After many hours of travel we are finally in Peru! Our cab picked us up from SMU at 2 AM and dropped us at DFW (after grossly overcharging us). We then flew to houston, then Panama city, Panama, and then to Peru where we arrived at 10pm local time. The time here is the same as in Knoxville and just 1 hour later than Little rock and Dallas. We then took a cab to the home where Brandon lived during his study abroad in Lima. When we got here we pretty much just talked with the family a short time and then went to sleep because we were EXHAUSTED!
Today (after a delicious breakfast) we walked around a bit and then took a bus to Miraflores. We saw some shops and local restaurants before walking to an overlook of the ocean. It was absolutely beautiful! Right below the overlook was a little mall area where we ate churros filled with dulce de leche (caramel)which was of course delicious! We then walked to a park called Parque de Amor which means Lover's Park where there is a huge statue of a man and woman kissing. This park also looked over the ocean and was breath taking. After spending a little time there we headed back to the family's home where we ate Arroz con Pollo the traditional Peruvian way and took a siesta (nap).
Tomorrow we plan to visit a church with catacombs and the national cathedral and president's home. Then later in the week we will take a short trip to Paracas and Ica before heading back here to spend Christmas with the family. "The family" consists of Amalia (mami), her daughters Amalia and Ana, her son Carlos, and grandson Willy. They are all so sweet and welcoming and graciously include us as part of the family. We really look forward to spending the holiday with them as we will be away from our American families.
We are very excited as the trip begins for everything it holds for us. We come with a host of expectations but mostly hope to better learn how to relax and appreciate life. Brandon has been telling me (Rachel) that things wont always go as planned but as an often uptight worrier, I hope to learn to remember what is really important and be thankful for all the blessings I have instead of getting caught up in trivial matters. It will be good for our relationship, vocational discernment, and general outlook on life! We will miss all of you but hope you will remember us in prayer.
Hasta pronto amigos!! Mucho amor!
P.S. If you need to contact us, it is free to text Rachel's phone (501-339-3367) but we may not respond via text. We can get back to you as soon as possible via email or skype. Our skype names are Kincannonrm and Bclazarus. We will be on occasionally and also checking facebook too beacuse there is a computer at the family's home and many internet cafes in Ayacuccho. Also, subscribe to this blog by making a comment so we can know who looks at this. We will try to post to facebook and email those without facebook when we make posts.
