Saturday 29 September 2012

Around the World

A couple of weeks ago at the Jovenes we had a special night for all jovenes of all baptist churches, this was called Fiesta Costumbrista Misionera Unida and was basically an Around the World night.

Each of us were paired into twos with a jovene from another church and told to pick a country to represent. I was paired with Illich and surprise surprise we decided on Ireland - just because I knew more about it than any other country.

On the night we had to do a little speech about the country, so I decided that I would write all the information out and Illich would speak, made life easier for me. We also had to bring some traditional food from our chosen country - so with a little help (well maybe a lot of help) from my fellow Irish Strider Linda, I made Potato Bread and took it a long. The reviews of this Irish delicacy were mixed with some not liking it and some loving it..

Potato Bread
We also had to wear traditional dress of our chosen countries, but Ireland does not really have any traditional dress, so instead I wore a Northern Irish football top and Illich wore the Irish Rugby Jersey (kindly leant to me by my work boss). Everyone else was in very traditional dress so I felt a wee bit embarrassed but hey what can you do if your country does not have traditional dress. Feel free to correct me on that, does Ireland have traditional dress which I do not know about?

Illich and I in our 'traditional' dress

Jenny in her Brazilian dress

Rocio in typical African dress
It was an interesting night and overall there were 9 different countries represented: China, Senegal, Peru (two provinces of Peru were represented: Cusco and Piura), Argentina, Jamaica, Brazil, India, Mexico and Uruguay.




Sunday 9 September 2012

In darkness......

On Saturday nights I go to the Jovenes group (young people - yes am still young).... and tonight was no different, was glad to go because had been in my house alone all day with the dog and was going a wee bit mad talking to him and getting no response back.

Jovenes is usually fun but tonight there was an added aspect of fun - there were no lights. We sat down to start and all of a sudden the lights went out. And unlike back home no one went to find out why or to try and flick the trip switch or whatever it is called, we just got the cellphones out to light the place and carried on. 

One of the first things we did tonight was split into teams of two, tie are legs together and hop down the church in a race.,.... now these kind of races can be dangerous with lights on, but with the lights off and chairs all in the way I was scared that my next doctors visit would be because of a broken arm or leg, but no worries I survived without a breakage as did everyone else. 

The aim of this game was to help each other, lean on each other to get from one place to another and I think the fact there was no lights added to this need as not only one where we tied to each other but we needed each other to help see. Just like we need to lean on God and have him show us the way.

The rest of the night was spent listening to Airyn do a bible study whilst walking around holding a cellphone to her head so we could see her and she could see us - it amused me. We spent an hour and a half in darkness - the lights never came on the entire time we were there.

I know its not really exciting but it interested me and amused me and I just thought would share it with you guys. No pictures sorry of the darkness to follow sorry, but close your eyes and you can be there too in the darkness!! 


Saturday 1 September 2012

On the water

Last week Ali, a ex work colleague and friend from England came to visit me. It was fun. While I worked she showed herself the sights of Arequipa and then on Thursday which was a bank holiday here the two of us went rafting on the River Chili.

This is something I have never done before and something which have always wanted to do. Though I know my family members were scared when I told them I was doing it, scared I would break an arm or lose my teeth - but am pleased to inform you that I survived and came back in one piece.

When we arrived to the office of the guys who do the rafting we were given wetsuits, shorts, shirt and a helmet and it all made a pretty sight really  very elegant!!

There were 10 of us altogether and we were put into two boats, a Spanish boat and a English boat. We went 6km on the river and went over about 12 rapids ranging from class 2 to class 4. Not being a outdoor person this meant nothing to me, but some of them were pretty rough and twice I nearly fell out of the boat but thankfully the lovely good looking instructor Rodrigo caught me before I went the whole way in. Someone else from the other boat did fall in.

Half way down the course we came to this big rock and Rodrigo said does anyone want to jump this and the American guy in our boat said yes, so we stopped and everyone climbed up to jump. I was not sure about doing it as I am not a great swimmer anymore, but I did jump and wow. I think  swallowed half of River Chili  but I survived even though went hit the water I thought I was a goner!!

About to Jump

Mid Jump

Ali decided not to jump, and she was very sensible. But even though it scared me a bit, I was glad I did it. 

The whole morning of rafting was fun and it was one of those things to do before I die ticked of my list. I recommend it to anyone. 

To see more photos please click here - they were taken by one of the professionals.