M&M: Presentation, Surfing, Mercado Modelo, Lord of Sipan, and more

May 31, 2013

Another great day!

I spoke with Ramon Zabriskie (ph.D.Recreation Therapy) in the morning to a group of students at a convention center. It was a great experience to speak with Ramon. I love to be around people like him. His was a hard act to follow.

Then we had lunch with all the interns and the leadership of Juan Mejia Baca. While we ate, the high school students performed traditional songs and dances. They were decked out in costumes and all. It was fantastic! David Cornejo said some very nice things at the lunch about the Zabriskie’s, the interns, Justin, and me. I wish I had requested to take a few minutes to tell them how much we appreciate their hospitality and the unique opportunities they are providing for our students. It really is amazing how hard they are working to make sure everyone has a great experience.

Then Cesar took a few of us to the Central Market, and then to another small market where we bought a few souvenirs, and had another crazy jamba juice.

I’m home early tonight (6:00), so I think I’ll give running a try. It’s pretty hard with how crowed and small the streets are so I don’t expect to do too much.

9:45 PM It felt good to get a little bit of a run in, although I couldn’t go fast and I couldn’t go far. Running also helped me orient myself to this confusing city.

Chiclayo is the center of the economy for a lot of Peru. It is where the three regions (Coast, Mountains, & Jungle) meet. On Wednesday we went to a section of the city where there is a huge market selling goods from all 3 regions. It was unlike anything I have ever seen. I’ll include a few pictures.

Yesterday, I saw the world’s largest sombrero, and then went to the beach where a guy took me for a ride on a cabayitto (reed boat), and then I went surfing for the first time in my life. I had a great instructor who taught me well enough that I was able to get up on my first try. It was much more fun than I even imagined.

I’ve been able to skype with the family a two or three times now, which has been really nice. Being away makes me appreciate them more.

Tomorrow we will go to an archeological site called Tucume. Justin is doing three presentations tomorrow to all of the families of the schools. He is doing great work. It is obvious they appreciate him very much.

Here are a few pics. I'm sorry they are out of order. I'll organize them better if I can find time, but it's late, so I'm off to bed.

Net fishing from the dock

Taxi on the dock

A train used to drive to the end of the dock to meet the fishing boats.

Banana pops are so cool. Candy peals away from the banana-flavored cream pop.

Banana pops

With Cesar, mi amigo

Drying fish

They use pumpkin shells for bowls

World's largest sombrero! Here's a short clip of a woman making a sombrero.

Many people still cook their meals like this - fire between the bricks

Eten

Net

Making a sombrero

Road to the boat dock at Eten

Seafood!

Surfing - inside this house where we rented the surf boards was an LDS picture of Christ.

Peru is a great place to learn to surf! I had a great instructor who got me up on the first wave!

Surfing wasn't all. We also go to try the reed boats. At first I sat in the little space in the back (where they put their fish) while a guy paddled like crazy to give me a ride. We tipped over once, but then got pretty good at battling the waves. After getting a feel for it, he let me take the bamboo paddle and row around. I straddled the boat with my legs. I don't know how the fishermen can kneel up like this and not tip over.

Outstanding entertainment!

Dinner and entertainment

I believe this is one of three locations where Justin will be presenting to families tomorrow.

Chiclayo has a group who paints over graffiti and leaves behind a poem.

This shade was just put up, and then it unexpectedly rained all night last night, breaking down the shade, and flooding the school. The rain caused over an hour delay on our presentations as well. The roads were a mess.