Some interesting things I’ve noticed after my short time in Peru…

1. Dogs here do not necessarily have homes, but many do have t-shirts.

2. Bargaining is completely necessary; not only for trips to the market, but also rides on the combis and just about any time you pay for anything. In fact, learning how to bargain is one of our learning objectives in our language class. I’m proud to report that Mallory and I successfully bought a pineapple, 3 oranges, 4 apples, and 4 bananas for only 2 soles and won our class’s bargaining competition.

3. Jesus is everywhere. Mounted in the center of public school classrooms, hanging over the liquor shelves in bars, dangling along with a rosary in the combis, hovering over public plazas, in store windows… you name it, He’s there.

4. If you are white, and especially if you are blonde, you will stand out. You may also have your taken not so discretely taken.

5. Michael Jackson is incredibly popular. So are his dance moves.

6. Alarm clocks are completely unnecessary- if you aren’t woken up by a train, rooster, or dog, you may be woken up by public announcements regarding water bill payments or men selling tamales at 6am.

7. No one drinks real coffee. Perhaps my biggest complaint about Peru so far is the lack of brewed coffee. I just can’t get over the fact that real, fresh, delicious coffee grows both in Peru and in neighboring countries, and the only coffee available here is instant coffee. I think coffee producers would have a worthwhile market considering caffeine-deprived Peace Corps Volunteers alone. Small business volunteers, take note.

8. I don’t think there are stop signs here. Instead, the car/combi/moto-taxi just beeps incessantly to alert other pedestrians and drivers that they are approaching an intersection.

9. Every meal must come with at least 2 carbohydrates. Rice and potatoes are usually not enough- you have to throw in some bread/quinoa/pasta to make it complete.