MACARA TO PIURA PERU - LEGALLY!

If you have not read any of my previous blogs, the title will not make any sense. My host family live in Macara and we all needed to go over to Peru. They zip back and forth without a thought, and one time they took me... twice in one day... without documents...so this time, I was very happy to follow the rules and "check in"

The rules are these. We drove over the boarder of EC onto a bridge, Parked the car and went to the EC boarder office where we all filled out paperwork (no photos the police are intimidating). I have my Cedula so I just put that number down.. no passport needed.  You tell how long you are staying, cell # and how you are traveling and purpose. They look at it and your cedula, make sure you filled it out correctly and then stamp it, and return the duplicate ticket at the bottom to you.
Then you walk over the bridge to Peru side of the river and fill out their paperwork, which is pretty much exacly the same except they ask you how much money you expect to spend. You hand all of your papers to them, including the EC stub. They look it all over, stamp it and return the two little stubs back to you. THEN you cross the street to the police station. They look over your documents and stamp them, hand them back to you.  So now I was all official to travel in Peru. Arturo warned me .. whatever you do DONOT loose those stubbs! We walked back to the car parked in no mans land on the bridge between the two boarders and proceeded with our trip.

We had gotten up early, said good bye to the other family members who were heading out for their homes; hopped into a truck driven by another unknown person and friend. We (Chella, her son Arturo, and me) then picked up the rest of the crew, Chellas sister., Netta. Throughout the conversations I figured out that Netta's husband knew this man, and we were riding with him because...
A. Nettas husband was the go-between so the man could meet people to talk to about land
B. We could get a free ride.
I just love this country! This idea would probably not cross anyone's mind in the "old country".

Suyo, Peru 1st real town across the boarder

It seems very dry in the part of the country

These little Moto-taxis were everywhere, it only got worse as we got closer to Piura

Thank you for visiting, Good travels..

This part of Peru seemed very poor

Smile, you are in Tambogrande..

This market has motorcycle, car and cow parking

Road side business

 When we got to a particular town we stopped at some peoples house and went in. I of course had no idea what was going on. Arturo (who speaks English) was not nearby to ask.. we arrived to find the remnants of a huge party the night before. The family was sitting down for a late breakfast (10 ish), and we were invited to sit and eat as well. Netta's husband came wandering out, obviously hung over. Then I got the story from Arturo. These are friends of Netta's husband. He came here the day before after the lunch at Marta's school. It was a huge birthday party for someone in the owners family. We were here to pick up Netta's husband and talk about storing Arturo's car. (DO NOT drive your car down from the US. There are all kinds of issues you have to cover to keep it here).

Our table woofing down the breakfast

Talkin' turkey about land deals in Peru

Yep, a donkey pulling a cart with a moto-taxi right behind him

Marigolds. Grown to feed the chickens so their egg yolks are very yellow

There was no room so Arturo and Netta's husband got the back seat..great for his hangover I am sure..

 

Piura, Peru. Population is similar to Cuenca

Some more affluent housing

I just loved this wall made of bamboo

This town is known for their pottery... can you tell?

Our parking guides in Piura craft market

 As you turn down the road to find a parking place, little kids start running and waving you to a parking place. When you get into your spot an older young person gives you a ticket. While you are gone the little kids are the "guards" for you car when they are not running up and down the street hailing other cars. When you leave you give the older kid your ticket, pay your fee to park and tip the kids all milling around. I think this would be a wonderful system in some of those parking lots in the "old country" around Christmas time!

Craft Market, exchange rate is about $3 to 1 Sol..(peruvian dollar)

 Arturo warned me not to take photos, people would come up and tell you that you owed them money for taking their picture... and would not leave until you did pay them something. So this was just a quick shot when I thought it was safe. It was a nice Market. The children seem to beg more here and do not take no for an answer. The prices were so low that bargaining was just not on the agenda. I bought Randy a ceramic mask for the house and a bracelet for myself.

A type of corn "beer". Its fermented. I thought it was lemonade at first.

 We stopped to have lunch at a Peruvian restaurant that had been recommended. Typically this Corn drink comes with the jug and one bowl and everyone shares. We asked for separate bowls..

Our driver who wanted me to take the photo of the Peruvian jug and coconut  drinking bowl.

It had to be about 90 degrees.. why would anyone put a sweater on this poor dog?

After lunch we returned to the Party house with Arturo's car. He parked it there and after the discussions were over we all went out and caught two moto-taxi's. The ride was too precarious to take pictures because there were 3 of us squeezed into a seat sized for two small EC folks.. so I guess I was the one squeezing them.. but anyway were were taken to the bus terminal where we were going to catch something... there were no buses. We saw that folks were attacking cars as they pulled up into the slots for Buses.  Netta's husband tried to barter with a fellow but a family leaped into the car.. oh well.. so he wandered over to another fellow and worked a deal for Ecuador so we hopped into his car (3 & 3) and we were off. It was getting dark by now, so our ride back to the Ecuador boarder was about 1 1/2 hr into the dark nite, dodging donkeys, sheep and huge cows in the road.

Once we got to the boarder we walked back across the bridge and handed in our papers to each country's office. Then we called a cab and arrived home about 7:30 p.m.

I called Randy and related our journey..as I was talking, Chella came in with a dish of food from the niece and nephew's fast food stand on the sidewalk on the corner of the house... oh yummy... more food (this made 4 times I ate that day..) I sat outside in the hammock strung between the porch supports, ate my food, listened to the family talk, noted the temp had dropped to 24 C. (75F) and thought, what a wonderful life!

ANOTHER SCHOOL EVENT AND A BIRTHDAY PARTY IN MACARA

On Saturday around 11:00 we all loaded up into a rented van and the family SUV to get all of us up to the school where Marta teaches. Her school is on the way to the family farm. It was started in 1999. Marta is a teacher, janitor, and assistant in the kitchen, and fund raiser. She is a one woman wonder.

We were the only ones that I saw who came to eat. We were a bit early, but I was still surprised that more of the community did not come to support this school.

All gathered around the table in the main eating area.

Marta in pink, overseeing the cooks

Neena and Chella

 This school is a public school just like the one we went to the day before. It relies on the government to remember to send funds for its needs. There are only 12 students in this school, so it is one of those who sometimes are not remembered financially. Besides the fundraiser lucheon, the school has a nice paved area for soccer, volleyball and basketball. The local folks come to play and have tournament games as well. The school sells drinks and snacks as another way to fund their school.

There is also a cock fighting pit on the grounds. This is also used as a way to fund the school I am not sure if they only sell drinks and snacks or if there is a fee paid to fight.

Chella demonstrating how the participants sit and cheer on their favorite bird.

 After the lunch and a rest at home, Lisandro waved at Chella and I and said lets go! We both declined until Litchee (Lisandro's wife) pulled a sad face and said PLEASE! In Spanish and English! I had no clue where were were going.. I joked by asking "Voy a Peru?".. They said no, no.. up in the hills..ok.. so I knew that much. Well it turned out that we were going to a birthday party. Lisandro had run into a friend who told him about another friend who was having a huge party.  Family had come from the US, Peru, Canada, and Columbia as well as here in Ecuador.

As soon as we arrived food was put before us.. Lunch... I told you we were early for the other lunch right? Well we were at the tail end of lunch at this party. We ate.. ugh I was so full, it was pork. Oh yum, it was good, and had the crispy skin that is real real hard, and almost a clear brown. It sounds disgusting but its real tasty!

See that crackly skin.. it really does taste good.

The band had begun to play, there were men walking around with big bottles of Johnny Walker Red Whiskey, pouring into all of the gentlemen's plastic cups. These guys had been here for quite a while, and were feeling no pain. There were also ladies walking around with tall glasses that had ice, water and whiskey. These were for the "ladies" to share! The communal glass was passed around for a dainty sip. I think I shocked them by asking for my own cup. I was either rude or being a lush..

Lisandro grabbed his wife for dancing and encouraged me to come along. I thought, why not.. so out I went. Lisandro immediately passed me off to his "good friend, since grade school".. he was one of those who were feeling no pain. We had a good time but I managed to extricate myself from dancing after a few wild rounds on the grass dance floor.

We seemed to be the center of attention here.

After the delicate extrication process it started to get a bit dark. Litchee asked (in Spanish), "Does it not bother your husband if you dance with men when he is not here"? I smiled and said, no he doesn't mind as long as it is not dark! She grinned and nodded in agreement with that.

FRIDAY - SCHOOL DEDICATION IN MACARA

The whole reason for this trip to Macara, was to attend the dedication of a school in honor of Chella's deceased father. From what I understand, their family has been a very important part of this town for over 100 years. Their grandfather owned vast amounts of land and so did their father. Through out the years the land was sold off, but their influence in this small town is still apparent.

I asked who built the little school and who would fund it. The school, I was told, was built by the government. The government would supply books, supplies and funds for food and the teachers salary. I was confused on this as it seemed that the family had bought some supplies, back packs and uniforms for the children and were funding alot of improvements. They explained that the government says they will supply all the necessary items, but since it is a very small school sometimes the government might forget, and the school will need the occasional support of private families.

The people of this little area were in charge of cleaning up the building and getting the grounds cleaned of rocks and weeds. Lisandro was a former Colonel in the EC Military, so he enlisted help from the local Military base (the land was donated to them by Chella's Father), so some of the heavier work and painting was done by them.

The dedication was to begin at 10:00 with lunch at11:00 sharp.. according to Lisandro. I am happy to say that the Ecuadorian custom of not starting on time was adhered to. I think the event finally got going around 11:00. We didn't even get out of the house until after 10:00.

Something like, Educate the children and you won't have to punish them tomorrow

There was a nice awning set up for shade, thank goodness, as it was a very warm day. All the important officials and main family were seated up front. The military were there in full regalia, the priest was there with two altar boys who played guitar music while those attending sang. The national anthem and I think local anthem were played and the folks sang with great enthusiasm. The priest performed a mass, and blessed the school. Speeches were made and then the best part. The children came out to get their back packs... all 6 children! Three little girls and three bigger boys.

Kids with their teacher

Going up to get their backpacks filled with uniforms and supplies

 After the ceremony ended everyone was fed a wonderful meal of pork, mote (hominy) rice, salad, and Horchata ( a delicious drink make from flowers and herbs). The Special Guests were seated inside, the others we fed outside. I noticed a definite class distinction here that I had never really observed before. I was uncomfortable with it, but everyone else did not seem to mind.

I just loved this handsome fellow

Here are  some photos I took, I thought you might be interested in them.

A photo with some of the towns people and ME!

New plants with the new fencing.. yep barbed wire..

Shade, glorious shade!

Military effect

Lisandro, important lady from Loja, Teresa, and the teacher with dedication plaque

 

People milling around after the lunch

This little sweetie's brother and sister are attending the new school

This is the mother of two of the children

These two are cousins, Carolina and Karen! I thought they both were so much fun

The best photo! I loved these sandals.. will have to go to Peru to get them

After the event was over and all of the tables cleared, tents tore down and packed away by the military; the family returned home to rest and reflect on the days events. It was considered a success by all.

DAY 3 - JUST ANOTHER DAY IN MACARA

Wednesday started out a lot later.. almost 10. Both Chella and I slept in. Just in case you forgot, they don't speak any English, so I was glad I had rested up my poor brain for another day of intense concentration.

After breakfast Chella and I went over to the Priests offices to speak with him about coming and doing a mass at the dedication. Again he was not there, but were told to come back at 4.

Little park in the center of town, across from the church

We were supposed to meet up with Lisandro (Chellas brother) to go up to the school, but he did not return; so after a bit I was asked to assist Teresa across the street and to the hair salon to get a pedicure and manicure. Ok, if you are a guy you can skip this part, but if you are lady read on!

First off the price for both is $6...not each. The pedicure itself takes almost 2 hours. There are about 5 different parts to it and it is a very intense hands on process. I had to admire how they figured out how to get it all done. The sink did not have hot water. So there is an electric water heater device that drops into the bucket that they place in the sink, when the water is warm, they pour it into the foot massager pan. Then they sit on a small stool at your feet and begin working on all the details of getting your feet smooth, massaged,smelling pretty and the nails perfect. Then you are moved to the manicure table (same lady) who then does your nails in a rapid fire session of buffing, massaging and working over your nails. Oh, and you pick out what kind of design you want painted on your nails.. you can have only one or all of your nails done.. NO EXTRA CHARGE.. and the design is painted, not a press on type design. It was pretty amazing. I did not last for the whole event. Chella came over to rescue me about 2:00, and she stayed with her mom until her fingers were done. I went home and whoofed down my lunch!

Lunch was fantastic, it was Goat. I have never eaten goat, and did not know it was goat until I was eyeing someones plate and they asked me if I wanted more chevo..so I did the dictionary thing.. waaalah.. oh Si, por favor!

After lunch we rested up and then at 4:00 we headed back over to the church. The Priest was in..he checked his calendar and agreed that he would be able to come. The family would need to provided transportation, tablecloth, wine, bread, a candle, flowers, grapes...and his fee of $70.  We went back to the house. Everyone was gathered outside in the shade out front. We explained what was needed. Chella's sister Netta agreed to come along and off we went. We got all the necessary items and ordered the flowers. More family arrived, and Marta asked Chella and I if we would like to take a little walk with her. It was about 7:00. We went to the local bank and then she took us out to eat at her favorite restaurant. It was country chicken, it was in a brown sauce. I was told it was a very typical way of eating chicken if you were in the "campo". When the first plate arrived, they made sure that it went to me..I gulped when I saw that it was the neck, foot and something else that I was not able to identify. Marta noticed my hesitation and when the next plate arrived she had Chella switch with me.. Oh did I tell you I LOVE Marta..The chicken was delicious, but I am glad I did not have to eat that foot. I have no photos; I did not bring my camera.. but I did have my documents!

Just a street scene in Macara

 After we got home I headed for the shower, as most of the family were outside or in the kitchen discussing the upcoming event. At about 9:30, and a few phone calls it was decided that they needed to head back to the restaurant in town and firm up the dinner for the dedication on Friday. ( Again, the only reason I am able to tell you this is because I am telling you what I found out AFTER we went there, I never really knew what we were doing until we actually got to where we were going..) The restaurant owner let us in (she was in her P.J.'s. We all sat in the restaurant; prices, plate sizes, food and drink were firmed up and the down payment was made. We got home by 10:30.. I smelled my brain smoking so I excused myself and went to bed.