Eeks...I feel like a cheater...
Dear blogspot: I am sorry blogger, you have been really great to me all these months, but I feel like I need to grow and you just cant give me the space I need anymore....
hahahah, I have switched over to wordpress because it lets me make more than one page on my blog and this is exciting. So now my words of the day, my random peru thoughts and my posts have enough space to play...and am still working out the details of this new system and trying to figure out a cool way to present my photos...but all the posts you see here are also present there. Hooray to change and growth and new beginnings!
PLEASE FOLLOW ME HERE: www.jaimeinperu.wordpress.com
Thanks!
Living La Vida Lima
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Representin'
Rachel came across this BBC clip this morning of Peruvian shamen performing a ceremony to encourage the success of their desired US Presidential candidate. Its interesting...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7699066.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7699066.stm
Monday, October 27, 2008
A good weekend...
At the risk of producing a post that borders on the diary genre, I thought I’d provide a quick recap of my last couple of days, since my weekend was so enjoyable and since it’s been a while since I provided a peak into my current daily life.
This weekend began with a trip to my favorite restaurant in San Isidro with some of my very favorite people in Lima, Clara, Jaime (Hi-may), Mariane, and Henry. At this little soiree, where we enjoyed delicious food and drink, I was finally properly introduced to the French owner, Philippe, who coincidentally happens to be a friend of Jaime’s (coincidence abounds with my friend Jaime…unless we are talking aceitunas or beaches, about which we have opposite opinions). Aided by a pisco and copa de vino tinto, I proudly told Philippe in Spanish that his restaurant is my favorite in all of Lima and promised to be more explicit in my mention of his restaurant on my blog. So here it is:
Owned by frenchie Philippe and his gorgeous Peruvian wife, Chez Philippe is a fine Limeño restaurant proudly offering a wide array of European beers, wines from South America and Europe, crepes, salads, carne, fish, pizzas, flammenkutche, and more to satisfy and stimulate the palate. This cozy restaurant, which is equally affordable and adorable, is located at Avenida 2 de Mayo 748, in San Isidro, Lima, Peru. Their web address is: www.chez-philippe.net. If you come here, go there. And so ends my pitch. (Maybe it will earn me a free pisco???)
Back to my weekend… After this wonderful evening, I woke Saturday and taught another kettlebell session. This was my first class facing four athletic men, some exceptionally and anomalously tall, each of which looked at me with curiosity as if thinking, “What is this strange little white chick going to offer me by way of fitness?” I did my damndest to kick their butts (whilst invariably kicking my own :). There is something satisfying and empowering about awing, engrossing, and inspiring people through kettlebells. Jaime, who owns the gym, always tells me how proud he is of me when I teach and how excited my students get about my classes. This makes me proud and delighted indeed. I know I will look back fondly on my bizarre happenstance of teaching here. Perhaps it will even open up some opportunities in the future and I will pursue the (expensive) certification necessary to teach in the US.
After resting up a bit from this big morning of work, my new friend Carlyn arrived into town. Carlyn is headed on a month’s adventure in Cusco, where she’s going to live with a family and study Spanish. Becoming acquainted through a friend in San Diego (thanks Heather!), Carlyn and I got on well from the start (she rocks!). We took a great stroll on a sunny afternoon by the cliffs and, after what turned out to be quite a long walk (anyone who knows me should not be surprised in the least that the first thing I did with my new friend was take her on a long walk, haha), we settled into another of my very favorite restaurants in Lima (I promise I do more than eat here!).
Alfrescos is one of the tastiest spots to grab some fancy seafood, which, for the quality and presentation, can be enjoyed at about a third of the cost of any similar restaurant in the US. Anyhow, I mention this not only because it is another tasty recommendation for the comida- inclined visitors and residents of Peru, but also because I finally tried CEVICHE! Yes, it took me four whole months to gutz up enough to try this raw seafood delicacy. It was deliciously spicy and didn’t make me hurl! Hooray! Great success! I think I will be having it again soon. Now I understand what all these Limeños are on about! I am so thankful that I live in the purported culinary capital of South America.
All food fascinations aside, I also spent much of the weekend walking (said food off ;). At about noon on Sunday, after chatting with my parents and Luke (who arrives in one week, I am so excited!), the sun burned away the grey and bathed everything in warm spring air. I had to get myself outside. I took a wander over to Barranco, the nearby coastal neighborhood known for its Bohemian eccentricities and its night clubs. I had such a joyous day just exploring. The sun made the ocean glow, the parks were green and teeming with blossoming flowers of every color, it was relatively quiet along the Malecon, and it was just a beautiful day to be alive. I could feel my heart expanding beyond the sometimes constricted state in which I find myself when I get overwhelmed by the daily travails of big city life. It made me smile.
I am grateful for these nourishing moments.
This weekend began with a trip to my favorite restaurant in San Isidro with some of my very favorite people in Lima, Clara, Jaime (Hi-may), Mariane, and Henry. At this little soiree, where we enjoyed delicious food and drink, I was finally properly introduced to the French owner, Philippe, who coincidentally happens to be a friend of Jaime’s (coincidence abounds with my friend Jaime…unless we are talking aceitunas or beaches, about which we have opposite opinions). Aided by a pisco and copa de vino tinto, I proudly told Philippe in Spanish that his restaurant is my favorite in all of Lima and promised to be more explicit in my mention of his restaurant on my blog. So here it is:
Owned by frenchie Philippe and his gorgeous Peruvian wife, Chez Philippe is a fine Limeño restaurant proudly offering a wide array of European beers, wines from South America and Europe, crepes, salads, carne, fish, pizzas, flammenkutche, and more to satisfy and stimulate the palate. This cozy restaurant, which is equally affordable and adorable, is located at Avenida 2 de Mayo 748, in San Isidro, Lima, Peru. Their web address is: www.chez-philippe.net. If you come here, go there. And so ends my pitch. (Maybe it will earn me a free pisco???)
Back to my weekend… After this wonderful evening, I woke Saturday and taught another kettlebell session. This was my first class facing four athletic men, some exceptionally and anomalously tall, each of which looked at me with curiosity as if thinking, “What is this strange little white chick going to offer me by way of fitness?” I did my damndest to kick their butts (whilst invariably kicking my own :). There is something satisfying and empowering about awing, engrossing, and inspiring people through kettlebells. Jaime, who owns the gym, always tells me how proud he is of me when I teach and how excited my students get about my classes. This makes me proud and delighted indeed. I know I will look back fondly on my bizarre happenstance of teaching here. Perhaps it will even open up some opportunities in the future and I will pursue the (expensive) certification necessary to teach in the US.
After resting up a bit from this big morning of work, my new friend Carlyn arrived into town. Carlyn is headed on a month’s adventure in Cusco, where she’s going to live with a family and study Spanish. Becoming acquainted through a friend in San Diego (thanks Heather!), Carlyn and I got on well from the start (she rocks!). We took a great stroll on a sunny afternoon by the cliffs and, after what turned out to be quite a long walk (anyone who knows me should not be surprised in the least that the first thing I did with my new friend was take her on a long walk, haha), we settled into another of my very favorite restaurants in Lima (I promise I do more than eat here!).
Alfrescos is one of the tastiest spots to grab some fancy seafood, which, for the quality and presentation, can be enjoyed at about a third of the cost of any similar restaurant in the US. Anyhow, I mention this not only because it is another tasty recommendation for the comida- inclined visitors and residents of Peru, but also because I finally tried CEVICHE! Yes, it took me four whole months to gutz up enough to try this raw seafood delicacy. It was deliciously spicy and didn’t make me hurl! Hooray! Great success! I think I will be having it again soon. Now I understand what all these Limeños are on about! I am so thankful that I live in the purported culinary capital of South America.
All food fascinations aside, I also spent much of the weekend walking (said food off ;). At about noon on Sunday, after chatting with my parents and Luke (who arrives in one week, I am so excited!), the sun burned away the grey and bathed everything in warm spring air. I had to get myself outside. I took a wander over to Barranco, the nearby coastal neighborhood known for its Bohemian eccentricities and its night clubs. I had such a joyous day just exploring. The sun made the ocean glow, the parks were green and teeming with blossoming flowers of every color, it was relatively quiet along the Malecon, and it was just a beautiful day to be alive. I could feel my heart expanding beyond the sometimes constricted state in which I find myself when I get overwhelmed by the daily travails of big city life. It made me smile.
I am grateful for these nourishing moments.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Pumpkin Carving in Peru
In honor of a cultural holiday enjoyed by both Peruvians and estados unidensians (thats US folks in a strange jaime version of spanish), Rachel, Evan, Clara and I carved pumpkins last weekend. It was a joyous event indeed. Here are some photos.
hahahahahahah...
hahahahahahah...
Monday, October 20, 2008
Belated Birthday Pic
I figured I should post at least one...
This is my new pal Toño, who was passing through town to visit Rachel during a blitz of South America, yours truly, and Rachel after a tower of beer and a strong pisco but before the dancing commenced....
Truncated Time In Lima
After many ruminations on life and my experience here in Lima, I have decided to truncate my time here and not return to Lima following the December holidays. After having made this decision and set my plans in motion, I feel I have made a wise decision for myself and am very much looking forward to the coming months. I have about a month left at my bizarrely questionable job, but in this time I am taking two trips within Peru: another trip back to Machu Picchu (but this time via a proper trek through the Sacred Valley) and a 3-day hiking trip in the Andes.
In December, I am heading on a 3-week trip through Buenos Aires (Argentina), Iguazzu Falls (at 9,000 feet wide, this is one of the top ten biggest falls in the world), a number of little cities in Uruguay (who would have thought this trip would take me to Bolivia and Uruguay?), and into Brazil to a couple of incredible beaches including those in Rio. I will finally see the sun! Unbelievably excited I am.
And equally excited I am to reunite with all my friends and family upon my return. This Christmas is going to be the best yet.
As for the future…well it is unclear. If it were up to me, I would travel for another 6 months. I pine for travel more than I do any person, possession, or purpose in life right now. It’s all I want to do in the coming months (much to the dismay and displeasure of my parents, who wish for me to grow roots immediately). And though I fear sounding like a spoiled brat with all these jaunts about, I assure any suspicious reader that I am working my little butt off here just trying to make this happen.
I am hoping to land enough freelance gigs to make continued travel a reality. My fingers are crossed and my ears are open. I recognize how blessed I am to be able to pursue my passions like this. I don't think I'll ever be the kind of person that, upon looking back at life, will ever say “I wish I would have…” or “If only...” Life is far too short to put off what you love (or who you love, for that matter) for some far off day. I am grateful and blessed. That’s about all I can say about that.
In December, I am heading on a 3-week trip through Buenos Aires (Argentina), Iguazzu Falls (at 9,000 feet wide, this is one of the top ten biggest falls in the world), a number of little cities in Uruguay (who would have thought this trip would take me to Bolivia and Uruguay?), and into Brazil to a couple of incredible beaches including those in Rio. I will finally see the sun! Unbelievably excited I am.
And equally excited I am to reunite with all my friends and family upon my return. This Christmas is going to be the best yet.
As for the future…well it is unclear. If it were up to me, I would travel for another 6 months. I pine for travel more than I do any person, possession, or purpose in life right now. It’s all I want to do in the coming months (much to the dismay and displeasure of my parents, who wish for me to grow roots immediately). And though I fear sounding like a spoiled brat with all these jaunts about, I assure any suspicious reader that I am working my little butt off here just trying to make this happen.
I am hoping to land enough freelance gigs to make continued travel a reality. My fingers are crossed and my ears are open. I recognize how blessed I am to be able to pursue my passions like this. I don't think I'll ever be the kind of person that, upon looking back at life, will ever say “I wish I would have…” or “If only...” Life is far too short to put off what you love (or who you love, for that matter) for some far off day. I am grateful and blessed. That’s about all I can say about that.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A banal little update
I haven't written lately because there is not much to report on from this little spot on the globe. But I am tired of the Palin rant living at the top of my blog so I had to write something. haha
Plans are in the works (which are subject to change hourly it seems) and travel will recommence in November with a proper trek to Machu Picchu, a hiking trip in Huaraz (over the crazy world summit weekend in Lima), and then...something bigger. Update to follow.
My Spanish lessons are going great. My teacher warms my heart with his kindness and funny stories. He makes me feel confident and excited about learning Spanish. Hooray for good teachers!
I have been working like a mad little lady recently, 3 jobs 7 days a week. But it is worth it for the travels to come. I am thankful I have 3 jobs when some people have 0 and am grateful that I away from the sad state of the US economy and accompanying national panic, though it is strange to be disconnected and I worry for my family and friends. (that was a long sentence, forgive me I am sleepy and a bit sick right now). I hope that everyone is doing okay despite this domestic turmoil. A woman in the elevator the other day asked where I was from and when I told her, she replied with a look of pity-shock and said "Oh muchas problemas, lo siento" Yowswers.
Well that is all for now. I will try to go on some crazy adventure soon and report back with something more exciting.
Plans are in the works (which are subject to change hourly it seems) and travel will recommence in November with a proper trek to Machu Picchu, a hiking trip in Huaraz (over the crazy world summit weekend in Lima), and then...something bigger. Update to follow.
My Spanish lessons are going great. My teacher warms my heart with his kindness and funny stories. He makes me feel confident and excited about learning Spanish. Hooray for good teachers!
I have been working like a mad little lady recently, 3 jobs 7 days a week. But it is worth it for the travels to come. I am thankful I have 3 jobs when some people have 0 and am grateful that I away from the sad state of the US economy and accompanying national panic, though it is strange to be disconnected and I worry for my family and friends. (that was a long sentence, forgive me I am sleepy and a bit sick right now). I hope that everyone is doing okay despite this domestic turmoil. A woman in the elevator the other day asked where I was from and when I told her, she replied with a look of pity-shock and said "Oh muchas problemas, lo siento" Yowswers.
Well that is all for now. I will try to go on some crazy adventure soon and report back with something more exciting.
Friday, October 3, 2008
An American Moment: VP Debate
2 October 2008
VP Viewing in a Peruvian Bar
Tonight, after 9 hours of work (during which I wrestled with how to account for 25 centuries of Roman history in a few easy-to-read web pages about art) and nearly two hours of Spanish lessons, I hustled over to a local bar where my friends and I discovered the US Vice Presidential Debates were airing. This being the first and only time Palin and Biden would meet face to face to debate on matters of the utmost importance to the future of United States politics (and, really, so much more), I knew that it was an important night to witness.
Entering the local sports bar, I found the place packed to capacity. Every TV was ready to air the debate. As most bars are, this place was crowded and noisy. But, phenomenally, the entire place hushed as the debate began. I can’t remember ever being in a bar so hushed by something on TV. Not even the Superbowl. People gathered here with the sole purpose of listening to this debate. It is something powerful and telling to witness this here. I take this as evidence of just how important people feel this particular election is to the fate of our nation.
So the debate began.
Not a single person that I saw in that bar seemed to be in favor of Palin. In fact, people were there from the Obama camp, signing ex-pats up on mailing lists and getting them emergency ballots and voting information. The entire crowd of people was virtually silent throughout the entire event, save for bursts of applause in response to Biden's poignant remarks. In response to Palin's meaningless jumble, I saw looks of horror spread across the faces of some people, while others were busy taking shots everytime Palin said something stupid. They had trouble even stumbling out of the bar by the end of the debate.
I can't help but think this experience in Peru is evidence of something really important happening in the US. This bar was filled with backpackers and expats, people who might have easily forgone this debate for a travel adventure or perhaps not found it worth the trouble to seek out a place where the debates would be aired live. It would be easy to forget, being so far from home, what was going on in US politics. But all of these people made a point to remember and made a point to watch it. Not only that but they truly watched and listened intently to the debate. In a bar, where people's attention spans usually dont last as long as their cocktails. People were truly engaged. From a nation so historically apathetic when it comes to politics, this unlikely meeting of passionate Americans indicates to me that we are in the midst of serious change in our country.
One can only hope that this change is for the good, and the torch is not passed to another team that will only continue to burn the fine institution of America to the ground.
VP Viewing in a Peruvian Bar
Tonight, after 9 hours of work (during which I wrestled with how to account for 25 centuries of Roman history in a few easy-to-read web pages about art) and nearly two hours of Spanish lessons, I hustled over to a local bar where my friends and I discovered the US Vice Presidential Debates were airing. This being the first and only time Palin and Biden would meet face to face to debate on matters of the utmost importance to the future of United States politics (and, really, so much more), I knew that it was an important night to witness.
Entering the local sports bar, I found the place packed to capacity. Every TV was ready to air the debate. As most bars are, this place was crowded and noisy. But, phenomenally, the entire place hushed as the debate began. I can’t remember ever being in a bar so hushed by something on TV. Not even the Superbowl. People gathered here with the sole purpose of listening to this debate. It is something powerful and telling to witness this here. I take this as evidence of just how important people feel this particular election is to the fate of our nation.
So the debate began.
Not a single person that I saw in that bar seemed to be in favor of Palin. In fact, people were there from the Obama camp, signing ex-pats up on mailing lists and getting them emergency ballots and voting information. The entire crowd of people was virtually silent throughout the entire event, save for bursts of applause in response to Biden's poignant remarks. In response to Palin's meaningless jumble, I saw looks of horror spread across the faces of some people, while others were busy taking shots everytime Palin said something stupid. They had trouble even stumbling out of the bar by the end of the debate.
I can't help but think this experience in Peru is evidence of something really important happening in the US. This bar was filled with backpackers and expats, people who might have easily forgone this debate for a travel adventure or perhaps not found it worth the trouble to seek out a place where the debates would be aired live. It would be easy to forget, being so far from home, what was going on in US politics. But all of these people made a point to remember and made a point to watch it. Not only that but they truly watched and listened intently to the debate. In a bar, where people's attention spans usually dont last as long as their cocktails. People were truly engaged. From a nation so historically apathetic when it comes to politics, this unlikely meeting of passionate Americans indicates to me that we are in the midst of serious change in our country.
One can only hope that this change is for the good, and the torch is not passed to another team that will only continue to burn the fine institution of America to the ground.
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