Peru represent!

Today’s shout-out goes to Miguel in Arequipa

It’s been over a year since I last saw my buddy Miguel, but at least he knew which team to support in the World Cup. Perhaps his German girlfriend had some influence on his decision. We used to live together in Peru and we had some wild times. Because gambling is illegal in China, I often think about our trips to the Peruvian casinos, mostly losing money but loving every minute of it. Miguel is the type of guy you can rely on, always there when you need him, like taking you to get ceviche after a long night of drinking. My year in Peru wouldn’t have been the same or nearly as fun without him. Much love mano!

It’s been 11 months but I’ve finally found the equivalent of the Peruvian dish ‘Lomo Saltado’.

Notable difference, it came with white rice instead of fried rice. Meat and fried potatoes in the same tasty brown sauce with some onions and tomatoes. Upon taking my first bite, memories of Peru flooded into my mind as I reminisced about many late evenings inside of Peruvian 'Chifas’. And yes, I’m going back for more tonight.

The 'it' factor..

Big eyes. This needs to be addressed. Wether it’s a 7 year old in my class, a 24 year old girl I go out with, or the attitude of the general public, they unanimously agree that big eyes are attractive. I have a couple speculations. Perhaps it’s because it’s something different from the norm. Foreigners stand out for many reasons, and having ‘big eyes’ seems to be a top factor. When I see billboards or advertisements in the subway, there are Chinese models with big eyes. Social media influences society and these models with 'big eyes’ are regarded as 'attractive’. As a foreigner, I don’t see the appeal, although on some level, I understand it. America is such a melting pot that seeing a person with unique physical features isn’t all that rare and I don’t tend to stare or see them as 'more attractive’. 

Before I left Peru a lot of Peruvians said, “Oh you’re going to China, everyone looks the same”. Which was funny, because the same can be said for Peruvians. Brown skin, brown hair, and brown eyes. As a foreigner with white skin, brown hair, and 'big’ blue eyes, I suppose I’ll take the compliment of having 'big eyes’ and continue to live my life in Beijing amid a sea of stares. 

So close...

Leaving for China early Sunday morning. Working and training until then. Boise is a boring place when transitioning between 2 countries. 

After complaining repeatedly about the lack of beer choices in Arequipa, Peru, I suppose I should show what I was comparing it to. This is part of the beer aisle in a Fred Meyer in Boise, Idaho. Choices for days. 

This is my buddy Miguel who is standing on another building he has designed in Arequipa, Peru

Te extrano mano!

And because Miguel thinks he is so clever, attached to his e-mail was a list of ‘thought-provoking’ questions. Todays:

¿Dónde está la otra mitad del Medio Oriente?

"Me llega al pincho"

A useful phrase I learned the other day

Peru, you never seem to disappoint

My new Muay Thai gym here in Boise

Much better than the one in Peru, although I’ll never forget all those rainy nights, training on wet mats from the leaks in the roof. Ahh how I miss Peru. 

Shout-out goes to Walter, my Peruvian buddy who got me into Muay Thai. Hopefully his toe is better so from here on out, after I win, I won’t have to hear, “Well ya see my toe hurts, so I wasn’t at 100%”. 

So when I was in Ollantaytambo, I ordered chips and guacamole and this is what I got. Close…

For anyone in Peru who watched me struggle to do this, I finally finished it

The family I spent Christmas with got me a painting of the Plaza de Armas here in Arequipa

I couldn’t have been happier to tear away the wrapping paper to reveal such a great piece of art.

Everyday for the last 3 months, through my 2nd story window, I have been saying hi to the cute neighbor who lives next to my school. I’m guessing she’s upper 20’s, but with Peruvians, it’s difficult to tell. On the last day of class, my students suggested I give her my number. Thinking quickly, I scribbled it on a piece of paper, folded it up into an airplane, and sent it sailing over to her patio. Guess who’s got a date tonight? Moral of the story: Paper airplanes serve a purpose after all.