A day in the town of Chupaca

Afer another night of deep sleep owing to the altitude, we woke to the sun filtering through our bright orange terylene curtains and the sound of roosters, pigs, cattle and the usual barking dogs. After showering in luke warm water (we have no actual hot water system) we came back to our room to read and study our Spanish before our breakfast. We sit on our small balcony which overlooks a small courtyard to catch the morning sun.
Breakfast consisted of tea, bread, one fried egg and 2 saveloys (which were left over from last night). At 9.00am our Spanish teacher, Miguel, arrived for a two hour lesson. Everything went okay but at the end of consistent reading and speaking Spanish, we feel washed out.
At 11.15am we caught a taxi to the main city of Huancayo (about 30 mins away, the cost being 40 cents each). We went straight to the new big shopping centre with a huge supermarket. To watch the Peuvian people in such a complex, we realise how lucky we are. They are amazed at the size of the building and the vast array of goods, most just stand in awe. Also the escalators... most are very wary to step on them.
Anyway, after getting a few nessecities and a cup of coffee (they really don´t make coffee like us Aussies) aaah... for a latte, we caught another taxi back to Chupaca for lunch at 1.15am. It consisted of rice, potatoes, a SMALL piece of chicken along with fruit juice and tea.
After lunch we cannot wash any dishes as between 11am and 5 pm the water is cut off everyday. I don´t know why because tthere are 2 rivers running through the town. From 2.15 to 3.30pm we read and prepare our lesson for the afternoon school day.
At 3.40 we don our back packs, each loaded with books, raincoat (we haven´t had to use these yet) scarves, jumper, jacket, camera , water and miscellaneous items and wait out the front for a taxi to take us to the main taxi centre in Chupaco. Cost 8 cents.
Elly, Antonio, Maxine and I wait here for Nilton who will arrive shortly. HERE HE COMES!!!
Arriving in a 1984 Nissan taxi station wagon with a steel book case on top , tied to the roof. We were able to donate 2 steel bookcases with doors approx 2 metres high, along with 50 English-Spanish dictionaries from donations we bought from Australia.
We all got into the taxi , the driver, Antonio, and another passenger in the front, Maxine, Ely, Nilton and myself in the back seat. We drove through villages for 20 mins along very steep gravel roads until we reached the school of Alanya, we then proceeded to unload the book case The children from this school had begun the trek to the school of Andamarka about 5 km away, another 600 metres further up in the mountains. After travelling about 1 km we came across the children walking along the road (not much better than a goat track). After much exciement at seeing the 5 teachers in the taxi with the driver and still the extra passenger, the taxi came to a stop and YES... 18 children piled into the taxi ie. 25 people in this small station wagon for 4 kms.
On stopping in the village square, I bundled Maxine and one child out of the taxi to capture the unloading of all the passengers on film with so much laughter.
Unfortunately at this school of Andamarka, the local government have taken our run down dilapidated room off us, so we have to have lessons outside in the village square. Maxine and Nilton teach 5-6years, Rob and Elly teach 3-4 and Antonio teaches kindergarden. It is all extremely difficult but fun.
With Alanya and Andamarka schools combined on this day we had 34 children.
On finishing the lessons, the years 1-6 played sport while Antonio continued with the kindy.
Nilton grabbed an Aussie football, donated by Russell from Moyhu P.S. via Wangaratta, and the game began. Not quite Aussie rules but so much fun. While the game was in progress, Maxine and I had a good chance to have a personal chat with Elly. On mentioning to her about the presence in every village square of old fashioned loud speakers, she told us that during the 1980´s and early 90´s they were erected to warn the people when the local guerilla movement was nearby. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as this has never been mentioned by anyone. I knew who she was talking about... The Shinning Path Guerillas - a maoist group, more fierce than the present day insurgents. I have read they were responsible for 20,000 deaths of government people and farmers. Her family have witnessed mass executions and she herself has seen bombs go off in Huancayo.
As the setting sun glistened in the moisture of her reddened eyes, I thought it was time to move on.
Before long, it was quite dark (about 6pm) with a full moon rising, so it was quite light.
We headed back to Alanya school with 18 children for the 5 k walk (no taxis this time of night). The little ones are really struggling. The bigger children knew the short cuts ie. back aneways, over earthen walls and along concrete walls only a shoewidth wide. All along the way they would disappear into the darkness to their individual homes.
Maxine had another near miss when a wild dog went for her. It was a wonder you couldn´t hear her scream back home.
Back down in the village we were ab le to get a taxi and head home. Dinner that night was soup and bread.
DEFINITIONS.......
taxi..... very old cars, very dirty with dust everywhere.
roads..... all unmade, except around the village squares.
school..... dilapidated old buildings consisting of earthen floors, with plastic and hay lined ceilings. Some have electricity, no running water or toilets.
Cheers everyone, kind regards, Robert. (with the help of Maxine´s typing)