I had to add a post about something that I have observed here in all of Peru- Peruvians like people to be in lines. Let me explain…

As soon as Lauren and I touched down in Lima and got off the plane, we saw all the people in wheelchairs who needed assistance lined up against the wall waiting their turn. We laughed about it and commented on how it reminded us of people waiting for their turn in a nursing home in America. Then, we got to immigration and there was a group of Asian men in a “dignitary area” waiting to go through immigration. They were in a small group waiting very appropriately for each of their turns. However, before they could start, a worker approached them and made them get in a straight line before allowing each one to through immigration. Again, we laughed and thought that it had something to do with the formality of immigration.

Fast forward a day and we were getting on the bus for our travels. Everyone was milling outside the bus as the driver put our luggage in the under compartment. The door to the bus was closed, but we assumed that once all the luggage was on, he would open the door and let us get on. Nope- as I’m sure you can guess- first we had to make a straight line and once all of us were nicely lined up, then he opened the door and let us file in.

Fast forward to yesterday… I was out walking in the historic district of town (I really nice area- the tourist section) and, I would guess, that it was a shift change for the police department as there were about 20 police officers outside their station, but nothing was wrong. They were all just hanging out until- yes- you guessed it- out came the boss and he had them form a line. I just watched and truly, they made a very straight lines and then left to do their job. Not sure what the purpose was but- yes- another line.

Finally, at school, we start each day with the children forming lines. Now, that may not sound really odd as I remember lines of kids in school, but the lines had a purpose. We lined up by grade or class to walk in the hallway but here, it’s about making really good lines without rhyme or reason. Let me explain- when school starts, all the kids get in a few lines. Then, the moms move them all around saying things in Spanish like “this line is too long” or “today we need an extra line” or “make this line straighter.” And, once that all the kids are in these ”perfect” lines, they have to put their arms out to assure that they are at least an arm’s length from each person around them and, if not, more shuffling from the moms to get everyone in the right place. All this shuffling takes a good 5-10 minutes and then we sing a very short welcome song and head to class. To me, it seems like a lot of work for a little singing. However, I’m guessing that it is to teach them about “lines” since this forming a good line is obviously an important part of the Peruvian culture, but I really don’t get it!