Save the chickens

“Donde esta gordo?” A man asked as I walked my two older boys to school. My baby seems to be best known around town.

I walked my two boys to school this morning. I have always wanted to be able to walk to school. They wouldn’t be able to do it on their own, part of the way is on a busy street where cars are racing 90 km down the road. There are no sidewalks and you must cross on the bridge the Santos Rio (river). Just before the bridge is a large sinkhole where you could easily fall off the road down into the raging river below. The boys manage the walk. They yell out when they hear a car so we may all move to the side.

Once at school, I deliver them both to their class. I sit with Enzo for a bit. He knows very little Spanish and so in just the short time he has been there, he is grasping for avenues to become comfortable in his new place. Many of the other kids are shy too, sticking close to their parents for the first hour of the day. I play with Enzo and try to help him learn names. Play is universal, so I know he will reach across the aisle soon. I think about how I was not confronted with a new culture until I was a teenager and Leifer wasn’t until he was in his twenties. It’s a gift they can start navigating this early in life. Yet still it is difficult for me to walk out of his class, knowing he cannot communicate.

This morning, Enzo told me “I like Peru.” I smiled, happy that his dad was able to hear him say that. Leif said “Buenos Noches” to both Abuelita and Abuelito last night. I see the small steps they are taking to make this their home.

I shared pictures with Abuelita and Abuelito last night. Pictures of our wedding and pictures of Leif’s birth. We begin to bridge the gap over lost time. Leifer’s parents speak Quechua at home, a very old native language. They do also speak Spanish, but Quechua is more comfortable.

The last couple of days, Abuelita has been consumed with worry about her chickens. A few disappeared, she believes some wild dogs got them. Now there is some kind of illness that first took the rooster, and now two hens. The bird flu? It is highly contagious. The chickens are kept inside the courtyard of the casita for the time being. They are on antibiotics. Abuelita still fears she may loose more chickens. We sit by and wait to see how the rest of the chickens will do. The boys chase them with corn cobs. Work continues at the casita, by the hands and resolve of Abuelita.

**Thank you for reading. I am so glad to have you join us on this journey. I have added a paywall to my Substack. People want to know how they can help us, if you want to support my work and help my family this is a good way. A little goes a long way in Peru. Most important to us is sharing our experiences and so my work will continue to be available whether you subscribe or not, please stay with us!