Introduction
Welcome back to week 4! You are almost there, so keep up the great work! This week, we are going to take a look at the culture of Peru. Because we only have a short time, it will only be a quick look--a glance--at the diverse nation of Peruvians. You´ve already learned a lot about what life is like here. Keep those things in the back of your mind as we move forward today...
A history of Peru (in a nutshell)
I have to admit, I was pretty ignorant about Peru before we started exploring all there is to it. I mean, I thought the Incas were here for thousands of years, when really they were only a presence for about a hundred years. I knew of the influence from Spain, but I didn´t know about the influences from China and Africa. It´s all here in Peru. The following video gives us a quick glance at what we can find if we had a lifetime to explore the vastness of this great nation.
The history and culture is diverse. One of the things that amazes us the most about living here in Peru, is the simple fact that the history is not just something studied in school. It is very much alive and well today in everyday life. That history not only touches the modern world, but also influences it. In a few minutes we will look at some videos about the coca culture. Cocaine (a product of processed coca leaves) is a major scourge on the face of modern society, but the original users of the leaf here in Peru did not process it as a narcotic. Instead, it was a part of their day to day life.
In this first video from Taiwan Indigenous TV program in March 2009, we learn about a law passed by the Peruvian government allowing for the growing of Coca leaves. As you listen to the reports and the interviews, pay attention to the historical and cultural aspects of the coca farmers. In your notes, be sure to write down what you discover.
In this first video from Taiwan Indigenous TV program in March 2009, we learn about a law passed by the Peruvian government allowing for the growing of Coca leaves. As you listen to the reports and the interviews, pay attention to the historical and cultural aspects of the coca farmers. In your notes, be sure to write down what you discover.
Coca production has been around for generations providing at least a minimal income to support the way of life of the farmers. It is still common to walk in the open air markets and see bins heaping full of coca leaves that can be purchased for just a few cents. By and large it is not abused as it is in many parts of the "developed" world. Much of it is simply chewed or made into a tea (that really does help aleviate altitude sickness).
The life of a coca farmer is not easy, however. Some feel trapped by those who want to buy from them, but they don´t know another way out. They could plant other crops, but they are not nearly as profitable. Watch the following video about two coca farmers. One got out. The other one didn´t.
The life of a coca farmer is not easy, however. Some feel trapped by those who want to buy from them, but they don´t know another way out. They could plant other crops, but they are not nearly as profitable. Watch the following video about two coca farmers. One got out. The other one didn´t.
A history of mistrust
One thing we have encountered in the culture is that we stand out. As North Americans we are generally taller and lighter skinned. Also, our accents give us away when we speak Spanish. For many people, this is not an issue. They are patient and interested in who we are. Others, however, need longer to warm up to us. The reason was mentioned in the previous videos: The Shining Path.
The Shining Path was a Maoist Terrorist movement that swept through the mountains of Peru in the 1980s and 1990s terrorizing the people. When the government finally stepped in to help, they also became a part of the problem as well. While the leader (Guzman) was captured in the late-1990s, there are still cells of the movement in the jungle. Their focus has changed a bit. Not many people talk openly about that time in their history, but most of the people older than 15 years old have at least some nightmarish memories. More than 69,000 people were killed during this time. This terrible time in Peru is only 10 years in the past! It is still a very fresh wound.
The following video is the first part of a series talking about the new focus of the Shining Path. It also touches on the history of the movement. While we are currently not in any immediate danger, it is important to keep our eyes on what is happening.
The Shining Path was a Maoist Terrorist movement that swept through the mountains of Peru in the 1980s and 1990s terrorizing the people. When the government finally stepped in to help, they also became a part of the problem as well. While the leader (Guzman) was captured in the late-1990s, there are still cells of the movement in the jungle. Their focus has changed a bit. Not many people talk openly about that time in their history, but most of the people older than 15 years old have at least some nightmarish memories. More than 69,000 people were killed during this time. This terrible time in Peru is only 10 years in the past! It is still a very fresh wound.
The following video is the first part of a series talking about the new focus of the Shining Path. It also touches on the history of the movement. While we are currently not in any immediate danger, it is important to keep our eyes on what is happening.
Please be in prayer with us as we pray for the people involved in these events, those who suffer from grief for their losses and those who are are afraid of what might happen.
Food
Let´s move on to something more uplifting: food. Culinary experts have said the food of Peru is among the finest in the world. I´m not expert, but I think I have to agree: it is really good. They eat a lot of meat here: lamb, alpaca (sometimes), beef, chicken, turkey (stuffed with pork, chicken and beef), pork, and cuy. What´s cuy? Check out this video and see... (Note: The video is in Turkish so even I don´t know exactly what they are saying, but I think you can figure out what cuy is.)
Don´t worry, you don´t have to eat Guinea Pig (that´s what cuy is) if you don´t want to. If you are feeling adventurous, however, you can. Just let us know and we´ll see what we can do.
For those of you not as adventurous (and, I must admit, I fall in this camp... cuy is not my favorite food here), there is quite a range of possibilities. You won´t have a change to eat them all, but you can try some. Take a look at this video of some of the culinary delights this nation has to offer.
For those of you not as adventurous (and, I must admit, I fall in this camp... cuy is not my favorite food here), there is quite a range of possibilities. You won´t have a change to eat them all, but you can try some. Take a look at this video of some of the culinary delights this nation has to offer.
Etiquette in Peru
Wow, our time together today has really flown by. We have time for just a few more things, but these are really important. As you prepare to enter a new culture, you need to pay attention to some of the way people do things that might be different than in North America. What follows is a bit of etiquette of which we all need to be aware.
A kiss
This might be just for the men and boys coming to Peru: when a girl kisses you on the cheek in Peru, it does not mean she thinks you´re cute. It´s just the way most Peruvians greet one another. It is a way of saying, ¨Hi." The kiss is a light peck on the cheek (usually on the right cheek - more of an "air kiss"). Females kiss males and other females on the cheek. Males kiss females on the cheek. Never, however, do men kiss other men. That just wouldn´t be right!
A lot of Peruvians know that we North Americans generally just extend a hand in greeting instead of a kiss (what are we thinking with this custom... a kiss is so much nicer!). Because of this, they will offer their hand to shake. Watch them, however, and if they offer their cheek, lean forward and kiss it. You won´t catch any germs and you won´t get sick. But it does go a long way in making a friend.
The photo here, by the way, is not a kiss of greeting. The man and woman are in love. Don´t kiss anyone like this on the trip (it´s against our policies). It is a statue in Miraflores (a suburb of Lima) called The Peruvian Kiss or The Perpetual Kiss. Keep an eye out for it while in the city. It´s on the edge of the Pacific Ocean.
A lot of Peruvians know that we North Americans generally just extend a hand in greeting instead of a kiss (what are we thinking with this custom... a kiss is so much nicer!). Because of this, they will offer their hand to shake. Watch them, however, and if they offer their cheek, lean forward and kiss it. You won´t catch any germs and you won´t get sick. But it does go a long way in making a friend.
The photo here, by the way, is not a kiss of greeting. The man and woman are in love. Don´t kiss anyone like this on the trip (it´s against our policies). It is a statue in Miraflores (a suburb of Lima) called The Peruvian Kiss or The Perpetual Kiss. Keep an eye out for it while in the city. It´s on the edge of the Pacific Ocean.
Hand Gestures
We as North Americans tend to talk with our hands. That´s fine. A lot of Peruvians do, too. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind.
Pointing -- Don´t do it. It´s considered rude here. If you want to indicate a person, say their name or describe them.
"Okay" -- In North America we sometimes say "okay" by making a circle with our index finger and thumb. According to the Peruvian I spoke with, it is best to avoid this sign while here. Some people don´t mind it, but others do. It is often used here to indicate a homosexual person.
Come here -- In North America we often wave to someone to come here with our palms up (kind of a scooping the air toward you movement). That is not correct here... the palm is down. It looks more like you are motioning for someone to dig a hole, or making a motion like a horse paws at the ground. This isn´t a big taboo, but just a hint to be careful not to offend anyone.
Pointing -- Don´t do it. It´s considered rude here. If you want to indicate a person, say their name or describe them.
"Okay" -- In North America we sometimes say "okay" by making a circle with our index finger and thumb. According to the Peruvian I spoke with, it is best to avoid this sign while here. Some people don´t mind it, but others do. It is often used here to indicate a homosexual person.
Come here -- In North America we often wave to someone to come here with our palms up (kind of a scooping the air toward you movement). That is not correct here... the palm is down. It looks more like you are motioning for someone to dig a hole, or making a motion like a horse paws at the ground. This isn´t a big taboo, but just a hint to be careful not to offend anyone.
Important words to know
Even though you might not speak Spanish fluently, there are a few Spanish words you should know.
Gracias (gdaw si us) -- This word simply means "thank you." Expect to be gracious by saying gracias. Even if you don´t like what is served in front of you or given to you, say thank you. It´s important, because it means you think the giver is more important than the gift.
Por favor (pord fah bord)-- This means "please." Again it is a word that shows respect.
¡Que Dios le bendiga! (kay dee ohz lay behn dee guh) -- "May God bless you!"
If you speak Spanish, tu is used a lot more often than usted. We also tend to say de nada ("it was nothing") more than mucho gusto ("my pleasure") when someone thanks us for something.
Gracias (gdaw si us) -- This word simply means "thank you." Expect to be gracious by saying gracias. Even if you don´t like what is served in front of you or given to you, say thank you. It´s important, because it means you think the giver is more important than the gift.
Por favor (pord fah bord)-- This means "please." Again it is a word that shows respect.
¡Que Dios le bendiga! (kay dee ohz lay behn dee guh) -- "May God bless you!"
If you speak Spanish, tu is used a lot more often than usted. We also tend to say de nada ("it was nothing") more than mucho gusto ("my pleasure") when someone thanks us for something.
A word about noise
Just a quick word about noise. Peruvians like loud music when having a party. They like to yell "goooooooooal" when their favorite team scores a point in the soccer match. In parts of their lives, they like noise. In others they don´t. It is very interesting that they are not loud on busses or other public places. They are a quiet culture in most aspects of their lives.
We North Americans, however, do not think twice about calling our spouse's name when we see them at the far end of the grocery aisle. In a bus, we don´t mind yelling a greeting from the back to our friend in the front. In Peru, that really is not done, so try to think twice before doing it. Peruvians don't like to call attention to themselves, and your loud behavior calls attention to you - something they just don't understand.
We North Americans, however, do not think twice about calling our spouse's name when we see them at the far end of the grocery aisle. In a bus, we don´t mind yelling a greeting from the back to our friend in the front. In Peru, that really is not done, so try to think twice before doing it. Peruvians don't like to call attention to themselves, and your loud behavior calls attention to you - something they just don't understand.
You´ve done it! You´ve finished another week of training. This is just a quick glance at this place, so remember, there is tons more to learn! You´ll figure out more when you are here... Believe me!
Keep on reading the devotions and getting yourself ready mentally, physically, and spiritually. We are looking forward to meeting you! You can download the devotionals by going to the "Links and Downloads" section of this website... look at the top of the page and click the words "Links and Downloads". This will allow you to download the entire devotional booklet at one time. OR, you can click below to download the Devotional guide for Week 4 only. See you in Session 5!!!
One last thing: please let us know how you´re doing in the training and in the rest of your preparations. Is there anything specifically we can be praying with you about. Complete the form below and hit "send" to let us know.
Keep on reading the devotions and getting yourself ready mentally, physically, and spiritually. We are looking forward to meeting you! You can download the devotionals by going to the "Links and Downloads" section of this website... look at the top of the page and click the words "Links and Downloads". This will allow you to download the entire devotional booklet at one time. OR, you can click below to download the Devotional guide for Week 4 only. See you in Session 5!!!
One last thing: please let us know how you´re doing in the training and in the rest of your preparations. Is there anything specifically we can be praying with you about. Complete the form below and hit "send" to let us know.
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