So, on this date in 1821, Jose de San Martin, an Argentine general declared this land independent of Spain. So, here I am wearing my red and white ribbon, feeling a bit like a real Peruana, and am disappointed. Today and tomorrow are official holidays here in Peru, so many places are closed. However, we woke up today to realize we missed the fireworks in downtown Lima last night, and that most celebrations today are seemingly families getting drunk together.
My placement was open today. At Wawa Wasi, we embarked on our third day of painting the exterior window frames, doors, and railings green. It seemed like our longest day of work yet, but then about an hour and a half in, we turned on the radio. We found a station that was claiming to be playing all 80's music. This apparently includes "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis and "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, but we were happily singing along (especially to the U2 and David Bowie songs) as we worked. It made our time there pass much more quickly. It also made our work much sloppier. I returned to the house covered in green paint from my hair to my shoes.
We got picked up from our placement early, though, to help another group of volunteers tear down and rebuild a house for an older couple. Apparently, their house was located next to a building site of a business. Well, today the business owner demanded the family's house was on his property and that their house needed to be taken down. A large group from the neighborhood came out and rose in support of the family. So, the house was torn down and moved over a bit to satisfy both parties. The family live in poverty, and the house is virtually all they have. They have very few possessions, and it only took us about 10 minutes to move everything back in. When we left, the house was not completed yet, but they had part of a roof up for the night. The family was so grateful, and it made me so sad for them. I truly felt like I was giving something to someone who needed it so desperately. I loved it, and I hope we get to go back to finish it tomorrow.
We ate a very good lunch of pork ribs, corn, potatoes, and salad. Then, we went to the Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology, and History of Peru. It is the largest collection of native artifacts in the nation. Our guide, Enrique, was very knowledgeable about the native tribes, and I learned so much about pre-Incan history (for example, did you know that Inca is actually what that tribe called their kings, not their tribe?). The museum was full of ceramics, artisan work like metalcraft, and weapons. It was very interesting to see how the artifacts differed from time period to time period based upon both the era and the geographic resources. The colors used on ceramics, for example, were vastly different. Some tribes used only 3 colors, whereas others like the Nazca used 11 colors in their art. The relics have withstood the test of time and are so well-preserved that it really gives you an insight into the historical eras of the owners/makers. The artwork expressed a lot of the people's religious views and gods, especially the sacred animals of snake, puma, and condor. Of course, many of the pieces were utilitarian, and you realized again and again how innovative they truly were even thousands of years ago. For example, we saw skulls that had been recovered from tombs. These skulls show that lobotomies (craniologies) were performed in b.c. times, and they covered the holes with gold plates. In many cases, the skull grew back and the people lived but without their tumor, infection, etc. affecting them any longer. To one indigeneous tribe, seashells were worth more than gold or silver. To yet another, how many heads of your enemies you wore clipped to your belt showed your strength and power. It made me yearn to travel all over Peru to see all the amazing places from which these tribes hail. I definitely cannot wait to see Machu Picchu (which means "old mountain"), especially considering the Spanish never found this site. It took an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham, to discover it in 1911.
So, tonight we are going to travel downtown. There is reportedly some dancing that takes place in the main square for Independence Day. Tomorrow, I am going to work at Martincitos, a center for senior citizens. Then, on Friday I am going to work at Mother Teresa, a home for disabled individuals. Hasta manana!
My placement was open today. At Wawa Wasi, we embarked on our third day of painting the exterior window frames, doors, and railings green. It seemed like our longest day of work yet, but then about an hour and a half in, we turned on the radio. We found a station that was claiming to be playing all 80's music. This apparently includes "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis and "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, but we were happily singing along (especially to the U2 and David Bowie songs) as we worked. It made our time there pass much more quickly. It also made our work much sloppier. I returned to the house covered in green paint from my hair to my shoes.
We got picked up from our placement early, though, to help another group of volunteers tear down and rebuild a house for an older couple. Apparently, their house was located next to a building site of a business. Well, today the business owner demanded the family's house was on his property and that their house needed to be taken down. A large group from the neighborhood came out and rose in support of the family. So, the house was torn down and moved over a bit to satisfy both parties. The family live in poverty, and the house is virtually all they have. They have very few possessions, and it only took us about 10 minutes to move everything back in. When we left, the house was not completed yet, but they had part of a roof up for the night. The family was so grateful, and it made me so sad for them. I truly felt like I was giving something to someone who needed it so desperately. I loved it, and I hope we get to go back to finish it tomorrow.
We ate a very good lunch of pork ribs, corn, potatoes, and salad. Then, we went to the Museum of Anthropology, Archaeology, and History of Peru. It is the largest collection of native artifacts in the nation. Our guide, Enrique, was very knowledgeable about the native tribes, and I learned so much about pre-Incan history (for example, did you know that Inca is actually what that tribe called their kings, not their tribe?). The museum was full of ceramics, artisan work like metalcraft, and weapons. It was very interesting to see how the artifacts differed from time period to time period based upon both the era and the geographic resources. The colors used on ceramics, for example, were vastly different. Some tribes used only 3 colors, whereas others like the Nazca used 11 colors in their art. The relics have withstood the test of time and are so well-preserved that it really gives you an insight into the historical eras of the owners/makers. The artwork expressed a lot of the people's religious views and gods, especially the sacred animals of snake, puma, and condor. Of course, many of the pieces were utilitarian, and you realized again and again how innovative they truly were even thousands of years ago. For example, we saw skulls that had been recovered from tombs. These skulls show that lobotomies (craniologies) were performed in b.c. times, and they covered the holes with gold plates. In many cases, the skull grew back and the people lived but without their tumor, infection, etc. affecting them any longer. To one indigeneous tribe, seashells were worth more than gold or silver. To yet another, how many heads of your enemies you wore clipped to your belt showed your strength and power. It made me yearn to travel all over Peru to see all the amazing places from which these tribes hail. I definitely cannot wait to see Machu Picchu (which means "old mountain"), especially considering the Spanish never found this site. It took an American archaeologist, Hiram Bingham, to discover it in 1911.
So, tonight we are going to travel downtown. There is reportedly some dancing that takes place in the main square for Independence Day. Tomorrow, I am going to work at Martincitos, a center for senior citizens. Then, on Friday I am going to work at Mother Teresa, a home for disabled individuals. Hasta manana!
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