Acostumbrar-ing

In the beginning of any new scenario there is always a “choque,” a crash/collision. When joining a new culture, it takes time to figure out and get used to the ways things work. How the people act and think, and the general ambiance of the community. It’s taken me a good 2-3 months to start feeling comfortable and not as confused here in Nasca. Taking the time to understand the culture was a key step towards me integrating into the community. Here are some of the funnier things I’ve had to get accustomed to...

You know you are starting to get accustomed to life in NASCA Peru when:

-You are asking for another helping of sheep’s stomach
-You can´t smell the scent of burning trash anymore because it's so normal
-Talking about ‘how hot it is’ happens 10 times a day
-You start expecting to be catcalled every 5 minutes (and when it doesn’t happen for a while you wonder what’s wrong!)
-Car horns honking in all different sound styles is your constant background silence
-People peeing/being naked in public doesn’t really phase you anymore
-You know all the regaeton songs by heart (because there’s only a hand-full and they play them everywhere, all time)
-It’s odd to see actual water in the riverbeds
-Dust/dirt everywhere, all the time so sweeping is a daily activity
-What is air conditioner?
-The thought of drinking water out of the tap seems completely surreal
-Speaking in English doesn’t come natural anymore
-Dogs humping in the street is the typical nature scenery
-People showing up an hour late (or not showing at all) to a meeting is to be expected
-Cereal and milk is a delicacy
-You sweat as much from the heat while sleeping at night as you do from exercising
-It is understood that grass is for looking at, not lying/walking on
-You bring your own toilet paper roll everywhere you go
-Every corner you turn, someone knows you and stops to talk
-You understand and even start using some of the slang words and frases
-You realize that there’s more plastic figurines of Mother Mary than there are trees


Well there you are!

I also wanted to say a word about my birthday (feb 26th)... it was awesome!
Six of my volunteer friends came to my site and we went out with some of my Peruvian amigos to go dancing and what not. My favorite music to dance here is called Huayno, so naturally I requested to dance to it all night. =) Here's a pic or two.


Dancing is definitely one of those cross-cultural enjoyments.



But I must say, Peruvians definitely have amazing dance moves...



But Americans DO have S'MORES!!!


**I want to give a huge GRACIAS to all of you who shared your love with my over my birthday. All the calls, letters, packages, emails, are SO appreciated. In a difficult job, your support and love helps so much.**