10 Years Later

I feel really removed from the United States. I watched a bit of the 911 ceremony on Sunday and it made me think of where I was 10 years ago and how fast the time has gone by. I don't think about terrorism being a threat to me in Peru. It's not something I have to worry about here. I said a little prayer for all the families who lost someone in the attacks but I also said a prayer for the people who live in terror and fear everyday in parts of the world that don't have the ability to make a memorial for all the people who have died at the hands of terrorism. I find it hard to believe that Americans aren't more aware of how our country creates a lot of anger among other countries and that if we went about trying to solve this war on terrorism by actually setting up infrastructures and giving back to the countries we have messed up (i.e. Iraq and Afghanistan and Palestine indirectly), we wouldn't have to live in such fear that more attacks are coming. I am sick of self righteousness and the whole "our way or the highway" mentality. I do not downplay the sadness of what happened ten years ago but it is up to the US and its people, including myself to be goodwill ambassadors and start making a difference instead of sitting on our butts and letting politicians make STUPID STUPID decisions about what we should do. My dad always tells me that power in numbers really works and I think he is right. As for what I am doing in South America, I am trying to promote a positive image of what Americans are like and that we all aren't fat ignorant people who don't care about anything but our own happiness and making money. (It's a sad but very real stereotype that people believe down here.)

I challenge everyone reading this to be proactive and live each day consciously so that not only you can be a happier person but for the future of the planet and international realtions. (I know, huge task...at least you'll think about it though!)

Depedida, a little Religion, and an ENORMOUS banner

First of all, sorry for not blogging earlier. I realize that I have been pretty bad with entries lately. To tell the truth, not too much exciting has happened. I have a new student who is 3 years old. I celebrated Kate, EV, and Molly’s despedida last weekend at La Paccha which was fun and a throwback since I saw a ton of my old students and could name about half. Julia and I had a good time dancing together and Roxburying a few people (Roxburying refers to the movie Night at the Roxbury which was originally an SNL skit with Will Ferrell and Chris Katan who bump a woman til she can’t stand/move.)


EV, Kate, and Molly

I finished a book called “The Pagan Christ” by Tom Harpur which was extremely interesting and not surprising. In a brief summary Tom Harpur concludes that the bible is fiction that is a compilation of myths and stories from older religions compiled in a manner and strung together to make it seem like a true history. He is a Christian himself and says that while he was shocked by the revelation he has found that he no longer struggles with the mysteries of the bible and reads stories as allegory with an ultimate truth. Jesus Christ shouldn’t be demythologized, he should be remythologized so that each person can find the Christ within and live life seeking the truths from the bible, not the actual history. I like what he brings up and I think it is cool to think of true Christianity as a religion that doesn’t have all the stupid strict rules and doesn’t take the bible literally. Christ is more of less another version of Horus, the Egyptian version of Jesus that came years before him. The similarities are uncanny! They both have stories that teach us how to treat one another and to search for our own personal truths. I like it. I think it Jesus was looked at as a cosmic spirit that everyone has within them searching for the ultimate truths, Christianity would be more like Buddhism. Really, all religions have the same basis that we all connected by a higher being of God. The only difference is how people act it out and demonstrate their beliefs and faith. I went to mass tonight with Marco and it was cool taking the story used from the bible as a myth that has an ultimate truth. I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in religion and a different perspective.

Something pretty cool happened Saturday night. We, The Guardians, are playing a weekly gig at Dragon’s Palate on Saturday evenings during dinner time. I looked up at the wall above the door at the restaurant and this is what I saw!




It was a gift from Richard, our manager. He is a retiree who is in Cusco now and friends with Michael. He is chillin and living nicely off the money he made back in the States and it was a gift from him to our band. How awesome right? I feel like a true rockstar with a big banner like that! Because of him we are playing this Friday at a restaurant above McDonald’s in the plaza de armas called Pabillon. I hope we can put this banner up outside the restaurant because it would be fantastic publicity! I am all about having a manager too because if we are playing more often we can get better gigs and get them more often and get paid more often. Can’t complain about that.