Monday, June 30, 2014

Life in Peru

Aaron:

  We have been settled into life in Peru for a few days now and we're trying to get a routine down (at least for the weekdays when we have school).  During the week, we get up around 7.  This is difficult because you can see your breath in the morning since there is no heat at night and it is 35 degrees at night (that means it is 35 degrees inside by the morning since the only insulation is thin window and some curtains).  We have a small propane heater that we run for a few minutes each morning and night but the heat quickly escapes.

   In the morning Christy makes banana pancakes or banana French toast while the kids try to stay warm (of course I am drinking coffee and enjoying the beautiful view of Cusco and the Sacred Valley).  After breakfast I boil some water on the stove and do the dishes and then we get ready to go to school.  This includes reminding the kids daily not to use water from the tap to brush teeth with.  We've been buying huge bottles of water and lugging them uphill to our apartment.

   Once we're outside it is much warmer in the sun.  It is a pleasant ten minute walk to school.  We originally had classes daily from 9 to 11 in the morning and then from 3 to 5 in the afternoon but we've switched to four hours straight (9 to 1 pm).  Cole and Anna are in one class while Christy and I each have individual classes.  Here is the entrance to our school:



 On the way to our school we pass six hundred year old stones that the Inca used to build temples.  One of the stones has 12 sides and a tour guide told us that "The stone is more famous than Michael Jackson."


   After class we head to the bakery for some wonderful French bread to have for lunch and dinner.  Anna has a mini croissant and Cole has a small chocolate croissant and then we head to the San Marcos market where we buy tomatoes and avocados for lunch.  We usually also buy bananas and mystery fruit to have later.

  It is a five minute walk uphill to our apartment (including over 70 stairs).  For lunch we have open-faced tomato and avocado sandwiches, mandarins, and bananas.  After lunch we bribe the kids by paying them to watch TV (!!!) while Christy and I study some Spanish for our afternoon lessons. Of course before I do that I have to boil water to do the dishes since there is no hot water from the tap.

   Here is a photo of the street in front of our house.


  This is what our front door looks like.  There is always a security guard on the street during the day (sometimes he plays soccer with Cole).

  Here are photos of our living room:

  And this is our kitchen:

  Cole thinks our bathroom isn't up to snuff.  Notice that there is only one tap for water (cold only). 
Finally here is the view for our picnic today:
Bye for now!

1 comment:

  1. Hi Cole
    I can't believe you ate hamster.Did you like it?Where was your picnic place at?
    Hope you are having a great time.
    Your friend,
    Sam

    ReplyDelete