Story of my life
So here I am, yet again writing another blog entry from Starbucks. Although I should get points for it being a Starbucks in Peru at least. The big difference, aside from the continental shift, is that this time I would have rather sat down anywhere else in this entire airport other than Starbucks. Spain and their beautiful delicious coffees forever cured me of my overpriced Starbucks addiction. That chapter of my life has happily come to a close. However, my laptop was dead, and I needed to charge it. After finding 2 different outlets in 2 different shapes elsewhere in the public terminal, none of which fit the one I have on me for my macbook, I resigned to staking out one of the precious tables at Starbucks that almost all have access to a US/EU plug, of course. I have to admit though, the one thing Starbucks has going for it, is that it’s reliable coffee and tea. It always tastes the same, no matter where in the world you are. So if you happen to be in a country or place that does not have that great of coffee, it sometimes seems like a godsend. At this particular moment, as underslept as I am, I am quite happy with a ‘proper sized’ 500ml highly caffeinated tea (as it’s only 9:25am local time and I’ve already had a small breakfast tea and a coffee).
To whoever finds themselves reading this, I still have a full 7 hours to kill before my flight to Arequipa, so this will probably be a lengthy entry. You have been warned.
I also want to apologize for any English discrepancies that may pop-up. Although I am actually switching things up and writing this in word to avoid obvious typos, I have a feeling my lack of sleep combined with the switching between 3 languages will vastly overpower MS Word’s meagre Spelling and Grammar Check capabilities.
I am in Peru. That’s right.
It’s still in the process of sinking in. Although perhaps it’s just my current location that’s restriction my perception, because a few hours ago during my breakfast of Papaya smoothie, al latte (basically a do it yourself café con leche), yogurt, and giant bowl of fruit I definitely felt the Peruvian presence. Not to mention the fact that the waiter seemed to take an eternity to bring things out, yet no one was the least bit bothered or impatient, that is aside from the one women ridiculously snapping her fingers from the corner of the room to gather his attention.
The friendly thing is also most definitely not an exaggeration. Perhaps it’s just a characteristic of the northern half of South America, Central America, and North America? Because I definitely feel the similarities between the Canadian friendliness and the atmosphere here. Although no one walks around apologizing incessantly, that is still just Canadians. But what a difference already from Barcelona to the terminal to plane shuttle bus in Madrid filled with Peruvians. The feel of the crowd had completely changed; even the expression on everyone’s face was different. It was like a very pleasant, complacent, neutral expression with a hint of a smile. Not a surly, arrogant and/or closed off expression that the majority of Europeans tend to carry around. And here in the airport in Lima, there are people smiling and chatting everywhere. Starting up a conversation when all you initially wanted was to get something out of your bag, move their bag over a bit so you can squeeze by, or plug your laptop cord in to the outlet next to them.
The style was also instantly different. Although the Spanish would probably have the most relaxed-stylish look of the Western Europeans, this has a much more… ‘New World’ feel. You know, casual. People were dressed up, some for business, but it didn’t have the put together, I-spend-hours-picking-out-my-wardrobe-to-make-it-look-effortlessly-stylish look. The standard look for men is a button up shirt, usually chequered in some shape or form, or pin stripes to switch it up, untucked with jeans, or tucked in kackies or work pants. With comfortable but still nice street shoes. Women it is still characteristically Latin American with the bright colours, but the jeans, tops, shoes, etc. are still far more ‘Americas’.
On this trip alone I have also gotten mistaken twice now for being from Spain and three times for being from France. I definitely take it as a compliment. Especially since I’m wearing the comfiest non-sweats clothes I have. For Spanish, this is of course until I inevitably just start agreeing with everything in the conversation because my limited Spanish has run out, and then have to admit that I don’t speak much Spanish. At which point they usually look a little taken aback and ask where I’m from. “Canada” never ceases to illicit amazement, conversation, and a new friend, wherever it is I am. If it is from France, it is obviously a French speaker that I’ve met (who just start speaking to me in French half the time, I must have “FRANCOPHONE” stamped on my forehead), who are usually in disbelief when I tell them I’m Canadian, and immediately retort that I clearly do not have a “French Canadian”, otherwise known as “Québec”, accent. And then begins the conversation that there are actually other French speaking areas in Canada, yes Saskatchewan is one of them, yes it is a real place, no you haven’t heard of it because it’s not very populated, or exciting, and no you haven’t met any others because Saskatchewanians as a whole don’t usually travel that much.
I have also only been in Peru (or South America for that matter) for about 4-5 hours and have already met and made friends with the Peruvian Minster of Foreign Relations, Jorge Mendez Torres-Llosa, who has given me his personal email (and took the time to write down mine!) and told me to keep in touch, particularly for future hiking expeditions or if I take his advice and decide to enter the Canadian Diplomatic Service. He was one of those that assumed firstly that I was from Spain, but was then delighted that I spoke French (he is a great lover of the language) and assumed I was from France. And again, it was the “Canada” that solidified everything. Moral of this (and many other) stories, never doubt the possibilities of languages!!
What else.. Peruvians do not travel lightly? From what I gather anyways..
This hasn’t taken up nearly as much time as I would have liked. Well the flight was largely uneventful. Typical transatlantic. Had to walk about 2km from one terminal to the other in Madrid. Full flight that left late, packed with screaming children all around me. Men that insist on using the back of my seat to support themselves when they decided to get up every hour of the 12 hours flight time. Couples that insist on reading in immediate proximity while everyone is trying to sleep with the insanely bright for a airplane reading light. And horrifyingly uncomfortable and cramped seats that it make it all but completely impossible for me to properly sleep. Although I’m sure my mother could still have fallen asleep within minutes. The food wasn’t bad however. Funny though, the Spanish airline doesn’t ask if you want food, they simply tell you to put your tray down so they can give you your plate. There is no option, you will eat. Even at 3am before we landed everyone eagerly woke up to eat breakfast. Stark comparison to most flights I’ve taken where people couldn’t be bothered to lose another hour of sleep time for airline food. Plus it was all vegetarian. Delicious surprise. I do already miss the bread and cheese from Europe though, not to mention the coffee.
Oo only three more hours until I can check my bag. Yes when I went to check my bag in Barcelona it was an all time high of 37kg. Thank god it was a very flirtatious Latin American guy working the desk, and when I chatted using my usual line about how difficult it is to pack your life in to one suitcase, he let me spilt the bag in two (thank you burton!) and check two (still heavy) separate bags at no charge. Not gonna lie, I’m a little nervous for the next flight, It’s all young women at the check out desk. I will most likely have to pay a fee of some kind. But I might not have to pay for the 7 hours of locker use storing my bag, so it might all work out. J
All in all, so far it’s been wonderful. Things here are much simpler. Everything from the décor (or lack there of), to number of restaurants and stores (or again lack thereof), to the selection of movies/TV on board (again, lack thereof). But I love it, I really do. One of my least favourite things about North America is the wasteful excess of everything. There is no need to have 1000 channels on TV, just so you can charge people 120$ a month for them. No need to have a selection of 50 movies on board when the flight is only 12 hours, 6 will do. It is an airport, not a shopping mall; 8 restaurants/fast food places and 4 stores is plenty. Also, I love the fact that I am no longer surrounded by fucking Gucci, Fendi, Chanel and Louis Vuitton everything. However, still not in the excess of comfortable sweats and hoodies galor of a (English) Canadian airport.
Hopefully all stays this well between here and Arequipa!
