Yesterday was so much excitement with taking food to the outside of Yaurisque that Im exhausted today. After nine weeks of sitting on the couch, getting up early to go to the equivalent of Sams Club or Costco, then driving with the mayor of Yaurisque almost two hours from Cusco, then giving out food to over 200 families, all the way back to Cusco, was way more action than Ive had in nine It was immensely satisfying and truly a privilege to be able to distribute aid to so many people. Tomorrow Ill start the fundraising for the next village. Today Im going to watch birds out the windows and maybe sit up on the roof with my book, if the out later.
Today Im feeling the post Saturday let down. After the buildup to, and excitement of, taking so much food to so many people, I feel listless and my morale is down. I know that I need to pull myself together and start fundraising again, but Ive just lost my energy. Its hard
In front of my bank is the permanent first sign Ive seen telling people to stay a meter away from each other.
to even convince myself that people are counting on me. Until Henry has found another village in need of immediate assistance, Im having a hard time convincing myself that anything I do today really matters.
I did make myself go to the market after work, since Im almost entirely out of food. Its the same handwashing station at the entrance, the same few vendors who brave exposing themselves to the germs of all the customers and the same yellow circles painted on the ground, showing you where you can stand, to be sure that youre at least a meter from the next customer. The fruit and vegetables are still fresh, so that supply chain is still okay. However, the woman I buy chocolate and coffee from hasnt gotten any new supply since March. The coffee I buy has an expiration date of January, 2020 and she doesnt have any new chocolate. All thats left are the same bars of milk chocolate that Ive picked over for two months, looking for the last few bars of dark chocolate.
The Peruvian president has announced many times that in Peru we will wear masks in public until there is a vaccine available for all Peruvians. Does that mean that all tourists photos will be with masks on?
I make an apple pie to cheer myself up and listen to El Sonido. Chilly always has an upbeat mix for a solo dance party in the kitchen.
Today after work I went out with a friend for lunch. That would have been such a boring statement two months ago. Definitely nothing to write about. Now it feels scandalous. He told me where to meet him, but when I got there, I didnt see anything. No restaurant signs, no open doors, no signs of life. After a minute of standing there puzzled, I heard voices in one of the buildings. I knocked on an unmarked door, which opened just a crack, and a guy with tattoos on his face asked me what I wanted. I told him I was looking for Steve and the door opened wide.
Inside was a tiny restaurant with only two tables. One table was occupied by a neighbor of mine, who had contributed to the Covid Relief Project and lent me a couple books last week. The restaurant owner
seemed surprised that we knew each other, but Im starting to get the impression that there are so few foreigners left in Cusco that we all know each other. Besides all of the foreign tourists leaving, lots of foreign residents left on the repatriation flights that the Peruvian government allowed up to April 21st.
I found myself in a secret ceviche restaurant that does not currently serve ceviche. Supply chains are apparently only partly working and the menu is now maki. I ordered a California roll and a veggie roll, which were both delicious. I was just so happy to be eating something besides my own cooking for the first time in two months.
Phase 1 of Perus plan for economic recovery was supposed to allow for restaurants to open for take out and delivery, although that hasnt really happened yet. Any restaurants operating on any level are not yet legal.
