Wednesday morning, we set out for what would be a very treacherous 11 hours on the road. Melissa and Gladys both were sick for almost the whole ride. Yikes. Also, Wilfredo was not having a good car day. First, he got hit by a bus trying to get ahead in the line. There was some sort of road work holding up traffic and this big tour bus comes up and tries to cut. Wilfredo decided he didn't need to move his car when it decided to keep moving after it had already hit another car in front of us. It was not one of his brighter moments. It led to everyone getting out and yelling at each other and the bus people gave him S/. 49 for the damage. There is just a small scratch on his car, but it was still something totally preventable, but Wilfredo chose to do nothing, except get agitated after the fact. The second incident was when Wilfredo tried to pass a semi-truck, but once he moved out and around, decided there wasn't enough time to pass, so had to move to get back behind the truck. Well, he didn't time it so well and he hit the semi. Fortunately, the only damage done was that it clipped his side mirror, so it snapped in (it's one of those mirrors on a hinge, so it can move in). The back plastic portion seems to be kind of broken, so he took it off, but the mirror is still in place. We are all very lucky. Needless to say, I have no desire to ride back to Lima in the car again. Time to look up airplane prices. I don't mean to sound harsh against Wilfredo, we made it safely, it was just a less than desireable experience on all counts.
After all the excitement of getting to Huanuco, since it is Rocio and Gladys' first time here, we headed out to Tingo Maria. We pretty much did all the same things as last time, just drove around in Wilfredo's car rather than going through a tourist agency. Wilfredo is crazy good at knowing where he is going - he's been to Tingo once by bus, and this time he drove and we didn't get lost. It's an incredible talent. Anyway, we swam in the sulfur water, saw the Bella Durmiente, checked out La Cueva de Las Lechuzas (that doesn't actually have any owls), and ate lots of tacacho. Right now is the end of rainy season, so the roads were awful. Instead of the desired 2+ hours, it took most like 3.5+ hours (both times). The cool part is that it is pretty to see the little cascades/waterfalls down the rocks on the side of the road.  |
| Eynor and Fabrizio - doin' the potty pose - on our hike. :D |
Mixed in with the tourism, we made our rounds of visits to say hi to people and share some God time with them.
First, we visited Carolina's family - her mom, Melanie, Melanie's husband?, Fabrizio, Marjorie, Eynor, Dionicio, and Walter. Dionicio makes fireworks for a living, so they were all busy putting together bases and prepping materials. They very kindly stopped work for a few minutes to chat with us. Rocio taught a class on the parable of the great banquet (Luke 14:15-24) and shared about the enduring principle, all are called. worth of all persons.
Second, we visited at the house at Junin, where Vanesa and Henry live. Victor, Cristian, Fausta, Eynor, and Fabrizio were also there. Gladys taught a class on the parable of the bags of gold (Matthew 25:14-30) and the enduring principle, worth of all persons.
Third, we had a service at Orlando's house sharing on the theme for the week, Peace Be With You (John 20:19-31). Gladys presided over the service and Rocio shared the message. In attendance we had, Orlando, Carolina, Yimi, Eynor, Fabrizio, Grandpa Antonio, Henry, Vanesa, Rolen, Eder, Marycruz, Wilfredo, Gladys, Rocio, Melissa, and me.
It was an incredibly busy week, but I'm glad to be back. Last night, Carolina was talking about how living at Huancachupa is way more relaxing than even living at Junin and how it has helped her health. I do enjoy me some good relaxing and napping time. :) However, we certainly have lots to do with house visits, English classes, and weekly services in the works. We'll have to make the most of our last month here!
~nos vemos~
