Outside of work, my time is mostly occupied by ordinary activities, whether that be preparing materials from my club, reading or filling out job applications. That said, there are a few fun moments scattered throughout my daily routine.
One chore I've really grown to love is doing laundry. Of course, back home in the United States, I would just throw my clothes into the washing machine and dryer, in that order, but here, without such conveniences, I've had to learn to do it all by hand. Up on the roof there is a clothes washing station that consists of a sink, a tub and my own bare hands. It's suprising calming to listen to music and bask in the sun while soaking and wringing out my dirty laundry.
Another fun chore is going out shopping and chatting with the shopkeepers. From the fruit man, I buy apples and pineapples; from the water and vegetable lady, I buy water, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions; from the bread lady, I buy bread; and from the market ladies, I buy whatever just to visit with them. I'm embarassed to admit this, but I hadn't visited the market ladies for a while until just today because I felt guilty for slacking on my Quechua study. I always used to visit and practice new Quechua (the local indigenous language) phrases with them, but since slowing down with my learning, I've been avoiding them out of shame. Today, I finally worked up the courage to return and rightfully apologized for my absence and promised to come back soon knowing some more Quechua.
Despite being a small city, Chalhuanca has still managed to feel like home!
