our efforts through the Methodist Church and Rotary International, please feel free to contact us.

Abrazos y Benediciones,
Scott y Bev

Shots to share....

This is what it's about....helping them build a future.

We spent a final day shopping for scarves and purses to sell through Rotary back home to fund future projects in Ecuador. Bob, is this you making your way back to the van?

Book delivery at an elementary school in Quito....always an enthusiastic mob scene.

Suzanne and David dancing in Loja with special needs kids after their orchestra had performed for us. Very committed parents and leadership.....VERY enthusiastic musicians.


And a few photos from the days before....

Teaching staff in the Quichua school at Inka Samana. Amazing curriculum they have designed themselves, which is graduating trilingual students going on to universities in Peru. They teach in English, Quichua and Spanish.

Preserving their culture is another strength of the curriculum in Inka Samana. We were treated to a dance performance by high school as well as early primary girls. Then the whole community, as well as the Gringos joined in!

Intercultural exchange! Often no language is even necessary.

Maria (in hat) and her husband are the founders and head administrators of the school. Both are working on their PhD's in education, are dedicated, motivated and energetic!

Absolutely gorgeous valleys in this Andean region, but they do have their road issues!

Mobile library unit in Samborondon, small town of Santa Marta, which also has a few final issues they are working out to fully implement.

Saraguro, Loja Experiences

We are still alive and well in Quito. I am having trouble downloading some photos to share of our extraordinary recent experiences in Saraguro, a very small town between Cuenca and Loja. We met with an indigenous community that has a very unique and successful school which is graduating trilingual students (English, Spanish, Quichua) and preserving cultural traditions as well. Impressive achievement and leadership!

We have had numerous interactions and meetings regarding water projects, schools, literacy....today we are going to help set up a medical clinic. I see a load of medical supplies is waiting for us across the room!

We are currently staying with our Rotarian friends Richard and Lani Miller, and others are staying in homes of Rotarians as well. Our days have been long, but hospitality abundant and genuine. We leave for home in just three days.....I will continue to try to share photos.

Bahia de Caraquez Education and Literacy Projects

First of all.....fantastic news....Sharon finally got her suitcase after four days, and we hardly recognize her in her new wardrobe! The kids were ecstatic about the new books for mini-libraries in three schools, and computers in four schools. We were able to spend a little time with the kids as they explored these new experiences. Great fun!

Lee and Bev did a workshop and presentation with teachers from the four schools the Rotary grant has impacted with the libraries and computer labs of 5-12 computers. The teachers were so excited to receive information on how to use the new books, how to preserve them, and also had ideas to share with us. Since they are not yet connected to internet, we were able to show them some ideas they can use to teach literacy skills and motivate the kids, without internet. Some had little previous experience....all were very enthusiastic about the new teaching tools.

Lee felt like rock star on stage at some of the schools! Their enthusiasm for the new books was both refreshing and humbling.

Sharon helping kids using the computers for the first time. The parents are also very interested in all going on!