Steve’s Last Night in Arequipa
SUMMARY: Steve’s last night in Arequipa – a brief night out to the bars. Pictures from Chuck and Steve’s time here.
Chuck and Steve had a blast in Cusco. They met some Irish girls. Chuck had sex with one of them and Steve made out with another. They returned to Arequipa Wednesday. Chuck slept all night and flew out Thursday morning. Steve, Beto and I went out Thursday night.
At the club, Beto knew a girl at a table of girls and gringos. One of the gringos was a 17 year old kid. Another gringo, who had dreadlocks and sandals, teaches English. Another gringo at the table was getting married this weekend. He runs a tourism agency catering to Americans visiting Peru – mountains, jungle, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Colca, Lima, whatever. … Read more
Básquet, Language, and Civil Unrest in Peru
SUMMARY: I talk about my basketball team, about my improving Spanish, and describe the protest / civil unrest dimension of Peru.
Basquet
My basketball team played our first game last Wednesday night. I played about 15 of the 40 minute game. In my 15 minutes, I had 2 points, several rebounds, a few blocks, and 3 fouls. The refs here call MUCH closer than in the States. Or maybe they’re picking on me because I’m a gringo playing a little rougher than the Peruvian style. … Read more
Cariñoso and My First Fulbito Game
SUMMARY: I describe my new girlfriend and my first fulbito game. Then more little things. Sections include Cariñoso, My First Fulbito Game, and More Little Things
As I learn more about my new country, I become more convinced that most differences come down to the warm culture of Latin America vs. the cold culture of America. They are more others-oriented and warm towards each other in Latin America. About 100% of Latinos I’ve met in Peru or Brazil who lived in the US for a while didn’t like it. They say the people were cold and closed. I think it’d be more difficult for someone to go from a warm culture to a cold one than it would be for someone to go from cold to warm. But that may just be my opinion because I feel more comfortable here.
Cariñoso
Before our first date, Rosa was worried I’d be a cold gringo but has since told me that I am cariñoso – affectionate. The word cariñoso is used in Spanish much more often than ‘affectionate’ is in English. She told me this while I was planting kisses all over her cheek and neck. … Read more
The Brichera Scowl and The Second Date
SUMMARY: I make out with a girl, have a brichera run-in, go on a date, and then talk about more little cultural differences. Sections include The Brichera Scowl, The Second Date, and More Little Things.
The Brichera Scowl
I got the feeling Friday that I needed a woman soon or my testicles might implode. So I went out alone on a mission. I met a girl in a bar. Her name was Maria and she was really into Latin rock. She wasn’t a tomboy by American standards, but not as feminine as most Latinas. If she were born and raised in America, she would’ve been a punk rock or heavy metal type. She had a beautiful face but her body was not up to my standards. She wasn’t fat per se, but not up to my standards.
Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to get a dick hard. We talked for twenty minutes or more at the bar where I met her when she told me she wanted to go dancing at Deja Vu – the main brichera bar of Arequipa. I assumed Maria to not be a brichera because she insisted on paying for every other round of beers – she’s probably not hot enough to be one. … Read more
Amigos and Bricheras
SUMMARY: I learn a new word: ‘brichera‘. I define it and describe meeting one.
My old boss, who has been all over South America and Mexico with Anheuser-Busch, told me that Latinos are very curious about America and Americans. He said he enjoyed “semi rock-star status” in a lot of places. I got this impression in Brazil and definitely here in Peru. It’s not just the women that dig me. It’s everybody. I drink with co-workers at the soccer games on Saturday afternoons. When walking to the bathroom or for more beer, I’ll sometimes pass a group of paisanos – people from the country. Not knowing me from Adam doesn’t stop them from calling to me, “Hallo… Hoe ard you?” I think they just want to practice their English. Yesterday, one guy kept saying “Whas thay probe-laim?” I don’t think he knew what that meant but I still replied there was no problem and I was having a good time. One guy at the games stopped me and gave me a full beer, then cheered me on while I slammed the whole thing… Read more
