"Electric"

defines this last week in Arequipa. The party started last Friday and didn't end until last night. While overwhelming (learned that word in Spanish: "Conmovida"), it was pure fun, ala latinos. Happy 469th birthday, Arequipa.

Last Friday I went to the "Tuna Match," featuring groups from AQP, Lima, Bolivia, Brazil, Spain, Chile, and Ecuador. Miriam and I still don't really know what a "Tuna" is. We know it's a fruit and a fish; apparently, it's also a Spanish tradition, with a group of guys singing who wear weird clothes and dance. Regardless of our confusion, it was a great time. Music, people on stilts dancing around, free stuff, and the always amusing and nostalgic cultural deal of thanking the city of Arequipa OVER AND OVER AND OVER again made it a lovely (and very cold, might I add) evening. It also solidified my assumption that Chilean men are good looking. :)

Throughout the week, I was able to really surround myself with people I love. I had surprisingly good English classes, which is always an encouragement. Those guys really do take care of me, which is great. I met new friends and potential translators. I got to hang out with Efrain and Dorcas and do what we do best: Eat. A lot. Miriam and I went to the Catedral in the Plaza de Armas and listened to the Cusquenan Symphony. I've started to volunteer at a children's daycare, so I hung out there for a bit and chatted with some women who also work there (I've GOT to practice Spanish). A friend's family invited me to lunch, and it was a lovely time of chatting and praying together.

God always surprises me when I least expect it. Picture this: Walking down the street and feeling a little low. Seeing no one you know, with no prospect of this beautiful thing (running into someone, getting a phone call) happening. Being "out and about" with no purpose--only leaving the house because you'll go crazy if you don't. Basically thinking that it's going to be a rough day. Then, all of the sudden, you realize you're not alone. For whatever reason, you make the choice to repeat and claim that you're not alone. When you start whispering prayers to heaven, choosing to recognize His presence wherever you are, joy overcomes you. A small miracle.

That happened to me this week. I think it was Wednesday or Thursday.

Moving on. This weekend was loco. That's Spanish for crazy, for all you English-speakers out there.

Observations of partying in Peru:

1. Imagine a college football game weekend crowd, then multiply that by 100. EVERYONE comes out of their house for Dia de Arequipa. I mean, everyone. I walked into the Plaza de Armas Friday night, and there was a sea of people that can't be explained.
2. People start partying WAY ahead of time. The actual day is Saturday, but the fiestas start Friday and last well into the night. Fireworks at 2 am, anyone?
3. Dress for these events is apparently very important. They're basically showing themselves off in front of the whole city, so they have to look your best (a HUGE paradox for a lot of Peruvians... sorry, but it's true).
4. A "parade" in AQP is a completely different concept than what we normally think of as a parade. What I witnessed yesterday was a parade. To Peruvians, this is more than a parade--it's a "Corso." I've never heard this word. I know it now, but I also know that they just had a parade. Nada mas.
5. People start sleeping on the sidewalks days in advance. Why, you ask? To save seats, so that they can later sell these seats for said "Corso." One seat can go for as much as ten dollars. I paid ten soles (3 dollars) for my seat and could see just fine. It was a lovely parade, might I add.
6. Rules of drinking in Peru: a. Everyone from age 12 to age 67 walks around with a HUGE bottle of Arequipa or Cuzco beer, just pouring cup after cup. b. 14 year old girls get drunk next to their family members. c. Women make a spectacle of themselves. d. Men become even more disgusting than usual. **I was going to say this is "different" than in the States, but is it, really?
7. Rivers of urine run throughout the streets and sidewalks, "watering" the grass. I don't even want to know what I was stepping in Friday night as I traipsed through downtown. They just love to pee out in the open.
8. It's dangerous to walk around after a certain hour if everyone's drunk. It's also practically impossible to find a taxi. What to do? Well, I didn't want to be groped or raped, so I waited and eventually got one. THEN you have to convince the taxi driver to take you where you need to go. Last night I waited on this whole process for about 45 minutes. It was worth it though: I got to hang out with some cool Christians. :)
9. Being the only white girl in the whole party is pretty crazy. Sure, tourists are around, but when I branch out of the tourist areas, it's always interesting, especially in the fiestas. Crossing through the parade (i.e., walking through the parade) MULTIPLE times with Efrain clapping and yelling "Mira la gringa" just to joke around with me is lots of fun.
10. Arequipenens are a proud people year-round. Imagine the pride felt on the anniversary day. Patriotism flows throughout the city. Heck, they get fined if they don't put a flag up. You have to be patriotic, it seems.

Ok. Well, there's a synopsis of my most recent adventures. Chau!