Lima

Of course, we did some fun touristy stuff in Lima, too!
Arturo discovered his nephew loves strawberries and he is actually good with kids.
Christian finally got to taste Arturo's famous tacos.
And I got to show Emi, Chrisitan and Sebastian my favorite places in Lima!

Chiclayo

After Trujillo, Arturo meet us in Chiclayo. His dad is from there (actually a little village outside of the city) and that entire side of the family is there. We were celebrating many thing...not only had Christian come back, but it was the first time that Arturo and his family went there for Christmas.

Of course, a visit is never complete without doing a bit of touristy stuff. We went to the famous Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán. This is an incredible museum which documents the incredible history of the area. The name comes from Lord Sipán, a lord who - although famous in his time - is now internationally known because of his tomb.

Sipán was a Señor of top rank and was buried accordingly by the Moche civilization which existed from 1 AD to 700 AD (centuries before the Incans). First, el Señor Sipán was buried with a plethora of jewelry and ornaments. Included in the over 400 jewels found in the tomb was a beaded necklace of gold and silver shaped into maní, or peanut kernels to represent the earth. To me, however more impressive (and shocking) is the other people in the tomb. He was buried with a woman who was apparently his wife and two other women, most likely concubines, a military commander, a watchman, a banner holder and a child. Oh, and also a dog. Some of the people´s legs were cut off so that they could not run from him - either in the transfer from one life to the next, or when they arrive to the next life.

(Yes, this story may sound familiar because I wrote about this a year ago when we went for the travel guide work...but it's so interesting I wrote about it again...)

We also visited the Mercado Monsefu Artesanias. We had fun trying on various crazy hats (I bought one - but not the 'lampshade' on my head in the picture) and then continued to tour around in the car, stopping for a delicious ceviche.

However, the big day during the trip was Christmas. Here, the holiday is celebrated on Christmas Eve with food and drink...but the food doesn't come until midnight when it's officially Christmas (and I'm so starving that I am looking at the plastic tree wondering how it tastes).

What follows is a series of pictures from the holiday. It included many photos, many drinks, much food, and many old family stories...

Christmas & Trujillo

Now that the holidays are over...now that I have been to NY and back to Lima...I finally have time to update my blog.

On one hand, it seems silly to now write about Christmas, but on the other hand, if I don't write it down now I'll regret it.

So, I'm going to write the basics and include lots of photos (this is what to expect for the next couple of blog entries.).

First, the Holiday Season began in Lima with the arrival of Arturo's brother, Christian, and his wife Emi, and 10 month old son Sebastian...it had been EIGHT years since he had come back to visit Peru so this was a big deal. Although, his arrival was almost dwarfed by the oh so adorable Sebastian. To celebrate his return, his marriage, and his baby, we began a series of reunions.

All were fun...but night after night did exhuast me.

Another special visitor was Arturo's cousin, Niko, that lives in Mexico. We stayed with him when we took a holiday there a while back so it was great to see him, too. Plus, his parents invited us to their beach house which is in an adorable little fishing village.

(There were also many get togethers that don't involve money....but that is for another email...this one is family only!)

Before I knew it, school was over and it was time to head up the coast with Arturo's family. He had to work so couldn't come with us - but met us on the 24th just in time for Christmas Eve.

In the meantime, Arturo's parents, Christian, Emi, Sebastian and I went to Trujillo for a couple of days. We got to see Fito, an old friend who I have met a couple of times.

We also did some sight seeing and enjoyed the small city which offers some spectacular archaeological sites, as well as well preserved colonial architecture. At Chan-Chan, Meche (Arturo's mom) and I stayed to watch Sebastian while everyone else went on the hour-long tour of the largest Pre-Columbian city in South America, built by the Chimú and estimated to be built around 850 (WAY older than Machu Picchu which was built around 1460). As we waited, we watched Sebas charm all of the tour guides and guards. It was the easiest babysitting job I've ever had!!

We also went to the cute beach town nearby where we enjoyed some delicious seafood...and a walk along the beach.

Then, we stopped by one of my favorite sights in Trujillo, the Cafe Museo. It's a cafe below the Museum of Toys and is so beatiful with old wooden cabinents and photos of famous people around the walls.

Then, before I knew it, it was time to get on the bus heading north to Chiclayo to go to Arturo's family for Christmas.

Which is another blog entry...

And it begins...

Last year, I thought the holiday season was busy, but this year I have just begun to understand exactly how busy it is. One word springs to mind to describe this: insanity.

Between my job, Arturo's job, my friends, Arturo's friends and Arturo's family, there has been a reunion (get together/party) every single night. So, having been in a constant state of near-exhaustion, I haven't updated my blog in a while.

The quick update is:

* Barbecue with some friends (love their pool and trampoline!)

* Shopping locally in Miraflores (love the Christmas book fair!)

* Girls' Night Out with Kim (pisco sours and dancing....fun!)

* English Department Meeting (leaving school behind and enjoying each other's company!)

* End of the Year Lunch at school (so bloody hot I thought we might melt, but still somehow very fun!)

* Bachelorette Party / Hen Night / Despidida de solteras (just as cheesy as in the USA, but very fun and my first night out, on my own, with only Spanish-speakers!)

* Annual Holiday Party with Arturo's friend from the colegio (including a first-ever gift exchange!)

The long update is that after EIGHT long years, Arturo's brother has come home to visit Peru from the USA. (so, yes, I do realize that we've been having more dinners and family gatherings as a result).

Next blog will be all about the oh so adorable Sebastian.

Here's just a little bit of a teaser.

He's pretty darn cute!!