07 November

One thing I forgot to tell you yesterday was about our visit to Lupe's house in Los Organos. She and her husband borrowed money from the owner of Samana Chakra to buy a house. They paid S/.1200 (about $425) for this space that they will eventually make into a home. Lupe and Franco took us to their home to see it. I was a small space, maybe 500 sq. feet. Dirt floors, bamboo walls to the outside with plenty of "ventilation", no kitchen or bathroom, a bedroom with two twin beds and not much else. Once again, I am reminded that life can be simple. They are both thrilled with their own space and look forward to making improvements that will give them a bathroom and kitchen. The contrast between their home and ours, in which we plan to employ Lupe, is obscene; at the opposite end of a spectrum of living conditions and style.
This morning we went into Los Organos for a quick shopping trip. We found tuna at the market again; it has not been available for a couple of weeks. Doug had said that a larger amount than usual of the fishing boats had left the harbor early in the morning. This morning was the same. We figure that is because the tuna are biting.
This afternoon and evening, Doug and I did some planning for the next month or so. We had return tickets to the US for the 19th of November. I called the airline to change them to Christmas time. However, according to the conditions of the tickets we had, it would cost us over $500 a piece to change. So, we will be going to the states on the 19th of November and plan on staying until after Christmas.
It seems like every day we see something that is so "Peruvian", but we either don't have our camera at the ready, or aren't quick enough to catch it. Today is was a surfer returning to town on a motorscooter; sitting on the front end of his board over the seat, and the rest of the board hanging off the back end. In Talara the other day, we saw a pick-up loaded with building materials; metal screens, rebar, plastic tubing, and various other things. Also in the back were two men holding the materials down...no need for tie-downs! Earlier we saw a mototaxi coming into town with a tuna; it's head sticking out one side, and the tail sticking out the other side. And numerous times we've seen trucks full of passengers in the cab, and up to fifteen other people in the back! I'd love to make a collage of these sights; they define Peru and Peruvian culture.