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***Just a note to any fans-- fell asleep on Day 3 watching Family Guy... I didn't realize how much I missed network tv!***
Happy 4th of July to those of you who are in the celebration zone. The closest I was to celebrating was that one of my group members wore a red shirt today.... although not intentionally, but at least one of us showed some patriotism!
Day 4 started off with a quick breakfast of toast with butter and jelly. I ordered coffee but once I realized I had put salt into the cup instead of sugar I decided that I could do without the coffee for today. (not to worry, I made sure to find some Coca-Cola Light later to fulfill my caffeine needs)
Our second day at Mercedes Cabello was shorter than the first, as I only observed one class today. I had the opportunity to sit in on a social sciences class that consisted of 36 students ranging in age from 12-13. These girls are in their first year here. At 9:17 the lights in the classroom turned off, and no one seemed at all phased by the lack of electricity. There was
no rain or storm either. Apparently the school does this daily to conserve electricity and save money. The lights did not come back on until after 9:30.
When the class ended, the students had their "recreo" or free time before their next class. They took this opportunity to ask me anything and everything about life in the US. I was surrounded by about 25 girls who wanted to know all about my life, and what things are like back home. They are so adorable. I was pulled away by Maria, one of my group members, when the profesora insisted that we join them on a tour of a local museum. Our protests that we must stay with the group went ignored, and we were literally ushered down the stairs towards the exit. On speaking with the principal to let her know our concerns about leaving the group behind, she responded "oh, that's ok, I will let Dr. Grove know that you will be back in an hour." Meanwhile, our group was due to leave in 25 minutes. Crisis averted though, when Dr. Grove returned and firmly told the profesora that while we appreciated the offer, we were unable to
accompany them to the museum.
In lieu of the museum trip, we were shown to the cooking classroom, where the students had prepared some Peruvian dishes for us and served us in their aprons and chef hats. We had Papa a Crema Rosa, emapanadas with meat, cheese, and onion, and a delicious pastry dessert called Alfajores com manja blanca. The girls are all in love with Fiore, Rich, and Vincent, our three token males, and it took an extra few minutes to pull them away from their groupies.
After leaving Mercedes Cabello, the group returned to La Plaza Mayor for a bit of browsing and lunch. As Natalie, Jenna and I were walking to the meeting point for lunch, I felt a strong tug at my bag. I yelled "hey!" and as I turned around ready to fight my "ladron," I saw that it was just Edmundo, one of our group leaders, laughing at me. Edmundo is a native Peruvian and a profesor at West Chester, and quite the jokester. I definitely needed that Piña Colada at lunch to calm my nerves after that =)
We left lunch and headed to the Museo de la Inquisicion y
Congreso, where we endured an hour and a half tour by a gentleman who actually speaks faster than me. Not the easiest to understand either... a few of us while viewing the museum on our own got in a little trouble by another tour guide when he brought his tour group through the prison cell area and I was taking pictures of 5 of my group members in the jail cell behind bars. At least we captured the moment on film right?
A bit more shopping (great bookstore with posters that I plan to use in the classroom) and then back to the hotel for yet another speaker presentation on... La Inquisicion! It would have been very informative had I been able to hear anything. The tour group from England sitting behind us in the conference room were a little loud, to say the least.
Natalie and I went back to the shops down the street after the presentation and found some awesome souvenirs and Peruvian crafts. Back to the hotel for dinner and change of clothes. We had planned to go to Lalo's (Erin's Peruvian boyfriend) house for some snacks and visiting but dinner wasn't over until close to 9:00 and it was a half hour each way. I didn't want to disappoint those of you who are sitting at your computers eagerly awaiting my Day 4 posting.
On that note, I think I developed carpal tunnel just from this blog entry, so I am going to sign off for the night, and see if I can figure out how to upload some pictures.
Buenas noches
Alyssa
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aunt robin
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sounds like you are having an experience of a life time. the journal entries are just wonderful and i feel like i'm along for the ride.