I am Back!

February 6th, 2008

Let’s just say we are getting the entire South American experience.  Like, they say we will be there on Friday at 2:00 to hook up Internet access and they really arrive Tuesday at 4:00.   Not much moves fast here, so I am enjoying the entire process.  I feel like this whole trip has been such a gift I don’t want to waste any of it.  I want to enjoy all of it.  So, no Internet, no biggie. 

Our flight went really smoothly.  Thanks to all those who were praying, we felt it every minute.  I was very proud of how well the kids did.  Today will be our first time with the entire “community” down here kids included, so we are all excited about that.  The kids are even picking up some Spanish.  I will post some pics later today  but for now I thought I leave you a little top ten list.

Top Ten Things to Know While Traveling to Peru:

1. LAN is about the best airline!  Whenever flying to South America, try using them. 

2. Traveling with young children in South America is a plus.  Everyone treats you like royalty.  Every where we went, in the airport, they just waved us through. No lines, no waiting. They even let us board the plan first, right after the elderly. Instead of getting dirty looks for having children who act like “children” like we do in South Florida, we got smiles and sweet gestures.

3. Boil all your water. You don’t waste water here, it is too much work to get. 

4. It is as light as noon at 5am so we are starting our days early.

5. Everyone walks here, or take taxis. 

6. Anything imported is very expensive. Like a bag of chocolate chips is $10 US.  Other things that are “spendy” in the states are dirt cheap here.  Like avacados and whole fresh pineapples are under $1 US.

7. All clothes are hung out to dry.  I like this, however, we are in the rainy season.  It rains about 5x a year here and yesterday was one of them.  I am not sure if I need to rewash the clothes on the line?  It was a light misting rain.  Very different from South Florida rain.

8. Everything here can be “delivered” like water, groceries, food.  Really anything, just add the cost of the taxi trip which is usually about $1 US.

9. Solar heated water means hot water is also a luxury and baths are not typical here.  I never realized how hard it is to get three little kids clean in a shower instead of a bath. At home I used the soak and wash method, here I have to scrub.  I think their feet will be continually dirty here as it is very dusty.

10.  Children our kids age, beg on the streets as normal practice.  They will do a trick, try to sell some gum or wash a car with a dirty rag to make a little money for their family.  Jackson equated this to his lemonade stand.  Well, kind of but not really.  They need it to live and his lemonade stand is just for fun.  Big difference.

So those are a few little glimpses into life here.  We wish you could be here.

Blessings from South America!

Entry Filed under: International Travel, Family