Well, Sunday started holy week here. I happened to be in Cusco since a large group of us had gone out the night before for my friend Kaitlyn's birthday. As Peru is a catholic country, there were multiple masses for Palm Sunday at the cathedral in the Plaza de Armas (Central Square). We all decided to meet for the 8am mass. Kaitlyn and I were the first to arrive so we bought our little crosses decorated with palms and oregano. As the others arrived, we decided to try to get closer into the church to see what was going on. The cathedral was full of people so you had to wind your way through the crowds. My brain told me to be careful with my bag so I put it in front of my body and thought my arms would deter any pick-pockets. Well, I was wrong.
Somehow my wallet was stolen. At one point I looked down and my bag was unzipped. I knew immediately that my wallet was gone. I just couldn't believe that someone would actually steal a wallet inside of a church!! Talk about bad karma and going to hell! So needless to say, I was quite upset. Really, I had hardly any money in my wallet (about 30 soles or $10 US dollars), however, the wallet itself had been a Christmas present and I really liked it. Plus, I lost all of my cards. So, the ironic thing is that I had only just got my new debit card less than 2 weeks before. So here I was again, without a debit card. I don't have enough time left to have new cards mailed to me. So I am without any debit or credit cards for the next 3 weeks until I get home. All in all, I only had a debit card here with me my very first day in Lima and then for less than 2 weeks! How crazy is that -- 3 months and only a debit card for 2 weeks!
Anyway, I have figured out my money situation, it is just a pain in the butt. I now have to have tons of cash on me. I will be very careful with it though. So, that did put a damper on our Palm Sunday mass experience.
This week, we are not eating any red meat. The big day during Semana Santa is Friday. Everyone eats what is called Doce Platos (12 plates). You literally eat 12 different plates of food. There are multiple soups, entrees and desserts. My family will be gathering at Ana's mother's house. The sisters are all cooking different plates and then we will come together to eat. It is going to be ridiculous! I missed this tradition last year because I was at the beach during Semana Santa.
My friends and I are getting together on Thursday night to dye Easter Eggs. Shura and I are going to dye eggs as well and do an Easter Egg hunt for the little nieces and nephews. My mom sent me a large Easter care package with egg dye and lots of delicious candy. The little kids here are going to love it. They do not understand why we dye eggs or know anything about the Easter Bunny. It is going to be a riot.
Everything else is going really well. I go to Cusco next week on Thursday to hang out for 2 days before I leave for the Inca Trail. They make you stay in Cusco for 2 days prior so that you can acclimate to the altitude. I think it is a little ridiculous that I have to do this too, since I live in Ollanta, but it gives me a couple days to chill out and do some touristy stuff that I never have. I also want to buy some items. Luckily, Shura can bring my stuff back to the house so I don't have to cart it around with me on the Inca Trail.
I can't believe I only have 3 weeks left. Time has flown!! I have a meeting now so I will write more after the 12 platos on Friday!
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