Don't Shoot G Men!

Before I begin, do I know somebody starring in Public enemies? Wear a sweet zoot suit for me buddy!

Lenay and I took Liz to the airport at 1:30 this afternoon. I understand it will take until 2:30 TOMORROW afternoon to reach Minneapolis. I wouldn't feel bad except she and Lenay spent the last two days traveling two and from Arequipa, a department to the west of Cusco. Sixteen hours riding a bus isn't my idea of a good time. Lost second season marathon on the otherhand...

I had to bring a disc back to Molino because the dvd player wasn't reading any data. Waiting for a replacement, the vendor told me, 'espera cinco minutitos, por favor.' I was a little confused so I asked 'Why? Is another cd burning right now' In response he gave me the look. You know what look. The look of a man who is copying thousands of copyrighted dvd's and selling them for cash. Shhh Erik! Keep it down!

I mean they have guards in the black market! It's not as if anybody's trying to stop this guy, or the other ten pirate vendors from ripping off hollywood!

Catholics in Latino America don't call Easter by the same name. Here it's Lunes Santo, Viernes Santo, Domingo Santo. You get the picture. But we don't get chocolate bunnies in Peru (except from Liz, thanks). Instead we get twelve different plates for lunch. I'm told the number is based off of the Apostles during the last supper (I wonder which dish is for Judas?). It's usually two soups, two starters, two seconds and SIX desserts. That's enough food isn't it. Pati (host mom) made us five instead of the traditional twelve, but 3 desserts are enough, I guess.

1. Caldo Blanco (chicken feet soup...WITH PAPAS!)
2. Torrejas de Acelga (spinach cakes)
3. Masori Morada (warm, ultra sticky raspberry jello made with liquified corn)
4. Arroz con leche (rice pudding perhaps? The grandma's recipe)
5. Empanada de Semana Santa (crunchy cookie wrapped in paper)
6. Norseman Grog (a genuinely local peruvian coffee)

The next day the more ambitious catholics fast, or ayunar. My host mom told me she tried this, but fainted last year. Thank God. I love to eat.

During this time of year mothers would traditionally whip their children, to castigate for the past year's sins. I'm all for immersion, so I asked to be included in this tradition. Fiorela humbly obliged.

I'm sitting a little tender right now.