As Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita” played, I grooved in my chair, patiently waiting, wondering how many more times the song would repeat before the night’s festivities began. It was slightly after 8 on a week night in the middle of October, and I was sitting front and center of the stage plus makeshift runway that … More Beauty Queens
Never leave the house without a camera. That was a lesson I learned early in my now 14 months in Olmos. I would leave the house, day after day, and find myself in awe of something I saw. Whether it was a special event, like a random parade, or something very common, like the way … More Camera Ready
I passed through the giant metal doors and continued around the corner to the main courtyard to find the students and teachers in a Mass. I made my way quietly to where a few teachers were observing and I began listening to the Father who was in the middle of his Sermon. He spoke about … More Lessons from a High School Anniversary
The sun was radiating despite it being July 24th and the middle of the Southern Hemisphere’s winter. The teachers from Julio Ponce and I took refuge in the limited shade provided by the church’s concrete fence. We talked, joked and waited impatiently for the day’s events to begin. Much of the town had gathered for … More Marching On
A toast. It’s a simple gesture, yet it can mean so much. We offer toasts to good health, to celebrate important events, to honor those not with us; the list goes on. Toasting is an extremely important part of Peruvian culture. Even in a normal day, it’s custom to cheers to a drinking companions’ health. … More A Tale of Two Toasts
Brittany McGee 