Arrival: Initial Shock and Recovery

2 weeks ago, I landed in Lima with two massive bags, two cameras, my laptop, and an incredibly anxious, but eager state of mind.  I arrived at an apartment known as the "Gringo House" (quite famous among expat students that come here) in Miraflores, one of the richest districts in Lima.  I walked outside our building the next morning, and was somewhat bemused to find a McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, and Chili's, all on the same block in my neighborhood.  Did I leave the US? I mean there are communities in the states where you hear a different language when you walk down the street and still find those very franchises within blocks of each other.  

It really was a trip to see so many US fast food chains. Until, of course, I stumbled on a mercado with vegetable and fruit stands, where vendors were selling unrecognizable produce, and butchers with their meat out in the open.  And I thought to myself, "Aahhhhh, now I'm in Latin America."   It's really easy to forget that the US isn't economically millions of light years ahead of the rest of the world anymore.  I don't really know what I was expecting in coming to Perú's capital city, but it definitely wasn't Starbucks and Pinkberry (no joke, they are also right down the street).  I shouldn't be surprised though. According to the BBC, Peru has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.  It also has incredible amounts of poverty.

My research site, San Juan de Miraflores, does not have any such fast food establishments.  It is located on the outskirts of Lima, amidst sand and rock, poor roads, and stray dogs.  It really is night and day.  I struggle to switch between the two worlds in my everyday routine out here, but I'm slowly getting used to it.  I guess it's very similar to New Orleans in some ways.

I fit in really well amongst the petite, dark-haired Peruvians (except in my study site, where my new, brand-named clothes give me away).  And my Spanish is improving tremendously.  In a few weeks I'll be venturing up to Tumbes, near the Ecuador border.  It's supposed to be hotter than hell up there.  And the seafood is to die for.  Eventually I will also make my way to other parts of Perú, including Cuzco and Arequipa, where I will do some hiking up to Machu Pichu and in the Colca Canyon, which is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.  Maybe I'll even make it over to the Amazon regions of Perú!!

More updates to come… stay tuned.