twentyeight19.org

So, it is Christmas time here in Lima, Perú. And, of course, the kids have just gotten out of school for summer vacation, which ends in March. And, like every year, stores have started selling panetón (a large loaf of muffin-shaped bread) because, as everyone knows, ‘you can’t have Christmas without panetón’. The clouds are starting to disperse, the sun is starting to shine, and the kids can be seen with board shorts, surfing boards, and beach bags. You know, just your normal Christmas time festivities.

Throughout our time here in Lima, we have been learning that many aspects of life are incredibly different here in Latin America. We have learned that many people here have no clue about some of our most cherished customs, and that the Peruvians themselves have many wonderful customs that we have never even heard of. We have learned that the pace of life, the values, and the worldviews are all very different. But yet, despite all the differences, there are so many similarities, which are all the more obvious during the Christmas season. This time of year is a time for celebration, food, and, above all, family. So, I would have to say that we are learning to embrace the similarities while also learning to appreciate the differences. But for now, we celebrate!