Stefan is a frenchman that was building a house with his Peruvian bride-to-be in the village of Corporaque in colca Canyon.
They have a vision of their space being a community center and library for locals, and living space for international touring volunteers. Gray was hired by them a couple months ago to help finish the living space before they were to hold their wedding there. They are a beautiful couple that have quickly become some of Gray and my closest friends.
Naturally, I spent a majority of the wedding playing with kids from town that I have come to know and love...
I have to say the most touching part of the service was the interculturality. Naturally you had the bride's family (Limeñan), the groom's family (French), and the culture of the Colca Canyon itself (Kayawa/Quechua). Then, you throw in their friends dentists from Doctors Without Borders (Chile and Colombia), a group of boy/girl scout volunteers (Swiss I think), Gray (England), and myself (US), and you get this beautiful blend of language and understanding.
The afternoon started off clicky. The french smoking to the left of the patio (no joke), the locals sorting corn, bean, and grain gifts to the north of the patio (also, no joke), the traveling doctors keeping their distance but taking pictures of everyone who looked interesting, then Gray and I bouncing around making conversation with everyone we could communicate with in our English/Spanish/French capabilities. It felt strange, and a little forced. But, then once a little alcohol got in their systems, the intercultural conga line began! As the sun went down and the coats came out everyone seemed to begin to adjust to the local culture.
It felt good to be there and with this company.
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