The Diamond in the Rough

There came a time when Lima was nothing but a smog-infested rat trap, but I have finally seen the light. That or I've finally come to the realization that I really DO want Starbucks on a daily basis. And let me tell you....I do, I really, really do.

This week I am in Lima for med checks and health programming. This is the last time all of us volunteers will officially see each other until we COS (Close of Service) next September, so it's another one of those milestones that I have reached. It also means that I'm no longer a newbie.

Most recently, Peru 16 has arrived to Peru and I know have 4 new neighboroonies nearby: a married couple in the community next to mine, and two other volunteers out near Paccha. You know you've watched too much "vampire" TV when you start to refer to the newbs as "new blood."

But I digress...back to Lima. From the outside, Lima doesn't seem like it has a lot to offer, but that is just becuase you have to look deeper. For instance, most recently I have discovered the following a lap swimming pool, Subway Sandwich shop (there is supposedly an elusive Taco Bell somewhere...), movie theatre, and most importantly, Polvos Azules.

Polvos Azules is this market full of everything imaginable and most importantly for us volunteers, pirated movies and tv shows. While in the states, it's very hard to come upon pirated movies, let alone have them be in good condition. But in Peru, the movies cost the equivalent of $1.00 and if you know your vendor well enough, is as good as the "original." You can even get movies that are still in the theatres, although they are a hit or miss.

What is difficult, however, is trying to figure out the titles in Spanish. You'd think some names would be the same, but somehow in Spanish they are completely different. For instance, I tried finding "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo," which translated into Spanish would be "La chica con el tatuaje de un dragon." Simple enough right?! Wrong. The lady had no idea what I was talking about and it was later, when I found the translated title online: Men who don't like women. Huh. Go figure.

Here's a funny article I found talking about the same thing: http://www.economist.com/blogs/johnson/2010/08/translating_film_titles

In short, if you come to Lima, I'll show you the places that really count.

And if I ever find that Taco Bell....