Los Miércoles

For the past 5 weeks, Wednesday nights have been an inspiring time of fellowship, learning, and discussion of not only music geek topics, but also life, faith, and the life and work of Jesus Christ. Throughout the weeks, each person has volunteered to give a presentation on a different composer or artist. So far we have learned about Ludwig van Beethoven, Emmanuel Pahud (flautist), Gustavo Dudamel (conductor), Nicolo Paganini, and Andre Segovio (guitarist)

Last night, a few of us gathered early to make some Peruvian desserts. A while ago I had tried a dessert that I liked and so I asked one of the girls if she knew how. She said she didn't but after finding what I

thought was the recipe on the web, we decided to make it. What I didn't realize is that what I had tried was similar to creme brulee which is called Leche Asada. What I actually made was bizcocho de crema de leche which was more like a heavy, rich, pound cake. When everyone found out what I had intended to make, they informed me of the name and we all had a good laugh especially at my disappointment.

I was secretly hoping that bizcocho would turn out to be some

fantastic dessert that I couldn't wait to make again......... :(

One thing that is hard to get used to is that generally speaking different people come every week which makes it hard to get to know people well. However, a few regulars have ended up staying late talking over doctrinal matters. Well, really American late which is between 10 and 12 PM. If it were Peruvian late, I would just about have to get dressed for work the next day.

Walking, Micros, and craziness

One thing I love about living in T rujillo, Peru is that it is possible to walk many places. Below is a map of Trujillo with some of my haunts highlighted. My house is the purple blurb below and the blue line is Larco street which I usually take if I walk to the center of Trujillo. The center of Trujillo is a circle. The Mission office is in pink and the conservatory is green. If you walk really fast from my house the office is about 25 minutes and the conservatory is 35-40 minutes. The red dot is the supermarket Wong which is only about 7 minutes walk (which does get long if you have your arms loaded with groceries). The yellow dot is Wong's competitor Plaza Vea which is like a Walmart. Plaza Vea is actually part of Real Plaza, an open air mall which also has Starbucks for those days when you want to feel like your are in the States for 30 minutes. Plaza Vea is also really close to walk, about 10 blocks. The orange dot represents where most of the missionary families live (about a 30 minute walk).

So, what you are too tired/don't have time to walk or your destination? There is a variety of public transportation readily available. Right around the corner of my house there are all manner of buses, cars, and vans that go to various areas of Trujillo. I am grateful to live so close. The main disadvantage is that the noise is incessant all day. The air is filled with old buses missing a muffler, bus boys yelling their destinations, horns honking, and all sorts of craziness. One of my favorite rides is the micro ride to the center of Trujillo. A micro is a large bus which holds more people than you think. The bus will stop at whatever part of the street heedless of traffic moving behind it, if you wave one down. (In the States this would be a major traffic hazard but Peruvian drivers drive VERY offensively!) As soon as your right foot hits the bus stair, the bus boy yells DALE (da - ley) which indicates that you are more or less on the bus and it begins to move while you sway violently until you find a seat. This used to be a source of embarrassment to me until I saw that other people had difficulty getting to their seats as well. If you get on during rush hour, you probably will not find a seat and will be shoved on with many others trying to remain on their toes as the bus rages violently down the street (I have complete confidence in their abilities as I have rarely seen a wreck). Many do not appreciate this and complain about the danger they cause to other drivers, however, for whatever odd reason, I love riding in Micros. There are always many people to watch during the ride, fun music blaring, and an exhilarating ride all for 1 sol. You are on this bus and cannot see out the windows and so hope the busboy yells destinations so you won't miss your stop. As more people cram on, you are pushed further into the back of the bus and try to not get claustrophobic at the bodies pressing against you. Your stop nears and you wonder how you are going to get out as the bodies are packed in. You decide to be polite and say 'permiso por favor' (excuse me please). Nothing happens. You are nearing your destination. Out of desperation after you begin elbowing and pushing your way out, hitting people with the violin on your back, and unintentionally stepping on toes until, you see light coming from the door and give the busboy your sol for the trip and step off moving as fast as you can to get away from the bus that has barely stopped for you to get off,accelerating as soon as your right foot hits the ground.

An infamous micro