More of Martin's paintings.

We have just collected another four paintings from Martin Varela and once again he has displayed amazing colour in his depictions of Peruvian culture. However, it is a great pity that the photos do not really do justice to the actual colour he uses in these four works. Finally, you will notice that in all of his works he includes different types of Peruvian corn and also the Inca National colours – which are the rainbow colours.

The Yunza tree is a very important Peruvian festival celebrated during the month of February. It originated on their campesinos or farms. The people decorate the Yunza tree with gifts and then proceed to sing and dance around it while they take turns to try and chop it down and share all the gifts. The person who successfully lands the final chop is the organiser of the next year’s Yunza. Another much loved February activity is the throwing of water everywhere and on everyone! We learnt very quickly that when travelling on buses make sure your window is closed!

Pachamama, Mother Earth. The word Pachamama is Quechan and is derived from ‘mama’ mother and ‘pacha’ world. Pachamama presides over the planting and harvesting of the crops and two of these are shown – the grain and the corn. Both are very much part of the staple diet of the Peruvian people. One very important use of the corn or maize is to brew their chicha or maize beer. He has even painted some earthen jars which are used to store this brew. Martin also adds the important aspect of caring and healing by showing the bestowing of hands on the head of the young girl.

This painting of thirteen niños, children, shows many different poses, costumes and colours. The child at the top of the painting is even offering the humming bird a flower. He has also included the Andes, farming terraces and Inca walls.

Some of the birds and animals of Peru. He has shown the condor, the toucan, the coloured parrot, the humming bird and the Peruvian National bird – the red headed Cock of the Rock. The humming bird is also referred to as the Pica Flores. The four species of the Peruvian 'camels' shown are the llama, the vicuna, the alpaca and the guanaco.

Selling bananas.

Just another one of the many ‘travelling salesmen’ you see and hear around this area, and I really mean hear! All you need is speaker attached to the top of a pole, a battery and a mouth piece from a phone. I would not like to think how they manage to come by a mouth piece! Set all this up on your motorised trolley and away you go.
This man will ride around the streets of Montenegro all day selling a ‘hand’ of bananas for S/-1.00, about 50¢

Farewell to Kate and Gerry.

The farewell message reads – “A thousand thanks for your great vocation of service. With much love for our friends, Gerry and Kate.”

Kate and Gerry Power left for home today after three weeks working in the Motupe/Montenegro parish. Their work was greatly appreciated by all and they will be remembered for their efforts.

Lucy and Teresa were two of Kate and Gerry’s greatest supporters over the last three weeks. Lucy is the coordinator for all the parish services and Teresa is the parish nurse, and both are truly remarkable women.

Marg and Lucy presented the gifts to Kate and Gerry.

Maria prepared a delicious lunch and she also takes cooking classes four afternoons a week for the women of the area. She is the mother of Teresa, has a wonderful sense of fun and thoroughly enjoys her work.

Monday nights.

Our group consists of Claudia - with her back to the camera - Gladys, Trini, Antonio, Pilar, Juana and Maria Theresa - Pilar's son Joao was the only one missing last Monday night.

Monday nights continue to be a lot of fun at our house - much English, Spanish and laughter with supper added as a bonus. This group, like ourselves, are not looking forward to the final night in a couple of weeks time.

The master makes his point! Just like riding a bike, you never forget!

Building report - 18th November.

One of the main doors ready for installation – plus the shiny new triple lock!

A brief report from Pedregal Alto shows that the steel door and window frames are all presently being installed, the glass will follow shortly. When the doors are all in place they will be able to lock-up the building and only then will they install light fittings.
The next big day for the Pedregal Alto centre will be the inauguration and this is planned for 14th December. The locals have already begun to plan for that day, and for the celebrations that will follow!

From the kitchen looking through the servery into the main area. Note the concrete benches that will eventually be tiled.

I have often wondered why they do not insert the metal braces or lugs into the wall before concreting rather than chipping the concrete away at the end. Check the top left hand corner. The frames are welded onto these pieces of metal.

Room with a view! Looking from the main room out over Pedregal Alto.

Sunday lunch in English!

The table was set and ready to go for the Sunday meal.

Last Sunday we invited a group of young people to share lunch with us in our house. It was also an opportunity for the group to practise their English in a social setting. The three lay missionaries – Angelica, Jorge and Alfredo; four of our English students – Joao, Jeny, Martin and David; and a German girl who is working in the parish for a year – Anna. Unfortunately Jeny and Martin could not attend because of work commitments, however, Father Mick, Kate and Gerry were present.
The crowd gathers for lunch. From left to right we have Marion and Joao in deep conversation; Jorge clowning around for the camera; Alfredo, Anna, David partly hidden and Angelica make up the group.

Kate and Marion were the main chefs for the day – and very good ones at that! In fact Kate prepared and presented for all her renowned apple crumble and cream.

The meal is served and obviously Kate and Marion seem to be enjoying their efforts while Mick makes sure he has photographic proof of the day.

Our visit to the biohuerto.

The biohuerto, vegetable garden or small farm, of Cangallo.
Yesterday we decided to take a walk to Mick’s vegetable garden; possibly I should have said a ‘climb’ to the vegetable garden. As you can see by the background of some of the photos we were high up the side of the valley. He has developed a remarkable terraced garden virtually on the top of a hill. His efforts are also supported by a number of the local women and children. The produce all goes to support the comedors, the kitchens which supply meals for the children. However, Mick did mention that all too often they give the food to “Padre”! They must think that he looks starved!
Resting up after the ascent to the garden.

Two of the younger members of the weekly working bee. For the reader’s benefit our house is at the rear of the large building in the background which is right behind the top of little girl’s head.

Marion watering the garden while hiding behind the crop of corn. The pumpkin, lettuce, onions and other herbs are all doing well. Mick has also planted sweet potato, parsnip and beetroot. He did mention that the locals have no idea of what to do with the parsnip – so we took a handful home and roasted them, delicious!

Many hands make light work when it comes to planting out beetroot seedlings, however, the young lad in yellow proved to be a handful, especially when he got his hands on the hose!

The bull fight.

This morning I opened the Melbourne Herald Sun web site and was confronted by a picture of David Fandila, “El Fandi”, fighting a bull at Lima’s famous bull fighting ring, the Plaza de Acho. Would you believe I was actually there yesterday watching all the action live! The stadium is an amazing piece of architecture, built in 1766, and because of the closeness of the crowd the atmosphere was unbelievable. It ranges from total silence to cheers, whistling, clapping and many “ole”s!

The “pre-match” entertainment consisted of some great precision marching and rifle drilling by a unit of military personnel.

This was followed by eight women performing on wonderful prancing horses.

Bull fighting in Peru is based on the Spanish-style bullfighting and is called corrida de toros, running of the bulls. In the traditional bull fight the three matadors each fight two bulls. Each matador has six assistants — two picadores or lancers mounted on horseback, three banderilleros or flagmen and the sword carrier.

The modern bull fight is highly ritualised with three distinct stages, the start of each being announced by a blast of a trumpet. The participants first enter the arena in a parade to salute the presiding dignitary, accompanied by band music. The costumes are inspired by 18th century Andalusian clothing and matadors are easily distinguished by their spectacular "suit of lights".

Next the bull enters the ring to be tested for ferocity by the matador and banderilleros with their magenta and gold capes. They work together to continually run it around the ring.

In the first contest the bull had two victories! Firstly, it knocked the matador down and secondly it managed to toss the matador into the air! After gathering his composure he returned to the cheers of the crowd.

In the first stage, the matador confronts the bull and observes his behavior. Next, a picador enters the arena on horseback armed with a lance. To protect the horse from the bull's horns, the horse is surrounded by a protective cover and is also blind folded.

At this point, the picador stabs a mound of muscle on the bull's neck, leading to the animal's first loss of blood. The manner in which the bull charges the horse provides important clues to the matador on which side the bull is favoring. If the picador does his job well, the bull will hold its head and horns lower during the following stages of the fight. This makes it slightly less dangerous while enabling the matador to perform the elegant passes of modern bullfighting.
In the next stage, the three banderilleros each attempt to plant two razor sharp barbed sticks on the bull's flanks, ideally as close as possible to the wound where the picador drew first blood. These further weaken the enormous ridges of neck and shoulder muscle through loss of blood, while also frequently spurring the bull into making more ferocious charges.

In the final stage, the matador re-enters the ring alone with a small red cape and a sword. He uses his cape to attract the bull in a series of passes, both demonstrating his control over it and risking his life by getting especially close to it. This stage ends with a final series of passes in which the matador with a sword attempts to manoeuvre the bull into a position to stab it between the shoulder blades and through the aorta or heart.

My final impressions – the pageantry and theatre was really worthwhile witnessing, however, I did not enjoy the final dispatching of the bull, especially when it sometimes takes a little longer than I thought it would. Would I go again? I don’t think so.

Naming Sunday for Pedregal Alto.

Possibly one of the youngest members of the community to attend the naming ceremony of the Pedregal Alto community centre.

Sunday, 9th November, the first of many memorable days for the people of Pedregal Alto. Today was the day that Father Mick McKinnon officially announced the name of the Community Centre. The people’s choice was Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Mick also pointed out to all present that this name strengthened the connections between Sacred Heart Parish and Primary School and Pedregal Alto. The most important event for all will come very soon – the actual inauguration of the building. In fact Maritza and Marion could be plotting this event!

The morning was really well attended even though it started at 7.00 a.m.! Mick went to great pain to stress that they all must realise that this building is not intended to take the place of the Pedregal Alto church. It is the community centre and the eventual church will be built alongside, sometime in the future. The challenge for all is that they must continue to work toward that dream.

At the conclusion of Mass Marion was invited to sing the Sacred Heart Parish blessing - May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever. Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavour. Lift up your eyes and see God’s face and God’s grace forever. May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever. Her effort was received with great applause.

Father Tom presented everyone present, young and old, coloured Rosary beads as well as an Australian flag, the flag was gratefully received by Maritza. Tom also received warm applause at the conclusion of his Spanish oration to all before him.

All of a sudden the place was inundated with Aussies – Father Tom Brophy, Parish Priest of Mildura, Kate and Gerry Power and ourselves joined forces with Mick.

At the end of the morning the transport arrangements for a few of the Aussies to travel down to Montenegro proved interesting!