Colors :]

Where to begin?!

I'll start with the Sunday Market. Wow, so much to say! Basically the Sunday Market is an open air market that attracts people from all over Peru. So many people have told me about the market, so my expectations were pretty high. The market went beyond all of my expectations! We took the Petra (bus) to the market which is about 8 blocks from where I live...(we could have walked but the robbers come out during this time, so it's safer to take the bus).

Let me explain the Petra to you, because I promised I would and because it is the craziest thing ever. The Petra. I have so much hatred towards these buses already, it's ridiculous. The petra is a big green bus that will "stop"anywhere for anyone. No matter if you are carrying 8,000 egg cartons (yes, I have seen this) or have 13 screaming kids, the petra does not discriminate. First of all, the petra does not stop. I don't think the driver even knows what that means! Sure, the driver will slow down...but to make it successfully up the stairs and on the bus, you need to run. I am not exaggerating, to catch the bus that does not stop you must run. This may be a funny now, but picture me CHRISTINE CLUMSY CLUTZY UNCOORDINATED COLUMBIA, running for the bus and jumping up the stairs. Is it funnier now? Great. If you make it on the bus, you will not find a seat unless you are pregnant or disabled. And pretty much every woman over the age of 14 and under 40 is pregnant. The driver drives like a maniac, which I am used to (thanks NYC) and the stench of peruvian food makes you want to puke. Peruvians will try and bargain the price of the bus ride down to the bare minimum. However, paying 20 centimos or 13 cents for a bus ride...sounds pretty good to me. Exiting the bus is just as graceful as getting on the bus. The driver does not stop, you must jump off and hope you land on equal footing. Sounds like a nightmare right?! Hahahahahahaha :]

Back to the Sunday market. I have to say the best thing about the market is the colors! Bright colors is a staple all over Peru, but the weavings, clothes, jewelry and food really stand out. The market extends for about 20 blocks and has everything you could ever imagine: traditional fiesta skirts, hand woven rugs, alpaca sweaters, pig hearts slathered in grease, gorgeous braided bracelets, new mattresses and bedding, milkshakes, hand made cereal, purses...the list goes on and on. The market is a serious place though. If you don't know what you want, you need to step out of the way and let others through. Just like New York City, if you look weak, the weak will be shoved into a corner. I, obviously looked weak ;] I tasted some of the best desserts I have ever had and surprisingly the germ-a-phob in me did not come out!

I did have my first "robber incident" at the Market! I had my camera hanging around my neck and my camera bag across my chest hanging on the left side of my hip. A man tried to put his hand in my camera bag to take whatever was in there...but there was nothing in there! Hahaha :] My family freaked out and started screaming at the man who ran away just before I even noticed what was going on. I wasn't watching my bag closely because I knew there was nothing in it and if the man really wanted my bag...he could definitely have it! My family is still talking about it...oh gosh.

Today I taught three classes and had a good day! My first class was a class of 12 and we worked on restaurant vocabulary. It was actually really fun for me because we set up tables and chairs and acted like we were at Tayana, a nice restaurant in town. After teaching them vocabulary and grammar, the girls had been bothering me all last week to see pictures of my friends and family from home. I brought in a photo album and showed them everyone and everything! I told them Elizabeth was my mejor amiga and they didn't believe me...they thought we were sisters! Hahahaha :] They also thought going skydiving was the coolest thing ever, which prompted a 4 year old boy to jump from the school rooftop (it's really not that high and he wasn't hurt...but oops!) They loved seeing my family, friends and home life!

My last class was a class of 28, 3-6 year olds...my favorite!!! Even with only a 3 year gap, it is hard teaching them English. The 3 year olds need to learn the alphabet and numbers where as the 6 year olds can start learning simple vocabulary...so I taught a little bit of both. After class we had recess, where I showed them the Bubble wands! Instant entertainment for at least 45 minutes...brilliant! Once again, I came home tonight and was soooooo tired! But life is good :]

I have also been thinking a lot about how my actual volunteering is going. More news to come later...but there could be some changes with my adventure...we shall see!

Ps. I found the market with American foods. I have eaten countless oreos, trix cereal and a lot of Coke! All is right in the world :]

Peace and Bubbles! :]
-Teaner