Toothbrushes

One of the many wonderful things that my parents brought when they visited was a bag full of toothbrushes (many thanks to those who donated).  Together with my town’s dentist, Haydee, I planned a tooth brushing activity with the Kindergarten.

Last week was a little rough for me, so when Haydee got pulled away to a last-minute meeting the same day we had planned to go to the Kindergarten, I decided to do it alone, thinking a little time with children would cheer me up. 

Little did I know, that same day there was a earthquake drill scheduled.  Peru, being a seismic zone, has incredibly elaborate earthquake drills at all education institutions, complete with nursing outfits, rescuers, and at least one person who gets “trapped” inside, in need of rescue.

"Is everyone here?"

Making a rescue plan

Found her!

Getting patched up

After everyone was accounted for, and eating a snack provided by the Parent’s Association, all the kids anxiously awaited what Profesora Jenny (as they call me) had to say.  I pulled out my giant mouth and toothbrush models and we talked about the parts of the mouth, why we want to keep it clean, and how too many sweets are bad for your teeth (to which one girl responded “Profesora Jenny, I’m never going to eat candy again”… a promise which I’m sure lasted less than an hour, but it’s the thought that counts).  Then, with new toothbrushes in hand, we all brushed our teeth.

Showing off their clean teeth

Spending a morning with the Kindergarten did indeed cheer me up, but like many things, the true satisfaction didn’t come until later.  I recently ran into one of the moms, who told me that her son taught her the proper technique for tooth brushing, and never forgets to clean his tongue.  One of endless examples of why little kids are the best.

Parents!

The last week has been the most amazing vacation I could have possibly imagined.  The main reason being that I got to spend it with my parents.  

The first day, we went to my first host family in Lima and had lunch.  While my parents don't speak Spanish, and my host family doesn't speak English, I think they did a pretty good job communicating, getting to know each other, and it was wonderful seeing my two sets of parents sitting at the same table.

 Then we were off to Tantará, passing through Chincha, and taking the long (very long) road up into the mountains.

Typical mototaxi traffic jam in Chincha

 I didn't discover the most interesting part of my parents visiting Tantará until many days after when I was looking through the pictures my dad had taken.

A small collection of houses on the way to Tantará

So many things that I see everyday have faded into the background.  But my dad, interested in everything, took some great pictures of Tantará.  It was really amazing seeing Tantará from a different angle.  It made me appreciate again the beauty of the place I live.

Added bonus: I now have a lot more pictures of my site than I used to.

One of the main streets

Secondary School and Health Center

School, Health Center, and some houses from above

A neighborhood called Nuevo Amanecer

Hiking up some mountains

A small cluster of ruins down the road from Tantará

Then, we left Tantará and took an overnight bus to arrive in Arequipa.

Cathedral with volcanoes 

El Monesterio de Santa Catelina

 So much of Arequipa, especially Colca Canyon is impossible to capture on camera.  The vastness of the valley, the beautiful blue skies, the crispness of the air, and the chirping of birds simply do not come through in a picture.

Really high up

Colca Canyon, with terraces 

The mountains go on forever

Condor

Some friends we met

On a hike to some ruins

It was a wonderful vacation, and I am sad to see them go.  But also very grateful to have parents that will come here, spend endless hours on various buses, and not understand most of what's going on, just to see me.