Seeing with more experienced eyes

So I have been here in Peru for more than a year, and I am now seeing holidays and customs that I saw happening during training last year. Its going to be interesting seeing them again, with a better grasp on the overall culture and language. I was reflecting recently that before coming to Peru, I knew next to nothing about the country. Now, while I wouldn't say I'm an expert, I definitely know a bit more than the average Joe.

For instance, I know that the Quechua people in the mountains of Peru wear very colorful traditional clothing. Specifically, the women wear "polleras" that are pretty bright skirts, usually layered, paired with a traditional cowboy-ish hat. I know that most of them cook over an open flame, with meals featuring almost exclusively potatoes. Peru has a large expanse of rainforest untouched by people, vastly unpopulated and only becoming less populated as people all move to Lima, the capitol. They are listed on some sites as the #67 country for CO2 emissions; wiki says they produce 0.14% of the worldwide emissions. And yet, they will be one of the most impacted countries from climate change problems. Most of their water comes from the tropical glaciers they have in the Cordillera Blanca, as well as their electricity.

I was recently reading a spanish book called "Cholito y los Andes Magicos" which is written by a person from Ancash about the Quechua culture. Its a little more living in the mountains who meets the son of the devil (Quechua names that I don't remember, I believe ichic llapay or something like that). He gets trapped by the dad and has to perform feats to get out. Animals help him because he is generous, and he eventually escapes with the help of the devil's daughter. I haven't finished yet, but the interesting (or at least to me) part is that it is written exactly how a Quechua sierra dweller speaks. Which is to say, not exactly the most proper. I didn't realize how many mannerisms are in the language here, such as "no mas" being added to practically any sentence. It was a stark and interesting contrast from having read the Harry Potter series in spanish, written in formal Spanish.

I am getting more and more excited for my mom visiting me. I am looking forward to having her in my site, showing her my work, the people I live with. Santa, my host mom is such a sweet woman who has endured more than her fair share. She has had such an incredibly hard life; I want to help her in anyway I can. I'm hoping to buy some knitted apparel from her for people back home that my mom can take back for me. I also am planning on making a Facebook page to sell her products to anyone I know who is interested in something from Peru. I'm thinking of making an email and helping her sell some things. She can't make a ton very fast, but maybe selling a couple things every month would help her immensely. Right now she can't even afford getting glasses for her 14 year old son.

Anyways, I'm glad to be in Peru having this experience. Not many people get this chance, or get to have such an awesome work for two years. The freedom to do what interests you, and the network of amazing Volunteers you become immediately bonded to are two of the wonderful benefits of Peace Corps life.