Doin' What They Do and King Cake

I know it is now Saturday and I said last Friday that I would be doing a better job of keeping up with my blog. I mean, really, who wants to know more frequently than every week what I'm doing? But anyways, here is the next post whether some think it is late or others believe it to be right on time.

I really wanted to wait until I had a picture of my English class before I posted again, but I keep forgetting to take their picture. I guess I need to pencil that into my lesson plans. Even without a picture I can tell you that my class is going GREAT! I love my students and they tell me I'm a good teacher. Of course, they could be lying, but we have a great time anyways!

Even though I didn't get pictures of my class, I did manage to take several pictures of Peruvians at work this week. I was actually killing some time at a local park and started taking pictures of what people were doing around me. As I was leaving I walked about two blocks to my destination and realized that there were so many people working. I don't think I've ever really noticed how many people are working in the length of two blocks. There are the construction workers who whistle at me on a daily basis (maybe that's why I don't notice them, I have chosen to ignore them). But there are others, like the lady who works at a little corner fruit stand, men washing cars, guard for apartment buildings, and of course taxi drivers. So, I started taking pictures of these things just so I can remember the "normal" people of Peru. Then, I went to the Inca Market (the souvenir place) yesterday and saw a few of the vendors working on their goods. So, I asked some ladies if I could take their picture. Maybe it's me thinking ahead to the fact that I will be leaving soon and I just wanted pictures of the people or maybe it was sheer boredom. Either way, I hope ya'll enjoy some of the many jobs of Peru.
These guys were taking a break (it was siesta time). I think they are the park maintainace men.

This is an Ice Cream cart. They are on almost every block in Lima. They have a funny little whistle they blow to let you know that Ice Cream is close by.

This is a typical fruit cart that you find on lots of corners in Peru. You also see these carts filled with candy, cookies, and other junk food.

A man washing a car. Some apartment guards wash the cars of their tenants and sometimes random people just offer their car washing services. Either way you can get a very thorough car wash for about 15 soles ($5).

Construction worker. He appeared to be digging up the sidewalk and putting it in that dump truck. Not sure why.

This was one of the ladies in the market. She was working on her painting. I really wanted a candid, but when I asked to take her picture she posed (she was pretty shy about it too).

This lady is carving a gord. These things require sooo much time and talent. There are tiny little pictures carved all over. They are one of the more expensive things in the market because of the amount of time it requires to make them. This is one of the few things you can't talk them down on in price.

Another "normal" thing in Peru that I do not think will ever seem normal to me is the fact that people drink all drinks warm -- even soda drinks. I know this is not a shocker to all you people living overseas. I've read on many of your blogs that the locals in your country do the same thing. Maybe it's us Americans that are so different, heck, maybe all that ice does make us sick... who knows!! Anyways, I was in Burger King with some friends and there was a lady sitting next to us with two children. I looked over and noticed that she was pouring a steaming hot cup of water into the girl's Pepsi. I said, "Man, I wish I had a picture of that." Well, as I'm saying that she is telling the girl to go get a refill of hot water so that she can pour it into their other two drinks. So, as the girl goes for the refill I get my camera ready. After about 3 failed attempts I got a pretty good picture of the actual pouring action -- steamy hot water from a styrofoam cup into the Pepsi. Ah, Peru!
And lastly our King Cake Party. The Austins (http://hands-n-feet.blogspot.com/) are a good ole Louisianna family and they enjoy lots of the traditions that go with that state. (Including that purple and gold team so hated on my beloved Ole Miss campus) So, when Susie's friend, Kim, came all the way from Baton Rouge this past weekend with a King Cake mix in hand there was no doubt that they would be eating it on the day of Mardi Gras. They graciously invited over several of us single types (that never have food, much less cake in our homes) and it turned into a regular Austin Party. So here are a few photos from the night of Mardi Gras. It wasn't quite what you think of when you think "French Quater" and "Bourbon Street", but we did have beads!

Susie found the baby!!!