MY FIRST WEEK IN URUBAMBA

FIRST WEEK IN URUBAMBA
I had forgotten to tell you about a funny incident on the way back to Sonia’s house last week. As I do when I am walking along I wish everyone a good day. This old lady shouted to me from her doorway and came running down the hill. I stopped and waited. She shouted something at me then thrust her mobile phone and a piece of paper with a number on it. I put the number in the phone, pressed save and asked her for the name. I thought she wanted to save the number in her phone and didn’t know how.....WRONG!! She then shouted at the top of her voice (about 2 inches from my ear) “LLAMAR, LLAMAR”. This means “ to call” in Spanish. I duly redialled the number and handed her the phone. (She obviously couldn’t read). She walked away, listening to the phone and talking to a younger lady outside the house at the top of the hill ...I had obviously, now done, what she had wanted. I had to walk away before I could burst out laughing. It was such a comical scene and still makes me laugh when I think of it.

I’m starting to settle in now. I’m finding my way around Urubamba, buying a few things for the house...whistling kettle and a glass jug, to boil and cool water. This will save in so many ways carrying water bottles from the shops (some way away), the environmental impact of all that plastic waste, and even though the cost is minimal it adds up when you drink as much as I do...so it just made sense!
On Saturday Maureen took me to Ollantaytambo to Living Heart’s Cafe. I met Sabrina who runs the cafe and will be one of the trustees of LH. The food was an absolute delight so I’ll definitely be making a regular trip back there. While there, there was a wall dedicated to the young boy, Jose Antonia, I mentioned earlier who has neurological problems and needs a nurse to give him physio each week. He is one of three children, and his father weaves some beautiful pieces that you can buy, to help them support the cost of looking after him each week. I bought 3 different pieces, all of which I had been looking for anyway so I left delighted. There is also an amazing Inca site at Ollantaytambo so that will be worth a look one weekend. Unfortunately you need to pay a considerable amount but the ticket lets you into a couple of others all on the same day (one in Urubamba) so I’ll need to wait until I am ready to do a bumper Inca session one day.
That night us 5 girls decided not to waste a Saturday night so had 2 beers and 2 of us crocheted!! Now that’s what you call hitting the high life on a Saturday night!! I haven’t crocheted in years and one of the girls is creating her own designs to sell in Urubamba. She showed me a few new stitches and gave me some wool to start me off. I’m now crocheting myself a pair of slippers...well my feet are freezing!! It’s coming into winter here. On Sunday I walked into Urubamba, about 30 mins from the house, to buy some more wool. It was a lovely day so it seemed a shame to waste it by catching a moto-taxi at the bottom of the road. I had taken my crocheting with me and sat in the main Plaza and crocheted there. It was very pleasant. An older gentleman sat down near me and started chatting. He was a German Peruvian and had taken up the plight of the local “Indians” in the mountains to get them spinning wheels to help them earn more money from their Alpaca wool. He had sourced a supply in New Zealand, then met a Scotsman who had offered to design a spinning wheel they could make in Peru at a 1/10th of the cost. He then offered to come and build them. They thought they had funding from the Scottish government but this has now been pulled so he is petitioning them to ask them to follow through on their promised funding. I have his details but haven’t contacted him yet. The conversation with Miguel started with him wishing me a Happy Mothering Sunday making the assumption I was one, which I confirmed I was. Mothering Sunday in Peru is a really big thing. Mothers give to mothers and when they go into a shop they get confetti in their hair or little presents. It is very much a family day. I saw lots of families out and about and women with confetti in their hair.

On Monday I tried an advanced Spanish class but Elise felt (and I agreed) it was a little further on than I was. Although I knew all the grammar they were learning my overall talking and listening skills are far behind them. After an hour I left with my notes and homework. I thought it best to take time and work on it alone , then pick up with Elise later..the beauty of living together. We have now agreed and I have started with a private lesson, working with the beginner’s class to fill in the gaps in my vocabulary, plus working on my listening and speaking. So far this is working well.
I am now finding my way around Urubamba and after my initial misgivings I’m thinking I could make this work. Most things can be purchased in the market here or shops around but there are some things I will need to get from Cusco, plus I am missing the buzz of Cusco actually. Maureen has offered me a room in her house here in Urubamba but I think I will need to find something in the town. It is also a long way out of Urubamba so when it gets dark about 5pm you must have a torch after the moto-taxi takes you as far as it can. This is a 5 minute walk up little lanes, crossing rivers and not an easy trail. Most of the roads here are dirt tracks so you are permanently covered in dust. I’m thinking I can stay in Urubamba through the week and some weekends go into Cusco to meet up with the ex-pats and get supplies etc. Maureen has offered me the use of the room she rents there if she is not using it or I can look for a cheap hostal for the weekend. This feels like a good compromise. I had originally thought about moving back to Cusco but realistically that’s a lot of travel every day, plus my Spanish class and work is in Urubamba so this makes way more sense. The Dutch girls and I spoke about looking for a house big enough for us all and then I will be much nearer the centre for the internet and not walking the 20-30mins to the bus station at 5am!! That was when I headed off to the remote village school...there ain't no moto-taxis at 5am and this is when I will need to set off to get to the remote villages possibly once or twice a week.
THURSDAY 12TH –
I have just secured a room in a new house for 2 months (I hope) in the heart of Urubamba..much better for internet cafes and everything here. The couple are setting it up to start their own volunteering program where they support young volunteers and organise Spanish lessons, Salsa etc for them, supporting them if they have difficulties etc all for a small fee. I can stay as long as there is space. The problem is I am in a twin room. The rent is a little higher as it is fully furnished so the Dutch girls have chosen not to take it. Personally for the little extra I think that will be great and I have a new bed...not on the floor and not requiring me to buy anything except towels and food. I will need to visit Cusco to collect supplies and towels as there is nothing in Urubamba.
I have been shown some great second hand shops today in Urubamba, as there are no new shops. I managed to find a pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans – tight, but I'm sure they will slacken and will do for running around in when my other pair are at the laundry. I got them for 10 solis... £2.50. How could I refuse :-)) Some of my clothes are now hanging on me even though I am eating..probably cause I’m eating less chocolate :-)).
I have now attended 2 classes a day in Spanish for the last 2 days. I'm not sure if my Spanish is getting better but I have lots of homework and will keep plugging away. I’m being a model student..so I’m told :-)) After my 8am meeting with LH tomorrow...eeek.... I have 2 afternoon classes so plenty of work for the weekend....What fun :-))
Once I have clarified some of the facts re my day out with Rita (that should be tomorrow) I'll post my next blog...Other than that....

.............MORE NEXT WEEK MY FOLLOWERS... CHOW :-))