So. Today Nancy was going to pick me up from colegio at around 10:30am (recreo between classes) and we were going to go get my package. She picked me up at 11:30am instead because she had been searching the house up and down for my AFS card, which she didn't know that I had with me! Okay, that's fine, so we raced into a cab on our way to el centro.
Then, just our luck, there's some big crowd of people blocking the middle of the highway, so our driver turns around to try the other highway, and has to turn around again towards the big crowd, spending our little precious time. We decided the best option was to get out of the cab and run through the kilometer long crowd of people that were market farmers protesting about something or other. I wish we could have checked it out, but we didn't have time; stupid post office stops letting people in at 12. So we just booked it to the other side of the crowd/blockage and took another taxi the rest of the way to el centro, which was also slow because it had been coming FROM el centro, and had to turn around. There was a thousand people and cars and UGGH of course when you're in a rush, something like that happens hahaha
So then we finally arrive at the Serpost post office place (by the way, PLEASE DON'T USE SERPOST AGAIN!! use Junior or something? I'm told it's faster and safer, if a bit more expensive.) and ask to be let in. (they have guards at the gates of everything here). It was the same guard who's seen us every freaking day, but according to his cell phone it was 12:02, and he would not let us in no matter how much we said please or explained our situation. TWO FREAKING MINUTES?!? Buuut he said he couldn't because his bosses in Lima would ask him why on Fri Nov 5th 2010, he let in customers at 12:02, and he could lose his job. Ugggh I can't believe it. As if it's that important? And they don't process the paperwork after 12pm either. Even if we'd arrived at 11:59, we might not have been able to get my package today. This is because I live in Chimbote. In Lima, the post office is open EVERY DAY for longer hours, and everything moves faster. Dios Mio. AND to make it even better, apparently it was Grumpy face working.
So. We walked over to the other Serpost building thingy to look for Jorge, who had apparently been called out for a commission to somewhere else. And we were told a thousand times that friendly Jorge is wrong and that without my passport, there is no possible way to get my package. Great! Next step.. what exactly? I think I'll ask Jose to email AFS Lima to HURRY UP with my precious passport, which I felt weird giving to him to send there anyways. They've had it for two weeks at least. And when I do get my package, they need to open it infront of me in the post place, for security. In case someone has repackaged it with guns or stolen goods or something that shouldn't be there and I get blamed for it. I think for that I also need my passport and such and omg. The boss top dog guy working there was like 50 years old and had grey hair and asked how old I was and was apparently very surprised. He thought I was a bit older when he was hitting on me. How creepy. Asking me if I have a boyfriend. How is this on topic you whack job . . .
Then we had ice cream before lunch to celebrate the stupid obstacles we've had to overcome on this nightmarish journey.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Fonduuu!
Wednesday night Clemens, Johanna, Louise, Laetitia, Emily and I had a fondu party at Laetitia's house. It was kind of... interestante. Haha the fondu set didn't really work, so we tried microwaving it, and then it went sort of fluffy and sort of chunky, and then stirred it over the candle until it melted to liquid. But there's something off about Peruvian chocolate! We're not sure what exactly it is, but maybe it's because you can feel the chunky grains of sugar between your teeth... mmm crunchy.... and it's just too sweet. But it was good. I love hanging out with these people. The Germans are actually the most sarcastically hilarious people I've ever met, and it makes it even better because they're quite a bit older, like 23, and still have to deal with odd stupid family rules and early curfews like the rest of us. Quite funny sometimes! And we all have issues with the AFS ways here. I don't wanna make this a jounral entry again but oh my. "Someone" is telling us about and enforcing rules that don't actually exist; and are not AFS rules in any of the other cities in Peru, but the way they think things should be in Chimbote. For example, apparently I AM allowed to go to discotecas and dance as long as I don't buy any drinks. I noticed Mikeala is allowed to too and she's 16 in Italy, with AFS, same organization. It isn't because of age here either, because all my colegio friends are allowed in at 15/16. It's only as long as you don't drink. This someone has also said that Johanna and Clemens are not allowed to travel every weekend (they are adults here from Germany working for their social service, for free, 5 days a week) like how was originally agreed for them. Travelling to other cities has been somewhat discouraged if it is not with Jose. But only in Chimbote. In Trujillo for example, their AFS volunteers keep encouraging them to travel and see other cities in Peru as part of the exchange. It'd be cooler if there was actually something TO DO in Chimbote.. other than eat food and go to the even-"better"-than Whitehorse cinema hahaha. Anyways. Muchas cosas. Slightly. Annoying cosas.
Two of my friends from colegio, Maricielo and Daevis, brought me a present from the trip to Ecuador! They bought me a beautiful purple t-shirt from Mancora, which is one of the sweetest playas (beaches) they saw. Aaw it was so sweet of them!! <3
Yesterday I bought cough medicine. I guess after almost two weeks of sore throat and one of cough... I'll take my meds haha. Usually stuff just goes away! But now it's gotten annoying hahaha. Peruvians on the other hand, run screaming to the doctor after 2 minutes of any sort of pain or symptom, even if it's just a headache! Hahaha. And I figured out why I haven't been able to call people on my phone. Didn't have credit. So I went and bought 10 soles worth of credit. And... it still doesn't work. I'm very confused by their weird phone systems and shtuff.
And I almost destroyed the bottom part of my hair string hippie art thing when I accidentally tried to straighten it with the rest of my hair. Turns out the string melts. Yay. But it's only about a cm or 2 hahahah
Two of my friends from colegio, Maricielo and Daevis, brought me a present from the trip to Ecuador! They bought me a beautiful purple t-shirt from Mancora, which is one of the sweetest playas (beaches) they saw. Aaw it was so sweet of them!! <3
Yesterday I bought cough medicine. I guess after almost two weeks of sore throat and one of cough... I'll take my meds haha. Usually stuff just goes away! But now it's gotten annoying hahaha. Peruvians on the other hand, run screaming to the doctor after 2 minutes of any sort of pain or symptom, even if it's just a headache! Hahaha. And I figured out why I haven't been able to call people on my phone. Didn't have credit. So I went and bought 10 soles worth of credit. And... it still doesn't work. I'm very confused by their weird phone systems and shtuff.
And I almost destroyed the bottom part of my hair string hippie art thing when I accidentally tried to straighten it with the rest of my hair. Turns out the string melts. Yay. But it's only about a cm or 2 hahahah
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Peru Postal System FAIL
Long story short; it sucks. We got permission for me to leave colegio early today so that I could accompany Nancy to el centro to pick up my package before 12pm like how the second man told her was needed. She brought along every single paper she owns, (her ID, marriage certificate, everything) and my AFS ID card and everything. We filled out the long stupid forms a second time and did everything they have asked us to do. My package has now been in Peru for ONE MONTH, and I cannot get it until Friday. The second man, aka mr grumpy ass, deserves a customer complaint. He just obviously did not care about us as customers, or even pay attention to us. He brushed us off and said that I needed my passport (with the visa stamp page) and a photocopy of that page (which I don't have) to reclaim my package, even though Nancy told him last week that my passport is still in Lima, AND the first guy told us my AFS card was sufficient!!! He didn't care. There was no convincing or conversing with him. Then he told us to go to migration and figure something out.
We went to migration and it was closed, but a man was there who told us that if I don't have my passport, we need to go stand in line at the bank and fill out more papers and then pay a certain amount of money AND THEN go back to try and get my package. Then we returned to the post office to ask if we could return for my package after going to the bank, because it was 12:30pmish and they stop letting people in at 12 (we got there at 11) but work until the people that arrived before 12 are serviced. The grumpy man was a total dick. Excuse my language. We waited patiently for him to finish with the other customer, and then tried to speak to him for one moment but he just IGNORED US as he was putting on his coat and started walking away. Like actually IGNORED AND PRETENDED NOT TO HEAR US as he walked away. I was shocked. What a lack of interest I have NEVER seen before. That's not acceptable. Sooooo rude I couldn't believe it. Then we asked at the door for the other man who helped us the first week, and they gave us the building of his other job, where he works on Wednesdays.
So, after calling Jose, we walked over to this other building to wait for him to get off work at 1:30pm. We sat down outside and I told Nancy "I feel like using bad words!" as a way of saying I'm frustrated, and she started laughing and asked me to teach her swears in english! It was hilAAARious hahahhaa. I couldn't stop giggling, especially because her pronunciation made them suuuuper cute and funny. We both laughed a lot hahaha. Anyways, as we're sitting outside looking in the glass doors/window, Nancy says "Omg, it's the senor!" and there was Mr Grumpy man inside the building. So, because we didn't want him to see us there (he'd know what we were doing, or think we followed him, which we totally didn't), we ran away giggling and hid behind a huge palm tree in the courtyard thing. Then we actually hid and rotated behind it, just like in the movies, so that he wouldn't see us when he exited the building and walked past. HAHAHA I'm actually starting to love Nancy. We're getting in some hilarious bonding moments. Finally, after Grumpy was gone, Jorge, the first, younger, and friendly man, exited and spared us a moment of his time. He said not to worry too much and that when we come again on Friday it will be him who is working, and he is going to try to talk to his boss about it and such. Oh. My. God. What a nightmare.
Maybe next time don't even put my name on the package at all, just Nancy Huamani Bendezu!! Man. I bet the next one is going to get here before the first one. o_O
Then I came home and went out for lunch with Fran and her friends instead of always being with Jhoselyn. I'm glad to be spending more time with her, and she's a lot happier for it! It seems like now everything's balancing out a bit more, but I really am still hoping for my own room, because I need a bit of space still. I'm starting to really enjoy my time with Nancy, doing random errands or just whatever. Feels good because it makes her feel good. And when she feels good, she acts less crazy! It's weird because before the problem was TOO MUCH time with her, but now the more time I spend with her the better it gets! She also is teaching me how to sew because my pyjamas are super ripped because they're too long and I was too lazy to fix them before the damage...hehe oops. And she always brings me tea for my coughing throat and stuff. :) Also I've been playing my violin again, trying to start practicing every day. I've lost it a bit, only been playing feliz cumpleanos, so it's haaard to get my relaxed left hand back and stuff. And today I did my homework! :O Holy vaca cow! And Gabriel, the little one, is speaking more and more every day. Soooo cute. And I'm teaching him words in english too, because Nancy wants him to learn while he's young so it will be easier to learn later when he's grown up knowing both. Tomorrow or someday I'm going to write out all the basics of english grammar and general vocab for Junior, who really wants to speak more english. He and I have also been talking more together lately as well. He wants me to speak only in english to him haha but he knows a bit.
Now I'm off to a chocolate fondu AFS reunion to look at pics of our Caral trip and swap them..except I erased them from my memory card and have no USB stick. Oops!
We went to migration and it was closed, but a man was there who told us that if I don't have my passport, we need to go stand in line at the bank and fill out more papers and then pay a certain amount of money AND THEN go back to try and get my package. Then we returned to the post office to ask if we could return for my package after going to the bank, because it was 12:30pmish and they stop letting people in at 12 (we got there at 11) but work until the people that arrived before 12 are serviced. The grumpy man was a total dick. Excuse my language. We waited patiently for him to finish with the other customer, and then tried to speak to him for one moment but he just IGNORED US as he was putting on his coat and started walking away. Like actually IGNORED AND PRETENDED NOT TO HEAR US as he walked away. I was shocked. What a lack of interest I have NEVER seen before. That's not acceptable. Sooooo rude I couldn't believe it. Then we asked at the door for the other man who helped us the first week, and they gave us the building of his other job, where he works on Wednesdays.
So, after calling Jose, we walked over to this other building to wait for him to get off work at 1:30pm. We sat down outside and I told Nancy "I feel like using bad words!" as a way of saying I'm frustrated, and she started laughing and asked me to teach her swears in english! It was hilAAARious hahahhaa. I couldn't stop giggling, especially because her pronunciation made them suuuuper cute and funny. We both laughed a lot hahaha. Anyways, as we're sitting outside looking in the glass doors/window, Nancy says "Omg, it's the senor!" and there was Mr Grumpy man inside the building. So, because we didn't want him to see us there (he'd know what we were doing, or think we followed him, which we totally didn't), we ran away giggling and hid behind a huge palm tree in the courtyard thing. Then we actually hid and rotated behind it, just like in the movies, so that he wouldn't see us when he exited the building and walked past. HAHAHA I'm actually starting to love Nancy. We're getting in some hilarious bonding moments. Finally, after Grumpy was gone, Jorge, the first, younger, and friendly man, exited and spared us a moment of his time. He said not to worry too much and that when we come again on Friday it will be him who is working, and he is going to try to talk to his boss about it and such. Oh. My. God. What a nightmare.
Maybe next time don't even put my name on the package at all, just Nancy Huamani Bendezu!! Man. I bet the next one is going to get here before the first one. o_O
Then I came home and went out for lunch with Fran and her friends instead of always being with Jhoselyn. I'm glad to be spending more time with her, and she's a lot happier for it! It seems like now everything's balancing out a bit more, but I really am still hoping for my own room, because I need a bit of space still. I'm starting to really enjoy my time with Nancy, doing random errands or just whatever. Feels good because it makes her feel good. And when she feels good, she acts less crazy! It's weird because before the problem was TOO MUCH time with her, but now the more time I spend with her the better it gets! She also is teaching me how to sew because my pyjamas are super ripped because they're too long and I was too lazy to fix them before the damage...hehe oops. And she always brings me tea for my coughing throat and stuff. :) Also I've been playing my violin again, trying to start practicing every day. I've lost it a bit, only been playing feliz cumpleanos, so it's haaard to get my relaxed left hand back and stuff. And today I did my homework! :O Holy vaca cow! And Gabriel, the little one, is speaking more and more every day. Soooo cute. And I'm teaching him words in english too, because Nancy wants him to learn while he's young so it will be easier to learn later when he's grown up knowing both. Tomorrow or someday I'm going to write out all the basics of english grammar and general vocab for Junior, who really wants to speak more english. He and I have also been talking more together lately as well. He wants me to speak only in english to him haha but he knows a bit.
Now I'm off to a chocolate fondu AFS reunion to look at pics of our Caral trip and swap them..except I erased them from my memory card and have no USB stick. Oops!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
You don't know how to carve a pumpkin?! and our Caral adventure
Ok. So I almost forgot that Sunday was Halloween, because it's just not really celebrated here. People go out and dance and party but nobody dresses up or carves pumpkins! So I taught my host family how to carve pumpkins for their first time in their lives. I kept them pretty simple this year haha but it was super fun. We put the lids on crooked on purpose so that when the candles were lit it looked like they had little sombreros on :P Then at 9pm I went to Maritte (the host hermana of Laetitia)'s birthday party with the other AFS people. We didn't stay very long though because the next day we all got up at 5am to go to Caral; and what an adventure that was!
I woke up at 5am and hopped into the shower to have 30 seconds of freezing water before the water ran out. Good thing I hadn't put shampoo in yet! Turns out there was no running water at all. Cool. Anyways. Then I made myself a foraged breakfast of crackers and water (there is never food in the house except at meal times) and Zoraida came to get me at 6am to take me to the bus station where we met up with Johanna, Clemens, Jose, Louise, Laetitia, Emily, Ondine and Mona. Then, instead of the bus leaving at 6:30 how it was supposed to, it left at 7:30am. (Peruvian tiempo) It was a fairly unexciting 5 hour drive towards Lima to a city that I never actually learned or heard the name of. Then we found out that it would be another 1 1/2hr drive in a squishy van (double up lap-buddies!) to the ruins of the ancient city of Caral. The drive was super slow and bumpy and dusty but awesome, because it felt like we were in the National Geographic version of Peru. I didn't manage to get any pictures out the window though because we were SUPER cramped. We drove up through huge grey mountains and past fields and fields of green corn crops and farmers and women dressed traditionally in colourful Peruvian wool shawls and skirts and such. We passed a herd of sheep and donkeys pulling wooden carts and little shacks and loose roosters and chickens running around the road. It was so green! The first green we've really seen actually; it felt like we were in a Peruvian jungle of some sort! Then we finally arrived at dusty, sandy, deserted tourist attraction Caral.
There were a bunch of hippies selling BEAUTIFUL handmade art in little huts outside the ruins but I hadn't thought to bring very much money with me. Some of it was overpriced (for soles, but still super cheap!) but I wish I'd been able to buy a necklace. There were beautiful carved stones clasped by bent and woven metal designs in traditional Peruvian patterns and earrings and yeah. Then we went on a guided tour (in spanish) throughout the extremely deteriorated ruins of Caral, a city over 5000 years old and one of the oldest in all of South America! Apparently it was a city of very peaceful people who had pyramids and rituals and a theatre type place for musical and artsy gatherings (there was 50 some flutes found) that one day just got up and left. Nobody knows why they decided to move, because there are no signs of war or fighting. Super cool.
Then afterwards, because we had an extra hour, I went and got my hair braided super funky in this waxed string stuff by one of the hippies. It's basically a colourful hemp bracelet with small coloured stones and tree seeds and crystals woven around a long, thin braid of my hair. I got to choose the colours, the stones and the design, and then sat there for half an hour while we talked and he made it. I really like it! And the string is waxed so it can last 3 months or longer if you like. (I could also TRY to take it out earlier, but it would be super difficult.) He was a super cool guy and I let him help me choose what to put in it because he was telling me that in their culture this certain tree seed keeps away fear, and this stone signifies power, and stuff like that. I don't believe it, but it's cool for the cultural aspect. They were all complimenting my tye-dye shirt that I was wearing hahaha. I love moments when I get to have interesting conversations with different people of different lifestyles and such. Everyone else got bored waiting for me and went running on sand dunes (which I also wish I could have done!) but it was awesome. 15 soles, maybe a tad expensive, but I liked him and our conversations so yeah :)
Then the adventure began. After our bumpy ride back to the bus station, we found out that we had to wait one hour for the next bus with available seats. We paid for our 10 tickets and then went and bought the most delicious pollo y papas fritas I've had so far, and it was so cheap! I don't know how, but most delicious potatoes I've ever eaten! Or can remember eating, as there's been a lot of potatoes. Anyways. Then we ruuuushed back to be there on time for the so called 6pm bus, and played Uno while we waited until after 7:30 for the bus to arrive. (Peru time.) Then, as we waited to load the already mostly full bus (from Lima, heading to Chimbote), we were told that it was full and there was no seats for us. Great. Then we waited another 45ish minutes for another bus to come, but were told that it was kinda hopeless that another bus would come and have 10 seats for us. So, we got our money back and wandered around trying to find another way home. Then Jose told us all to squish into this tiny FIVE SEATER car and that this guy was going to drive us to another city (1 1/2 hours away) and that we would find a bus to take from there. So with the driver, 2 in the passenger seat, four in the back 3 seats and 3 in the back facing behind us with me laying at their feet, we made our way to Chimbote. He had to take out the spare tire and tye it onto the windshield wiper so that the back door/trunk would close with the four of us in the back. Oh my.
After only about 15minutes of squished uncomfortable crampedness, we arrived at road construction. Now it was pitch black out and we had to stop every 20-30minutes because of road construction. There were no pilot cars. Just another way to double our trip time. At one of the stops Mona and I got out and had a sprinting race down the line of cars to stretch our legs. We were looked at like crazy foreigners, running and giggling in the dark. Then we climbed back in and shut the door and continued on our way. After about 10 minutes, at one of our regular "Mia, sit up and see if the tire's still there" checks, the tire was NOT still attached to the car. I guess it was a super important tire, because he turned around (without signals or lights or anything safe like that on the dark, busy highway) and we proceded to look for the missing tire. I was beginning to think we'd never make it home. (and to think Jose had said it was a 3hr drive and we'd be home at 9pm) However, we couldn't find the tire. We also didn't find a car crash though, so at least nobody behind us had run into it. After awhile he gave up and we turned around again. Then we hit a huge bump that caused my whole horizontal body to fly up 5 inches and smack down on some peoples' feet because our driver had suddenly decided to turn off the highway onto a little dust trail. We were all very confused until the dust trail led to a little shack that was hiding some barely visible car headlights. Then our driver and the driver of the other vehicle got out and started shoving eachother. It almost led to a fight! Apparently, the other driver was in the vehicle behind us, and had nearly hit our fallen tire, and then picked it up and didn't want to give it back to our driver. Eventually, we got the tire back. Hurray. The whole incident taught him nothing though, because he re-tied the tire on the windshield wiper and off we went again. This time the back trunk REALLY wasn't closed that well, because after feeling a cold draft, I figured out that I could wiggle my fingers out the bottom of the door. Hurray. Then we had tire checks more often but the four of us in the back decided to lie the second time the tire was gone. We figured we would just pay the guy for a new tire. Ayayayaiii!
Two hours away from Chimbote we stopped at a gas station and got out of the car (those of us in the trunk after waiting for the police to pass by) where we yet again tried waiting for passing buses to have seats. Not sure why we ditched the car. Anyways. Mona, Zoraida and I got a ride in the front with the driver of a bus and made it home to Chimbote by 12:30am. The others had to wait until midnight to leave the gas station! Mona and I got to leave first because we're not 18 and our families have stricter curfews. For once, maybe a good thing! But I was enjoying our continually "improving" adventure :D I was veeeryy overtired by the time I got to the house where Soledad was the only one awake and the mother and father were absent.
Slept in til almost 11am today and obviously did not make it to colegio. Woke up and my cough is 100x worse. Yay! Now I have to phone the colegio and ask for permission so that tomorrow I can go with Nancy to get my package before lunchtime. Wish me luuuuuck!
I woke up at 5am and hopped into the shower to have 30 seconds of freezing water before the water ran out. Good thing I hadn't put shampoo in yet! Turns out there was no running water at all. Cool. Anyways. Then I made myself a foraged breakfast of crackers and water (there is never food in the house except at meal times) and Zoraida came to get me at 6am to take me to the bus station where we met up with Johanna, Clemens, Jose, Louise, Laetitia, Emily, Ondine and Mona. Then, instead of the bus leaving at 6:30 how it was supposed to, it left at 7:30am. (Peruvian tiempo) It was a fairly unexciting 5 hour drive towards Lima to a city that I never actually learned or heard the name of. Then we found out that it would be another 1 1/2hr drive in a squishy van (double up lap-buddies!) to the ruins of the ancient city of Caral. The drive was super slow and bumpy and dusty but awesome, because it felt like we were in the National Geographic version of Peru. I didn't manage to get any pictures out the window though because we were SUPER cramped. We drove up through huge grey mountains and past fields and fields of green corn crops and farmers and women dressed traditionally in colourful Peruvian wool shawls and skirts and such. We passed a herd of sheep and donkeys pulling wooden carts and little shacks and loose roosters and chickens running around the road. It was so green! The first green we've really seen actually; it felt like we were in a Peruvian jungle of some sort! Then we finally arrived at dusty, sandy, deserted tourist attraction Caral.
There were a bunch of hippies selling BEAUTIFUL handmade art in little huts outside the ruins but I hadn't thought to bring very much money with me. Some of it was overpriced (for soles, but still super cheap!) but I wish I'd been able to buy a necklace. There were beautiful carved stones clasped by bent and woven metal designs in traditional Peruvian patterns and earrings and yeah. Then we went on a guided tour (in spanish) throughout the extremely deteriorated ruins of Caral, a city over 5000 years old and one of the oldest in all of South America! Apparently it was a city of very peaceful people who had pyramids and rituals and a theatre type place for musical and artsy gatherings (there was 50 some flutes found) that one day just got up and left. Nobody knows why they decided to move, because there are no signs of war or fighting. Super cool.
Then afterwards, because we had an extra hour, I went and got my hair braided super funky in this waxed string stuff by one of the hippies. It's basically a colourful hemp bracelet with small coloured stones and tree seeds and crystals woven around a long, thin braid of my hair. I got to choose the colours, the stones and the design, and then sat there for half an hour while we talked and he made it. I really like it! And the string is waxed so it can last 3 months or longer if you like. (I could also TRY to take it out earlier, but it would be super difficult.) He was a super cool guy and I let him help me choose what to put in it because he was telling me that in their culture this certain tree seed keeps away fear, and this stone signifies power, and stuff like that. I don't believe it, but it's cool for the cultural aspect. They were all complimenting my tye-dye shirt that I was wearing hahaha. I love moments when I get to have interesting conversations with different people of different lifestyles and such. Everyone else got bored waiting for me and went running on sand dunes (which I also wish I could have done!) but it was awesome. 15 soles, maybe a tad expensive, but I liked him and our conversations so yeah :)
Then the adventure began. After our bumpy ride back to the bus station, we found out that we had to wait one hour for the next bus with available seats. We paid for our 10 tickets and then went and bought the most delicious pollo y papas fritas I've had so far, and it was so cheap! I don't know how, but most delicious potatoes I've ever eaten! Or can remember eating, as there's been a lot of potatoes. Anyways. Then we ruuuushed back to be there on time for the so called 6pm bus, and played Uno while we waited until after 7:30 for the bus to arrive. (Peru time.) Then, as we waited to load the already mostly full bus (from Lima, heading to Chimbote), we were told that it was full and there was no seats for us. Great. Then we waited another 45ish minutes for another bus to come, but were told that it was kinda hopeless that another bus would come and have 10 seats for us. So, we got our money back and wandered around trying to find another way home. Then Jose told us all to squish into this tiny FIVE SEATER car and that this guy was going to drive us to another city (1 1/2 hours away) and that we would find a bus to take from there. So with the driver, 2 in the passenger seat, four in the back 3 seats and 3 in the back facing behind us with me laying at their feet, we made our way to Chimbote. He had to take out the spare tire and tye it onto the windshield wiper so that the back door/trunk would close with the four of us in the back. Oh my.
After only about 15minutes of squished uncomfortable crampedness, we arrived at road construction. Now it was pitch black out and we had to stop every 20-30minutes because of road construction. There were no pilot cars. Just another way to double our trip time. At one of the stops Mona and I got out and had a sprinting race down the line of cars to stretch our legs. We were looked at like crazy foreigners, running and giggling in the dark. Then we climbed back in and shut the door and continued on our way. After about 10 minutes, at one of our regular "Mia, sit up and see if the tire's still there" checks, the tire was NOT still attached to the car. I guess it was a super important tire, because he turned around (without signals or lights or anything safe like that on the dark, busy highway) and we proceded to look for the missing tire. I was beginning to think we'd never make it home. (and to think Jose had said it was a 3hr drive and we'd be home at 9pm) However, we couldn't find the tire. We also didn't find a car crash though, so at least nobody behind us had run into it. After awhile he gave up and we turned around again. Then we hit a huge bump that caused my whole horizontal body to fly up 5 inches and smack down on some peoples' feet because our driver had suddenly decided to turn off the highway onto a little dust trail. We were all very confused until the dust trail led to a little shack that was hiding some barely visible car headlights. Then our driver and the driver of the other vehicle got out and started shoving eachother. It almost led to a fight! Apparently, the other driver was in the vehicle behind us, and had nearly hit our fallen tire, and then picked it up and didn't want to give it back to our driver. Eventually, we got the tire back. Hurray. The whole incident taught him nothing though, because he re-tied the tire on the windshield wiper and off we went again. This time the back trunk REALLY wasn't closed that well, because after feeling a cold draft, I figured out that I could wiggle my fingers out the bottom of the door. Hurray. Then we had tire checks more often but the four of us in the back decided to lie the second time the tire was gone. We figured we would just pay the guy for a new tire. Ayayayaiii!
Two hours away from Chimbote we stopped at a gas station and got out of the car (those of us in the trunk after waiting for the police to pass by) where we yet again tried waiting for passing buses to have seats. Not sure why we ditched the car. Anyways. Mona, Zoraida and I got a ride in the front with the driver of a bus and made it home to Chimbote by 12:30am. The others had to wait until midnight to leave the gas station! Mona and I got to leave first because we're not 18 and our families have stricter curfews. For once, maybe a good thing! But I was enjoying our continually "improving" adventure :D I was veeeryy overtired by the time I got to the house where Soledad was the only one awake and the mother and father were absent.
Slept in til almost 11am today and obviously did not make it to colegio. Woke up and my cough is 100x worse. Yay! Now I have to phone the colegio and ask for permission so that tomorrow I can go with Nancy to get my package before lunchtime. Wish me luuuuuck!
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