I
have mentioned in the past, one of the best things about this mission is the
interaction with the Peruvian people as we travel on public transportation. Each day as when we ride city bus to and from the archives it is a
new cultural experience.
Something always interesting happens and there are always new sights,
new people and new sounds. While I am not required to wear a white shirt and tie on P-Day or any other day, I find it very advantageous and makes me easily recognized to members and others. It seems easy to share the gospel wearing a white shirt, tie, and missionary badge.
This
week I happen to stumble on a You Tube video presentation about Lima titled
“Peru Travel Trends.” The video featured sights, cuisine, and things to do in
Lima, Peru. The national dish of Peru, Ceviche, was also featured. Ceviche is raw fish
marinated in lime juice and sold at every street corner. Watching the video is like watching a virtual
tour of a day in our Lima life. Look at the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gk-6OQQOag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gk-6OQQOag
While
working in East Los Angeles, I acquired a taste for ceviche. Peru prepares the dish somewhat
differently than the Mexican community of East L.A, however; Peruvian ceviche is
very very good. Kris, who first
ran the other way while I ate ceviche, has now even acquired a taste for the
national dish.
But
back to our bus rides. I have mentioned the mechanical condition of buses and the
lack of maintenance. Day
after day empty broken down buses litter the roadside. We have been lucky and only had to walk away from a broken down bus once during the past year.
Yesterday as we pulled to a stop our bus coughed, chocked and died. I looked at Kris who had her head propped on the bus window fast asleep. I watched the driver climb out of the bus, look under the front end and give his helper a look that said we are not going anywhere. By this time most of the passengers were out the door looking for another ride. I looked at Kris, who was still fast asleep, and gently tapped her shoulder. She half opened her eyes and I said, “We need to get off.” Thinking she had realized our predicament, we stepped off the bus and started walking. She looked at me and said, “Are we going shopping?” I realized she was still half asleep and said, “No the bus broke down.” Her response, “What Bus?”
Yesterday as we pulled to a stop our bus coughed, chocked and died. I looked at Kris who had her head propped on the bus window fast asleep. I watched the driver climb out of the bus, look under the front end and give his helper a look that said we are not going anywhere. By this time most of the passengers were out the door looking for another ride. I looked at Kris, who was still fast asleep, and gently tapped her shoulder. She half opened her eyes and I said, “We need to get off.” Thinking she had realized our predicament, we stepped off the bus and started walking. She looked at me and said, “Are we going shopping?” I realized she was still half asleep and said, “No the bus broke down.” Her response, “What Bus?”
Most
Peruvians who ride the bus with us each early morning are going to work
also. So, it is easy to strike up a conversation. Tomorrow, Dec 2, we have a lunch date with a man who I met
on the bus. We had been on the
same bus on Monday when we set up Saturday, but had not confirmed at time. Thursday we again were on the same bus
and his comment was, “God must have a hand in this.” I must agree. Things just seem to work out. And they did.
At 5:00 we met Sandor, his wife (Patricia) and son. I had not made it clear with my Spanish exactly where we would meet. He was on one busy street corner and we were across the street waiting on another people packed corner. About five minutes after five Sandor's wife ask if he had my cell phone number. He did not, but I had his and at that second his phone rang. We talked, but it was still not clear where each of us were waiting. I am considered tall by Peruvian people and stand out with a white shirt and my thinning light gray heard of hair. Patricia spotted me from across the street and we went to dinner. They are a very nice family and it is interesting how we have been drawn together.
This thick succulent flower in Central Lima grows on trees or very is a large shrub.
Every Lim Plaza is full of flowers, fountains, and well manicured lawns.
At 5:00 we met Sandor, his wife (Patricia) and son. I had not made it clear with my Spanish exactly where we would meet. He was on one busy street corner and we were across the street waiting on another people packed corner. About five minutes after five Sandor's wife ask if he had my cell phone number. He did not, but I had his and at that second his phone rang. We talked, but it was still not clear where each of us were waiting. I am considered tall by Peruvian people and stand out with a white shirt and my thinning light gray heard of hair. Patricia spotted me from across the street and we went to dinner. They are a very nice family and it is interesting how we have been drawn together.
These three young girls, a church member on the right, stopped us in Miraflores just to talk.
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