Buenos tardes! Good afternoon all. Well, I arrived safely in Peru late Thursday night. Br. Juan Pablo and I were picked up at the airport and then taken to our community in Miraflores, Lima, Peru. We are staying at the parish that the Marianists operate, Santa Maria Reina. The campus includes a huge Church and a huge colegio that educates students from grades Pre-K to 12. The place is enormous. There are something like 10 weekend Masses at the Church and each one is packed!
The Church (I concelebrated on Sunday)
Front Entrance of the School
Students playing
Students learning a Folkdance
The Gym with the Marianist Symbols
Since we are about 8 blocks from the beach, I take time either in the morning or late afternoon to get my "steps" in and have a chance to see beautiful scenery and burn some calories too!
View from the mountain
I walked down and up that mountain: "And I did not die!"
View of the Ocean from the Top of the Mountain
Yesterday, Juan Pablo and I took a taxi to the Historico Centro to visit some of the important sites for Peru. Besides seeing some ornate government and cultural buildings, we visited several important Churches in the area. We went to the Dominican Church were the remains of two Dominican Peruvian saints lie: Saint Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres. These two saints are honored and revered by the people of Peru. St. Martin holds a special place in the hearts of all because he is the patron saint of social justice. He is the saint also for racial equality since he was born of a Spanish conquistador and a black slave. We climbed the bell tower to get a great view of the city.
Church of St. Dominic
French influenced architecture
Hall of (IN)Justice
Presidential Palace
We will head to the retreat center on Tuesday after visiting some other schools in the area. Once we are at the retreat center we will begin the Conference on Wednesday night. I think close to 75 people will be attending this conference from Argentina, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Mexico. It should be interesting and fun. Each night, one or two countries will present something cultural from their country including foods and drinks! I have to save my points to partake in some of these delicacies.
I am enjoying my time here in Peru. The Brothers could not be more hospitable and they all speak English too! For the most part I am speaking Spanish, but it is good to know that when I get stuck, I can fall back into English.
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