Corpus Cristi

Happy Corpus Cristi!  Corpus Cristi is a great celebration that happens here in Cusco, Peru every May.  Just so you know- side note- May and June are supposably the best months to be in Cuzco because May is Corpus Cristi and June is Inca celebration month.  So, I could not have picked a better time to be here.

They told us Corpus Cristi would be crazy - but really we had no idea how many people could fit in the little plaza de armas (center of town).  Here are the series of events: 1. Everyone goes down to the center of town for Mass.  It is outside and there is a beautiful boys choir, incense burning, and lots of prayers said by the Catholic leadership in Cusco.  (this all takes place in front of the Cathedral in Cusco.  2. Everyone eats Churiuchi (this is the typical meal for the day including: guinea pig, turkey, sausage, corn bread,quinoa, seaweed, and beer) 3. Parade of Saints through the square.  

Here are some pictures.  Check it out!

Before the parade in front of the cathedral in the main square.

The traditional food Churiuchi.  Including turkey, guinea pig, sausage, fish eggs and more!

One of the saints.

Note the young men carrying the saint.  It weighs a lot!

My view from Starbucks. 

I also ot my favorite Peruvian cookie!

Our Dog, Kronk

I know what you are thinking...enough with the Emperor's New Grove references.  I'm sorry, they just keep coming and I don't think they are going to stop.   So... sorry, not sorry.  Anyways, you must know about a very important figure in our life here in Cuzco.  Her name is Kronk (yes she is a girl). She is a puppy that belongs to the family that lives upstairs.  She is probably less than a year old and is, I have to admit, really cute.  One thing you need to know about Peruvian dogs- if they live outside they roll and play in the dirt, trash, yucky sewer water, etc.  To get straight to the point- don't touch any dog you see in Peru. Period.  

Well, puppies don't really know not to jump on you and here they don't listen to english commands.  We met our puppy (we call her ours because she might as well be) the first day we got here.  From the first day she made friends with us and decided to be our loyal friend.  We decided to call her Kronk #1 because we didn't realize she was a girl at first, #2 because she is extremely loyal, #3 she is happy all the time, #3 she is kind of dumb (like she falls of the curb while walking because she is looking at us with her goofy grin).  Well, recently our landlord has asked us to please not let the dog in.  They are training her to live outside.  This means that instead of the puppy going inside whenever we go in our out, she decides to follow us.  We don't really know what to do because it's not like we have a leash or anything.  She just follows us.  Across really busy roads, down any alley way, into stores, into bakery's and yesterday she followed us all the way to work.  Our walk to work is about 1.5 miles long.  Normally she gets distracted or tired and decides to turn around and go home while she is following us.  However, this was not the case yesterday.  She followed us all the way to the clinic and waited outside the front door crying from 9:00-11:00 am.  Then we decided that we would take her home and hope she wouldn't follow us again.  We have now become great escape artists- we have come to find that if we go up the street and around the corner she won't follow us (for now).  Until we find out what command means "stop following us you stupid dog" I think our loyal friend will follow us anywhere.  Maybe that's ok- she can protect us from other dogs and bad guys.  Here are some pictures of her for your viewing pleasure.  I present.... drum roll please... our dog.... KRONK!

This is Kronk and I in front of my work- she looks pretty hapy to be there, right?

Happy Birthday to Me!

The only thing that comes into my head right now is the scene from The Emperor's New Groove where they pretend it is Ezma's birthday to escape and get out of the restaurant.  If you don't remember- you seriously need to brush up on your ENG trivia.  Honestly, the birthday song from that scene is epic.

Well, unlike Ezma I did not spend my birthday in some random restaurant in the middle of the jungle. BUT I did celebrate my birthday on top of a mountain!  Impressive, right?  It was great and I'll tell you a few of our adventures getting to the top.

It starts with the night before, Saturday May 25, 2013.  Stephanie had the great idea of going out for a great birthday dinner and of course I could not say no.  We went to get the best american food in Cuzco, at a restaurant called Jacks.  I got the biggest hamburger I think I have ever eaten in my entire life.  We also ate chocolate cake, ice cream and bon bons!  Cameron, Stephanie, and our new friend Maria Jose from Arrequipa joined me in celebrating.  After stuffing our faces with awesome american food we decided to walk around Cuzco. I wanted to look at some art and price out a few things to bring back to the states.  We found some really cute stores including one that had these really cute sheep stuffed animals with their tongues sticking out- so naturally I had to take a picture with me sticking out my tongue too.  Obviously I am so much more mature now that I am 24.  Then we decided to find the 12 sided inca stone in downtown Cuzco.  We took a picture and I got in trouble for touching the stone.  Then we went around in search for a cake. The plan was to find a chocolate cake to take to the top of a mountain (really any mountain) in Cuzco and eat it there on my birthday.  Stephanie and I came up with that idea on our own.  We are pretty creative.  We found this really cute birthday cake for only 15 soles downtown and it looked really good and everything else they sold at the bakery was really yummy so we bought it.  Scratch that- Stephanie bought it for me. Thanks Stephanie!!  We got home early, and slept in on Sunday Morning (May 26, 2013- my birthday).

Sunday was great, we went to church in Cuzco with all of our peruvian brothers and sisters.  Then we came home and had semi-decent peanut butter sandwiches.  As I sat contemplating my peanut butter feast I had no idea how awesome the rest of the day would turn out.  (By the way, Peanut Butter in South America just does not compare to PB in the states).  We had planned on Cameron picking us up from our apartment after a 1-2 hour nap.  When he came he brought a friend- Eelko from Holland!  He is the first friend we met that day.  Eelko is in med school in Holland and came to spend some time in Cuzco to get better at speaking spanish and to get a well rounded education.  He is 22 and is really a funny guy who speaks really great english.  We decided to hike up Saqsaywaman (which is pronounced Sexy Woman- quite appropriate, right? I thought so).  At the top of Saqsaywaman is Cristo Blanco which is a huge white statue of Christ stretching his arms out.  It is beautiful, the view of Cuzco from the top is incredible.  Eelko took us on the "off road" track up the mountain which went through crazy bushes and steep climbs.  It was challenging and fun. We each took turns holding the cake, and somehow Eelko ended up with the cake at the end of the hike- poor guy, he had no idea what he was getting into.  On the way up we ran into 4 American students. They are all studying something to do with medicine, one is studying pharmacy, nursing, etc.  They asked us how to get up to the top.  We showed them where the easy way up was and raced them to the top.  Thanks to Eelko's navigating skills we beat them to the top.  At the top we found a green patch and opened the cake and took out a few plastic spoons and decided to go at it.  There are some awesome pictures on facebook you should check out that witness our feast.  Then, when the other 4 american's got to the top we invited them to eat cake with us and they joined us.  They had just gotten to Cuzco so we had a fun time telling them about what we had been doing there and the fun and not so fun things we had experienced while in Cuzco.  We got their names and are all friends on facebook now- we are going to see them tomorrow for the city festival Corpus Cristo.  They all sang happy birthday to me, ate lots of cake and we all had a great time.  The cake was great- however it was not chocolate... haha, I knew that there would be a 50-50 chance of the cake actually being chocolate.  Doesn't matter, it was still awesome.  On the way down the hill we ran into a woman selling choclo con queso.  It was only 2.5 soles and so I bought one for dinner.  It is just huge corn on the cob and a slice of cheese- but it is heavenly!  I love it and it was the best birthday dinner ever.  

When I got home I got to skype good friends and family.  It was a great way to end a perfect birthday.  As I spend my second birthday in Peru I get to reflect on all the series of events in my life that have lead to this point.  It has been a windy crazy road with lots of wonderful and testing life challenges. This past year alone has been one of great growth and change.  I have made so many friends that have changed my life.  I love the Cristo Blanco at the top of the mountain and realize that as I continue to hike towards Christ, figuratively, everything will be so wonderful.  He is my rock and has blessed me immensely.  I have had a great 24 years and I look forward to another great year full of experiences and friendships.  I am so thankful for my awesome family and friends.  I am grateful to my new friends in Peru who made my birthday so memorable.  Here's to being 24 and awesome!

Peace Out.- Allie

Stephanie and I on the way up with the cake!

When we got to the top of the mountain.  We were proud!

Eating cake never tasted so good!

Eelko especially liked the cake.

Our new American friends!!!

My feast of choclo on queso:)

I like this picture because Christ is behind me with His arms stretched out, like always.  With hope always shining brightly.

Getting steps, overcoming barriers, and sharing smiles.

This is officially the end of week 2 in my internship, week 3 in Peru.  Time is flying- for the most part.  I am so grateful for experiences I am having and for all of the growing I am doing.  God is great- and he always takes care of me and has held me close this week as I have been learning a lot and have been exhausted, sweaty, and sometimes even grumpy.  However, I am so happy here- life is great and blessings are flowing.

So, I have kind of explained what I am doing here in Peru.  One of my projects includes going and visiting schools and presenting results of a risk behavior and technology survey that was taken in September/October of 2013.  The other part is opening an obesity clinic in Cusco.  In this post I am going to expand on our progress in these two projects, share a few funny stories, trials/experiences, and blessings along the way.

So first, schools.  Stephanie Hedges is here working with me on schools and visiting them, presenting the data and presenting recommendations about how to improve health results in their schools through simple things they can apply in their classrooms now.  The point was to give them ideas of things they can do that are theory and research based (meaning- they work) and that would be logistically and financially possible (aka- doesn't require extra dinero- that means money in spanish).  The week before this past week we were dropping off results and creating return appointments.  This turns out to be very similar to missionary work that I did before coming to Cuzco.  Everyone wants us to return, but when we do they are busy and want us to come by another day. Also, addresses in Peru are a challenge some time.  A big shout out to Stephanie- we walked high and far to find a few schools (especially Khippu- oh sorry, I mean Khipu... I mean the three different Khippu's that exist in Cusco).  And it always happens to rain (I mean pouring rain) every time Stephanie and I go out to find these schools.  But we did it!  And we have found every one of the 8 schools we are responsible for.  Most schools are very receptive to our presentation and are normally interested in english classes.  After explaining our purpose- which is to improve the health and decrease risky behavior they realize the reason why we are there. This has been productive in a few of the schools. We have had a few very productive meetings with Principals.  One was extremely warm and open. He talked to us about a lot of problems they are having.  First, he finds that many of his students have pornography issues. That is something they are working on improving.  He also talked to us about how he goes and finds kids at bars and in their home drinking and helps them stop those habits.  He also talked about eating behaviors and how many kids are deprived of adequate nutrition. As more mothers are working outside of the home in Peru, the kids are less likely to have a home made meal for lunch and more often than not buying fast food, cookies, soda, etc. which is leading to the growing problem of childhood obesity in Peru.  It was a great conversation and we were able to give him some good tools. This next week we have about 3 appointments with schools to present to principals, teachers, and we have even been recruited to participate in a school anniversary activity where our friend Cameron will be presenting a hip-hop performance.  It will be awesome and we are excited!

As far as the obesity clinic is concerned it has been all over the place this week.  Sometimes Peruvian time varies.  Either it is strictly punctual or it is 30-40 minutes after when it is scheduled.  This can be frustrating sometimes, but we are getting better at running with it.  The doctor we are working with at the clinic is very smart and extremely motivated for us to be successful.  I learned this week that recently there was a law pased in Peru about alimentation and marketing unhealthy food as it relates to children.  Obesity and malnutritionis a hot topic in Peru right now and an obesity clinic will bring a lot of good press to the clinic.  This week a survey was prepared, revised and printed.  We recruited 10 volunteers from the clinic to participate and help us take the surveys today (Saturday 5.25).  Friday we had a small training and only 2 of the volunteers showed up!  Eek!  But luckily, this morning more than expected came- 11 volunteers came and we were blessed to have them.  First we went to a market in Cusco that is in the more impoverished part of town.  It was a cool market with lots of fruits and vegetables and yummy food.  They were having a big fair there today so we got a lot of traffic.  This was great!  Our volunteers were great and worked hard.  Part of the survey was taking the weight and height and then calculating the BMI.  It was the return for people who were taking the survey.  We would then inform them of their BMI category and ask them a few question about possibly participating in an obesity clinic.  After working at this market for 2 hours we went to a nicer part of town called Plaza Tupac Amaru where they sell lots of toys, pottery and jewlery.  Families were there with their kids and again people were very interested once they found out what we were doing was free.  To my suprise the majority of people I surveyed were indeed overweight.  And I was asking lots of peole.  This week I spent time reading research about the status of Peruvians in the obesity pandemic- and it is true, the obese and  overweight population in Peru is increasing and needs to be addressed.  Now, this is just me on my soap box for a second- but I think that as American's we have a skewed sense of what obesity means.  When we think of obesity we think of individuals who are MORBIDLY obese- aka people who can't stand up or who have a difficult time participating in daily activiyt due to their obesity. But remember- that is not the definition of obesity.  There are many obese people who are completley funcitonal and healthy.  I think the majority of the Peruvians are in that group- however I do know that obesity can lead to health problems and lifestyle changes.  And, unlike American's, Peruvians don't see it as a problem or even something that exists.(ok- off my soap box).  Today proved to be a great opportunity to identify exercising and eating well as ways to prevent/ help overcoming obesity.  Also, it gave people to just see where they are and invite them to become informed about their health.  We will be taking surveys for the next few weeks.  I'll tell you how it goes!

So, when I'm not hunting through Cuzco searching for schools or taking the BMI of random strangers, what am I doing to you ask?  Well, this happens to be one of my favorite things.  Clinica San Juan de Dios is well known for taking in children with special needs whose parents can not afford care or education for their children.  In the clinic there are about 25 kids who have disibilities ranging from downs syndrome to only physical impairment due to accident or physical disabilities present since birth.  We try to visit them every day- especially during lunch.  Most of the kids can't eat lunch on their own and need help.  They are understaffed and can always use extra volunteers.  This kids are beautiful and are normally in need of love and affection.  I love sitting with them, talking with them about their day and giving them hugs and kisses.  I am working on my hand-eye coordination skills so that I can become better at feeding those who need help.  They brighten my day and I am excited to work with them.  Most of them have parent's who live far away.  One little boy named Angelito has no arms or legs.  He is completely there mentally.  This week his parents came to visit.  You should have seen the smile on his face.  He was beaming and laughing and shouting to everyone to see how proud he was to have his parents there.  He is only 3 or 4 years old.  But he has a great attitude about life and makes me smile.

This week we also got to go to institute, or bible study, at the church near by.  It was fun to meet young single adults in Cuzco and be inspired by their faith.  They are strong and valiant.  Our teacher was funny.  He was probably in his 60's or 70's and kept cracking corny jokes.  He also was not afraid to share all of his opinions about what we discussed.  We were in Luke 12 and 13 amd talked about being disciples of Christ.  It was a good reminder to be a disciple and follow Christ.  Also to remember that in everything we do we represent Christ and should do all we can to be obedient and show His love for others by the way we treat Gods children.  An hour into the lesson the teacher came to me and showed me his clock.  It was 8:30 and he said "it is late, right?  Don't you guys need to go?".  I figured he knew better what time gringo tourists should be out walking home than I did.  So we left, and I think that was the first time I have ever gotten kicked out of institute, haha.

Tonight was a great night, we went out for an early birthday dinner.  I am going to wait to write about that later because I have a few more things I will like to post... And this blog is getting to long anyways.  Until then, hasta luego!  

I'm officially an intern! Love my team, love my life!

Sometimes I forget that I'm an intern! This is really happening- I am actually putting my skills/knowledge/experience to test.  And the good news is that .... drum roll please.... I really like it!  That doesn't seem like a big deal, but to me it really is.  I am excited that I get excited to do the work that I am doing.  It is something new every day and it is a lot of hands on work.  

For the first week here in Cuzco I am with three professors I have worked with and four students. Three masters students and one other bachelors student.  I am working in two different projects while I am here. One of my projects includes public health initiatives in a well known worldwide clinic called San Juan De Dios. This is a hospital/clinic that is known for taking care of disadvantaged children and mentally and physically handicapped children.  It is a great clinic and the people who work there are fantastic.  The other project I will be working on will include a group of high schools in Cuzco.  A while ago BYU administered surveys regarding use of technology and health behaviors at 8 schools in Cuzco.  We are now presenting the results and offering our services as public health professionals and health educators to train staff on how to incorporate preventative health strategies in the classroom.  In my free time this summer I plan on volunteering with the children at the clinic.  

We went to 4 different schools today.  My professors were convinced that no one would be very interested in talking to us.  However, it looks like all of the schools are interested in us returning and presenting our services.  It will be me and another student who will be returning.  We will really have to be on top of our game!  They received us well and one skill wants us to participate in their anniversary activity!  This may or may not include a cover of John Trevolta or Justin Beaver... tbd... Either way it will be a great celebration to be at because there will be typical dances, music, and a ton of really cute little peruvian kids!  The school has two group of students, elementary and high school.  The 5th graders will be presenting a big number because they are graduating to secondary school.  Today's work felt a lot like missionary work.  We knocked on the door in the rain hoping people would let us in.  Then we presented a message and asked for a follow up appointment. Then we left them with a commitment, to read the results from the survey we took.  It was great fun to remember my mission and to be here as a returned missionary.  I love being able to tell people that I lived in their country for a year and a half.  It gives me almost instant credibility and is helpful in understanding the culture and customs.

Some fun things we have done: 

1. We hiked a big ol' hill in Cuzco (remember we are WAY up here in elevation).  I definitely got into the mountain biking/ off trail hiking/ step counting group.  It is awesome!  I am definitely being pushed both mentally and physically.  All of my professors are very in shape and were ahead of all of the students on the hike.  It was a great trial to get to the top of the hill but once we did it was really fantastic.  We then hiked down (which was about as difficult as hiking up).  Then at the bottom of the hill we ran into a bunch of kids who invited us to play soccer.  So we did!  Then we played soccer for about 45 minutes.  It was pretty dark so it was hard to see, but I actually played a pretty mean goalie!  I didn't let one goal in ;)  Shout out to Mom and Dad who made me play little league soccer.

2. We ate AWESOME sandwiches at Jack's restaurant in the center of Cuzco.  Maybe it wasn't very authentic BUT it was great.  I had a grilled cheese with pesto and tomatoes.  It was SO good! 

3. We live across the street from the cutest little peruvian bakery.  It is owned by a man named Cesar and his wife.  They love us and know us by name.  Every morning we have been going there for breakfast because they have really good cheese and other kinds of empanadas.  

4. Ok... I realize all the cool things we have done are about food- but food is on my top 5 things most important in my life so... But we ate at this really good pizza place called La Bodega.  It is really funky and has a lot of fun modern art in it.  We had this leon pizza (that means lion pizza in spanish).  It was AMAZING!

5. Every day I hike up the RB stairs x 5.  Our professors are living up this really steep hill and it is killer.  I think if I keep going at this rate I am going to have the best cut calves ever!

6. This is premature, but tomorrow I am going to Macchu Picchu again!  It's going to be the second time in less than a week.  I am very excited because we are going to hike Huanupichu and we will be staying the night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes.  It's going to be great!  I will blog about it next week.  Until then, Buenas Noches!

Week 1- visiting my mission

I am now in Cuzco!  If I didn't already love Peru before, I am now falling head over heels... Cuzco is a beautiful city and I am excited to post more blogs about this beautiful city. I am so blessed!  Really, I love Peruvians and am extremely grateful that God has given me the opportunity to reunite with this great people.

So week one was great!  Monday night I arrived in Lima where my parents were waiting for me in Miraflores.  Miraflores is a beautiful part of Lima that is right along the coast.  I have never seen such a beautiful part of Lima ever before.  We stayed right next to Parque de Amor.  That means park of lovers.  Near where we were staying was a mall, cute shops, and tennis courts.  We probably could have stayed a week in Lima.  Tuesday we went downtown to see the government palaces.  In downtown Lima lives the President of Peru.  There is a lot of history there because that is where the conquistador's set up camp.  We enjoyed eating pollo a la brasa, lomo saltado and drinking Inca Cola (ok, my parents didn't like Inka Cola- but I loved it!).  That afternoon we went to the airport to Pucallpa. You have to know how much I love Pucallpa- I don't think I love a group of people more than I love my fellow Pucallpians.  As a missionary I lived there and served with the people there for 1 year.  Normally as a missionary you don't get to spend that long in a city.  When we landed in Pucallpa and got off the plane I could feel that wonderful humidity. It had just rained and it smelled great.  You know how you remember scents?  Well, Pucallpa is like that for me.  We got in a car the hotel sent to pick us up and it was like walking into a dream.  Pucallpa looks exactly like I left it.  

Our hotel was awesome- it is called Ucayali River Hotel.  I recommend it for anyone who will be visiting Pucallpa.  It is really nice, great service, and the prettiest building I have seen in my entire time in Pucallpa.  It was funny staying at such a nice hotel after living in places with bug nets, no air conditioning and cold showers.  That first night there we ate fried yuka and yummy yuka stuffed with cheese and ham.  Yuka is a really yummy jungle starch that is similar to a potato and I absolutely love it.  That night I could hardly sleep in anticipation of seeing my friends in Pucallpa.  Wednesday we started the day visiting my pensionista Leysi and her husband Hermano Melo.  We painted their house green while we were in Pucallpa and it was still a wonderful neon green when we got there!  It was fun to see them and hug and kiss them.  We just sat in their living room and visited for a little while.  Then they took us to their daughter's house and we got to see their new grand daughter!  I showed my parents where I lived and where we used to go to church.  It was all the same!  I know it is only 1 year but I totally thought it would be a lot different.  After visiting with them I took my parents out for an authentic jungle lunch!  We went to a place that a wealthy family would take us on our mission- funny what you think is a really nice restaurant during your mission is just normal after you've lived in the states for a year.  Anyways we ate Juanes (a tomale special to the jungle), fried yuka, and Majas!  Majas is a rodent/pig kind of animal that is native to the jungle.  My parents did NOT like it at all and really it is not the best meat but it was a fun adventure and was the joke of the week.  After that my parents did not trust me enough to order lunch.  

After eating lunch we decided to stop by the Munoz family's house.  They are a family I spent a lot of time with during my mission.  When I first met them Ernesto and Ermalinda were not married and were not interested in attending church. They have a lot of hard trials in their family. They have 5 children, and when we first met them two of their kids had been baptized by previous missionaries.  During my time in Pucallpa Ernesto and Ermelinda got married and the weekend after I got transferred they got baptized.  I knocked on their door and when Ermalinda opened the door and saw me she threw her arms around me and began to weep.  It was so tender and she told me she never thought she would ever see me again.  She was there with her daughters and granddaughter who was born after I left.  We chatted and then she invited me and my parents over for lunch the next day with her and all her family.  We promised we would and I was over the moon that they were still living there and had pictures of their wedding and baptism in their home.  Then we went to visit a few other friends.  One is a man named Pedro and his wife and four children.  Pedro has suffered from constant infection because of a tracheotomy that he had a few years ago.  He is a great man and has a wonderful family.  He didn't know that I was coming.  When we pulled up in our motorkar his son Ken saw me (me is 7 years old) and yelled "HERMANA!!!!!" and came running and threw his arms around me.  I can't believe he remembered me!  That was one of my favorite moments.  Then the rest of their kids came and jumped on me, haha.  It was great.  My parents were super surprised to see Pedro's  very humble home.  Pedro lives in a small two bedroom home with dirt floors and it is sunk beneath the ground. This makes rainy season very difficult.  We had a great time chatting and then his wife came home and when she saw it was me on her porch she started to run and threw her arms around me too.  So sweet and tender!  

After leaving Pedro's house we went out with a young couple to the zoo in Pucallpa.  It was there we saw the wonderful animal we had for lunch.  Again, my parents were less than amuzed.  To get to the park my friend Carlos Bardales invited my Dad to ride on the back of his motorcycle while my Mom and I went on a motorkar (a little motorcycle taxi) to the zoo.  Well, according to my Dad, Carlos took him on quite the adventure!  He got to go get a hands on experience of Peruvian traffic!  Then they met us at the park.  The park manager let us stay after hours and we got an exclusive tour.  It was great!  Then we went by the house of one of my favorite people in the planet - Hermano Isaac.  Isaac is a shoe peddler who lives in an 8 x 8 room. He is handicapped and rides around in a wheelchair made out of a plastic chair and bike wheels.  We gave him this wheelchair when we found him first.  It was really great to show my parents this place because I have told them so many stories.  He told me how he is still active and has had the calling of Ward Mission leader for a year now.  He has been a member of the church for 2 years now, and frequently goes out and visits the other men who were baptized the same time he was.  It was great to see his smile, or "sonrisa de aguaje".  He said he thought he would never see me again- it was so awesome to see him and encourage him.  But he doesn't need me anymore- he is so good!  He just shared his thoughts and feelings about Christ and how his life has changed since he has started to follow God's commandments.  He shared how life is just better when you follow God and keep all of his commandments.  So true!

The next day we spent visiting a few other members that I knew and then were invited to a special mothers day activity for Tito, who is the son of Ernesto and Ermalinda.  He is going to police school in Pucallpa and had a big ceremony with everyone in their uniforms and it was a great honor to go and attend this acitivty.  Afterwards Ermalinda had prepared a big lunch for us.  It was so fantastic!  It was juanes (again the jungle tomales).  The whole family was there- 8 of them and the three of us, so 11 all together.  We exchanged stories.  Dad had a great time telling his parents conversion stories.  The family loved it.  They decided they couldn't say goodbye yet so they would come and send us off at the airport later that night.  

From there we went to Yarina Cocha. There we drank coconut milk, ate guavana and went on a boat ride to an island in the middle of the Yarina Lake.  It was wonderful!  On the island there was a little zoo with exotic animals.  From there we got ready to go on the plane back to Lima.  Waiting for us at the airport was a friend of mine named Rode.  She was so sweet to come! Then we had to check in before the family we ate lunch with came to meet us.  Luckily there was a clear glass window that separates the passangers from family members who are sending them off.  They got there late and we talked through a crack in the window/wall.  It was great to exchange notes through the glass and I reminded them the importance of centering their life around Christ and made them promise to always go to church and get ready to go to the temple.  They said yes!  And tears were spilt on both sides.  Ermalinda could not stop weeping.  It was the sweetest thing.  I of course was pretty emotional.  They said they would see me off and watch us until our plane was gone into the night.  I love these people so much and I am grateful to have met them.

Then the next day we met up in Lima with my friend Fatima.  We met each other with tears again (just assume that every person I met with shared tears with me- because it was pretty much that way, haha).  She got off work and school for 3 hours to show us around Lima.  It was AWESOME. She was a wonderful tour guide.  After that we got to go to the Lima Temple.  It is beautiful and reminds me of the great peace that the temple brought me during my mission.  No matter what trials I was facing on my mission, the temple was my home.  It has always been my "home".  I always feel like when I go to the temple the Lord throws his hands on my shoulders and reminds me of how much he loves me and knows me.  That's how I felt as I walked around the temple with my parents.  Then we ran back home to get to spend time with the Mission President and my parents.

Dinner with President Blunck and his wife was wonderful!  Just imagine the 4 people in your life who love you the most in one room together... it was epic!  Seriously, I never imagined this moment would come at all.  It was great to share moments on the mission, talk about old companions, and see how the mision is currently doing.  I got to report to my president what I'm doing now and how I plan to implement important lessons learned on my mission.  It was a great moment for me to thank my parents and my president and his wife for teaching me about the gospel.  My parents taught me first and my mission presidents taught me second how to teach others.  Both taught me about the importance of a family and how that is the greatest thing I can accomplish in my life.  Tears were shed and great pictures were shed. Also, Sister Blunck made a GREAT dinner.  It was wonderful to spend time with them.  We didn't want to leave and it was obvious that they wanted us to stick around too.  I can't wait to see them again in the fall at our mission reunion!

Friday we flew to Cuzco, where I will be spending the rest of the summer!  We stayed in this little hotel that was darling! It was a cute little boutique hotel that overlooked the whole city of Cuzco.  They brought in hot bottles of water and did turn down service with cute chocolates!  Every night me and my parents laughed so hard about our fun tour guides and funny stories that we had shared.  My parents are hilarious and party harder than anyone I know!  I just try to keep up with them :)  Hopefully someday I can be as cool as they are.... probably will never happen- but it's worth a try, right?

This morning I took them to the airport and just as they were getting on their plane my classmates and professors were literally stepping off their plane.  It couldn't have been better timing!  We went on a great hike, had yummy pizza, and met with the Medical director of the clinic, two doctors, and all of our team.  My supervisor reccomends that I take some salsa classes while I'm here- I think I will do it!  I've got to work on my latin hip shaking skills!  That's all for now- more later!! Chao

Getting there!

My flight leaves tomorrow to PERU!  Honestly, I am extremely excited to return to my beautiful Peru.  I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for a year and a half in Peru.  I spent time in the amazons and in the busy city of Lima.  This time I get to visit CUZCO.  My only reference/familiarity of Cuzco comes from the Emperor's New Groove.  If you have not seen this movie before... you have not lived.  It is by far one of the top 10 Disney movies.  Here is a great scene from the movie.  Hopefully I won't be falling off any cliffs of raging water, talking with squirrels or fearful of throwing off the Emperor's groove.  But I not so secretly hope that the clinic I will be working in will look like Pacha's house at the top of the hill.

A huge highlight of my trip will be getting down to Cuzco.  My parents are coming down with me for a week and we will be tracing my mission steps. First we will go to Lima, then Pucallpa, back to Lima and on to Cuzco.  It will be an adventure!  Hopefully my Spanish speaking skill's aren't too rough and I can remember my way around.

I am extremely grateful for this internship opportunity BYU has given me and the opportunity the Lord has given me to return to a people who I love.  Peruvians are of the most humble, loving, kind, generous, and caring people I have ever met.  It is hard to believe that I will be again permitted to dwell among them and be blessed by their culture, food and illuminating spirits.  I know that they are truly a special people and that God loves them very much.  Since I have been home from my mission I have realized that the Lord has not ceased to bless me.  He has guided my paths to learning experiences, trials, and opportunities to serve.  I know that while I am again in Peru I will have many new experiences, and most likely funny anecdotes.  So, I have created this blog so you can follow along!  Enjoy!  Feel free to email me, facebook-me or skype me while I'm in Peru this summer!  

Much Love, Allie