Crafty Children

Hello friends!

 First of all, thanks for all the love you’ve been showing the blog! I love your comments/emails/tips/words of encouragement. Thanks so much!!!

This post is to announce a new project we’re working on here at El Bichito. Read carefully, because YOU are a big part of this.

We’ve recently taught the dearest ninas how to crochet! 

Right now they are learning to make these cute headbands that have been the only reason I have been able to stay warm here. They’re awesome because:

1.       They keep your ears and head snug and warm

2.       They are cute!

3.       They hide any greasy bangs you might have

4.       They’ve been handmade in PERU

Aurora was the first one to complete hers. How cute is she??

Awesome, no?

Here’s where you come in! We want to set up an Etsy shop and sell these (as well as other crafty things we teach the girls to make), to our dear friends in the states. They would be made of authentic yarn handmade here in Puylucana. Cool huh? We would help the girls make them (thus they’d be learning a new skill) and the proceeds would go to the children.

Abigail sporting hers

It’s just an idea we have right now, but let me know if you have any suggestions/comments/orders J

Have a great day, I know we will!

-Elia

We're A Lot Smarter Than We Sound

Ripped Off on the Bus!

We went on our morning run down the hill into Banos to get some groceries and save money on the bus. Our lungs haven’t quite acclimatized well enough to be able to run back up the hill, and we had groceries, so we took a bus back up. We’ve ridden the bus enough times to know exactly how much it costs (1.5 soles for the three of us) but we only had two soles, so we gave it to him and expected our change. The money taker took our soles and then resumed his position on the bus. I said, “oh no you di’int!” (under my breath and in English). 

There is no way that I was going to let that boy think that he could rip off we three white girls that easily. So Abigail and I marched up to him on our way off the bus and Abigail said, “We need our change please.” 

The boy then said: No it’s two soles for three. (which doesn’t make sense at all!)

I said, “No, it’s 50 centimoles per person, 50 plus 50 plus 50 is 1.50. We need 50 centimoles back. Please.”

He sighed deeply and rolled his eyes, but gave us our 50 centimoles! P.S. all of this dialogue was of course in Castellano.
I high fived Abby when we got off, because I was very proud of us!

Demasiado Dinero??

Who doesn't dream of traveling the world during at least one point in their lives?

Spring 2011 BYU-I Culture Night

It was actually never really a passion or desire of mine until I attended a free event at BYU-Idaho called culture night. It gave me a glimpse at the different cultures all around the world and I knew at that moment that I wanted the opportunity to experience a different culture at least once in my life.

Another factor that increased my desire to travel was when my roommate and dear friend Keri Rich went and toured through Europe. She came back knowing all sorts of neat things. I was in awe of how cultured she had become. So I can definitely see why people dream of traveling. After making the preparations for it, I can also definitely see why people never get around to it. Traveling can get pretty pricey!

Just because I'm curious about how much I've spent on this adventure thus far (and in case you are ever planning on doing something like this) I want to compile all the expenses here and get a guesstimate of about how much I've spent so far.

• $600- Living Expenses 
• The organization I am going through requires $200 a month to cover living expenses and one meal. I will be there for three months

• $145-Passport

• $1,286- Flight
•  Round Trip: Las Vegas->Miami->Lima, Peru... and back

• $279- Shots 
• Yellow Fever, Typhoid and Dr.'s visit for Malaria prescription
• $30- Baggage 
• We get one checked bag and a carry-on free, but I have all sorts of Humanitarian supplies that I'm stuffing into a second check-in bag! 

Grand Total:  Drum Roll Please.....                                                                   
$2340

Those are just some of the basic/necessary expenses thus far. There are lots of little things that you don't really think about, not to mention the money that will actually be spent during my time in Peru.

Just to name a few of the optional expenses I purchased for Peru (and just because I needed them):

$8 Set of Small Scriptures
(I'd had my old ones for the past 13 years and they were falling apart, I'm sooo happy with my new quad, only $8 at the Lost and Found Sale!)

The new ones are on the right. I've always wanted a set of small snap ones1

 $50 Chaco's
Regularly $100, but stinking amazing Abigail got them for me 1/2 at 5am on a Black Friday sale!

For the rugged Peruvian terrain... and sweet Chaco tan lines

$165 Brand New Mini-Lap Top
My other computer broke, so I was in need of a new one, and my 10.1 inch Acer is perfect for travel...and blogging!

Mine is the red one in the front.

Now, seeing the expense, am I regretting my decision?

Not one bit!

$2500ish for complete culture immersion in a brand new city, country and continent for 3 months while doing Humanitarian work and learning Spanish??
Priceless.

One more week and we'll be in Peru! I can't wait!

Con Amor, Noelle