The Voice of Peru

In this post, I want to focus on some of the sounds of Peru. After turning of the constant beeping of my alarm clock, the roosters from the nearby houses can be heard welcoming the new day. As I go through my usual routine in the morning, the soft hum of the hot water heater can be heard, until the girls start getting ready for the day. There is much comotion in the house for about an hour, until the last child is off to catch her bus for school. Taking a deep breath, I enter the kitchen where Maria can be heard softly singing over the clangs of the metal pots and pans. Soon, it is off to the busy street to catch my bus. Horns can be heard, brakes screech, motors rumble, and old vehicles clank along. Castellano (the Spanish spoken in Peru) is everywhere as people try to catch the right bus. The cobrador on the bus yells out where his bus is going, and whistles to those who are on their way to get aboard. On the bus, music is turned up extra loud in order to be heard over the clanging of the bus and the squeals of the brakes. Normally, a conversation is impossible due to the extra noises from the street. Upon arriving at Fetzer Christian Academy, it is so quiet, that studying there is much easier than at home. After class finishes at 3:30, it is back to the craziness on the street. Another bus is taken on Monday to take us grocery shopping for our lunches during the week. The 3-story market is filled with people all trying to decide what all they want. With our purchases made and our minds filled with Castellano, my roommate, Tessha, and I head back to our house. Roaming dogs bark at passing birds and cats and loud music from a passing mototaxi welcomes our arrival. I think my favorite words in Castellano are spoken by Maria or Pastor Antenor when they say "Vamos a cenar" (We are going to eat dinner). :) The busy day ends by hearing the family read the Bible and pray together. Tessha and I have been so blessed to have such a great family who takes time each night to have us in their family devotions. Though Tessha and I still have such a long way to go in our Spanish study, the family has been so gracious in being so patient. With the final words of "Hasta mañana" the house is again quiet for a time. As I drift off to sleep, fireworks and pistol shots can be heard from the nearby streets from those who enjoy the loud noises that each makes. With a sigh, I close my eyes and await the annoying beeping of my alarm to start yet another noisy day in Peru.