At Luis's House

So. Far too much time has gone by with hardly a mention of Luis. Well, the hour is finally his. Last weekend Maren, Daphne, and I went to visit him and his family in the nearby sprawling city of Juliaca where we aprovechado (nicely took advantage of) the oven at his house. We baked chocolate chip cookies the first night and made oven-roasted chicken, potatoes, veggies, and super yummy squash squares (thank you Daphne!) the second night. After having dinner the second night, Daphne brought out her fiddle and she played some fiddle tunes as well as some songs that she and I sang for Luis and his veterinary friend Nestor. I managed to stay on key, but we did burst into fits of laughter a couple of times when we both forgot the words and just made some up. After Nestor left we cracked open a bottle of very bad wine (though better than the stuff they sell in Chijnaya) and finished it while talking about all sorts of things, from Peru to the United states, from music to books. The whole visit was a great to show him and his family (his mom and sisters, mostly) how much we appreciate him.

But more about Luis. Well, Maren and Daphne met him while playing cards and generally being bored at the Anniversary Fiesta. Luis tells us that he had just started working in Pucara and didn't have any friends yet...so when he saw Maren and Daphne he thought to himself "Hmm, those girls look like great people to have a conversation with!" and sat himself down to play, and basically they chatted for the next few hours (Luis apparently decided that was more worthwhile than going to a meeting with his boss!). Well, since then he has taken us around Juliaca, showing us the ropes of the rather dangerous city, helped us find combis to Puno, come over for a couple of great poker nights at Daphne's house, eaten dinner with us at Maren's house, provided us with beds when we had to do business in Puno/Juliaca, let us sit on his bed and watch a Korean soap opera (Escalera al Cielo) until the wee hours (though the next time we visited he moved the TV into the guest room), saved Veronica's calf from the tick (note how it's not plural) on its nose, and has been all around stellar company. I mean what more could you want from a friend than good conversation about books, animals, philosophies about life, and the occasional teasings and proddings to get off your bum and dance in the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaría (I had to, unfortunately, decline that offer)? We're going to try to figure out a way to get him up to the States so you all can meet him too! Still working on that though...darn immigration policies are only slightly uptight.

Oh, and he taught me how to ride a motorcycle yesterday! Don't worry Mom, it's not something I plan on taking up as a hobby. To read about that funny experience, refer to Maren's hilarious blog.