A little Flash back..

Our honeymoon trip went by fairly smoothly, almost perfect. We arrived in Peru on the 9th October 2007 till the 14th May 2008.

Our last dinner at a restaurant.. went to a chinese restaurant to hve dimsum and there were some sushi too. I was craving for both Japenses and Chinese. We chose this cos in France it will be TOO pricey to eat out. Enjoy while we can.

The hiccup of our almost perfect journey happened in Lima on the day we were leaving. On Thursday 14th May we went to my friend's home to collect the rest of our belongings cos we left it while we went to Pisco where we stayed a month to help reconstruct homes and people there from the earthquake. We arrived at their home near 9am and we had to leave by 3pm for the airport. We had breakfast and had enough time to repack our bags and got ready. It was a pretty tough job trying to pack everything and I seriously thought we wouldnt have enough space but fortunately a little squeeze here and there... the job was done by 1pm and we had a good lunch, followed by a nice bath before taking off. We even got a taxi to pick us up at a reasonably price. It was the same taxi that took us to our friends place. We were happy and please that we were well organised.

this is just an example of one of our packing days.. but there are LOTS more than this.

We got in the taxi, relax and getting our mind ready to leave our holiday behind us..it was a mixed feeling of sad to leave but happy to start something new in France.. anxious too. Anyways, we arrived at the airport everything going smoothly, too smoothly. The whole entire trip in South America was great. We never got mugged, no assaults and nothing was stolen. We never felt in great danger by the people..We were careful though. . Wow.. we were very happy. We were pretty happy by the end of our trip.We got the things out of the car. We got the trolleys packed with our 4 check in luggage. We were allowed 40kilos for each of us.. soooo, our bags are well packed and within the limit. 4 check in bags, 3 hand carry bags, 1 laptop, 1 guitar. OK... now you can imagine how many bags we got. TOO MUCH!!!!

another photo to show some of our bags.. missing 3 big ones here. Otherwise TOO MUCH. Here we were waiting for a bus to go into Argentina. I am holding the orange/grey bag that we forgot in the taxi.

So bags out, paid the taxi man, waved goodbye and looked at each other with a look of satisfaction and THEN.... Johan asked me, "We got all the bags??" I replied "AHA, YUP" then he looked at the two trolleys with all our bags and said "where is the other little orange and gray bag?" ( that is our hand carry bag) We realised it was still in the backseat; He truned to me and asked " is there anything important in the bag" I was a little dazed by the situation and gave blank look with a slight nod. Without thinking if anything was really important. I was just saying yes.Then he just took off and ran after the taxi car!! Looking for the taxi car more likely. Of course all this conversation was within seconds after the taxi man left us. Johan ran and ran. I was like oh no... then I started thinking of what was valuable in that bag.

I took out the taxi man card with his number on it. I was looking around if I could ask someone for help and call the guy before he got TOO FAR away but unfortunately no one close by and I couldnt leave the bags unattended to. So I just waited for Johan and had the number ready and thought about the things in the bag. Fortunately I had the passports and the money, credit cards with me in my "kangaroo pouch". Hmmmm, lets see the things in the bag? Water while we wait, the travelling pilows, books, chips, sweets, some handmade jewellery-gifts from the girls at the children's home... thinking about other things.. Nothing too important after all but what a shame to lose the bag now!! At the end of our trip. hmmm waiting for johan to come back.

A man walking pass me and I took my courage to ask him for help( in spanish mind you) He was like money.. and he will help to call. I was saying i dont have cos johan had the coin wallet. Just as I said that johan came back, and i gave him the number. The guy took Johan to a phone booth. Oh dear.. he couldnt get to a phone and he came back with 2 men we knew from Pisco. We didnt know they were coming to bid us farewell.

Johan informed Keny and Jan our situation and Keny started calling and calling the guy. No chance, the guy never picked up his phone and couldnt get hold of him. Time was running and we had to check in. Still nothing. So we said we will check in first while Keny will continue to call the taxi man. We still had a little less than 3 hours before take off. So Johan and I went to a Q and it was a long Q for check in; Like Air Asia's Q.

Anyways, we stood in the line thinking about the bag and saying... "well at least we have a story to tell about lost bag. Since everyone we know seems to get something stolen." Then we were both regretting how we both saw that bag in the taxi but didnt take it out as soon as we saw it. We delayed our action and that was the case...we both thought the other one had taken it out and we didnt think of checking one last time in the taxi. We both were sighing and thinking "IF ONLY.." you know it doesnt help.

Then I went through the things in the bag with him. To say that it's ok. Nothing too serious lost. The most valuable thing for me was the novel I was going to read. Heard it was a good one "the kite runner" I was going to read that on flight.

THEN it struck me! Yes; like a lightning bolt . OH NO! WE MUST GET THE BAG BACK I said to Johan. OUR WEDDING RINGS are in there!! YUP!! I was thinking about the book that related me to my reading glasses and the glasses case where i put the wedding rings, engagement ring, bracelet from my mum, necklace from sis in law.. OH MAN!!! it gets worst, my 21st bday ring from my beloved grandma!!!! OH NO OH NO!! I was suddenly so sad and really wanted the bag now. I kept that in there before for safe keeping and was putting it off to put it back on our fingers. SIGH what can be done??? just wait and see if Kenny gets hold of the man or not. IT is a very rare case that we will get it back. I mean he is a taxi driver, he could pick up another passenger who could have taken the bag with him/her.. Who knows, the taxi man could even take the bag saying that someone else took it. Who to believe right?? That was our scenario in our heads. So sad for the rings and all the jewels. My heart sank. Then we tried looking on the bright side and said to each other, "at least we both lost our wedding bands at the same time. but still...."

Finally checked in and rejoined Keny and Jan. They were still trying to get hold of the man. We told Kenny about the rings and he was so upset too and really wanted us to get our bags for that. He was even willing to drive to meet the driver and get it back. Keny kept leaving messeges on the phone but still nothing. Suddenly by 6pm the phone rang.. it was the driver!! Hooray! Then he still has the bag! DOUBLE HOORAY!! He said he was sleeping and he would be at the airport in 30mins with the bag. OUF. RELIEFED!

To celebrate, we went to drink coffee with Kenny and Jan. Our boarding time was stated 6.20pm but we were only flying by 7.55. So we said that we still would have time. SIGH. What an evening. By 6.30pm, the taxi driver came with our bag!! Miracle. we got everything back!

A BIG BIG THANKS to KENY and JAN for helping us to get our valuables and staying on till the end!! We truly apprecaite your friendship and kindness.

We said our goodbye to our friends and had to board.

How happy we were to get back our things . Of course after that we kept an eye on our hand carry. It was easier now to see cos the rest of the bags were checked in. We put on our rings and my bracelet and necklace too. Now we can breathe and relax and enjoy the flight. Hoping that our bags will arrive in one piece.

We are still alive and kicking!!

Well a quick update to those that still checks out our blog.. sorry we have not been updating. Our motivation and inspiration to update the blog stayed in South America when we left our adventures. The honeymooning time is officially over.. so those who were green with envy with our long holiday can now return to their normal colour..

We have touchdown in the reality world!!! As we arrived in France we had to deal with a whole lot of paperwork for me, for Johan and sending our applications for jobs. We managed to settle and do whatever need to be done in time especially for me. Now I am legal in France. Got all the necessary things done and I have my residency card (finally). I can travel without the immigration officers giving me funny looks.
When we were entering Europe, we had to go via Spain. They gave us some hard time and took us aside to check whether I can enter into Europe.. aiyah.. but we were cool cos we know that i can enter Europe as a tourist for 3 months without a visa. Some more hassling and checking and finally let us pass through.

Well we have been busy. Currently staying at Johan's parents home. Dont worry folks, we are planning to get our own place when Johan has job somewhere..

See??? We are still healthy and smiling away... Johan has got his hair back. I have cut my hair and got rid of my curly locks.. hehehhe

till the next update...

Punta Hermosa...la station balneaire des Limenos desertee

After a week at the children's home, we went to visit a friend we got to know from Pisco. Paul. He lives near Lima and right next to a beach too!! He has kindly offered us to stay at his appartment and go surfing which Johan would love to master one day. :-)

Paul picking us up to take us to his appartment

Johan gearing up and trying to psych himself into going into the water cos it was a cold day, fairly windy and the water hmmmm... cold and pretty choppy. I decided not to try, not daring enough and didnt want to injure my knee soooo.. good excuse for me not to enter cold water. For some people the water is not even cold but to me, it is freezing. Depending where you are brought up. BBBRRRRRRR
All ready to go!!
Johan "talking" and caressing the surf board with wax and asking it to be kind and carry him on those waves. hahaha
The coast just a few meters away. Like a pro carrying the board. Need to ride those waaaaavvvveeeessssss.......

a little re-cap lesson before heading into the water.

Once in the water, you forget that the water is cold after "fighting" to get pass the waves to go deeper.

A little helping hand, a little push and OFF he goes...
aha.. first stage.. trying to get into the right position..Good attempt to get up. He got his knees up.. almost there...He is UP!! He did it but oooooo... not for long... he is down in the water.. GOOD TRY though.........

After a few tries time to get out. The waves were becoming worst and ouf.. it was tiring.

After a sportive afternoon, a good drink is always welcome. Clean up, showered and Paul prepared us Caipirina. We had a drink at the balcony, looking out to the ocean and the sound of the waves... so relaxing and calm.

Hmmmmm, Johan is wondering if he will he surf again?? Maybe he is looking out for dolphins??
Ah look hard at this photo.. and can you see a black dote in the middle??? Yes there they are.. The dophins of course! That is their fins. The next day we had breakfast with Paul and Paula and Johan looked out into the ocean and he spotted them. Such beautiful animal. They were there the WHOLE DAY!! Yup, morning till the evening. We saw them. They were fishing, playing, jumping.. what a sight! Johan and I were both very tempted to put on the wet suit and surf boards to swim out into the water to play with the dolphins. We didnt though. We thought if we swam towards them, they will surely go away so we left it at that and enjoyed them from a good distance.

We had a good time. Thank you Paul and Paula for letting us stay in their appartment.

A french song that Paul learnt when he was little and never forgot it. Incredible what we could remember when we were young. Paula also shared us a french song she learnt.Thanks for sharing the songs with us. hehehhe

A la découverte de LIMA / Discovering Lima

Non, non, c'est une blague! Nous ne sommes pas reparti en voyage. Nous sommes bel et bien rentrés en France ou nous essayons de reprendre une vie "normale"Cette photo n'est pas de nous!!!Nous ne sommes pas encore allés en Jordanie (si je ne me trompes pas). C'était l'expo photo "Vues du ciel" à Miraflores dans les quartiers chics de LIMA...une magnifique expo photo...
No, don't worry the photo is only a joke. We didn't go for another adventure. We are in France at the moment. We are trying to get back into the "normal" life. This photo was taken from a photo exhibition in Lima. It is a historical place in Jordan. We might go there one day, we never know but for now we will try to stay put in France.

Nous voila en fin de séjour!

Voila, the end of our vacation!

Enfin, après 7 mois à bourlinguer au Pérou et en Amérique du Sud, on décide de prendre quelques jours pour visiter la plus folle des capitales du continent sud américain: LIMA et nous ne le regretterons pas malgré l'hiver et la grisaille qui vient tout juste de remplacer les belles journées ensoleillés d'été...d'un côté ca nous arrange car cela nous permet de visiter le centre ville avec des températures clémentes!
Finally after 7 months of moving around in Peru and South America, we decided to visit the craziest (or so we heard) capital in the continent of South America: Lima. We are glad we did despite winter and the overcasted days. It is cooler which makes it easier for sight seeing.

Pizzaro, le conquistador espagnol qui a pillé et fondé le Pérou moderne et qui a fait de Lima sa capitale

Lima c'est un concentré de plein de choses: l'océan avec ses magnifiques falaises, ses vagues, ses surfeurs et ses pélicans. LIMA c'est aussi un traffic monstrueux et un réseau de transport en commun totalement anarchique, toutefois efficaces...pas besoin de courir après son bus car c'est lui qui vous court après et qui vous harcèle à longueur de journée. Une fois le bus arrêté, le jeune homme responsable des tickets vous demande de monter le plus rapidement possible puis lors de la descente, il vous met une pression pas possible "Descend, descend, descend" répète t-il....et si vous êtes trop lent, tant pis pour vous il vous faudra sauter du bus!!!
Lima has so much variety and all concentrated in one area, the ocean with it's magnificent cliffs, the waves, the surfers, the pelicans. Lima's is also full of transport and traffic jams. The local transport, bus and mini-vans is something we need to experience. It is so happening and you have to be quick to get on and get off. Quite a sportive event. However there is always transport so we dont really have to wait for the bus for too long.

LIMA c'est aussi la ville des rois, une architecture coloniale de type espagnole assez bien conservé autour de quoi de nombreux parcs et espaces verts ont été aménagés. .

This city has some beautiful colonial architectures which hs been well preserved with green area and parks



LIMA c'est la capitale de la Gastronomie: pour 1,50€ vous mangez un repas avec entréé, plat, dessert et boisson tres correct...ou vous allez manger un POULET FRITES qu'on retrouve de partout au Pérou mais encore plus a LIMA...et c'est DELICIEUX meme s'il ne faut pas penser à l'élevage intensif de poulet derrière! Pour un petit peu plus vous vous pétez la panse....comme notre dernier soir chez les Chinois ou nous avons dégusté un excellent BUFFET pour 7€/personne, notre repas le plus CHER de tout notre périple!!!

Lima the capital of gastronomy, for 3BND we can get a complete meal with an entry, a main course and usually with a drink or dessert. Well-served too that usually Johan and I would share a meal. Good price huh? If not, we can always go for roasted chicken and fries. YUM YUM. You can find this almost everywhere in the center. For our last dinner in Peru, we had chinese buffet with dim-sum and sushi. What a meal! I was so happy! This was the most expensive meal we ever had, 15BND each.

LIMA c'est aussi la fête de partout! Ville très animée mais nous on n'aime pas trop cela, donc on regarde les autres qui ont l'air d'avoir la gueule de bois...eh oui, l'alcool n'est pas cher!!! Lima a city full of parties and booze.

LIMA, c'est aussi, paraît-il une des villes les plus dangereuses d'Amérique du Sud! Le taux de criminalité y est très élevé et on en a entendu des vertes et des pas mûres!
Donc, c'est une ville et un pays en général tres très policé ou la police est toujours fortement armée prête à intervenir a tout moment
Lima one of the most dangerous capital in South America with high criminal rates. We have heard stories from people that is pretty unpleasant. So the town is full of police and military around who are prepared to intervene when problem arises.

Et puis Lima, comme bien des capitales, c'est le lieu de l'exubérence, de l'originalité....ce n'est quand meme pas Londres ou San Francisco, je pense mais on elle en prend doucement le chemin
ahhh, a fashion victim. Like any big capital there are full of colours and interesting people to see.

HOGAR DE NINOS en Lima... de l'espoir, de l'amour et beaucoup de travail....Hopes, love annd lot of work

Here is where we´re volunteering at the present moment. We heard of this place through Pastor Keny, our new found friend we met in Pisco. He help us to get into this home. This is part of the Camino de Vida church. Since this is what we wanted to do when we came to South America and apparently couldn´t find one that suits us and our time. We decided to see this Home for Children. They were very welcoming and have allowed us to stay with them for the short period of time we have left.

Voila notre petit coin de paradis dans l'immense jungle de Lima.
Our little paradise in Lima

Pollution, bruit, circulation, bus bondés, brume cotiere, des gens qui courent et qui crient de partout: voila le quotidien des habitants de Lima. Mais nous, nous avons atteri dans cet orphelinat ou plutot cette maison pour enfants a Chacalcayo a 45min/1h30 (si traffic) a l'est de Lima ou regne tranquilité et sérénité.
Ici ca ressemblerait presque a un camp de vacances ou un centre aéré si ces 38 enfants de 5 a 19ans avaient des parents comme nous autres.
60% de ces enfants sont orphelins, les autres 40% ont des parents qui soient ne peuvent pas s'occuper d´eux (argent, sante, prison, drogue, etc..) soient qui ne veulent pas de leur progenitures.
Souvent les enfants entrent tres jeunes dans ce lieu et n'en sorte qu a leur majorité...

Cette maison a ete créee, et est financée par l'eglise evangelique CAMINO DE VIDA (http://www.caminodevida.com/) une eglise jeune, dynamique, regroupant 10 000 membres dans le Peou se reunissant chaque Dimanche dans leur temple qui est en fait un gymase sportif pour une grande fête collective. Le pasteur principal et fondateur de cette eglise est un americain du nom de Robert Barriger (http://www.robertbarriger.com/) . En 17ans, il a donné a cette eglise un place tres importante dans la societe péruvienne. Plus de 50 differents ministères: orphelinat a Lima et Cusco, maison pour jeunes femmes droguées, écoles, crèches, aide aux communautes les plus reculées, aide aux victimes du tremblement de terre, lutte contre la pauvreté, violence et maltraitance..
Il a été lui même nommé par le Président de la République du Pérou pour prendre part dans la commission gouvernementale de lutte contre la pauvreté. Son service du Dimanche passe même sur une cahîne de TV nationale en direct !!!!
Bref, une tonne de bonnes choses qui permette d'ameliorer la societe peruvienne...Bien sur, derrière il y a toujours cette idée d'evangeliser les gens, d'agrandir son eglise...mais apres tout qu'importe si on rend les gens heureux, plus fort et qu´on donne un sens a leur vie.

En plus d'avoir des services religieux tres amusant et tres moderne (Chant, musique, danse, Karaoke, Ceremoie des Oscars pour les meilleurs bénévoles, etc..), on sait et on voit ou vont nos offrandes et donations...elles sont surement mieux utilisées que les impots que donnent les peruviens a leur gouvernement!

Revenons a nos enfants! Voila la routine des enfants lors de la periode scolaire.
La grande majorité des enfants vont dans une ecole privée religieuse a 45min de route de la maison.

Réveil a 5h du matin

5h a 6h: Grand menage de toute la maison (chacun sa tache)

6h: Douche

6h15-6h45: Petit Dejeuner

6h45: Depart pour l'ecole

Nous, volontaires faisant pleins de petits trvux pendant que les monstres augmenent leurs cellules grises

15h00: Retour des eleves

15h15-15h45: Dejeuner

16h00-18h30: Etudes, devoirs

18h30: Douche

19h00: Diner

20h30: Coucher

Voila l'emploi du temps de nos petits peruviens! et donc nous devons nous pliera ces regles! Pas le temps de chomer!
Tous travaillent sans ronchonner, sans jamais se plaindre. Il regne dans cette maison une atmosphere de paix, de bien etre, de serieux et d'amour.
Nous apres le petit dej, on se met aux petits travaux et on participe a la vie quotidienne de la maison. De 4 a 6h, on fait de l'aide aux devoirs puis on prepare une activite pour apres le diner!

Après tant de choses malheureuses vues au Perou, apres notre experience a Cusco, notre passage a Pisco. Ce lieu et cette eglise nous ont redonne beaucoup d'espoir. De voir comment cet endroit a transforme ces enfants dans le bon sens, voir la gentillesse et la dedication (ca se dit ca?) des educateurs peruviens, observer le fonctionnement general de l'eglise et de cette maison nous prouve que ce pays a les capacites de s'ameliorer...
Jesus et Marisol, mari et femme et educateurs depuis 17ans, depuis la creation...FELICITATIONS
Yoyo qui aide Wilmer a faire la vaiselle
Jesus, fan de cafe, me fait gouter son cafe bio dont les grains ont été soigneusement selectionnes, toastés puis moulinés par lui même. Il pense a planter et faire du café bio pour augmenter les ressources de l'orphelinat...Bonne idée..En avnt Jesus!
Davis aide a la cuisine

Flo ne peut pas resister au bébé. Celui la. c'est Zoé, 4mois, fille d'une ancienne de la maison qui maintenant y vit et travaille
Ca, c'est Lesmes, l'autre educateur avec ses 2 petits clones regardant un DVD
Voila Andrée le chanteur...Il est très doué
CA c'est le Diner a la table des ados
La corvée du matin...

Ce magnifique endroit a besoin devous: besoin d'argent, besoin d'idées, besoin de vetements, de nourritures, de livres et de VOLONTAIRES etc...

Si vous souhaitez aider d'une maniere ou d'une autre, ou si vous avez des idées vous pouvez me contacter via ce blog ou contacter directement http://www.caminodevida.com/ et si un jour vous etes a Lima, faites un detour par la et aussi par l'eglise...ca vaut le détour et vous vous ferez des amis...

Merci a notre ami KENY de nous avoir peris de connaitre tout ca. Merci a Marisol, Karla, Jesus, Lesmes, les éducateurs et le Pasteur Christian, directeur des orphelinats pour nous avoir si bien accueilli dans leur grande famille et surtout MERCI aux enfants pour ce qu'ils sont et BON COURAGE a eux...