You Go Nate!

A DAY AT THE MARKETS

So the furniture in our apartment is fairly uncomfortable the chairs and couches being more like patio furniture than something that's nice to kick back and really relax in. So we decided that we need to get either a couch or a something like unto it to provide a more comfortable place to sit. So we went to the markets and found that real couches are much too expensive for us, however we did find a fold-away bed that was not only the perfect size but was also cheap. So we bought it and bought some cheap pillows and a blanket and found a nice spot for it against the wall.

At the market I also bought some real Peruvian chocolate (it's OK but just because this is where cocoa comes from doesn't mean that their the best at turning it into chocolate) I also bought a couple of souvenirs, a Peruvian pan-pipe and a flute. I will learn to play them both soon.

The San Pedro market near our house is one of the larger ones in Cusco and it is essentially an enormous terrace wherein there are sections of people selling produce, cheese, meat, grains, handicrafts, clothes, chocolate or items to be used in indigenous ceremonies. (Hence the above picture of me with llama fetuses hanging in the background.)

On a Saturday it is especially crowded and at one point we heard the sound of a marching band coming down the street outside. It was like the Pied-Piper, everyone rushed to the nearest exit to catch a view of the oncoming parade. There were musicians and dancers and people with masks and different costumes. It was for some religious holiday I suppose. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it though.

After the market we came home and got the house ready for a fiesta. We had a "Welcome to House Tammie" (see photo) party for Alana's friend Tammie who had just returned last Tuesday from the US. Several young adults from the ward came over. We ate popcorn and played Uno (which was really funny to them. Imagine if we had a game called "ONE".) It was fun.

On Sunday Alana gave a talk in Sacrament meeting and I played the piano. I think I understood about 7-10% this time depending on who was speaking.

This is a typical scene of a group of children dancing together in a square. Dancing is a much bigger part of life here than it is in the US.

This week I start my TEFL course.