Immersing in the Culture of Cusco

Hello Friends and Family!

I really miss you all. Thank you for your emails and Skype dates! I love still being able to share life and time with you despite the distance.

This was a pretty busy week for me. I had to finish a report, which was past due, for World Vision. It was actually kind of fun to do at the beginning but agonizing towards the end. I am happy that everyone was happy with it and glad I could help out in some way. I have to culturally adapt all the surveys and questionnaire's I will hopefully be using for the research project to Calca. Please continue to pray as I still await for IRB approval. I send them an email yesterday and hope to hear back from them soon.

I am glad to report I am feeling much better. Cusco has been one wild party all week. This past week was the peak week of celebration.I joined the World Vision dance team and got to parade and dance through the streets of Cusco dancing a "Mestiza Quoyacha." I had a blast. The steps weren't difficult, but the rhythm took a bit to adjust to. I felt really privileged and blessed that they would allow me to dance with them. I mean they were representing Peru and World Vision Peru, and it really was an honor to be able to join them. We got to be on TV and we literally danced in front of what seemed like all of Cusco and thousands of tourist. It was a lot of fun. I was actually flattered and thought it was funny that after the presentation I was asked several times to be photographed by tourists. I look very Peruvian till I say something, and then my accent rattles me away.


I also got to attend the Inti Raymi on Sunday. (http://www.unique-southamerica-travel-experience.com/inti-raymi.html) You should read more about it. It marked the beginning of a new year for the Incas. Peru knows how to put on a good show. I really enjoyed the beginning part of the ceremony a lot more at the Koricancha. There was a lot of nostalgia with past times and associated with it. I really did almost cry when they sang the hymn of the Inca.


I guess I just really ask myself sometimes what happened to these people groups. I see them now, relics of a great empire, and they are some of the most forgotten and marginalized people in the world. I spent last week with some of the descendants of the Inca's in almost forgotten places. I really did enjoy attending the Inca Raymi and it was quite the experience, but I wish the same attention were given to the people groups that still exist today.

If anyone is concerned, they don't really sacrifice the llama at the ceremony. They put on quite the show. The costumes, which they change every year, are absolutely gorgeous. The whole event takes place in Quechua. Apparently, it hasn't been of much public and international notice till recently. I added a small video. I apologize for the lack of zoom. My camera has failed me and I have had to resort to my iPhone. I met and made some wonderful Colombian friends during the ceremony. I just really love Colombians. I have yet to find one that I can't get along with. Perhaps I should take off to Colombia after graduation!

I'm a bit concerned. I have had to change the location of the research project and still don't have IRB approval. Although now I will be working in the Sacred Valley of the Inca's, once I get IRB approval I will have to immediately submit an amendment. I really just want to get started. I don't have much more time left. On top of everything else, the professors from the high schools are on an "indefinite strike." Apparently, they want the director of education for the area removed from his position. Working with people is difficult! I gotta admit that sometimes I do miss the cell and tissue culture labs. I had a bit more control, but it drove me crazy that a microliter mistake could ruin days of work. I guess everything has its challenges.

I really miss being in the States. I was telling one of my friends that. I can't even believe I am saying that. I really do. I miss my friends and my freedom and the culture a bit. I've loved being here, but part of me is just ready to get back to life and settle down for a bit. This weekend I'll be climbing Macchu Picchu. I also have to meet with facilitators for the educational and health programs which I will hopefully be participating next week. I have lots and little to do all at the same time. Mostly, I have to wait. Well, God is teaching me patience.

Praises:
1. No more stomach problems! Yeay! Praise God for antibiotics!
2. Report for WV is completed and it was very beneficial for them.
3. Opportunities to immerse in the culture and friends God has blessed me with.

Prayer Requests:
1. IRB approval. I need it ASAP. Please pray it is soon and everything goes quite smoothly.
2. Professor strikes to get resolved soon! Ideally they would be back to work as soon as I get IRB approval. I am also somewhat worried because classes end at the end of July. I need to get my data in before then.
3. My heart and mind. I really want to be here for everyone, but lately I've been in thought about other things. Please pray for God to bring peace and to help me regain focus, vision, and clarity again.

This is me prior to antibiotics.

This is me after antibiotics. :)

Ready to dance! I loved my hat!

There were actually 24 of us dancing. This is half of the group that got ready at one side of the city.

The Inca flag actually has all the colors of the rainbow. I loved the guys dance suits. 

This is Juanita, Lucerito, and Rita. They helped me get everything I needed for the parade. They are wonderful and great dancers!

This was our sign!

Representing World Vision! Not sure if you can see, but the handkerchiefs we were wearing said World Vision.

Koricancha. All hailing to Father Sun. This is an incredible site because you can see the Koricancha that was partially destroyed by the Spanish to build the Monasterio de Santo Domingo (white).

There were four "legions" of soldiers that came from the 4 regions of the Inca Empire.

 This is in Sacsayhuaman for the actual Inti Raymi. We were on the mountain of tourist sections. I didn't want to pay the full price ticket to go in. It cost $115.

 You can't see this very well, but the opposite mountain was full of locals. Sacsayhuaman was packed!

 I did have a good view of what was going on, but my camera did not capture it. I thought it was funny that the sky was gray as we were invoking the Father Sun.

 My Colombian friends! I'm telling you they are great no matter what part of the world they are in.

I went to a fair and these are products of some of the local communities WV is helping consolidate into networks to promote their work and hopefully provide better incomes for those communities and families. It is beautiful work.

 I've made a new friend. She is awesome! This is Noemi and she just got back from a graduate engineering program in France. She is Cusquena and such a blessing to know!

 Noemi took this picture. Off in thought as usual...

 This is Cusco.

You can't see the sign very well...I forgot the name of these people but they are there so that people will respect crossing the streets on the designated crossways. Apparently they are legally authorized to hit you with their rope if you don't.

 Heather...this if for you. Remember how you had to help me pack 5lbs of granola bars for the trip... I would trade them all in for this one bar! I love it. It is made out of something called "Kiwicha" and they are the best thing I've ever had. I love them!