This blog post compares the differences between my Peru home and my United States home! Shoutout to Kristin because after reading your differences blog, I wanted to do that idea for my blog...1.5 years later. Also shoutout to Fiorella because here is your list of things that are different between Peru and the United States! Enjoy, everyone!
(1) Traffic:
First of all, the BIGGEST difference I think there is between US and Peru is the traffic. Okay. Yes, if you live near Chicago or other major cities you also experience bad traffic; however it is not like this. Every morning, it takes us at least 45 minutes to get to school and we live about 8km (5 miles) away from the school. It's INSANE. Not to mention that people drive every way they please. There's lines on the road - people don't follow them. There's speed bumps - people fly over them. Wanna turn left? First, weasel your way through the maze of cars, honk your horn, and hope people see you while you make your turn!
I wish I could show you all a video of it, but I'll leave it up to your imagination. Also, don't wanna scare you too much, Mom.
(2) Water/Gaseosas:
People here do not drink that much water. Instead, they have countless different types of juices, pops (gaseosas), and teas. My personal favorite is "Inca Cola" which tastes kinda like bubblegum and is made by the Coca-Cola company. If you do wanna drink some water, you can! Just make sure you ask for it "sin gas" because otherwise its fizzy water...odd.
(3) Hello/Goodbye:
When people great each other, they say "Hola" and when leaving most people do not say "Adios." Instead, they say "Ciao!" or "Hasta luego!" In addition, greetings and goodbyes are accompanied by a kiss on the cheek, even by all the kids in the school. This took me awhile to get used to because it was so new. However, I am pretty accustomed to it now and feel a part of the culture!
(4) Subjects in School:
These are pretty much the same which was cool to see! The biggest difference is probably their history class - but that's a given because why would they learn about American History - Peru is their country! I get to learn about history too during this class which is exciting for me. But otherwise, the kids have math, science, reading, etc. If you've been keeping up with my blogs, there was one about how the kids all use cursive - yep. That's a big difference too.
(5) Textbooks:
Here, the students have limited textbooks. My students practice math and communication books. All the other subjects, the teachers print off pages and the students glue the pages in their notebooks. They then talk about the lesson, complete activities, and color the pictures in the notebook. It is a more basic way of learning and the kids are able to learn so much without a lot of fancy things. It's really different, but I love it!
(6) Bathrooms:
So, if you ever go to Lima, here are your bathroom rules. 1. Don' t flush the paper down the toilets. 2. Bring your own paper because not all bathrooms have it.
That's all I have to say about that..haha. Moving on...
(7) Food:
Here, people eat SO much fish (I love it) and also "Pollo a la braza" which is chicken! However, here the smallest meal is dinner. Yes. That means breakfast is HUGE. In the house, we have eaten hamburgers, fish, meat, you name it, for breakfast. Also, people eat huge lunches around 1pm. While we eat with the teachers at the school, many people go out to each for lunch at have large meals. This adjustment took awhile for Maeve and I because we have been used to college budget food and small meals. However, I have adjusted well and love the food. Tuna for breakfast? Bring it on!
Also, the kids have 2 "loncheras" or 2 food breaks during the day at school. They really value food here, and I do too!
Fried fish and rice ^
(8) Stores:
Okay. So this is one of the weirdest things. If you would like to buy something from a store with multiple products, you have to (1) go to the area that sells it, and get a receipt from that person. Then (2) go to the paying area and pay for your product with the receipt. Finally (3) you can go and pick up your item from the first place where you got your receipt. Believe me, Maeve and I were SO confused when we got here and were trying to buy our hair dryer. Talk about language barrier on the 3rd day here. This does not go for all stores; however in most when you are leaving, you have to show your receipt to prove you bought the items in your bag.
(9) Prescriptions:
Need to run to walgreeens for something? Look no further than InkaFarma: Home to Lauren's much needed aloe, sunscreen, and shampoo. If you need a prescription for something, you don't need a doctor! Just go to InkaFarma and they will diagnose you. Since we are going to Machu Picchu soon, it'll be quite easy to purchase our altitude medicine!
(10) Cereal:
Cereal deserved its own topic because I want to tell you all they only eat cereal with yogurt. It's so good.
(11) Uniforms:
The students here all wear uniforms - even in the public schools. They all represent their own school all across Lima. Growing up going to schools with uniforms (*Shoutout to Montini and Marian) I can relate to this and coming from experience I think these kids have a pretty easy time getting ready in the morning.
(12) Drills:
This past week, we had an earthquake drill in the school. I was expecting a similar drill to a fire or tornado drill, but no. It was a free for all. The alarm went off, and all the kids stood up and just ran outside. I had to also run to keep up. We crossed a roundabout, stopped traffic, and stood in the park. Talk about having fear for little 7 year olds crossing the street. Wow. However, after thinking about it a bit I realized with earthquakes there isn't enough time to get in a straight line. People will literally just have to run for safety outside of buildings. It's so different because I have never worried about that before.
(13) Roofs:
People here have the opportunity to do things on their roofs - they're not triangles with roofing and gutters. Why? Well, it doesn't snow in Lima. In our house, we have the roof to hang up our laundry, or in Maeve and my case to do a little sun-tanning. Here is a photo of my clothes drying because I know you all care so much...hahaha.
(14) Weather:
Coming at ya kind of live from your weather girl at heart: Today and everyday in Lima, 68 degrees and partly sunny!
In Lima, there is a fog that kind of surrounds the city, and every now and then there is sun! It is the end of spring here, and the closer and closer we get to summer, the more and more sun shines through. It's so interesting that their Christmas (or Navidad) is during summer. It also RARELY rains in Lima, and I have not seen rain in over 30 days...weird.
*Shoutout to Mel - missing my weather partner.
(15) Thanksgiving:
Obviously, Peru does not celebrate thanksgiving. However, our host family celebrated it with us! They got a turkey, set the table like thanksgiving, and we all prayed and said what we were thankful for. It was really so beautiful and fun! Maeve and I even were able to make sweet potato casserole for the family! Honestly, we picked that because we couldn't find the ingredients for much else. So, add sweet potato casserole to the very short list of things I can cook - they all loved it! And now, our family here in Peru was able to have a taste of Thanksgiving!
I also was able to teach my kids about thanksgiving during school. I boiled it down to comida (food), familia (family) and gracias (thanks). The kids got to make turkeys (or pavos) with their hands and paint and write what they were gracious for on the feathers. The kids also got to see a turkey cooking because I facetimed my family during the lesson! The kids loved it and my family did too :). *Shoutout to the Adams clan! Thanks for the call!
*I also facetimed the fam during their thanksgiving celebration - thanks for the following selfie!
Low quality pic, high quality people
(16) Surfing:
Okay, so this really isn't a major difference, but I wanted to include one of this weekend's adventures. Maeve and I went surfing this Saturday and we LOVED it! I think I picked up a new hobby! But alas, it is one of the differences because I don't really think there is a place in the midwest where I can go surfing..
But, for those of you wonder, yes I was able to stand, yes I was kind of able to paddle, and yes falling off (or jumping off) the surfboard was a common occurence of mine. I did want to give a *shoutout to Mar Ray dance studio for giving me 13 years of balance practice as well as my fam for all the practice standing and balancing on our canoes. I knew it would come in handy some day!
(17) Seatbelts:
So, I saved the most interesting for last - but this one includes a story.
On Sunday night, Maeve and I went to the "Parque de las Aguas" in Lima which is a public park that is full of fountains. We went with my host dad's nephew's family (what a mouthful..I know). It was so fun and absolutely beautiful. I felt like I was in a whole new world! Here are some photos:
Yes, the above picture is me in a fountain. Yes, I'm 22 years old.
On the way there, we all hopped in a van and did not have to buckle! That is normal here, I haven't put on my seatbelt in a long time. Yeah, given the traffic I should probably re-think my choices, but hey. I'm accustomed now. *Shoutout to Kath, it's like sitting in the back of the suburban with the broken seatbelt.
Okay, while people don't buckle in cars, they also didn't buckle on this ride:
For those of you who know me, you know I love roller coasters and amusement park rides. However this ride was a spinning ride that stopped every now and then, and tilted from side to side...fun right? NO. Why you ask? Because PEOPLE DIDN'T BUCKLE IN. They were literally flying around, trying to hold onto the railing, falling off their seats, hitting the sides of the ride, and no one seemed concerned. People were standing around, watching, laughing, while my mind was BLOWN. I'm a bit of a rebel with rides but NOPE. Hard. Pass. Lol.
Anyway, while these differences exist, we are all together and I am embracing them and love them.
4 weeks left of this experience and 4 weeks left of memories here in Peru.
Ciao & *besos*
Lauren
Oh! P.S. I finally added more photos to my photos page, so be sure to check that out as well!