Jacqui's Adventures: March 2010

The last time I wrote was about the super vacation I went on to the North. Since then, Life in Lima has been great. My host parents have been giving me a lot of freedom lately. After 6 months, they have gotten to know me, and know that I am very responsible, so have no problem with me going out and spend the day with friends until a reasonable hour of the night. I know my way around the city really well, and feel comfortable walking or taking public busses. I’ve become the best at hailing taxis, and lowering the price (my house to Miraflores, a 20-30 minute drive through traffic: never more than 10 soles ($3)).

There are a lot of cool out of the ordinary thing I’ve done lately too. Here are some examples. (Yes, some are from quite a while ago. I have already stated that I suck at actually updating this thing).

February 16, 2010 – Beyonce Concert
Yup. Beyonce Knowles came to Peru for her 2010 I Am… tour. I went with three other exchange students, and one of their sisters (from the US, who came to visit for a week). It was pretty cool, althoughI have to say, my favorite part was the opener, Adammo, a Peruvian Alternative Rock Band (even though they only played 4.5 songs). Also, K’naan was there, and sang The Official World Cup Song – Wavin’ Flags before Adammo. This was the first time I heard it. I am now obsessed.

It's Beyonce. I swear. I ad a crappy "seat."

February 17, 2010 – World Cup
Inspired by seeing K’naan the night before, Geneva (my best Candian friend) and I went to see the world cup… Well, the trophy anyways. It was pretty cool. We had to wait in line 6 hours, listening to Wavin’ Flags the whole time, but it was worth it. Here’s the picture I downloaded from the site. Too bad it says the wrong location. I was most definitely in Lima, Peru, not Venezuela.

=D

All of February – Carnaval
There is a tradition in Peru that February is the month of Carnaval. Nobody has been able to explain why, it just is. Carnaval is just an excuse to be able to thrown water at anyone any time. You are never safe in Lima. Ever.

March 7th, 2010 - Oscars
For the first time ever, a Peruvian Movie was nominated for the Oscars! It was a kinda big deal. However, La Teta Asustada (in English: The Milk of Sorrow) was beat out by an Argentinian film :(

Food from the Oscar Party. Oreos + Piqueo snax + Teqeos + sprite = (:

Life in General
There aren’t many other specific things that have been going on. I’ve been planning like crazy for the vacation I’m going to go on with my dad & brother & cousin when they come down… today! Yup. The next blog that gets published should be about that. (:
So… Yeah. It’s been a fairly chill end of summer, running about 5 kilometers at &:30 every morning, passing days walking in Miraflores, going to museums, sending a ridiculous amount of text messages, breaking into my friend navy school, going shopping, “celebrating birthdays” every day for 2 weeks, going out to eat sandwiches, becoming completely obsessed with bubble tea till the point where the workers know my name, over analyzing food, crashing photo shoots, listening to great music, going to concerts, going to Rotary things, going to the park at all hours of the day and night, passing time becoming insanely close with my 14 year old host sister, talking till 4 am on Windows Messenger and even the occasional disco outing.