Peruvians (and maybe all Spanish-speaking people, but I wouldn't know) use this word
paisano that means people from the same country. The best translation is countrymen, but that shouldn't count since we don't actually use that word. I learned the word when a group of Americans were coming to visit the church and a friend told me, "Your paisanos are coming!". Well, my paisanos have come. A few months ago we were struggling with the fact that we were the only foreigners around and never felt like we could just relax and stop thinking so hard (Spanish) just to be friends with someone. Thankfully that's changed as we've become more proficient in Spanish, but it's also helpd that in the last few months we've spent a good amount of time with some lovely paisanos.
The first one was a guy, Aaron, who used to be a fellow for HOPE and is now working with a similar organization. He was in Peru for about six weeks and we were able to hang out a few times. It was the first contact we'd had with any native English speakers since we got here. And since he knew all about HOPE we were even able to bounce ideas off him about the program. That was in the end of April and beginning of May. We spent several hours one night at an electronic music concert, so you know, Steve was in heaven.
Then in the middle of May a group of seven wonderful women came from the church in TN to help lead a women's conference at the church. I spent almost every waking moment with them from the time they arrived to when we said goodbye in the airport. Steve was in the US, so it was good timing to be occupied and a blessing to laugh, play, and pray with them.
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| The ladies from TN with the pastors' wives of the Comas church |
In the beginning of June a friend from college, Stephanie, moved to Peru! She's living in Puno, which is about a 24 hour drive from here, so we're not exactly next door neighbors, but at least living in the same country. She stopped over in Lima on her way there and we met after she taught a Zumba workshop in a square in Lima. After living in a world of dark brown hair and dark skin, it was pretty funny to walk into a square in Lima and see bright blonde Stephanie dancing up on stage in her pink pants to Zumba music. And again, refreshing to the soul to spend an afternoon with someone that I've known for a long time, even if we've seen each other very little since college. And with someone this cool!
Finally, Tim, Steve's brother came to visit this month! We went on a whirlwind tour of Cusco, Colca Canyon, and Arequipa. We had a great time with him and a friend he brought and got to know so many beautiful parts of this beautiful country. We also got to experience altitude sickness together. :) We were sad to see him go, but thankful to have had the chance to travel around Peru with him and also for him to see Comas and meet some of our friends.
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| We're condor watching in Colca Canyon. It is serious business. |
Thanks, Paisanos, for coming to visit! In the meantime, a man at church has started calling Steve his paisano. Last night as he called to Steve, "Hola, paisano!", he turned to me and explained that he calls him paisano so that he'll feel loved and like he's part of a family here. How sweet.
