As the 24th, Christmas, came and went, I didn't feel like it was Christmas - only in bits and pieces.
Here's a moment I felt the "Christmas spirit":
I decided to go for a walk in the hills around my community, just to get some fresh air. I knew I had to stop sulking and get my act together - my life is good, it's just tough at times. I definitely struggled thinking of my family together and how much I cherish those days. Bad thoughts didn't really cross my mind but I sat with my mom and she said I was "super tranquila" that day. Very chill...too chill, haha. I was being quite, just playing and not fully interacting...when you feel like you're watching your life as a movie and you don't know how to jump in it and take control again. Anyways to get my act together, I like to go outside.
As I walked to this one desolate part of the community, there's a house I had never seen. An old man was swaying happily on his hammock and he invited me to sit with him. He introduced me to his wife, his wife's sisters, daughter and granddaughter, Suzy. They brought me cerujuela's (from the grape family, I don't think I spelled it right and I don't know how to say them in English...I don't know if they exist in the states) and of course, I was given mangoes. He showed me his chacra - ranch - of mango trees, donkey's and goats. He told me about how he's been working with the municipality to get water to reach his area of land so he can have more business. He's been waiting for two years. We talked about what he would do with his family for Christmas. There were no presents, no fancy lights or Christmas trees to be seen. He said they'd be "together." Simple as that. That's the tradition in Peru. I decided to get going on my walk, said goodbye to everyone and thank you for feeding me. I walked off with this bag of fruit and I heard a little girl say, "espera!" Turned around and his granddaughter, Suzy, was after me. She asked if I could come and of course I said let's go.
We walked and talked - conversation came so easy. Suzy's 8 years old. She's very smart. There was no rush or pressure to be anywhere - we were just walking without a destination, wherever the wind takes us - my favorite kind of walks. I loved her company. She told me all about the plants and animals we passed. She told me her favorite subject was religion, because she "gets to think." I found this mind blowing because a lot of kids don't even know what "critical thinking" is. The way classes are conducted in these small rural schools (where teachers aren't paid well, sometimes not the most qualified people) is the teacher writes on the board from a book and the students copy and memorize. There is no stimulation, no discussion. To really learn, you must think things through inside and out. She then told me she wants to be a doctor, she "can't wait to give shots!" ha! Cutie! I told her I wanted to be a doctor too and we bonded over not being disgusted by blood and guts.
She then, out of the blue, says, "How I wish I had a sister like you Gioconda." I crouched down and gave her a big hug and said, "I am your sister." Suzy, welcome to the family! Ha! She lives pretty far and only comes for special occasions, since Peruvians don't travel much - it's expensive, so she said to look for her on Mother's Day. You bet your top dollar I'll be looking, sista Suzy! My new little sister smiled the whole way home and when I walked her home, she told her mom she has a new daughter. The family grows even more. Look what love does. :-)
I love finding family members in people I've just met. Gotta open your heart and let people in. This is when I felt Christmas, letting all that goodness in and realizing the opportunities I have here in Peru.
Here's a moment I felt the "Christmas spirit":
I decided to go for a walk in the hills around my community, just to get some fresh air. I knew I had to stop sulking and get my act together - my life is good, it's just tough at times. I definitely struggled thinking of my family together and how much I cherish those days. Bad thoughts didn't really cross my mind but I sat with my mom and she said I was "super tranquila" that day. Very chill...too chill, haha. I was being quite, just playing and not fully interacting...when you feel like you're watching your life as a movie and you don't know how to jump in it and take control again. Anyways to get my act together, I like to go outside.
As I walked to this one desolate part of the community, there's a house I had never seen. An old man was swaying happily on his hammock and he invited me to sit with him. He introduced me to his wife, his wife's sisters, daughter and granddaughter, Suzy. They brought me cerujuela's (from the grape family, I don't think I spelled it right and I don't know how to say them in English...I don't know if they exist in the states) and of course, I was given mangoes. He showed me his chacra - ranch - of mango trees, donkey's and goats. He told me about how he's been working with the municipality to get water to reach his area of land so he can have more business. He's been waiting for two years. We talked about what he would do with his family for Christmas. There were no presents, no fancy lights or Christmas trees to be seen. He said they'd be "together." Simple as that. That's the tradition in Peru. I decided to get going on my walk, said goodbye to everyone and thank you for feeding me. I walked off with this bag of fruit and I heard a little girl say, "espera!" Turned around and his granddaughter, Suzy, was after me. She asked if I could come and of course I said let's go.
We walked and talked - conversation came so easy. Suzy's 8 years old. She's very smart. There was no rush or pressure to be anywhere - we were just walking without a destination, wherever the wind takes us - my favorite kind of walks. I loved her company. She told me all about the plants and animals we passed. She told me her favorite subject was religion, because she "gets to think." I found this mind blowing because a lot of kids don't even know what "critical thinking" is. The way classes are conducted in these small rural schools (where teachers aren't paid well, sometimes not the most qualified people) is the teacher writes on the board from a book and the students copy and memorize. There is no stimulation, no discussion. To really learn, you must think things through inside and out. She then told me she wants to be a doctor, she "can't wait to give shots!" ha! Cutie! I told her I wanted to be a doctor too and we bonded over not being disgusted by blood and guts.
She then, out of the blue, says, "How I wish I had a sister like you Gioconda." I crouched down and gave her a big hug and said, "I am your sister." Suzy, welcome to the family! Ha! She lives pretty far and only comes for special occasions, since Peruvians don't travel much - it's expensive, so she said to look for her on Mother's Day. You bet your top dollar I'll be looking, sista Suzy! My new little sister smiled the whole way home and when I walked her home, she told her mom she has a new daughter. The family grows even more. Look what love does. :-)
I love finding family members in people I've just met. Gotta open your heart and let people in. This is when I felt Christmas, letting all that goodness in and realizing the opportunities I have here in Peru.
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