From the outside, the complex didn’t appear very large; it was a medium sized park, contained by metal fences. Once inside, the ambiance changed, and suddenly the place seemed like an entirely different world, full of activity. There were various pavilions, covered by giant, permanent, metal overhangs, and each pavilion was packed with pop-up restaurants, … More Mistura 2015
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
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
As I stood in the shade, talking to my site mate’s host sister, I asked her about Peruvian customs related to death, funerals, etc. I was astonished that the funeral was happening so quickly. I told her that in the States, we usually wait a few days, sometimes a week. I couldn’t think of an … More A Peruvian Funeral
Brittany McGee 