Who let the dogs out?

One thing I was a little concerned about in coming here was dogs.  I am not a big fan.  However, both girls are.  I have probably petted more dogs since Miss M was 1 year old than I did in the 20 years prior.  :)  I especially don't like jumping (on me) and licking, though I think dogs have a great place for those who love them, and especially admire service and companion dogs and the way they improve the quality of life for their owners.  (So if you are dog lover, don't take it personally.  Someone has to care for the animals.  I just hope it won't be me.)

At any rate, I knew there were a lot of stray dogs here, as well as rooftop guard dogs, and I was concerned about how they might interact with the girls.  There is a big difference between seeing someone in a US park and asking to pet their dog and having a stray come up to you in Peru. (At least that is what I thought coming in.)

I've been pleasantly surprised to find that although there are a lot of strays, they leave you alone and I have never felt that the girls or I were threatened when out and about.  Most of the time the dogs that wander the streets don't even bark at you or pay much attention.  In fact, the worst interaction happened when two tiny dogs decided to bark up a storm when we dared to walk on the sidewalk near their house.

All that said, here's a compilation of dogs we saw when out and about (this isn't even all of them and doesn't include pics of any rooftop dogs). 

Regular in the street dog.

This one scared A, even though it didn't do anything.  I think it was the size.

Big dog, but very friendly.

 

Little dog near our house.
 

A sign in the park reminding people to scoop the poop. I am not sure if the numerous poop piles
on sidewalks and roads come from mostly strays, or also from people who walk their dogs. 
I could have taken lots of pictures of piles of dog poop that no one has scooped,
 but I thought this sign was better.  You're welcome.  :)

 

Want to make a difference? The world of micro-loans...

One of the things that interests me is social justice.  I benefited greatly by the happenstance events that led to me being born to a Caucasian family in the United States.  Life wasn't always easy growing up with 4 (sometimes 5) kids in our house and money was pretty tight.  But we always had food (even if it was oatmeal suppers) and clothing (mostly hand-me-downs and garage sale finds), I always had a roof over my head, and we had love and a lot of fun.

Not everyone gets that chance.  One of my favorite MBA classes was on diversity, but the class touched on so much more than just racial diversity or gender diversity.  We read peer reviewed studies and delved into the dynamics of gender, race, religion, socio-economic status, age, and more.  I knew some things going into this class but the volume of things I read and the online discussions broadened my horizons and helped me further explore the white privilege I enjoy and the things that were handed to or available to me through no choice or impact of my own.

For example:

• I was born to people who highly valued reading and regularly read to me.  My mother was an elementary school teacher.  Through their sharing of books, I became an early-reader bookworm.  This undoubtedly impacted my ability to do well in school. 
• My parents also placed a premium on education and helped ensure that we had educational opportunities.
• I worked hard in school, did well on standardized tests, and earned scholarships that paid for almost all of my undergrad degree.
• Because my parents also valued savings and had experienced the pain of school loans, they set up a system whereby we kids saved 45% of our money for college.  (10% went to "Jesus money" and we picked where we wanted to give it, and the other 45% was for us to spend as we wished.)  This system meant I had $6,000 saved when I went to school.  After scholarships, I paid about $4,000 out of pocket for my four year degree, continued saving through school, and had more money in the bank when I left college than when I went in. 
• My employer paid for 80% of my MBA.

I'm not fool-hardy enough to think that I pulled myself up by my own bootstraps.  I did work hard, got good grades, and did well for myself.  But the seeds of that success (which also allowed me to get a better job and a much higher salary than just a high school education would have) came from others and things I had very little or nothing to do with.  They are also very tangibly demonstrated in the life I've lived and even the opportunity we now have to be living in Peru.

Which leads me to think about the people I interact with and see in Peru.  So many of them have more of a hand-to-mouth existence.  The minimum wage for empleadas is around $1.50 per hour, from what I've been told.  They don't have the same leg up that many of us have enjoyed.  (Despite the differences, I'm learning that Peru is a country with huge natural beauty and resources, lovely people, developing infrastructure, and hard workers.) 

One program I think is very cool is the CUDA microloan program (see microfinance FAQs).  You can lend as little as $25 and use your capital to give people a chance to help themselves as they pay back the money with their new success. When the loan is repaid, you can choose to reinvest your money in a new loan or get your money back.



Click here to see the graphic http://icdu.halcyonflies.com/resources/images/how-it-works/how-it-works_full_white.png

So since I have somewhat of a platform, I encourage you to think about the privilege you've enjoyed in your own life and challenge you to share the wealth- literally.  If you want to participate in this micro-lending program, check out the CUDA website.  I'm personally impressed by their focus on sustainable improvements and education.  They also have Peruvian leadership and United States partners. But this isn't the only thing you can do....see where you have enjoyed privilege and work to positively impact those who haven't enjoyed the same privileges that you have, wherever you are.

CUDA (click here to learn more about the organization):

Urban  Development as the Promotion of Total Wellbeing

The Christian Urban Development Association is a non-governmental, non-profit, faith-based organization that empowers vulnerable communities in urban Peru to overcome cycles of poverty. Our vision of  justice, wellbeing, and joy in the city leads us to promote physical, psychological, social, and spiritual wellbeing through projects in the areas of education, health, finance, and the environment.

Mission Statement
CUDA's mission is to promote holistic wellbeing among vulnerable urban populations. CUDA networks resources and carries out programs that empower sustainable improvement in individual, family, and community quality of life.

As an added incentive...Dave and I will match (dollar for dollar) any CUDA loans people make after reading this post up to $200 by making a micro loan of our own.  Because it's a microloan program, you should receive your money back. As with any loan, there is a chance of default (the compliance part of me feels like I should say this).  But, their repayment rates are high and the program has a proven track record. 

If you are interested in making a loan and qualifying for this "match," just send me an email or Facebook message on my Facebook page.  Thanks for considering this opportunity and know there is absolutely no pressure at all from me to do this; I won't think worse of anyone who doesn't make a loan. But I do hope that you take action to help resolve inequity wherever you might see it in your own sphere of the world.

Tutorial: Crossing the Street

There are certain things you take for granted in your life, like knowing how to cross the street.  Of course, anyone who has been around a child knows full well they don't take such knowledge for granted and you employ constant vigilance around roads, driveways, etc. until they start to catch on that you look both ways, hold the hand of the grown-up, and carefully walk.

It's not quite as simple here, because a lot of the crosswalks are unmarked, or people don't really pay attention to the lights, or it's just different than what we're used to.  We still look both ways, and we still pay attention to the lights, and we still grab the hands of our little girls. 

But we've also learned the value of what I will term the herd crossing.  When you need to cross a busy street, simply look around for someone else who looks like they are crossing.  I have learned that having a small child is a minor advantage, as cars and police officers will give you a slight preference.

WARNING: DO NOT GET SLOPPY.  Not everyone thinks your bambino is important enough to stop for, so constant vigilance is still important. 

 

Stand on the side of the road, looking to and fro, assessing the lights, when people seem to stop.  When the lead person steps off the curb, be ready.  Your time window is but short.  If you hesitate too long, another car will inevitably inch up and you'll have to wait for the next herd to assemble.  Inconspicuously attach yourself to the herd and you should be able to safely cross (and live to see another day).

 

Spiced Carrot Muffins (or Bread)

This won't be a recipe blog, but I wanted to share a delicious recipe that fits right into fall.  I found this recipe on Pinterest (of course!).  The blogger calls them Banana, Carrot, and Greek Yogurt Muffins but I think Spiced Carrot Muffins sounds tastier (and, now that I'm looking over her post, that's what Martha Stewart called them, too!)

I adapted them for high altitude by:

• Decreasing the sugar by 1 1/2 teaspoons
• Using pourable yogurt instead of Greek (we can't get Greek yogurt here and high altitude recipes need more liquid anyway)
• I made one batch decreasing the leavening by 1/8 t, one decreasing 1/4 t, and one just as is.  All turned out well.  So I think I will probably stick with decreasing 1/8 t.

I also mixed my own pumpkin pie spice (1T ground cinnamon, 3/4 t ground ginger, 1/4 t ground cloves). I would have added 3/4 t ground nutmeg to this mix but it wasn't at my spice store. 

Those of you dwelling at sea level or close can just make this according to the posted recipe.

My tips and observations after making this three times:

• A double batch works well in a 9x13 pan or the Pampered Chef stoneware large bar pan
• It cooks great as bars and I assume would also work well as bread (much less work than muffins in my opinion).
• I am going to put a little frosting on them for Mirabel's half birthday this week. Cream cheese frosting would be delicious!
• They taste sweet and delicious and the bread is very moist.  The pumpkin pie spice flavor makes these perfect for fall. 
• There is much less sugar in these than normal bread but they still taste sweet.  I did use plain yogurt but that has sugar here, so my version might be a bit sweeter than if you use plain yogurt without added sugar.
• I didn't put raisins in because I haven't bought any here and that didn't have any ill effects.
• I forgot to put my shredded carrots for one batch and they still turned out well...albeit more crumbly than when the carrots are baked in.

This is a new favorite fall recipe for me!

A few of my favorite things....

We've been here for two months now...I just realized that this week.  And I thought I would share a few of my favorite things about living in Peru.

Pretty flowers in the yard 

We've got a lot of flowers in our yard, including these beautiful roses.  There is also a cactus, a "Tinkerbell tree" (no flowers on that right now- maybe it will appear in the future), several bushes and a few other flowers scattered about.  I have anything but a green thumb, so I am hoping that Flor's watering and my benign neglect will be enough to keep them going.  Because of the weather here, they seem to flower pretty consistently- we always have some flowers in the yard.

Preferencia (preference)

There are four groups that get preference here: elderly, disabled, pregnant women, and parents with small kids.  Thanks to our toddler, I qualify for the latter category.  In the mornings, when I take Miss M to school, I've also got A with me.  We always have a seat on the combi because if there isn't one, people move to give me their seat.  And when I pay our rent (done by going to the bank and depositing money in the landlord's account), I automatically get bumped to the front of the line.  A major advantage when there always seem to be about 50+ people in line.  They have special lines in grocery stores for these "preference" categories.  I've only been moved to the front of the line once (I don't exert my privilege) but that was nice. 

And when we were coming through Lima, we got shuttled to the front of the security line, as did everyone else with small kids.

A sign on the combi- doesn't show moms with small kids but some of them do.

Sign in the grocery store- note mom in the middle with small kid. 
They extend the same preference to dads, too.

Not doing routine cleaning

Flor does a fantastic job of cleaning and it is such a treat to not have to do the sweeping, bathroom cleaning, vacuuming, etc.  Dave washes almost all of the dishes- so it's just the day-to-day picking up that is in my bucket.  I think that will be an adjustment when we return to the states and can no longer afford cleaning help. 

A taste of home

My best friend always said that she was making a beeline for our house in case of natural disaster since we have so much food in our pantry.  Cereal topped the list.  Our cereal variety is much more limited and we're paying more per box than we ever did in the states, but we managed to find some sales on corn flakes and stocked up.  Gluten free cereal that works for breakfast and an easy snack about town for the littles?  Sure thing....oh...and we've also been stocking up on milk.  Much easier to do when it's UHT and you don't need to keep it in the fridge.  We get it for about 33% off.

Part 1 of our Cereal Storage- Dave made me stop buying cereal

Part 2- Cereal and Milk (bottom shelf)

We are liking being here, miss some aspects about home (especially the people) but are starting to settle in.  We enjoy staying connected via Skype, email, and Facebook!

And like a good neighbor.....

Ace Hardware is somehow involved with a big(ish) box hardware store here called Maestro.   This type of store is new in the past few years.  Dave was (of course) happy to find this outlet, given his tendency toward handy-man-ness.  And the fact that he's a licensed contractor and all and doesn't really have an outlet for that here.

I wanted to let you all in on the crazy differences between an American hardware store and one in Peru.  (There are several small corner shops, called Ferreterias, that sell hardware stuff, but their selection is more limited given the fact that they are only about as big as a typical US bathroom.  It's kind of like a one room Ace Hardware.  They are good places to pick up screws or glue or small little things you need.  We are on the hunt for fly traps which so far have only been sighted in these small shops, not the big box place.)

First off: Grass.  You know how we have lots of healthy sod rolls in the US?  Well, here's what you can buy here.  (Note: most people don't have any kind of yard, so you don't need big.)

Just under $3 US for a square meter 

Second exhibit: Wood?  Not so easy to find.  Just one aisle.  Right on par with the amount of brick.

Third up: They have some do-it-yourself displays, a la Home Depot.  One of them is shown below.  What do you think they are showing you how to build?  (Think: hot.)

And last (but my personal favorite).  A cute little DIY display on how to build an electric fence.  (Something that many people have on top of the fences that are around their house.)  See how effectively the cartoon man is getting zapped?

No need to worry about burglars with one of these babies!

However, Dave was NOT able to find much wood (and what was there was quite expensive and truly 2x6 or 2x4), or very many tool options (about 1/2 an aisle with a focus on concrete tools), or any number of other "normal" hardware store products.  Just some of the differences between the US and Peru!

A brief bout of homesickness

So, we're about 6 weeks into this crazy adventure.  And I've been feeling just a bit homesick.  Nothing too serious.   

• A little crabby.^
• Missing a few of my food staples that were easy to get in the US but hard or too expensive here.*
• Feeling a bit frustrated that my Spanish isn't just magically turning into fluency.+
• Just missing family and friends and a place where everything feels normal and doesn't require a lot of extra thought.

I read somewhere that 3/6 weeks and 3/6 months are hard when you move to another culture.  Someone who was a foreign exchange student commented on a personal Facebook post that 9 months is when you really get the new culture, think it's superior, and don't want to go home.  We'll see!  ;)

For right now, it feels a lot like college when the initial excitement has worn off and break seems a long way off or when a new baby comes home and disrupts your whole world.  At this point, we'll keep on keeping on....I'm working on a few projects around the house like a mini-art gallery for the girls, a family calendar and menu board, and some fall decorations.  And I'm really thankful for Skype and the internet access we have!

One of the limited salsa options- $3.50 for almost 16 oz. 
Dave got in trouble for taking this picture and played "stupid foreigner." 
We paid $1.69 for 24 ounces back home.

^ Fortunately, family has been very gracious.
* Foods such as:

• Cheese (crazy expensive, and the standard cheese is nothing like the block or shredded cheese in the states.  Queso fresco is (for our family at least) an acquired taste.  And I really miss the standard cheese that melts into ooey goodness.)
• Salsa (we found it in one store- something like $5 for 8 ounces of Old El Paso brand).  Mostly, it just doesn't exist.  At least I can make some.  You can buy tomatoes, cilantro, onions, limes, and peppers.  It's just a lot more work.  So much so that I haven't actually made any yet.  Maybe I need to teach Flor the wonders of salsa making....
• Corn tortillas (this is more a miss for the fam, but we ate a lot of them in the US thanks to the gluten free diet 75% of us are on).
• Ice cream.  The ice cream here doesn't have cream or milk as a primary (or sometimes any) ingredient.  Instead, it's more like ice milk.  Or vegetable fat and water. Seriously.  Primary ingredient is water, followed by vegetable fat and artificial flavorings.  I don't even eat it, and if you know me, that's saying A LOT.  I miss Breyers.  And Izzys.  And Grand Ol' Creamery.  And any other premium ice cream.  And you can't exactly have someone pack a pint or half gallon.  :(
• Milk.  All they have is UHT (ultra heat treated) milk here.  The girls drink it just fine but it kind of grosses me out.

+ I can get by in regular outings just fine.  But things like the 2 hour required parent meeting at M's school today meant that my brain was completely overloaded and I didn't even get everything they said.  It does give me an appreciation for immigrants.  It's a brave thing to try to get around in another culture.  And I don't even have a job (and still feel like there isn't enough time in the day to focus on language stuff).  I've been talking with Flor (our empleada) and I did a few lessons in Rosetta Stone.  At present, I don't feel like I have time or money to go to a formal language school but we'll see if I feel the same way in a month.