Last night was too much fun! Seriously. So fun that many of us had a hard time staying awake during our classes this morning. (It didn´t help that our 1st class of the day, Art History, was at 9am...for two solid hours...in the dark. Yay PowerPoint)
We are all so tired today because last night was Kathleen´s 20th birthday celebration. The night went as follows:
9p- we students arrive at Lucy´s house and go to the 2nd floor apartment. We didn´t wanna keep the family up.
9:10- break out the Pisco! (Peruvian wine...tastes more like gin)
9:15- group Pisco shot in honor of Kathleen
9:30- start playing a Peruvian drinking game, ¨Hello Mr. J¨. A lot like Kings.
(I don´t play because I have a cold. Didn´t need to drink too much...)
10:00´- turns into ¨never have I ever¨. Too much fun.
11ish- decide to go to a hookah bar near the Plaza de Armas
11:15- find out it´s closed
Pause for STORY TIME!
As we wander down the sidewalks of downtown, thinking of where to go now, we end up linking arms. There´s about 10 of us, so we split into little groups, walking down the street, laughing and hugging each other. Some of it was to support the more *cough cough* intoxicated people. (I was definitely sober and enjoying every minute watching everyone else!) Next thing I know, David yells from behind, ¨Love attack!¨ or ¨Love hug!¨ or SOMETHING. Basically, he and a few other girls come running up from behind, still linked, and they engulf my group. Then the 7 or so of us chase the next group down the sidewalk and attack them. It was a moment I´ll never forget!
11:30- finally decide to go to a bar owned by several Peruvian guys we know well
Until 2 this morning, I danced and danced. And danced. With my girlfriends. With one of the bar owners for a while. With the boys in the group. We were the only people in this small, one-room bar, so we took over the place and had a blast! I finally left with David and Ned (Dr. Mangan´s younger cousin who´s the nanny for her kids). We laughed the whole taxi ride home and kept saying, what a night!
When I finally flopped on my bed at about 2:30 this morning, I remembered something funny from earlier. We had played the song ¨Wagon Wheel¨ back at the party, and David, Ned, Kate and I had sung at the top of our lungs. At any other time or place, it would´ve made me sad. I would´ve missed North Carolina and being at home, watching my daddy pick this song on the banjo on the front porch. But last night, this song perfectly captured how we felt! We were rockin out (if you can do that to Bluegrass) and were totally carefree! Listen and enjoy like we did...
Wagon Wheel
Headed down south to the land of the pines
And I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline
Starin' up the road
And pray to God I see headlights
I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
And I'm a hopin' for Raleigh
I can see my baby tonight
So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me
I was born to be a fiddler in an old-time stringband
My baby plays the guitar
I pick a banjo now
Oh, the North country winters keep a gettin' me now
Lost my money playin' poker so I had to up and leave
But I ain't a turnin' back
To livin' that old life no more
So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me
Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke
I caught a trucker out of Philly
Had a nice long toke
But he's a headed west from the Cumberland Gap
To Johnson City, Tennessee
And I gotta get a move on fit for the sun
I hear my baby callin' my name
And I know that she's the only one
And if I die in Raleigh
At least I will die free
Sep 10, 2009
Sep 9, 2009
Making It Better
If having an upset stomach yesterday morning wasn't enough, I woke up THIS morning with a cold. Lovely.
Today was one of those days where I just didn't want to get out from under the covers. In class this morning, my head felt like it was floating near the ceiling, a far-off balloon tied to my wrist. A mid-morning Coke brought it back closer, but I'm still feeling a little off. (After this post, I'll probably take a long siesta!)
In between classes today, some girlfriends and I were chatting about feeling sick. I said all I wanted today was MY bed, MY house, MY (sister's) dog, MY Netflix queue and MY family to take care of me. I wasn't in a mood really...I just wanted the comfort and rest of HOME. But then, I looked over the balcony to see palm trees waving in front of a snow-capped volcano. I decided to be happy. I would only be here 2 more months.
Sometimes, you just have to make the decision to not "make it bad". "Take a sad song and make it better." It can be really hard sometimes. Like when all of your loved ones are 3000 miles away and you only talk to them for little snatches of time. Like when things change and you feel no control. Or when you're sick and it's all you can do to focus on the words you want to say. There are PLENTY of ways we can focus on ourselves and wallow (or, like we say in NC, waller) in self-pity if we try hard enough. Heck, on days like today, I don't even HAVE to try!
This song randomly came on while I was listening to an iTunes playlist today. I've always loved this song. The build-up. The words. But, today, it took on a different meaning for me. Take time to watch the vid. Read the words. Take a break!
Hey Jude
Hey jude, dont make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.
Hey jude, dont be afraid.
You were made to go out and get her.
The minute you let her under your skin,
Then you begin to make it better.
And anytime you feel the pain, hey jude, refrain,
Dont carry the world upon your shoulders.
For well you know that its a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder.
Hey jude, dont let me down.
You have found her, now go and get her.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.
So let it out and let it in, hey jude, begin,
Youre waiting for someone to perform with.
And dont you know that its just you, hey jude, youll do,
The movement you need is on your shoulder.
Hey jude, dont make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her under your skin,
Then youll begin to make it
Better better better better better better, oh.
Na na na na na ,na na na, hey jude...
Today was one of those days where I just didn't want to get out from under the covers. In class this morning, my head felt like it was floating near the ceiling, a far-off balloon tied to my wrist. A mid-morning Coke brought it back closer, but I'm still feeling a little off. (After this post, I'll probably take a long siesta!)
In between classes today, some girlfriends and I were chatting about feeling sick. I said all I wanted today was MY bed, MY house, MY (sister's) dog, MY Netflix queue and MY family to take care of me. I wasn't in a mood really...I just wanted the comfort and rest of HOME. But then, I looked over the balcony to see palm trees waving in front of a snow-capped volcano. I decided to be happy. I would only be here 2 more months.
Sometimes, you just have to make the decision to not "make it bad". "Take a sad song and make it better." It can be really hard sometimes. Like when all of your loved ones are 3000 miles away and you only talk to them for little snatches of time. Like when things change and you feel no control. Or when you're sick and it's all you can do to focus on the words you want to say. There are PLENTY of ways we can focus on ourselves and wallow (or, like we say in NC, waller) in self-pity if we try hard enough. Heck, on days like today, I don't even HAVE to try!
This song randomly came on while I was listening to an iTunes playlist today. I've always loved this song. The build-up. The words. But, today, it took on a different meaning for me. Take time to watch the vid. Read the words. Take a break!
Hey Jude
Hey jude, dont make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.
Hey jude, dont be afraid.
You were made to go out and get her.
The minute you let her under your skin,
Then you begin to make it better.
And anytime you feel the pain, hey jude, refrain,
Dont carry the world upon your shoulders.
For well you know that its a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder.
Hey jude, dont let me down.
You have found her, now go and get her.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.
So let it out and let it in, hey jude, begin,
Youre waiting for someone to perform with.
And dont you know that its just you, hey jude, youll do,
The movement you need is on your shoulder.
Hey jude, dont make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her under your skin,
Then youll begin to make it
Better better better better better better, oh.
Na na na na na ,na na na, hey jude...
Sep 8, 2009
If Everyone Cared
Today´s Song of the Day fits perfectly with how I feel about what I´m currently studying.
Ever heard of Túpac? No, not the rapper, the guy whose name he took. Túpac Amaru was the last Inca. Then, two hundred years later, Túpac Amaru II enters the scene. How he´s connected by blood to the last Incan ruler is complicated, but he basically decides to lead a rebellion, ¨The Great Rebellion¨, against the ruling Spanish group in Peru in the late 18th century. He has some cool ideas, but he, like most of the world, fought violence and oppression with the same. Violence with violence.
When will that EVER solve ANYTHING?
Ultimately, the story has a gruesome ending...Túpac Amaru II, his wife, sons and other close followers are publically hanged, drawn and quartered. The execution lasted almost all day. It was refered to as a ¨show¨. (shiver) Today, many Peruvians revere Túpac Amaru and admire his brave efforts to overthrow the Spanish. A lot of that is because the class divide still falls down the line of Spanish vs. Indian...400 and some years after that line was first drawn by the original Spanish invaders! I can´t quite wrap my mind around a militant, violent HERO, but whatever floats their boat. I´d rather go the way this song recommends...again, read the lyrics! Peace!
If Everyone Cared lyrics
From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
Confusing stars for satellites
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
And I'm singing Amen
Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive
Amen I, Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive
And in the air the fireflies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
(I'm alive)
And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
When nobody died...
Ever heard of Túpac? No, not the rapper, the guy whose name he took. Túpac Amaru was the last Inca. Then, two hundred years later, Túpac Amaru II enters the scene. How he´s connected by blood to the last Incan ruler is complicated, but he basically decides to lead a rebellion, ¨The Great Rebellion¨, against the ruling Spanish group in Peru in the late 18th century. He has some cool ideas, but he, like most of the world, fought violence and oppression with the same. Violence with violence.
When will that EVER solve ANYTHING?
Ultimately, the story has a gruesome ending...Túpac Amaru II, his wife, sons and other close followers are publically hanged, drawn and quartered. The execution lasted almost all day. It was refered to as a ¨show¨. (shiver) Today, many Peruvians revere Túpac Amaru and admire his brave efforts to overthrow the Spanish. A lot of that is because the class divide still falls down the line of Spanish vs. Indian...400 and some years after that line was first drawn by the original Spanish invaders! I can´t quite wrap my mind around a militant, violent HERO, but whatever floats their boat. I´d rather go the way this song recommends...again, read the lyrics! Peace!
If Everyone Cared lyrics
From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
Confusing stars for satellites
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
And I'm singing Amen
Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive
Amen I, Amen I, Amen I, I'm alive
And in the air the fireflies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
Singing Amen, I, I'm alive
(I'm alive)
And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
When nobody died...
Sep 7, 2009
Song of the Day
May sound cheesy, but I'm going to start posting a Song of the Day. Music is a huge part of my daily life. I feel like I'm going crazy after a day without music and/or singing. Every time I'm on my computer, I'm listening to something. Every taxicab I take, I'm tapping my toe to their music.
With each YouTube vid post, I'm going to include the lyrics. I have always been a person who listens closely to the words of a song. They speak and set the mood (duh) just as the music does. So, I encourage you to read the lyrics, too. You may think you know a song well, but read the lyrics...maybe several times. You may find (or feel) something new about that song!
So, the 1st SotD is one of my faves. Obviously, it's by Elton John (if you know me well, this is no surprise!) Nothing beats a boy singing while playing the piano.
"This one's for you..."
Your Song
It's a little bit funny this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live
If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on
So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
With each YouTube vid post, I'm going to include the lyrics. I have always been a person who listens closely to the words of a song. They speak and set the mood (duh) just as the music does. So, I encourage you to read the lyrics, too. You may think you know a song well, but read the lyrics...maybe several times. You may find (or feel) something new about that song!
So, the 1st SotD is one of my faves. Obviously, it's by Elton John (if you know me well, this is no surprise!) Nothing beats a boy singing while playing the piano.
"This one's for you..."
Your Song
It's a little bit funny this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live
If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one's for you
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on
So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
Sep 6, 2009
What´s Popular in Peru
Music:
1. ¨Calle Ocho¨ by Pitbull - This song was popular in the States this summer and it has followed me here. Everytime you go dancing, expect to hear this song at least once. And the people DO count with the song: ¨One, two, three, four, uno, do, tre, cuatro¨. It´s so popular, our dance teachers taught us a dance to it so we could look cooler at the clubs...I guess.
2. Anything from the 80s - My mom listens to the 80s station. Then I get in the schoolbus and crazy Rosita is jamming to the 80s. Most taxi drivers tune their radios to this station. These songs play in a lot of restaurants and shopping centers. I just don´t get it.
3. ¨A Pedir Su Mano¨ by Juan Luis Guerra - Go listen to it! It´ll make you either happy, want to dance or both. I actually knew this song before Peru and had it in my iTunes. Little did I know it would be played at every wedding reception across the road from my house and at every club.
4. Michael Jackson - enough said
Clothes:
1. Heels - The girls (like the guys) here are short. So, these help a lot. Boots are REALLY in style, too. Black or brown, ankle or knee-high...you have to have some.
2. Jeans - The jeans here for girls are TIGHT and all decorated. The pockets either have shiny thread or beading. They are low, too. Combined with the heels, gals always look ready to go clubbing here. I´ve never seen the locals wearing shorts, even though it´s over 70 degrees everyday. Capris aren´t popular either. Or khakis. There´s not much diversity. It´s so funny to compare Davidson fashion in the fall or spring to here.
3. Hats - The older, indigenous women can be seen with a little hat on their head. Young guys like to wear ball caps a lot. A Yankees cap would probs be cool.
4. Jackets - For the girls, their jackets, like their jeans, are tight. A lot of times, they´re pleather with a thick elastic band around the waist. Think biker jackets. For guys, zip-up hoodies are in.
Hair:
1. Girls - long. Sometimes streaked with bleach to make them stand out in a crowd.
2. Guys - sheesh. Sometimes a mullet, sometimes buzzed, sometimes longish (me likey), sometimes fairly normal.
Transportation:
I´m sure they don´t have car commercials on TV because hardly anyone drives. Taxi and combis (lil buses packed with people for only 25 cents) are the way to go. I personally take taxis because I can go about anywhere I need to on $1 (American). If someone DOES have a car, it´s a CAR. Tiny and foreign. I´ve seen very few trucks. I had to explain for 10 minutes to my host mom what a SVU is, so they def don´t have those.
Food:
1. ICE CREAM - This stuff is EVERYWHERE. Which means I´m always tempted, dang it! At every street corner and even in-between, there are at least 3 different brands of ice cream vendors with their little carts and umbrella. Sometimes, there is a queso helado stand. This stuff is AMAZING. Kinda like snow cream with cinnamon on top. Oh, and there are also ice cream stores if you missed the roadside vendor. And every little grocery store (and there´s at least 2 on every block) has a cart full of ice cream. I´m really in trouble here...
2. Chicken - There are so many places the vend and sell chicken! The streets here tend to have themes: the eyeglasses shop road, the shoe store road...the chicken restaurant road. And there are a BUNCH of these! The family restaurants here are always chicken-themed, too. Norkey´s, down the road, has a huge slide inside for children and a chicken mascot. Too weird.
3. Yellow - Whether it´s rice, potatoes, chicken, bananas, or just a sauce, there´s a good chance that each meal will have something yellow.
4. Milk - It´s from the Gloria brand, it´s in a box and not refrigerated before opening. Only afterward.
5. Fresh bread - It truly is fresh, every day from the corner store, so I´ve been spoilt.
That´s all I can think of for now. Now that homework I have to do... :)
1. ¨Calle Ocho¨ by Pitbull - This song was popular in the States this summer and it has followed me here. Everytime you go dancing, expect to hear this song at least once. And the people DO count with the song: ¨One, two, three, four, uno, do, tre, cuatro¨. It´s so popular, our dance teachers taught us a dance to it so we could look cooler at the clubs...I guess.
2. Anything from the 80s - My mom listens to the 80s station. Then I get in the schoolbus and crazy Rosita is jamming to the 80s. Most taxi drivers tune their radios to this station. These songs play in a lot of restaurants and shopping centers. I just don´t get it.
3. ¨A Pedir Su Mano¨ by Juan Luis Guerra - Go listen to it! It´ll make you either happy, want to dance or both. I actually knew this song before Peru and had it in my iTunes. Little did I know it would be played at every wedding reception across the road from my house and at every club.
4. Michael Jackson - enough said
Clothes:
1. Heels - The girls (like the guys) here are short. So, these help a lot. Boots are REALLY in style, too. Black or brown, ankle or knee-high...you have to have some.
2. Jeans - The jeans here for girls are TIGHT and all decorated. The pockets either have shiny thread or beading. They are low, too. Combined with the heels, gals always look ready to go clubbing here. I´ve never seen the locals wearing shorts, even though it´s over 70 degrees everyday. Capris aren´t popular either. Or khakis. There´s not much diversity. It´s so funny to compare Davidson fashion in the fall or spring to here.
3. Hats - The older, indigenous women can be seen with a little hat on their head. Young guys like to wear ball caps a lot. A Yankees cap would probs be cool.
4. Jackets - For the girls, their jackets, like their jeans, are tight. A lot of times, they´re pleather with a thick elastic band around the waist. Think biker jackets. For guys, zip-up hoodies are in.
Hair:
1. Girls - long. Sometimes streaked with bleach to make them stand out in a crowd.
2. Guys - sheesh. Sometimes a mullet, sometimes buzzed, sometimes longish (me likey), sometimes fairly normal.
Transportation:
I´m sure they don´t have car commercials on TV because hardly anyone drives. Taxi and combis (lil buses packed with people for only 25 cents) are the way to go. I personally take taxis because I can go about anywhere I need to on $1 (American). If someone DOES have a car, it´s a CAR. Tiny and foreign. I´ve seen very few trucks. I had to explain for 10 minutes to my host mom what a SVU is, so they def don´t have those.
Food:
1. ICE CREAM - This stuff is EVERYWHERE. Which means I´m always tempted, dang it! At every street corner and even in-between, there are at least 3 different brands of ice cream vendors with their little carts and umbrella. Sometimes, there is a queso helado stand. This stuff is AMAZING. Kinda like snow cream with cinnamon on top. Oh, and there are also ice cream stores if you missed the roadside vendor. And every little grocery store (and there´s at least 2 on every block) has a cart full of ice cream. I´m really in trouble here...
2. Chicken - There are so many places the vend and sell chicken! The streets here tend to have themes: the eyeglasses shop road, the shoe store road...the chicken restaurant road. And there are a BUNCH of these! The family restaurants here are always chicken-themed, too. Norkey´s, down the road, has a huge slide inside for children and a chicken mascot. Too weird.
3. Yellow - Whether it´s rice, potatoes, chicken, bananas, or just a sauce, there´s a good chance that each meal will have something yellow.
4. Milk - It´s from the Gloria brand, it´s in a box and not refrigerated before opening. Only afterward.
5. Fresh bread - It truly is fresh, every day from the corner store, so I´ve been spoilt.
That´s all I can think of for now. Now that homework I have to do... :)
Sep 4, 2009
Fridays
Friday equals sleeping in! Doncha just love being able to roll over, look at the clock and then roll back over and snuggle down deeper into the warm covers? I´m enough like a cat that I could lie in the sun and be in-between consciousness and dreams for hours!
My Fridays here in Arequipa are free, class-wise. YAY! Which means I can go all out Thursday night (see previous post, ¨A Typical Thursday¨)
Fridays, though, are not just for sleeping in. I get some homework done, catch up with my Facebook and (obviously) blog, AND I get to volunteer. That´s actually my favorite part of the day.
You see, I have at least three little boys (between the ages of 4 and 12) waiting for me at the Casa de la Mujer (House for Women) every Friday afternoon at 3. I walk about 15 minutes down the main avenue outside my apartment complex and go to this beautiful house run by several Catholic sisters. Once I get through the gate and into the house, I am POUNCED! Those lil boys can really give some big hugs! I usually have one or two hanging from my neck and one encircling my legs with his entire body. It´s a wonder how I don´t just fall down everytime! When I finally peel them off, we sit down in the small garden outside (it´s ALWAYS sunny) and do homework. Usually, the boys have to do some English homework, so I love helping with that. Maybe it´s drawing a comb and labeling it or just rewriting the word ¨cat¨. Sometimes they have an hour of homework, but other times, like last week, very little.
This is when we really get to bond. Last week, three boys were there. Two brothers, 5 and 8, and a separate 4 year old. They had little to no homework so they were crazy! We played Red Light Green Light, Hide-and-Go-Seek, Tag, a hand slap/counting game and even watched some American anime cartoon in Spanish. How I managed to play the games in Spanish, I´ll never know. Instructions and rules were certainly hard to talk about...not that they followed them anyway. All they really wanted to do was, as we say in NC, rassle (or however you spell that). They, as can be expected, got FLITHY. Dirty hands and runny noses. Nasty. So, the magical gringa (white girl)...me...dug out her mini bottle of hand sanitizer and gave them each a big drop in their black hands. I say ¨magical¨ because they ooohhed and ahhhhed over that sanitizer so much that I kindly said, ¨Would you like more? Because there´s more for you where THAT came from!¨ Little did they know that they were getting a GOOD cleaning!
When my three hours was up, I tried to make it to the door. Try, being the main part of that sentence. It´s hard when three little boys are clinging to your legs and are begging for another hug, tickle or spin. After about 10 minutes, I finally walked out the gate. When I turned around to look back at the house, three faces were pressed to the glass beside the door.
These boys, though, are not your typical kids. They come from an abusive home. The Casa de la Mujer is for physically, mentally and emotionally abused women and their children. Some stay for a few days, others a few weeks...some, longer. I don´t know from week to week which children I will help with their reading, will tickle or hug goodbye for the last time. So, today, I´m almost hoping those boys will not be there because then I know they have their own, now SAFE, home to return to.
Sep 2, 2009
What I Used to Wake Up to...
You need a friend
I'll be around
Don't let this end
Before I see you again
What can I say to convince you
To change your mind of me?
I'm gonna love you more than anyone
I'm gonna hold you closer than before
And when I kiss your soul, your body be free
I'll be free for you anytime
I'm gonna love you more than anyone
Look in my eyes, what do you see?
Not just the color
Look inside of me
Tell me all you need and I will try
I will try
I'm gonna love you more than anyone
I'm gonna hold you closer than before
And when I kiss your soul, your body'll be free
I'll be free for you anytime
I'm gonna to love you more than anyone
Free for you, whenever you need
We'll be free together, baby
Free together, baby
I'm gonna love you more than anyone
I'm gonna hold you closer than before
And when I kiss your soul, your body'll be free
I'll be free for you anytime
I'm gonna love you more than anyone
Sep 1, 2009
A VERY Friendly Taxi Driver
It's not unusual to have guys be ultra-friendly to you here. Heck, it's only unusual when they DON'T stare! And it happens every day to every girl on this trip. (I'm pretty sure it's just because we're white.) I could give countless examples of how forward the guys are here...they whistle, blow their horns, shout "Wow!", or just stand in groups and grin. But last night...well, let's just say my taxi driver was a bit more friendly than the average Peruvian guy. He won the creeper race to be sure...
Now, before I give you the dialogue, I'll first state that I have been in taxis with curious drivers before. Occasionally, with a group of other girls, we'll be asked: "Where are you from?" or "How old are you?" But that's about it.
Ok, so the story. (conversations translated from Spanish)
Approx. 8:30 last night:
Kathleen, Elisabeth and I flag a taxi from the Plaza de Armas in downtown Arequipa. It's a well-known company and very safe...so safe that we were told to program it's number in our cell phones. So we flag a taxi, hop in and start to chat in English.
Mistake #1. This always prompts the following question.
Ultra-friendly and too curious taxi driver: Oh, so are ya'll from the United States?
Us: Yup.
Ultra-friendly and too curious taxi driver: That's cool. Why are ya'll here?
Us: To study Spanish at UNSA.
U-F&TCTD: Nice nice. Your Spanish is pretty good. How long are ya'll here for?
Us: Through the end of October.
U-F&TCTD: Oh, not very long. Do you like it here?
Us: Oh yeah. It's nice that it's always sunny.
U-F&TCTD: Yeah, it is. So, how old are ya'll?
Us: Around 20.
U-F&TCTD: Cool.
We get to Kathleen and Elisabeth's house. I whisper, "Boy, he's curious!" and they wave goodbye and go into their respective homes.
Mistake #2. Continuing the conversation.
U-F&TCTD: So, you like Arequipa, huh?
Me: Yes.
U-F&TCTD: And you, too, are just here for a few months?
Me: Yup.
U-F&TCTD:(grinning at me in the rearview mirror)...So, you've got a novio o amorado (translation: boyfriend or lover)?
Me: Yes. Actually, we've been dating for 4 or more years.
U-F&TCTD: (not phased) Oh really? And where is he?
Mistake #3.
Me: In the States.
U-F&TCTD: (another grin) Ohh...so you want a boyfriend here, then?
Me: No no no no! (pause to think of why) My boyfriend is really the jealous type, you know...
U-F&TCTD: Ahhh, yes. But, you don't want a secret one for just a short amount of time?
Me: (counting the blocks til home) No no no! I'm not here long enough for that and I'm not looking for anything.
U-F&TCTD: Oh ok. So...ummm...what's your name?
Me: Uhh...
(my brain, for some reason, shuts down at this point with the effort of trying to make up this tiny lie)
uhhh...
What did you say?
U-F&TCTD: Your name?
Me: (ready now!) Lucy. It's Lucy. (This is actually the name of my middle-aged program director)
Getting close to home.
U-F&TCTD: Well, Lucy, it's really nice to meet you. You sure you don't want a boyfriend? (another smile in the rearview mirror)
Me: I'm positive. In fact, here's my stop! (I frantically dig out my change)
U-F&TCTD: (He gets desperate) Do those other girls have boyfriends?
Me: (my brain is too tired at this point) You know what?...yeah! They do! (rambling) You know, it's a funny thing, but all of the girls on this trip...hahaha...have long-term boyfriends! Hahahah (why am I laughing? This sounds SO ridiculous!)
Silence. We get to my corner.
U-F&TCTD: HEY! You want to be my new friend? Yeah, want to be my friend?
He continues asking me this as I shove the money in his hand, quickly mutter "Buenas noches" and quickly walk to my gate.
Now, just to clarify, I was nothing more than a tad uncomfortable. We were in a densely-populated area, with many lights, and I could've gotten out in case of an emergency. Yes, I was feeling like that white girl from the MadTV skit "Can I Have Yo Numba?", but I knew he meant no harm. If I had been at a bar or dance club, the same kind of young guy would've asked the same kind of questions. Besides, it was kinda fun making all that stuff up...and telling the story to the group later!
Now, before I give you the dialogue, I'll first state that I have been in taxis with curious drivers before. Occasionally, with a group of other girls, we'll be asked: "Where are you from?" or "How old are you?" But that's about it.
Ok, so the story. (conversations translated from Spanish)
Approx. 8:30 last night:
Kathleen, Elisabeth and I flag a taxi from the Plaza de Armas in downtown Arequipa. It's a well-known company and very safe...so safe that we were told to program it's number in our cell phones. So we flag a taxi, hop in and start to chat in English.
Mistake #1. This always prompts the following question.
Ultra-friendly and too curious taxi driver: Oh, so are ya'll from the United States?
Us: Yup.
Ultra-friendly and too curious taxi driver: That's cool. Why are ya'll here?
Us: To study Spanish at UNSA.
U-F&TCTD: Nice nice. Your Spanish is pretty good. How long are ya'll here for?
Us: Through the end of October.
U-F&TCTD: Oh, not very long. Do you like it here?
Us: Oh yeah. It's nice that it's always sunny.
U-F&TCTD: Yeah, it is. So, how old are ya'll?
Us: Around 20.
U-F&TCTD: Cool.
We get to Kathleen and Elisabeth's house. I whisper, "Boy, he's curious!" and they wave goodbye and go into their respective homes.
Mistake #2. Continuing the conversation.
U-F&TCTD: So, you like Arequipa, huh?
Me: Yes.
U-F&TCTD: And you, too, are just here for a few months?
Me: Yup.
U-F&TCTD:(grinning at me in the rearview mirror)...So, you've got a novio o amorado (translation: boyfriend or lover)?
Me: Yes. Actually, we've been dating for 4 or more years.
U-F&TCTD: (not phased) Oh really? And where is he?
Mistake #3.
Me: In the States.
U-F&TCTD: (another grin) Ohh...so you want a boyfriend here, then?
Me: No no no no! (pause to think of why) My boyfriend is really the jealous type, you know...
U-F&TCTD: Ahhh, yes. But, you don't want a secret one for just a short amount of time?
Me: (counting the blocks til home) No no no! I'm not here long enough for that and I'm not looking for anything.
U-F&TCTD: Oh ok. So...ummm...what's your name?
Me: Uhh...
(my brain, for some reason, shuts down at this point with the effort of trying to make up this tiny lie)
uhhh...
What did you say?
U-F&TCTD: Your name?
Me: (ready now!) Lucy. It's Lucy. (This is actually the name of my middle-aged program director)
Getting close to home.
U-F&TCTD: Well, Lucy, it's really nice to meet you. You sure you don't want a boyfriend? (another smile in the rearview mirror)
Me: I'm positive. In fact, here's my stop! (I frantically dig out my change)
U-F&TCTD: (He gets desperate) Do those other girls have boyfriends?
Me: (my brain is too tired at this point) You know what?...yeah! They do! (rambling) You know, it's a funny thing, but all of the girls on this trip...hahaha...have long-term boyfriends! Hahahah (why am I laughing? This sounds SO ridiculous!)
Silence. We get to my corner.
U-F&TCTD: HEY! You want to be my new friend? Yeah, want to be my friend?
He continues asking me this as I shove the money in his hand, quickly mutter "Buenas noches" and quickly walk to my gate.
Now, just to clarify, I was nothing more than a tad uncomfortable. We were in a densely-populated area, with many lights, and I could've gotten out in case of an emergency. Yes, I was feeling like that white girl from the MadTV skit "Can I Have Yo Numba?", but I knew he meant no harm. If I had been at a bar or dance club, the same kind of young guy would've asked the same kind of questions. Besides, it was kinda fun making all that stuff up...and telling the story to the group later!
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