Peru, The Dark and the Light - Debbie Guzzi's Blog

While I was there in Peru, I could not write. I think it is the first time in my life I have been so in the moment. You can not BE in the moment and be in your head composing verse. The flight was at midnight a very odd time for me for normally I am fast asleep by then. The airport was abnormally for me uninspiring. The plane full of lively folk speaking for me an unknown language with abandon, Spanish. Unlike other trips to non-English speaking countries the staff seemed particularly uninterested in trying to communicate in English? What a uninformed, conservative mind set I seem to HAVE had LOL. It was very clear to me that Spanish is fast becoming as dominant a world language as English, probably everyone but me squirreled away in my Norman Rockwell existence in rural CT knew this?

Lima as seen from the Pacific Ocean

Lima was my first stop and boy did the heat get turned UP and the humidity! Lima really felt modern and wealthy. But yet again the division of classes within and outside the city was made all to obvious by the self barricading populace. The walled Enclaves of wealth spring up globally, out of fear and guilt in my mind.

Below is the resturant in the 21st century mall where I ate lunch twice watching the sea. In one of the wealthiest parts of Lima called Mille Fluers

Years ago [due to my own fears] I moved from the city to the countryside, but I will run and hide no further. Even here one does have neighbors and given a choice of fence or trees, i choice trees and I have never regretted the decision. All high walls and electric fences and razor wires does is announce to the downtrodden, HERE here's where the goodies are and YOU can't have any!! Is it a wonder the rebels in Peru attacked the posh condominiums of the wealthy? Up until the defeat of The Shining Path [a communist  group which attempted to over throw the Peruvian government in ] Peru was not exactly a tourist destination, like Egypt, Greece [now], Nigeria and many other political hot spots tourist dollars went to safer venues!

This photo shows where the immigrants known as the invaders started from when they fled the countryside after major quakes to the open sand dunes 45 minutes outside of metropolitan Lima.

This is more like how they live now, our travel group OAT tries to help out in a specific area with donations [for some reason I can't access my pic's right now] Our visit here was unbelievable, awe inspiring. With no no legal address, no amenities; plumbing and cobbled electricity from areas where the government does supply it, these folks have made viable homes. The fronts where much nicer than above and decorated for Christmas proudly when we visited. They have their own schools, government, their children are healthy & vaccinated, they are proud to be upwardly Mobil!

Around the globe we have this dramtic contrast of wealth and abject poverty and it is one major reason for war. If we could as human beings only learn to share better?

Your thoughts????

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/2/2013 6:01:00 PM Yes to Machu Piccu Ruben NO to the Nazca lines..our group no longer has access to the Nazca area by small plane [pout] Believe me the Sacred Valley Area & Macchu totally live up to your expectations, we were there 2 days 1 in the fog & 1 in the sun, both days were breath taking Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/2/2013 9:31:00 AM To some extent perhaps to show compassion and that we are a civilized people..we help..BUT never forget folks in dire straits often cause civil unrest, look at our jails we have more folks in jail in the USA than in most other first world countries Login to Reply

Sara Kendrick Date: 1/1/2013 4:36:00 PM Interesting information..Yes, we are blessed here in America even the poorest are blessed compared to other places on this earth..Sara Login to Reply

Jack Horne Date: 1/1/2013 2:46:00 PM it must have been a very moving experience for you, Debs. Yes, I agree entirely but I fear there will always be the haves and the have nots Login to Reply

Cyndi Macmillan Date: 1/1/2013 2:32:00 PM Quickly, for now, what a fantastic blog. Happy New Year. Read your comment to Seren. Sounds like a fantastic group of people who are like-minded... did you make a friend(s)? Feel connected? A sense of being amongst those who share a same purpose? :) Hope so... xox Dee Login to Reply

Carol Eastman Date: 1/1/2013 1:57:00 PM In 1971 I went to Mexico City down to acculpoco (sp?) and found the same thing. In Mexico city the wealthy walled themselves in then put broken glass on top the walls to stop anyone from coming over them. A hurricane hit the south point and we saw soldiers with machine guns handing out pieces of aluminum for roofs to cover stick houses you could see thru. From the best hotel we walked stairs to the ocean beach among those houses. It was heart breaking. And one of our hotel people got his wisdom teeth taken out without pain killers... he couldn't afford it... We offered but he was to proud to accept our money for it... A hotel workers sister was killed by a gang with a broken bottle. Sad. Login to Reply

Carrie Richards Date: 1/1/2013 1:53:00 PM It seems in every place/country/or culture there are the "haves" and the "have nots"....the classes exist, such a sad fact it is. It is in each of us to make small differences, however little they may be....we may not be able to change the world, but we can change who we are, with kindness and sharing ...however and whenever we can. The example we set for our children and future generations is the only hope we have. Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/1/2013 1:13:00 PM Seren every place on the planet [every major city in particular] has the same dark and light BUT most tour groups do not take you to see the poor. This group focuses on breeding and supporting GLOBAL citizenry. Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/1/2013 1:11:00 PM There was a very distinctly different attitude here by the poor, though some did sleep under plastic bags in the streets of Lima, few were actually begging, most had small goods to sell, MOST were working. Having no facilities most appeared to try to keep clean, and dress with their own style. The core belief in community work and care of the elderly and children was still very obviuosly strong. You work, you eat, you have a roof if not out you go..without the support of the group. Login to Reply

Phyllis Babcock Date: 1/1/2013 12:16:00 PM So sad that we do not share more in this world. I hope I have taught my children to share and care from the heart. Greed seems to bring about more greed. It breaks my heart to see the poverty and hunger in children. Login to Reply

Seren Roberts Date: 1/1/2013 11:45:00 AM Havent been to Peru, sounds like somewhere i would have to think twice about visiting. i enjoy going to Malaysia. Thailand China and Hong Kong but not the usual tourist places. ..Seren Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/1/2013 10:12:00 AM Mandy some children learn to share and some don't aye? Maybe we should have classes in sharing and compassion? If everyone had to do public service of some kind I think that would help? Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/1/2013 10:11:00 AM I think Spanish will be in the forefront LONG before Chinese Andie for one thing it's a much easier language to learm with all the latin root words! Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/1/2013 9:55:00 AM Yes, Spanish is all over the place. I hear it in banks, restaurants, and restrooms even here in Utah, and each time I hear it, I curse myself for not having learned it well enough to follow completely the conversations I am hearing. English is still the language of the world and yet, I think everyone should learn a second language. It opens you up to so much more! I suggest chinese. If I ever make myself learn another language, it's got to be Chinese. It sounds like you had a great time in Peru, Debs! Login to Reply

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl Date: 1/1/2013 9:44:00 AM it seems we can't share even as children may be a design fault which is a shame xx Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/1/2013 9:07:00 AM I posted some of my pic's on facebook and I can't find them now I thought I was doing an ablum but I guess not poof there back on last Sat somehwere? These pic's are off the web Login to Reply

Joann Grisetti Date: 1/1/2013 8:56:00 AM Love your pics. Glad you had a safe trip. Trees can say the same as brick walls, and can isolate those who have them from those who don't Login to Reply Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/1/2013 9:06:00 AM yes but trees give back beauty as well as privacy and can be enjoyed by both sides, we choice flowering trees as well, and fences can cause hard feelings and only give the clutter a place to hide behind?