Fantasy Realized

Blanca, Me, Heather

La Mona de mi hermana

Meet the newest resident of Pat’s Place, an as yet unnamed monkey. I think owning a monkey has been my sister’s lifelong fantasy. While many children wish for a pony, my sister has really wanted a monkey. She (the monkey) is really quite cute and very small. The monkey is about the size of my hand. Heather’s friend, Fanny, came by yesterday and brought the monkey as an early Christmas gift. We were told it eats banana and chicken. My job today is to do some research on monkeys as pets. I also think the poor thing needs a larger cage. Heather would like a few diapers and a leash so she can take it out with her.

Today, I am on my own in the house. Heather’s “boss”, Pastor Bruce, is in town for the week. He arrived very early this morning and there are many things which must be done while he is here. Today, Heather went with him to the orphanage to look at land (for a new orphanage?) and do some other business. Heather was not sure how long she would be gone, so I am here at the house, practicing my Spanish for the day.

It is fun to talk with the residents of Pat’s Place. Everyone has been patient with me. Using the same practices we do at home, if I don’t understand, they repeat it louder, thinking I did not hear it the first time and if they speak louder, I might get it. The other tactic, which is more successful, is to try different words until they say one I understand. I figure I am learning about 20 new words per day. Not too shabby!

The other picture is Blanca, Me, and Heather. Blanca is Heather’s “right hand woman”. She is native to Peru, having been born in Cuzco. She moved to Lima at the age of three, and is very excited to be able to travel to Cuzco and Machu Picchu with us. Heather would find life here very difficult without Blanca. Blanca offers a great understanding of the cultural norms which allows Heather to reach out in a more effective manner.