28 Septiembre 2010

Wednesday was a long day of work in the chacra. There were lots of community members there to help, and for the first time since I have been in Madrigal I felt the force of unwelcome. I have been showered with Madrigalenians passion about what I have to offer, but that day some women made it very clear the only thing I am to their cliq is an outsider, a clown that is parading around their city. It is true, I am knew to this culture and don't know very little about their life. So I kept my mouth shut as they mocked my white skin and weird shoes (work boots instead of sanals made from tire). The weeds were better company and I focusses on my day-long date with them instead.

People around the canyon call Madrigal "the broken bell town". One large bell in the center of each town is used to call attention when announcements need to be made, like a wedding or a death. I didn't understand the analogy, and a Peruvian friend from Chivay explained that it is due to the Madrigalenian gossip. They announce everything and are all up in everybody's business all the time. I will need to learn to keep my curtain pulled and my door locked. Show them only what they want to see. As they say, "pueblo pequeno, infierno grande"- 'small town, big hell.' I am just a fish swimming around in their bowl for all to watch.

I came home feeling like the day had actually beat the crap out of my physically and emotionally, but my host father's smil and thanks could cure any wounded soul. He invited me to join him to feed the cows at 4am. Excited about the idea of watching the sunrise over the canyon I agreed and fell asleep when my head hit the pillow.