Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Larry J. Pitman

I just finished listening to a wonderful rendition by Norah Jones of that country classic “Cold, Cold Heart.”As I listened to the song about a cold hearted lover, a parallel thought crept into my mind.  I have often been told here in Peru and other parts of Latin America that gringos are cold. That is the stereotype that we are fixed with.  We are cold hearted and make our decisions based on facts and logic rather than feelings. Also we do things in an unfriendly way.

Living in Peru
Larry J. Pitman

“He who fears something gives it power over him.”
- Moorish Proverb

Our friend from Santiago, Chile, was astonished. He saw me sliding into place the iron gates that cover our French doors at night, giving the light and airy rooms a prison-like aspect. He noted the alarm system with the electrical wires that went around the house. He saw the broken glass sticking up from the top of the high walls around the house. He heard the barking of our two dogs.

Living in Peru
Larry J. Pitman

One day I was walking along the main street of Barranco with a friend who was visiting from Europe. One of the street people, a man who shines shoes, approached us. His name is Ramon, and he asked to shine my shoes as he usually did when I was out walking. I always refused before. But this day, I was busy talking to my friend and, while my attention was diverted, Ramon started polishing my shoes. I decided, against my better judgment, to let him continue. A big mistake!

Living in Peru
Jobana Soto

Peruvians were hit with the sad news last week of the death of international singing legend Yma Sumac, "The Inca Princess” as she was famously known. After battling nearly a year-long illness from colon cancer, Sumac died on November 2 at 11:00 a.m. in her California assisted-living facility. She was 86.

According to her official website, Sumac’s death was peaceful with “those closest to her at her side.” A private funeral will be held at an undisclosed location with plans made to bury her in Hollywood, California where she spent 60 years of her life.

Ryan Brennan

To ride a combi is to come face to face with reality.  You simply cannot avoid it.  When up to 25 people are crammed impossibly into a small van and jolted manically to their dispirate destinations, they each must take part, however briefly, in the lives of the other passengers.

It all starts with the well-honed chant of the combi employee whose job it is to attract the attention of and reel into the vehicle as many travelers as possible and then, most often, a few more.  ¨Javier Prado!  Patricia Banco!  Ovalo Santa Anita!¨ He hangs out of the sliding door as the combi rolls by a corner, and immediately upon stopping at a light, hops out and attempts to herd in stragglers and confused tourists.   ¨Sube, sube, sube!¨ he calls out as he places his arm behind your back so as to guide you safely into his craft.  ¨Vamos!¨ he tells the driver, and slides the door shut as you accellerate away from the curb and into a swaying sea of taxis, cars, combis, and buses.  

Living in Peru
Larry J. Pitman

I love to walk through my neighborhood. But to be honest, it is not always exercise that I am seeking. All that effort, I believe, deserves a reward. Am I right?

Somehow I feel guilty about this activity, though.  You see, I am blessed by a wonderful wife who makes sure that I have wonderful , tasty and nutritious meals. So I should be satisfied.  Even so, I have noticed that my morning walks often head in certain directions. And today I am going to share some (but not all) of my secret destinations with you. Just promise not to tell my wife.

Living in Peru
Jobana Soto

American music transformed through some odd phases – some good, some bad. Many bands peaked but most fell through the cracks of the competitive music industry. In the 80's we witnessed the birth of hip-hop, then the somewhat embarrassing days of glam rock. The 90's brought on the alternative rock movement which quickly crashed through a downward spiral of pop-infused everything – pop rock, pop punk, pop ska...you get the idea. With each phase, only a handful of bands were able to make it through the trenches. Like Russian roulette, every band hoped to be the last man standing. In two weeks from now, you'll get to see one of those rare bands live at the Lima Hot Festival – R.E.M.

Living in Peru
Larry J. Pitman

It’s happening again. A paper that I badly need, that I was just working on, has disappeared. Hours of searching finally turn it up. Then it goes on a neat pile on the desk only to vanish again the next day. What is happening?

In my former life in California, I believed that I was an exceptionally organized person. Really. People who know me in Peru would be surprised with that statement. Nevertheless, before coming here four years ago, I considered myself a high priest of organization.

Larry J. Pitman

The other day I was talking to our veterinarian. She mentioned that her sister is married to an American, and that they had moved to Lima a year ago. She shook her head sadly and said: “I predict that they will soon go back to the U.S. The husband is not going to make it here.”  After hearing this, the first thing I said was, “Is it the language?” She nodded in agreement. Although the husband had started a one month course in Spanish, he soon became frustrated and abandoned his studies.  Now he is isolated and completely dependent on his wife. Every day he is more depressed.