This one is for you Raebel...and everyone else curious about Thanksgiving in Peru.

Thanksgiving in Huancayo and answers to other important questions:

We returned to Huancayo from the jungle at 5am in the morning, so the first order of business was a Thanksgiving Day nap. And after the nap, I took a much needed shower. I don't think anyone here knew that it was a U.S. holiday, so no "I can't believe it's not Macaw" for me. It was just the standard Peruvian fare, which would be a nightmare for any of you Atkins fans out there. We have rice at least once a day, and we have it for both lunch and dinner more often than not; beans and eggs are served almost as frequently. I can't imagine how challenging it would be for someone who doesn't like beans, rice, and eggs. I like all of them but after only 3 weeks, I don't think I will want to eat another plate of rice for at least 6 months after I return to the U.S. Breakfast is almost always bread and marmalade, with fresh squeezed juice. My host family knows that I am a vegetarian and teases me about it, but they still serve me meat. If it's not too obvious, I don't eat it. But, sometimes it is too difficult, or I am worried about offending them, so I end up just eating it. There are all kinds of street vendors in Huancayo selling fruit and juice, but the volunteer organization told us not to eat anything from them. I am tempted, if nothing else but for a little variety, but so far I haven't chanced it. I am the only volunteer who hasn't been sick though, so the warnings might be valid. The hygiene of some of the poorer people is relatively non-existent, which is probably the biggest reason that eating from the street vendors can be a bit risky. I'm guessing and hoping that some of the more touristy areas are a little safer in that regard.

I have been working in one of the outreach programs teaching poor children in an area just outside of Huancayo. We use a small room that is used for a restaurant in the afternoons. It is pretty apparent that they don't get much attention elsewhere as they are very clingy. Yesterday I also went to the orphanage and helped there. I was shocked by the number of babies under the age of 6 months - there must have been at least 20, many of which appeared to be very sickly. I also figured out the bus system in Huancayo this week. The buses are more like vans, and I was introduced to them by a non-English speaking teacher. Her introduction didn't include how to know which bus to get on, how to tell them when I want to get off, or how to tell then where I want to go. But fortunately I haven't had any major mishaps despite the lack of any bus maps or schedules.

Huancayo is also home to hundreds, if not thousands of dogs. All of which bark in unison all night long. No one has leashes for the dogs, and they wander the streets. Most of them look a bit straggly. I am shocked that more of them aren't hit by cars. It is far more challenging being a pedestrian here than it was in NYC, and the cars, taxis, and buses don't stop for anything, or anyone.

That's all the news I have from Huancayo for now. I hope everyone in MN is staying warm; It sounds like MN winter is getting an early start.