“Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen.”
-Peter Marshall
Spanish Word for the Month: Viajar ~ To Travel [Pronounced: bee-ah-har]
May 5, 2003
Dear Family and Friends,
We have just returned to Honduras after three and a half restful weeks of exploring South America. The trip included the opportunity to visit four Latin American countries: Peru, Argentina, Chile and El Salvador. Each place was filled with its own unique flavors and adventures. Shawn and I enjoyed the chance to compare the different Spanish speaking countries in relation to our own experiences in Honduras; although there are similarities, we discovered distinct variations from one destination to the next. We found some of the more notable differences to be in the use of various Spanish dialects depending on the area. Some phrases and words that we have learned in Honduras have little significance in the Andes Mountains of Peru or the glacial regions of southern Argentina. Each place has its own original traditions, customs, variety of delicious foods, and unique styles of dress. In our travels, we only began to unravel a glimpse of the beauty these fascinating culture’s hold.
The first treasure we explored was Machu Picchu, Peru; old Inca Ruins said to be one of the “Seven Man-Made Wonders of the World”. Hiking through the ruins could only be described as magical. Always intrigued by history, my mind raced with ideas, theories and stories of what the various structures, buildings, and huts could have been used for during their prime. Built into a mountain peak, the Inca Empire was designed with perfect patterns and detailed paths containing symmetrical formulas. With waterways, drainage systems, and building constructions that have held up for centuries through storms and time, it is evident that the creators were part of a sophisticated culture. We were captivated with our tour; spending hours taking photos and playing with the llamas that roam the hillsides and take care of keeping the grass short for visitors.
Our second adventure took us to Mendoza, Argentina located in the northwest part of the country bordering Chile. Here we visited the parents of our close friends from Minnesota, Jorge and Laura Jeandet; who immigrated to the United States three years ago due to the economic struggles in their country. As neighbors in our apartment complex in Coon Rapids, we immediately bonded with Laura and Jorge. They have magnetic personalities and are the type of people you meet initially and feel like you have been friends with for years. They are hardworking people making the best of their situation to start a new life for their family. During their first Christmas in Minnesota, we had the pleasure of meeting Laura’s parents, Enrique and Chiquita Frias. They were visiting for a month and we had a chance to spend time and connect with them. Ever since we met, we have had a strong desire to experience life in Argentina.
We spent the majority of our trip in Argentina during Holy Week before Easter with Enrique and Chiquita in their lovely home. From the moment we arrived we were treated like long lost relatives. Chiquita had each day designated with activities and plans for us to meet other family members. We met nearly every uncle, aunt, cousin, niece, and nephew that one could imagine, and we ate outstanding portions of many rich foods. Their heritage is Italian and German, as many of their ancestors came to Argentina during the first two world wars, and they have great family recipes for cannelloni, homemade pizza, empanadas (meat pies), fresh pasta, and BBQ. The Argentineans are famous for their massive barbeques with rounds of beef, chicken, sausage, ribs, and steaks passed around for hours of celebration accompanied by some of the world’s finest red wine. Mendoza is especially known for its wine exportation and we spent one afternoon touring a vineyard and its wine cellar. A bottle of good wine can cost as little as $1.00-$2.00 US dollars and they drink it like water, as it accompanies lunches and dinner. Enrique calls it grape juice and was often quoted saying “thank God for the great grape juice!”
Another fun tradition we learned to incorporate quickly into our schedule was taking formal “siestas” or naps each afternoon from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, which proved necessary as we never went to bed before 1:00 AM (or 2:00 AM or 3:00 AM!) The Argentineans like to stay up late. Teatime is also part of the culture. I found the peach tea to be my favorite. Maté is another herbal tea that is shared between friends from the same maté tea cup. The hot, sugary tea is drunk through a metal straw. After you drink your cup’s worth – the maté is passed from one person to another in a circle as a sign of sharing and trust between friends.
We felt completely at home for the week and were amazed as well as touched by Laura’s family and their warm welcome. Their generosity and kindness helped us feel accepted in this new place. Shawn and I agreed that we can only hope to follow their example and be as welcoming to people in our lives; accepting them completely. During one of our late night dinners together with extended family (dinner-time started between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM), I sat back in awe realizing we were laughing, conversing, and bantering all in Spanish. We could take part in the jokes as well as the more serious discussions. It was a great sense of belonging and achievement to be able to communicate. Often in Peace Corps we are asked “what is your defining Peace Corps moment?” I found it ironic that my defining Honduran Peace Corps moment was taking place hundreds of miles away in Argentina, around a small table with close friends and many cups of tea and coffee; chatting into the wee hours of the night about nothing and about everything. Because of our time in Honduras we were now able to connect, almost like family, with a wonderful set of people, speaking our second language in another Latin American country. Honduras opened a door and allowed us to take part in this type of sharing. It was a moment I will not quickly forget, because connecting with people, I believe, is one of our greatest human experiences.
With interest in seeing part of southern Argentina, we took a bus trip to the town of Bariloche, where we spent three days enjoying snow capped mountains and a mini lake cruise to see waterfalls, falling glaciers, and beautiful mountainous lake scenes. We also had a chance to eat deliciously decorated fine chocolates from various chocolate factories in the town square, a delicacy in the region. We nicknamed the town “the Switzerland of South America.”
Our journey in South America ended with three days in Chile where we spent two of those days on the pacific coast visiting the ocean town of Viña del Mar and our last day in Santiago (the capitol) site-seeing the incredible city’s architecture. We visited remnants of an old castle and the center plaza with a stunning 17th century cathedral.
In route back to Honduras we had a one day layover in El Salvador. We toured San Salvador, the capitol city, and bought a silk hammock; something only produced in this area. We had an adventurous journey to the airport taking the city bus system to save more than $15.00 on the taxi fare (can you tell we have been living in Honduras for two years?). After two long walks, two long bus rides, one extremely packed mini-van and four stops to ask for directions, we made it to the airport with plenty of time to board.
Overall, our trip was a fun time to explore. It is something we will remember for many years to come with grand memories. I think we will always have a love for Latin America and the treasures it holds. We’ve also found that it provides us with greater appreciation for our own country and the blessings we have in the United States. The old cliché is true, with all the wonderful places in the world “there is no place like home” and we look forward to our homecoming soon.
New photos from our trip have been posted on the website.
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Shawn and Jennifer
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Peace Corps Honduras
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Website: globalsilveras.com
“Life was meant to be lived, and
curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back
on life.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt