I´m am sitting in the park just around the corner from the house. (I am writing this by hand and will type it later when I get home.) The park is called Parque Tupac Amaru. Althought the sun is shining, I need a sweater. The thinner air at this altitude means the sun has to work harder in order to warm the earth. In front of me (and behind me for that matter, because we are in a valley), rise a part of the majestic Andes Mountains. Because we are in the dry season, they are brown. Mostly bare of trees (again, because of the altitude), a few patches of what appear to be evergreen trees cover the gullies and draws on the hillside.

Parque Tupac Amaru is not a park designed for playing games of volleyball or soccer. Instead it is a place for walking and talking and sitting with family and friends. In the corner opposite of where I am sitting is a tree sided column with a saying in three languages: La paz prevelezca en la tierra — Allin kay pacha niñaypaq kachun — The peace prevails in the earth. The gardens of the park–and they cover all the space not taken by a concrete pond or a water fountain we have not yet seen in use–remind me of an English style garden (with Latin influence, of course), and they are very important. In one of the trees is a hand painted sign with the words, “La planta es el alma del jardín. No lo mates.” (The plant is the soul of the garden. Don´t kill it). In another tree is another sign simply stating, “Cuida la naturaleza” (take care of the natural environment). For the most part, people say on the wide sidewalks and plazas. A group of school kids (probably around 13 years old) play an improvised game of volleyball, without a net and on the concrete space near the three cornered sign. They are loud with their cheers and groans, which is a bit out of place in the quiet culture of the people of the mountains.

Across the street to the south of the park is a catholic church. Using modern archetecture, it looks much like a three cornered hat. It´s cross rises high above the surrounding buildings on a square pillar. It´s bell tower twisted outward like a baby´s building block. On the face of the church are the words, “Paz y Bien” (Peace and well-being) in large German style letters. On the left, a painting of Saint Francis of Asissi welcoming the animals and on the right a painting of Jesus hanging on a Byzyntine style cross. Just to the right of Jesus´ feet is a scroll with the words, “Francisco: Anda y repara mi iglesa” (Francis, I want you to come and repair my church).

A man pulling a bicycle cart loaded with grass and hay for animals passes in front of the church. A woman in traditional quechua clothing sits in the shade of her cart of the corner of the church square. She sells candy and cookies and drinks to the few who stop. Three yoiung men wearing the maroon sweater and blue slacks of a local school pass through the park on their way home for lunch. A business man in a suit and talking on a cell phone sits on the bench near me in the gazebo where I am. A man barely opening his mouth when speaking to me shows his identification and invites me to buy a few hard candies for a sol (about 30 cents) as a way to support a drug and alcohol program in Lima. A man takes a picture of his young son who is holidng a pink stuffed animal. A group of school girls in blue uniforms and braided hair sit in the sun near the non-functioning fountain.

In the raised garden, the words “Beinvenido a Huancayo” (Welcome to Huancayo) are carved deeply in the dirt so that grass and weeds will not grow to hide the greeting.

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