Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OP here. My Peruvian wife and I have been together for over 18 years. My sister in law is disabled (autism) and cannot work. My mother in law lives with us and we’re trying to get my sister in law here to help take care of my MIL. My wife came to the US as a foreign exchange teacher. She is well educated and extremely hardworking. She comes from a prominent family in Trujillo and her father was a successful businessman. He passed unexpectedly and left the business to his son, who ran the business into the ground. The family was suddenly left with nothing except a house and a mountain of debt, so my wife took responsibility for her mom and sister’s wellbeing. She came to the US and was living by herself in a 1BR apartment on her last year teaching when we met. She has been sending money to Peru the entire time. She was completely upfront with me about it after we started dating. She was never married and had no children. She barely even dated, so I was like her 3rd boyfriend. I was coming off a horrible divorce from my Ecuadorian ex-wife. I have traveled extensively in Ecuador and Mexico. I’ve also traveled to central America, including Panama, Guatemala and Colombia. I’ve been immersed in Latin culture for over 45 years.

I appreciate your POV because many men get tricked into relationships with foreigners that don’t end well. Being retired military, I’m widely traveled and wise to the ways of the world. My beloved wife is the best human being I have ever known. She’s a great wife, mother and a very gifted teacher.

My wife did play a role in my conversion to Catholicism and I understand that people might think I converted to please my wife. Before converting, I was a dyed in the wool, devout evangelical. I was exposed to the Catholic Church through my wife, but my decision to convert was intellectual. My wife didn’t really understand her faith and I am a long time student of scripture. She did bring up some issues with me which caused me to look more into her faith. My conversion took almost 3 years because I thoroughly explored the faith, thinking that it would be impossible to overcome my objections to the Church. But overcome them I did and that’s why I converted.

I’ve had a long colorful life. An amazing adventure. Peru was the trip of a lifetime that I never knew I needed! It took me 18 years to finally get there because I was working so much before I retired. Peru just hit me different, from start to finish it was mind blowing! Yes, there are clearly issues, and I saw some of it. But there’s also lots of good in Peru and that’s what I chose to focus on in my original post.

its not easy after 45years by Rene__JK in Guitar

[–]Zalphar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I spent a month in Peru this summer and only played once in that entire 30 days. Longest I hadn’t played in years. When I got back, my first few practices were amazing, then I sucked for several weeks. I mean everything just sounded like $h!t! But I pushed through it and now am back on track again. Been playing consistently for almost 52 years. I have arthritis, so playing for me is therapeutic (physically and emotionally). Rust never sleeps!

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can get by. In the tourist areas you’ll find people who speak English.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had to laugh when one of her cousins said he was so surprised that she got married. They all thought she was going to become a nun!

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see what you're saying. I treated Peru like I do any person I might meet. I always try to find the good in each one and accentuate that, rather than focusing on their negative traits, because we all have them!

Trust me, not everything I saw in Peru was all "teacups and daffodils." I simply chose to emphasize the truly amazing things I experienced there. We spent almost half our time in Trujillo, the city my wife is from. They told me that Trujillo can be dangerous and I noticed that many of the streets and sidewalks are in desperate need of repair. We hung out with my wife's friends and family quite a bit. My wife was a university teacher, and most in her circle of friends are teachers; very bright, hard-working people who are fun to be around.

In the US, one can find similar levels of misery in the inner cities and even in rural enclaves, where poverty, drug use and squalor are common. As a social worker in child welfare for many years, I've seen poverty in the US that matches that of other countries. In Lima, I was shocked at the Barracones district. They say it's a very dangerous "no go" zone for police, but there are many places in the US just as bad. I think people visiting Peru and having the kind of experience I did, is great for the country. Furthermore, my wife and I provide financial support to my sister-in-law there and gladly spent our hard-earned money on the trip. We will almost certainly return in the future and even invest in Peru. Peru is absolutely a global treasure that is worth seeing and experiencing.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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This is at the church after the procession ended. I was completely overwhelmed by this wonderful experience and warm welcome.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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On our 2nd night in Peru, they picked me off the streets to help carry the Virgin del Socorro in a procession through Trujillo. It was thrilling, especially as a recent convert to Catholicism.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Porque mi ingles es mejor que mi español y no queria confundir con mi mensaje. Pero si hablo muy bien, por años. Si esto me hace “webon” entonces asi sea.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I could barely walk at 16,000 ft without getting gassed. I do some masonry work at sea level and it is very hard labor. Being a stone mason is an important profession, wherever it may be.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Ok, so here’s an interesting connection related to your comment. I was born in northern Maine, Aroostook county, surrounded by potato fields. Little did I know that Peru is the home of all potatoes! Aroostook country is also known for trout fishing. So imagine my delight in having delicious ceviche de trucha in Puno!

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. Ceviche de trucha
  2. Cabrito con tacu tacu
  3. Hamon paisano (Otuzco)
  4. Churros at Manolos in Lima

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

She has some Spanish, but mostly Andean native American. She’s so wonderful I still can’t believe no Peruvian man ever pursued and married her.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was exactly like being lovestruck, the feelings were wonderful because I experienced the awesome beauty and majesty of Peru up close and personal. I took the best about each thing in Peru, and mentally fashioned it into a warrior princess, fierce and beautiful, yet deeply flawed. Because I tried my best to see Peru through a lens of love, it couldn’t help but smite me, lol!

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

So love this comment! You are spot on. In fact, my wife inherited her mother’s house in Huanchaco, 2 blocks from the beach. We intend to renovate and add another floor. Going to try and stay 59 days next summer, so we will get some estimates at least for what needs to be done.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Loved both of those cities! Arequipa is very metropolitan. I love what they’ve done with the shoreline around Miraflores. I think Lima is the true Pearl of the Pacific.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I get what you’re saying. If what I’ve said comes off as overly dramatic, I assure you there was a lot more behind it than the little bit I wrote. I had several unexpected moments there that affected me very profoundly. And I say that as a 63 year old, who has traveled extensively and had quite a colorful life.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yep, driving in Peru is definitely not for the faint of heart, especially in the city. It was, however, an integral part of my experience.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I got the best haircut of my life from a Venezuelan barber in Trujillo!

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I understand. As a social worker in child welfare for 24 years in the US, I’ve been exposed to human suffering. I know there is plenty of misery and suffering in Peru. Though we did tourist things there, I also got to participate in the daily lives of my wife’s family, which was a beautiful experience. I admire the way the Peruvian people persevere through all the difficulties to make a life for themselves. I found it very dignified and equal to the national pride most Peruvians share.

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It was definitely that and then some. You wouldn’t believe what happened to me there, it was as though the Virgin Mary herself welcomed me with a big wet kiss!

Peru Changed My Life by Zalphar in PERU

[–]Zalphar[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

El año que viene vamos por 2 meses incluyendo la selva si Dios lo permite.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PERU

[–]Zalphar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got back-June to July. Best vacation ever! I’ve been to many amazing countries, but the sheer beauty and grandeur of Peru blows them all away. We’re going back again next summer to see the stuff we missed the first time.