First off, an interesting note – after multiple firm rejections, embellished by my glorious hacking, not even the news that I have bronchitis deters Peruvian men from asking me to go home with them at various clubs. I hear “I have explosive diahrrea” has an incredibly high success rate. As I am not familiar with the Spanish term for explosive, I prefer the simple “My God, back off.”
Wednesday, 4 30 a.m. Oscar walks me home. After five solid hours of salsa-dancing, I can barely walk down the desolate streets of Urubamba, whose silence is broken only for the distant sound of dog fights. Oscar is not only the best big host brother a girl could ask for, he is also hands down the best salsa-dancer in Urubamba. Good night.
Arm in arm, he tells me about when his uncle assumed his position as mayor of Urubamba, he built a park in Oscars neighborhood. Not only that, he decided to pave all the roads in that part of down, the precious unpaved roads upon which Miguel and Oscar rigorously played marbles.
“We never forgave him. Even to this day I am angry. We used to love to play with our friends, all day long… then, no more.”
A moments pause, then, “You know, I would love to visit the US, but I dont think I ever will.”
This catches me off guard. Oscars English is near perfect, his slang even up to par. He has visited the UK twice and has a personality that would render him irresistible in most American circles. I sense some sadness in his voice.
“Why?” I ask, “What are you afraid of?”
He throws his hands up – “¡Look around! We are such simple people here. There, things are not so simple. In Britain, sometimes things seemed so pretentious. I don{t know if I could keep up in America. In the US, life is not so simple.”
A meager “true” is all I can muster. Were I not so exhausted, I might cry.
No, things are not so simple. I do not want to leave the simplicity of Peru. I cant help thinking I am returning to something going terribly fast in the wrong direction.
On a less depressing note, I decided to take a trip with the women of Kanchay Wasi to some hot baths in Lares. Of course Katy came with. The trip was absolutely fabulously fantastic, besides the 40 degree weather, rain, and occaisional snow. I love my ladies so much and will miss their vivacity indescribably.
Had cuy for lunch finally today to celebrate my upcoming departure, and am going out again tonight to celebrate my own and others. Much love to all. Im sure Ill be seeing some of you soon.
I’m glad you posted a blog on my birthday! Its like an unintended by equally as pleaseing gift haha!
I feel thought that a prime example of lack of simplicity was when i just entered my ‘mail’ into the little box and assumed it meant email…
I’m so glad you have loved it so much! I miss you terribly and I want you to enjoy(or maybe have enjoyed) Peru to the fullest!