Inka Cola

Well, I'm sitting here, drinking some Inca Kola, after a busy day with the kids.  In Canada we'd say Inca  Kola is the Pop of Peru; in America, the Soda of peru;  or, in Peru, El Refresco or Gaseosa de Peru.  It's somewhat comparable to cream soda, or some say like a cotton-candy flavor, and is probably as popular as Coca Cola is.  I personally enjoy it, though I'm not much of a pop drinker.  (As a side note, the Coca Cola here is  made with real sugar, unlike in North America).

Other popular drinks of Peru include various herbal teas such as Coca Tea, made from dried coca leaves.  Native to Andes ranges such as Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, the people here claim it helps with many various ailments such as altitude sickness, stomach upset, and to aid in sleep. (For more info on Coca tea click here ).
Chicha Morada is also a common drink of Peru.  Though there are many varients throughout Latin America, in the Cusco area it is a sweetened juice made of purple corn.  It's history goes back to pre-colonial/ pre-Incan empire times!  (For you info buffs, click here for more info on chicha).

This week I thought it would be nice to make some home-made dill chip dip.  Unfortunately, I've discovered that Cusco does not have sour cream.  (Neither is there cheddar cheese here).  I'm still on the hunt for dried dill, as I've only looked in one grocery store so far. 
I guess some Inca Chips with salted camote, yuca and platano will have to do.  Not that I  mind- just not the flavor I was going for!

Thanks to my mom for sending the Play-dough recipe!  It sure beats any store-sold plasticine.  If I hadn't asked around, I never would have found the food coloring.  La Canasta does sell various colors of food coloring, but you have to ask for it at the counter, as it's not sold on the shelf.  I was also able to get some cream of tartar from the orphanage director, instead of paying the 60 Soles for the bulk-size container they sell at La Canasta (haven't seen it sold anywhere else yet).
The kids loved playing with the play-dough today!

 We've also been having fun with bubbles, dress-up, stickers and various Christmas crafts (thanks MMClinic), and decorating for Christmas.  Next week: more crafts and... cookie decorating!

Quillabamba Coffee & food markets

Coffee

I had the opportunity to see Quillabamba and to visit my best friend's family farm for a week.  It is so different from Cusco.  Cusco is primarily distinguished by it's denominant culture and history, and by old architecture and ruins.  Quillabamba is a lot more modern, and I was a bit surprised by the huge difference in conservatism there.  However, the climate is also a lot hotter, so it's not necessary for layers and alpaca-made gear!

The farm is beautiful, in a very jungle, tropical-like climate, but without big spiders, snakes, or monkeys.  Mango, mandarin and papaya trees are everywhere, although it's a bit early for them to be ready yet.  Bananas and avocados were prime for picking, though.  I didn't know there were so many different kinds of bananas.  Today I actually experimented with frying bananas for the first time.  Delicious.

I also learned the process of farming coffee and cocoa beans.  I sure understand now why imported coffee and chocolate are so expensive in Canada.  A LOT of time goes into preparing coffee for drinking!  The beans are hand picked, dried, washed, dried again, then eventually toasted, and ground.  I learned how to toast the coffee and also ground some to take home.  Also delicious.

PHOTOS OF QUILLABAMBA AREA:

Photo 1: In Quillabamba   Photo 2: Coffee and lime trees  Photo 3: A pineapple plant

Photo 4: Banana tree  Photo 5: Maiz   Photo 6:  One of two waterfalls we trekked to

 Photo 7: Beautiful tropical-like plants

Photo 8: More tropical-like plants!








Food Markets
Being away for a week made me realize how much I missed the kids at the Casa and how much I love my work and love those kids!  Their vibrant welcome when I came in the door on Monday was also heart-warming.
When I had left, Luis was still only walking about 6 steps at the most, but he is now walking all over the place!  It's exciting getting to get to see and be a part of their new stages of growth.
The little babies are also becoming more expressive and connected to their environments, so that is also fun.
One of my new tasks in helping out where needed at the orphanage is assisting one of the staff with the weekly grocery shopping on Friday mornings at the food market.  It is so interesting and different from Superstore, and it is a big job.  Sometimes it can take an hour and a half or 2 to find everything down all the isles of different fruits, vegetables, flours, meats and fish sections.
I am hoping to have photos of the meat section in the future.

Team Departure

I saw the team off on Wednesday.  I think they were ready to go home after a very full two weeks. 

They were busy from sun-up to late evening every day with various projects and outings.  There can be ups and downs emotionally and physically being in a poorer culture with both beautiful things and also very sad and difficult to see things.  Various minor stomach and health ailments also made the last few days difficult for some of the group.  However, all-in-all it was a productive and enjoyable time for them here.  Despite some crazy rain in Sept/Oct, the weather has been really beautiful for the past month, getting hotter in the past couple of weeks.  (Love it!)

On the weekend Pastor Bill, Walter and I joined the rest of the team for the two hour bus ride to their train station departure to Machu Picchu.  We stopped in Chinchero to enjoy a short Artesenian presentation that I have seen before, on how they make and dye the wool in Peru.  There was a bit of time to scope out the markets afterwards, too.  The handicrafts are so beautiful.  The colors and artestry of Peru are so varied and are one of the many things I love about this country.

 On Tuesday, after the team returned from Machu Picchu, some of the them came with me to the orphanage to see where I spend my time, meet the kids and staff, and to help with a painting project.  I had told them that there was one small wall to paint, and that it wouldn't take more than a couple of hours.  However, a Young Adult team from Sweden beat us to it just the day before.  There was one really tall wall that they started after finishing the smaller one, but much of it was hard to reach.  A tin roof made it hard to access from the neighboring property, so there were only a couple of good vantage points to work from.  With much appreciation, our guys got innovative and finished the job!

Getting innovative

 It was great having my church team here and to be able to join the group a fair amount, and to share some of my Peru experiences with Ryan. 

Using Four Extensions

Getting 'er done- Alberta-style!

Thinking back to last year, when I returned home to Canada after my first trip here, I remember the -35 C getting off the plane.
I can't say I'll miss having a cold, white winter this year!

Of coures, I do miss my family, friends, and church family back home. 

Come visit any time!



Church Fall Team

My Church's Fall Adult Team flew in after over 24 hours of travel on Thursday last week.  I was SO excited to see them, especially with my brother Ryan coming as part of the team!  It's so cool to be able to share my experiences here in Peru with one of my family members, and to be able to connect with my church here in Peru.

At the arrivals area in the Cusco airport, you cannot go inside the terminal, but have to wait outside the building.  I was waiting anxiously, with butterflies (how nerdy, I know) at the airport early that Thursday morning, looking through the glass for the team.  But, after the 8:10 arrival, I couldn' t see any of them.  A couple of more flights arrived, and again, no recognizable, tall gringos.  Mila, the coordinator from the organization our church works with, was there waiting with me and commented that she imagined that God must be waiting, looking down from heaven, for his lost children with a similar anticipation and excitement, just waiting for those to find Him and acknowledge their need for the God who created them.
"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."  Matthew 7:7  God is always waiting with open hands.

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  Luke 15:10  There is a party in heaven every time a person turns their life to follow God's way.

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:20  What an amazing verse... He rejoices over his saved followers!

When the team finally arrived, late due to overbooked, backed-up flights, it was really great to see them, and to see them get settled into the compound. 
It was a blessing to be able to join the group on the weekend to go to the Huanca Huanca village.  Almost a year ago, I visited this village for the first time.  I recognized alot of the children from last year, and was amazed at how much they've grown!  Before I'd left, a friend had sent an encouraging note, reminding me that the Andes mountains are pretty much the "ends of the earth".  What a great privilege to be able to share God's love, and to be an encouragement to our brothers and sisters in this remote area of the world! 

The area of Huanca Huanca

"Then Jesus said to them- "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..."  Matthew 28:19 & 20a

"Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Ps.19.4.

"...that you may bring my Salvation to the ends of the earth."  Isaiah49:6

Sunday School with the kids

The team encouraged the Huanca Huanca Church by: Dana putting on the Sunday school program for the kids, Pastor Bill teaching in a couple of services, and our group praying for their church and members.  We also helped collect rocks for the foundation of a replacement church that is to be built in the coming months.  We were able to connect with the children, playing lots of games, and our guys attempted to play soccar against the Huanca Huanca men (it was pretty funny, the Peruvians far outshone the Canadians in this area- sorry no photos!).

A handful of hail

 Our team was encouraged by the people there as well.  They told us how thankful they are for our support in different ways, and showed us some test plots that the agriculturalist our church sponsors has been working on, as well as a demonstration of how they work the land in preparation for planting.  A couple of guys from our team tried their hand at it, and soon realized that it's harder work than it looks!  The work the agriculturist has done with their community, such as planting new crops, benefits the village with nutrition and income.  Last year the onion crop was quite successful, although they do need help in learning when and how to market it in order to gain the best exchange.  This year they were trying various other vegetables including beets and cabbage, to see how they do in the high altitude.

As with the first trip, I am reminded that though they have little, they are content and happy people.  It continues to guide me in being content with what I have, and learning to live with less stuff and rather focusing my time on the connections I make with people, and showing the love that Jesus has shown me.

Bananas and Photo Shoots...

I am so enjoying the new place!  With windows on every side of the apartment and being on a hill and on the 4th floor, there is lots of natural light, it's fairly warm, and has a beautiful view of Cusco.  The color scheme in the apartment is a bit funky, but I love the open concept and it's very comfortable and homey.  The 10 minute combi ride to the last stop before my walk to the orphanage is so appreciated after the nearly 40 minutes from before! And, I couldn't have a better roommate.

Banana chocolate cupcakes

This week I was blessed with a huge box of fresh fruit by my friend Walter's parents who live on a farm nearer the Machu Picchu area.  Mandarins,  mango, citrus fruits similar to limes but that you can eat like an orange, and LOTS of bananas!  So, I've taken the opportunity to use the kitchen and try out high-altitude cooking, baking up a storm in my spare time.  Banana chocolate cake, banana bread, banana chocolate cupcakes with icing...  I would still like to try a banana chocolate chip cookie recipe and maybe some pancakes.  After some reading, it's apparent that reducing the sugar and flour, adjusting the baking soda/powder, and increasing the moisture in the recipe are helpful adjustments for the altitude.  So, I really haven't had any problems, other than nearly burning the bottom of the first cake because I put the grate too low in the propane-fed oven. It's been nice to be able to bless others with the baking and use the bananas that were given so generously to me.

  

News from the Orphanage...

On a second visit to the Clinic, the Doctor didn't hear a heart murmer this time, but discovered that little Carlos has an underdeveloped nasal passage.  This causes some feeding problems and discomfort as he is unable to breathe clearly at times.  The good news is that it is something that will repair itself as he grows and won't affect him long-term.  He does seem in distress alot of the time, but could also be experiencing some affects of fetal alcohol syndrome.  It was nice to see him a little more content these past couple of days.

Baby Carlos at 4 months old

Luis peeking through the play-house

Little Luis took about 5 big steps on his own this week from one house Mama to another.  He enjoys the encouragement, but is still resistant to start "running" on his own. 

Adriano was given a head-shave a few days after arriving, so he's looking alot different from intitially.  He is still adjusting.  It seems like he didn't have any adjustment issues when he arrived at the House, but the last few days has been very attention-needy and cries lots when he doesn't get the direct attention.

Adriano

As in any house-hold it is an adjustment having a new baby in a house.  So, having 2 new newborns, a 3 1/2 month old, and a 2 1/2 year old all within one month has certainly caused some adjustment issues for the older kids. For the most part it's positive though, and cute watching them especially drawn to play with and care for the dolls in the House like their own babies.

This weekend... I joined the church group for a couple of immersion baptisms at the Royal Inca pools in Pisac Saturday morning.  The whole group took a couple of collectivo buses to transport together to the hour-away location.  It is a beautiful retreat location similar to having botanical gardens.  Palm trees and cacti, green lush grass, beautiful plants and flowers, a huge swimming pool, tennis courts, and areas for picnicing.  It was a really hot morning and enjoyable with a short worship time, Bible message, and fellowship with a bbq afterwards.

At the orphanage, we got all the kids together for a Christmas themed "photo-shoot" for Christmas Thank-You cards.  An American girl who is here for a few months with her husband is a professional photographer back home, so it worked out really well that the Director happened to meet her a couple of weeks ago, and she very willingly offered to take the photos.  We dressed all of the children up in Christmas pajamas which was fun, and pretty hilarious and impossible trying to get them all to pay attention for the photos.

Christmas Photo-shoot

Transitions / Kaqchi de Habas

This is my last week living in the center, and am moving into another district into an apartment with a nurse missionary from the US.  As in any other place, there are advantages and disadvantages to living in the center of a city.
I am especially thankful that my travel time to the orphanage will be cut down by about an hour per day.  It will be nice to be in a quieter, less busy/ less tourist-minded area.  (Everywhere you go in the tourist areas you are constantly offered to buy hand-made products, massages/ manicures/ pedicures, food, etc.  Also, in the plazas, every weekend there are craft sales and live music, entertainment, fireworks, etc, which can be very loud in the evenings). Of course, it will also be nice to have a bit more living space, and a roommate to share it with. 

I will miss the conveniences and friends that are downtown.  I've discovered that the vegetarian food in Peru is absolutely delicious, and have a couple of favourite places that I will miss being close to!

Above: Rocoto Relleno
Below: a Vegetarian dish with Haba
beans and tofu

In Peru, it's common to have a small breakfast & supper and the largest meal of the day at lunch, which is usually an extended lunch time, or followed by a siesta.  The typical Peruvian restaurants and usually most touristy restaurants (if you ask) have what they call the daily "menú".  For a range of prices as cheap as 2.50 Soles to upwards of 15 Soles, this meal usually consists of a drink, a soup, a segundo (a second- or main course) and sometimes a postre (dessert).  I am learning to find more economical options, and have been finding places in the 7-10 Sole range.  The drinks are usually a freshly squeezed fruit juice, or sometimes something similar to a lukewarm tea.  Being that the potato originated in Peru, the soup almost always has some type of potato or variation like the yucca or camote (sweet potato) in it.

Some of my favourite vegetarian segundos have lentils, or haba beans (a broad bean) or some kind of stir-fry that usually has fried potatoes in it.  Rocoto Relleno is similar to the popular Peruvian Papa Rellena dish.  Rocotos are a hot chili pepper, Rellena means "stuffed" and Papa means potato- and usually is a soft mashed potato formed and fried around a stuffed 'surprise' inside. Both the Papa Rellenas and Rocoto Rellenos typically are stuffed with rice and minced meat or other vegetables, but I have had some delicious vegetarian variations.
White rice is very common here and occasionally quinoa as a side to the segundos.  The dessert is most often a little dish of flan or jelly, or a small piece of sweet chocolate or orange flavoured cake.

Kaqchi de Habas

I'm looking forward to learning to make some of these recipes, or making my own variations.  It's been a few months since I've cooked anything!  Apparently, cooking and baking in the Andes takes some adjusting to that of at sea-level.  Because of different atmospheric pressure, water boils at a different temperature.  Apparently, things like rice can be tricky, eggs take a bit longer to cook (because they have more water in them), and baking powder or soda have more rising power.  From American missionaries I've met, it can take some experimenting and practice.

More Bambinos!

Well, since my last post, the activity at the Casa has not stopped.  The week after Bambino, now called Lucas, arrived, two more little babies came to us.  I had the opportunity to go with another house mother and the orphanage director to a Clinic where the babies were checked out..  Marleni is a cleft-palate lip baby and was about 10 days old when she arrived.  Carlos is about 3 1/2 months old, but the size of the other two newborns.  The Doctor believed he heard a heart murmer, which is likely the reason for his small size. The two both checked out at around 2.2 kgs- each under 5 lbs.
Carlos is having feeding problems, and seems to be uncomfortable alot of the time.  He has the softest cry and his little cheeks vibrate when he's really unhappy. 

We have a specialized feeding bottle for Marleni and thankfully she is feeding really well and is a very relaxed baby.  She needs to be at least 10 lbs before any operations can be performed for lip and palate construction.

Yesterday, we got another little one!  He's around 2 years old, and named Adriano.  He has a tendency to hit and scratch the other kids, but his tenderness and need for love is so evident when he just wants to walk around the room holding onto my hand.

All of their background stories are heartbreaking; it's great to have each one at the house.

This week has mostly been about feeding and holding babies, but I did get the chance to work with Hilda for an hour and a half.  She is in pre-school and needs extra help with her numbers.  She is eager to learn and to keep trying when she doesn't get it right.

Next week we want to get some photos of the kids for upcoming Christmas cards, so that should be fun!