Today, it is Tuesday, the 10th of March and I left Germany exactly four weeks ago (does not seem that long ago though). So I guess it is time to post some nice stories again. Actually I should work and type in the answers from my weekend-interviews, but I think posting is more important right now.
First of all, life in Huánuco is not that exciting. I still spend a lot of time in the office, although I often do not know what to do here. Anyways, last weekend I went to visit my peasants in the countryside which was an amazing experience (see photos at the end of the blog). People in the city are a bit strange and not really open but the people in the mountains are amazing, open, kind and curious. They share everything they have (which is not that much) and treat you like a family member (although I did not have to work, like the others... ;-). I actually started my interviews, which was quite a step, but often I do not get the sensitive data or people refuse to talk to me... I do not want to bore you with the details of the research but rather tell you something about life here. Well, the Andes are amazing, the landscape is incredible and the mountains really fascinate me (although I always thought I was a beach/coast person). On Monday morning I climbed up a 'small' hill to visit one farmer on his field that was half an hour away from his house. I helped his wife carrying the lunch and was negatively surprised how much out of shape I actually am (really need to start running tomorrow, but you know me, I'm lazy and I hate running). But I have an excuse: it's also the altitude. Huánuco is situated on about 2000 metres above sea level, and the hill I climbed was on 2800 (remember thats almost like Germany's highest mountain: Zugspitze: 2962m) and you know that the air is thinner on these altitudes. Well, the view was amazing (see photos) and the climbing defintely worth it. In the end I did not take the interview, but had a really nice chat with the farmer.
On Sunday evening ( I had spent the day with two different farmer families), I went to an evangelic church (luckily I am protestant so that was fine) to attend the service in the next-door building (just another dark building with a few benches and a small altar). The father of one of my interviewees is a part-time pastor, and it was only his family, two boys and me attending the service. It was quite a nice service, although the guy is not the best preacher which could have to do with his readings skills (unfortunately there is still a lot illiteracy in Peru). But the service was really interactive and the songs are great. And the best part: the pastor mentioned me about three times in 20 minutes: first he mentioned that god loves all people (also the gringos!) and that we are all the same in front of Him, then welcomed la gringa (me) officially in the community, then wished me good luk with my work and that god should bless me and take care of me. I think I could not get any better support for my research than this.
To come back to another important topic: I promised you to keep you updated on the food issue. Here my small weekend diet in the communities.
Satuday night: pasta with potato, desert: delicious rice with milk and sugar (note: 3 times carbohydrate)
Sunday morning: potato soup and bread, maize
Sunday lunch: rice, tuna from the can with onions (called a salad) and potatos
Sunday evening: potato soup with great bread, Maize
Monday morning,: Potato soup with pasta, really nice baked bananas and roasted maize
I dont think that I could live from that, but I'm sure that too many carbohydrates are not healthy. well in between I had some nice granadillas (like passion fruit) and peaches... Yes, I have a fruit addiction. I do not know if I told you already, but since I have no kitchen I'm pretty much dependent on what the local restaurants offer and that is nothing special (rice with chicken, rice with meat, pasta and potatos). I gues I'm turning vegetarian again and I actually found some nice vegetarian places... To not loose weight (although that would be nice) I indulge my passion on chocolate cookies and banana chips. And every day one orange juice keeps my vitamin C level up!
Next topic: social life. Last week I met Jesus at a forum about Andean alimentation (really interesting and nice food). This is a nice story. Hes a cool guy, long brown hair, green eyes, aged 29, wandering around Peru for some reasons I did not get, not too handsome, but open and interesting. He does not look Peruvian (althoug he has quite a tan), but told me he is. His grandparents were German and Spanish, apparently. I always knew that Jesus was not that blank and that he's not from Nazareth. And I kind of suspected that he also has some German blood. We went for a drink (yeah Jesus does drink alcohol)and talked a bit. He told me that last year, he was asked to be Jesus' voice on earth and that he was honoured to play it... I thought: let the guy talk, if he thinks he's Jesus or his voice, that's ok... But then I got it right: his real name is David and hes only playing the Jesus in the play they organise here for the Easter processions, but still I think he's a nice person and maybe I will ask him to give me his blessings for the research (not that I already have enough!)
So far so good. I will keep you updated on my encounters with any more prophets or saints.. Enjoy the photos and take care!
Life's awesome ;-)
Lena
1. Jesus, a nice original Peruvian (he is professor) and another girl I met at the forum.
2. On the way from Huánuco to Yanayacu: in(famous) public-private transport
3. The river in the Yanayacu valley
4. Sunrise
5. Me and a really friendly sheep
6. My interviewees
7. Wonderful mountains
8. Catlick on the way to the next farmer
9. Carrying the lunch
10. Mountain view
11. Happy me, finally arrived at the chacra
12. More mountains
13. Tired, waiting for a car to take me to Huánuco
(Note: the photos are upside down, start watching at the end...sorry. Still do not know how to organize this blog. maybe someone can tell me how that works?)
