There is a TV show that I like called “Real or Cake.” The contestants on the show make these amazing cakes that are then compared to the real object. The judges have to determine if the item is “real or cake”, and you win if you can fool them.

I often feel as if I am playing a similar game here called “Culture or Poverty.” As I watch the world around me, I try to determine whether what I am observing is a part of the Peruvian culture or is it part of the cycle of poverty. Now, like the judges on the show, I might not get it right, but here are some of my thoughts on “culture or poverty.”

1. Toilet Paper- CULTURE… Toilet paper (well, make that any paper product) is highly valued here. Many bathrooms do not have toilet paper and, if they do, it is often on the wall in the common area of the bathroom as opposed to the stall. As a result, people often carry their own toilet paper with them. Napkins- the same way… super thin and there are only a few on every restaurant table. I’ve noticed this in both the poor and wealthier parts of town. (**Now I will note that the tourist areas seem to have toilet paper, so no need to add this to your packing list if you decide to travel to Peru!)

2. Parades- CULTURAL… This almost got a vote for poverty, but I changed my mind today. Let me explain… A few weeks ago, we had a “parade” at the school the day before La Fiesta. The parade consisted of walking around the block waving balloons. To me, it seemed rather “uneventful” in relation to what I considered a parade. Well, today I was at the plaza and, guess what, I see the doors of the technology school open and out comes a “parade.” It was just like the one we had where the kids were waving balloons, they walked around the block, and went back to school. Very different from my definition of a parade, but it seems like this is a common cultural event in the schools here.

3. Access to Education- CULTURAL… I have come to the conclusion that any culture which does not offer a free public education to all, ends up with access to education as a cultural concern. More specifically, yes, the wealthier families can afford to send their children to school here (public or private) and therefore, they will get a reasonable education. (Though, I will say that by looking at the homework given and the lack of differentiation in classes, the educational system seems to struggle in general.). However, when a significant part of your population lacks an education, since they can’t afford it, it only continues the cycle of poverty. In addition, there are neighborhoods here where there is not a school, so education is not even offered to those children. (Think if the mountain towns of Colorado did not offer school since it would be too hard to get everyone together.). And, while it may be the poor communities who are most impacted, as a society, there are huge issues with access to education.

4. People with Disabilities- POVERTY… If you read some of my earlier blogs, you would know, in the poor neighborhood, having a child with special needs carries a negative stereotype. As a result, the father often leaves the family, and the mother is left to raise all the kids. However, when I have been in the wealthier parts of town, I have noticed kids with disabilities out with their families at restaurants or in the plaza. This did not seem to match my previous understanding of the negativity toward persons with disabilities. I have since learned that this negativity seems to be an issue only in the areas of poverty. More specifically, Peru does offer separate public schools for persons with disabilities. However, just like traditional public school, you have to pay for it, and the segregated schools cost 3 times as much as the traditional schools. Therefore, if you are wealthy, your child with disabilities can go to school and is a part of society. However, if you are poor, sending your kids without disabilities to school is a financial burden, so there is no conceivable way that you could educate your chid with special needs. Add in that now the mom needs to focus on this child, the other kids will need to help out more, the child may be disruptive in the very small home, etc… having this child is seen as a burden on the family, maybe even a punishment for earlier wrongdoings. Therefore, the family is shunned from others as a result.

5. The Importance of Relationships- CULTURAL… It’s taken me awhile to figure this one out, and I am not sure that I have it right. Let me explain my thinking… At the fiesta at the school, the students from the university were doing their traditional dance. At the same time, lunch was ready to be served, so the moms started bringing everyone lunch and talking to them as they delivered the food. From my cultural perspective, I found this so rude. Here were these dancers donating their time and energy and, instead of paying attention, everyone is eating and socializing. I thought this was poverty talking- one where food was more important than the cultural experience. Fast forward a few weeks, Lauren was visiting so we went to see a Peruvian horse show. Some people at the table next to us showed up late. The show had already started when they showed up, but here they were talking and hugging and greeting each other. It was then that I realized that maybe relationships are so highly valued that it is not considered disrespectful to socialize during an event if you are greeting others. You’d be kicked out of the theater in America if you did that but, culturally, is appears to be completely acceptable here.

6. Love of Americans- CULTURAL… It’s not until to leave the USA that you truly get a perspective on how important our country is to the world. I remember when I was in Mexico 30ish years ago, and it was a Presidential election year. I was living with all German volunteers, and the hot topic each night was the USA Presidential election. They would talk about the election of the most powerful person in the world. I believe that Peruvians feel the same way about all Americans. As I indicated in my previous blogs, I am the only volunteer here from America with the rest being from Canada, Australia, German, Switzerland, France, Spain, and Italy. (Yes- we are a melting pot!). Whenever we introduce ourselves and our countries, there are courtesy applause until I say “los Estados Unidos” and then all the Peruvians go crazy. I’ve also been stopped by people on the street to take pictures with me, and I even had a public school group stop class to catch me on the street and ask me questions about America (and, of course, take photos.). It’s really crazy how much they idolize Americans. (And my blonde hair and blue eyes really make me a novelty!)

7. Pride in Peru- CULTURAL… One of my favorite parts of Peru is how proud they are of their culture. You hear people yell, “Viva Peru” (Long live Peru) at the end of any culture event, meeting, school, etc. When you meet Peruvians, they often ask you, “Do you like Peru? Do you like my culture?” There is such a pride here about being Peruvian, and you see that pride in the poor areas, the wealthy areas, during celebrations, or during a typical day. People here are fiercely proud of being Peruvian. I find it really refreshing since, in America, many people don’t have pride in our country. In fact, being that a part of my heart will be left in Peru, I often join in with a “Viva Peru!” Well, an American yelling that- you would think that I was royalty as there is so much excitement about an American supporting Peru. In all my travels, I have never seen a country more proud of their heritage, and I really love it!

So, I guess that CULTURE wins! It’s not until you step away from your culture and immerse yourself in another, that you realize how almost everything we do or say or value or appreciate is driven by one’s culture. Culture is more than food, language, clothing, transportation… it’s toilet paper and parades and pride and so much more!