Speed Taste Testing...

Anniversaries of towns are a big deal in Perú. This weekend was the anniversary of Vice, the district I live in. So for its anniversary, they had 10 days full of events, things like soccer games, volleyball games, educational talks on environment, small business, domestic violence, they also have dances and artesans exhibits. But my favorite event is the ¨Concurso de Platos Tipicos¨. This is an event where organizations from all over the district make a typical food dish from Perú and bring it to Vice for a food competition. This past Saturday, there were about 18 different organizations. Now the public gets really excited about this bc first, Judges go around and taste the food, but then, its time for everyone else to go out and sample.

It sounds pretty organized, doesn´t it? Well I am sorry if I am giving you the wrong impression bc it is the furthest from being organized! My ¨sitemate¨and I decided to each make a dish from our culture, as sort of an ¨intercambio¨, exchange of culture. I made Mac & Cheese (not just from a box, homemade Mac & Cheese) and my ¨sitemate¨ Brett made some turkish dish called Menemen.

Well as soon as we arrived, the entire crowd swarmed our table. They all wanted to see our food, they wanted to taste it, they wanted to smell it, they wanted to learn how to make it even though they had no clue what it was yet! And then they tricked us. The judges were tasting the last food and about 1/2 of the crowd, 25 people or so, kept asking us to begin. They said it was time to begin. No one else had started letting people taste their food, but the people were telling us it was time. So we said okay and uncovered our dishes. People starting pushing and shoving and killing each other to get in to grab a spoon (there are only 3 or 4 spoons at each table and you grab a spoon, take a bite, then put the spoon down for the next stranger to use, and you move on to the next table). Then the lady next me says its not time yet bc the judges have to make another round. Of course!! Thats how Peruvian culture is. They tell you what you want to hear, they tell you what you need to hear in order for them to get what they want. Its so annoying! Especially when you are working with business. You get nothing productive done.

So finally it was time to begin ( oh, for that 1 minute I uncovered my food for the tasting, they devoured about 1/4 or it, thats impressive). As soon as the director said ¨Okay¨ the people were at, and I split. I wasnt about to be there for all the mayham with my food. I wanted to try the rest of the food. There is supposed to be a line that starts at the first table, but that didnt happen. Half of the crowd was at our table, which was GREAT bc it freed up everyone else´s food so I wouldn´t have to wait in line or knock someone out to get some food. Let me tell you, it gets rowdy! Brett was trying to hand out crackers to people tasting his food but eventually gave up bc they just mauled him. Within about 10 minutes, my food was gone. They loved it! I had about 10 people afterwards ask me for the recipe. So I guess it was a success!

From Money to Kisses

The cutest thing happened the other day. It is extremely common for kids, adults, babies to ask you for money. You`ll be walking down the street and someone will come up to you and say ¨Give me 10¨. They want $10. Or you can be carrying some eggs and they will say ¨Give me an egg¨. They are programmed to beg from their youngest days. Not everyone, but a lot of them.

Well there is one kid in my town who always asked for ¨10¨ whenever I see him. I used to feel bad telling him no, even though I am this ¨rich¨gringa who can afford to give him that and so much more. So instead, I tell HIM to give ME ten and I hold up both my hands for high fives. After a while, he caught on and started loving giving me fives. He would come up to me asking for ten, but this time wanting me to give him a high five. Kids here LOVE getting high fives. You always have to initiate it, and sometimes explain to them how to do it, but they LOVE it. You are giving them attention, and thats what they want most of all.

One day, about a week ago, this little boy comes running up to me and I am thinking he is going to ask for ten. He does, I give it to him. Then he asks ME if I want some of HIS bread, and its rude to say no, so I say of course. He tears off this little tiny piece, and hands me about 3/4 of his roll! I couldnt except the bigger piece, so I trade him for the littler one. Then, right as I am walking off, he smiles with his two black holes where his two front teeth should be, and asks me for a kiss. My heart melted then and there. Here is this little boy, who used to be a begger to me, who is now not asking for money, but for kisses. If we could have that same affect on the rest of Peru, our work here would be complete.