Just last week, the newest World Race squads launched out into the field. All I can do is soak up all of the blogs about their travel itineraries, first impressions, lists of what they packed, prayers, hopes, and joyful descriptions. I can hardly believe that in 6 months, it’ll be my squad and team following God’s calling…WOW!
As I begin preparing for the Race, I realized how little I know about each country I will serve. Well, it’s time to fix that! In the next few weeks, I will research and share a bit about the history, culture, and heart of each country on our January 2015 World Race route.
For now, my route includes the following countries: Peru, Boliva, Chile, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malawi, and Zambia. I’ve got to keep in mind, that there’s a HUGE chance that my route may change before I leave or even while I’m on the field. Still, I’m excited to learn about these countries and pray for them in the next few months before my squad and I leave.
Next January, I will arrive in my first World Race country…PERU!
BRIEF BACKGROUND
Peru was the home of many well-known Andean civilizations (think the Incan Empire), but was captured by the Spanish in the early 1500’s. It took nearly 300 years for the Peruvians to reclaim their independence, and in 1821 Peru formally declared their independence from Spain. Even then, Peruvians endured many years defending their freedom, and it wasn’t until the 1980’s that their government turned to a constitutional republic for leadership. Today, Peru has survived all that political and financial turmoil and according the the resources I read, “have for the most part achieved stability.”
FUN FACTS
Distance from Andover, KS (my hometown) to Lima, Peru (capital city)
3,674 miles (or a 10+ hour flight without layovers)
Time Difference
Peru is on the same time as Central Standard in the US. For example, if it’s 5pm in Kansas, then it’s also 5pm in Peru.
Currency
The PEN – Peruvian Sol is the official currency of Peru and is subdivided into 100 cents, called céntimos in Spanish.
$1.00 US Dollar = S/2.79 PEN
Area
The area of Peru is just under 500,000 square miles. (To put that into perspective, Peru is comparable in size to Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Arkansas COMBINED. That’s huge!)
Average Temperature in January
Along the Coast: Summertime = perfection (77°F – 95°F)
In the Mountain Highlands: Rainy Season = mild temps with a slight drop at night
In the Amazon Jungle: Wet season = HOT and HUMID
At home in Wichita, KS: 22°F … I certainly won’t miss our cold winter at home!
Religions
Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other 3.3%, none 2.9% (2007 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official) 84.1%, Quechua (official) 13%, Aymara (official) 1.7%, Ashaninka 0.3%, other native languages (includes a large number of minor Amazonian languages) 0.7%, other (includes foreign languages and sign language) 0.2% (2007 est.)
POINTS OF INTEREST
Machu Picchu: This 15th century Incan capital requires a 4-day trek by foot at dizzying altitudes to visit, and is considered one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Manu National Park: This area is located in the south of Peru, the eastern Andes, and also borders the Amazon basin. The area has some of the greatest biodiversity in the world. Peru is one of 10 mega-diverse countries on the planet, and is home to hundreds of native species of plant life, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals and more.
Lake Titicaca National Reserve: (I dare you to say it out loud without laughing)…I’ve heard of this lake, but never realized it was located in Peru (and in Bolivia too). Sitting at an altitude of 12,516 ft, this is the highest lake in the world suitable for sailing ships or boats. The lake is great for bird-watching, hiking, camping, kayaking, boat trips, and getting acquainted with the beautiful island cultures.
Colca Valley and Canyon: A perfect spot for hiking and camping. The valley was once home to the ancient Collagua people. This canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon!
UNIQUE CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
The “Danza de las Tijeras” (Scissors Dance): An ancient dance from Peru, in which two or more dancers dance in turns, challenging each other with complex steps such as dancing with just one foot.
Marinera Festival (January 1-31): The National Marinera Competition is one of the most elegant partner dances in Peru. Both dancers move while waving a white shawl and making a series of steps specific to the style of dance. The man wears a poncho and a hat, as a paso horse rider, and the woman wears a beautiful outfit that is typical of the region.
(The video is a little long, but if you fast forward a bit and watch a minutes or two, you won’t be disappointed!)
This is just a glimpse of what I may experience while serving the people of Peru. I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know this beautiful country full of life and color! As I prepare for the Race, please pray with me that my squad and I shine God’s light and share the love of Jesus Christ with the people we meet in this country.
Love, Love, Love
Kate
If you want to learn more about Peru. Here are some helpful websites I used to gather my information.
- http://www.peru.travel/
- http://www.inside-peru.com/
- http://www.peru-explorer.com/
- https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pe.html
