Ginuea Pigs, Cameras, and Toenails

Well what can I say? All of these things were part of my day yesterday in various ways... for those of you who are wondering no I didn't get a new pet, my apartment is not infested with a furry little creature... but yes, I did EAT the cute little guys! Whoa! I don't know if I've ever felt quite the way I did yesterday when a friend of the family, Juan (a wealthy politician and construction company owner) took Aracely and I (and the baby) to lunch and couldn't wait for me to try the wonderful Peruvian dish... Cuy... I finally figured out (I think) that it's ginuea pig fried and broken into five parts... mind you everything is intact. At one point Juan put a piece on my plate and I couldn't figure out where there was any meat on it - you eat it like a chicken leg, with your hands, and they eat EVERYTHING off the tiny bones (fat, unknown pieces, and all) - so I asked my host how I was supposed to eat that piece... he motioned and told me to eat it "here... it's the brain... que rico (so delicious)!" WHAT?!?!?!?! Yes, once I started exaiming the piece it was definitely the skeleton and all of the little guy's head... once I saw his teeth and eye sockets I about had a little fit, but instead I kindly handed over the "best" piece to my host and told him I thought he should have it! :) I have to say once I got over holding the fried little claws on the legs, the meat was actually pretty good... kinda like dark meat chicken!
Then, during our discussion about different country's foods and who eats heads of what animals, they were talking about the head of some other animal (I sill don't know, cause I couldn't figure out the Spanish) and when I said "No, I don't know it, but I don't think I've ever eaten it." Aracely laughed and responded, "Yes, you have... we ate it the other day!" HAHAHA! Just goes to show sometimes it's better when you don't know!
Now, as for the digital camera - it's not as if they don't exist here, it's just that most people can't afford any kind of camera. You would think it was the biggest, best treasure in the world to Jaime and Aracely! They've used my camera more than I have! We have about 100 pictures of little Juaquin... not kidding! And another hundred of me with nearly every church, park, and plaza that we've passed! HAHA! Now I have to figure out if their computer can handle them, or if I need to print some for them or what. Maybe that will be my thank you / departing gift to them... a camera to document Juaquin's growing up! :) At times I think we're on a photo shoot... but hey if I didn't have access and then had the technology at my disposal, I think I'd be facinated too! It's the small things in life!

You know how when you stub your toe on a ragged curb, while lifting a stroller, after running across the street so as not to get hit by taxis and crazy combis, in the dark HURTS , but you just think... "it'll go away soon and later tonight I won't even remember?!" Well, let's just say that this morning when I got in the shower and pain shot through my little toe and I looked down to see the caked on blood between my two toes and completely broken little toenail... I REMEMBERED! HAHA! No, it's totally gonna be fine, but it looks gross and it 's what I get for wearing sandals !
We walked and walked last night... it's the Friday night activity here. We even got to see a wedding in a gorgeous old church. Here, you are welcome to walk into any mass and/or wedding if you feel like it... the doors are always open - literally instead of figuatively here. We didn't go in, but watched from across the street and it was beautiful! There was moment, sitting on the bench in the park, listening to Peruvian music, watching Aracely and Juaquin play in the grass, looking at the absolutely amazing archways/architecture around me... that I thought simply, " Wow. I'm in Peru. I'm watching a wedding that I've only seen the likes of on TV. I have great new friends. The beautiful music is a soundtrack to everything here. This i s the life. Wow."

I heard a saying recently that really resonated with me and is constantly reminding me God is good...
"TRUST in the journey."
I am.
Thanks for taking the time to read. Hope this entry finds you all well!
Kate