Strikes, Kamoocha, and Fighting with Moto Taxis

 Hermana Ostler’s Update – March 31, 2014

  

Strike! In Peru! This means that a bunch of police walk around everywhere with bats and throw tear gas at everyone. Putting rocks in the streets, throwing eggs… all very, very normal. It also means that everyone sits on the curb attacking motos with long hooks to slash tires, but then go home for lunch. Because no matter how important something is here in Peru, LUNCH beats everything. My kind of mentality, really.

Kamoocha. Kamoocha is a lady that lives in Pueblo Viejo. She is a little handicapped and walks around with a machete and her little dog. The other day she was coming down the stairs with about 10 bags of... I have no idea what. It’s probably better not to know. But as a missionary I am always looking for ways to serve. And I love walking those stairs, so why don’t we just take them all down for her?? My companion was hating me but we did it. After, La Kamoocha was eager to show her gratitude. ANNNNDDDDD. SHE KISSED ME. But not a normal Peruvian kiss. Remember those eels at the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River that suck on that one window when all the salmon are passing by? KAMOOCHA KISSES LIKE THOSE EELS. Oh man. She gave me a big sucker kiss on my cheek...and would not let me go. She has very strong lips. I finally pulled away and we RAN. I had to pour a giant bottle of water on my face and rub hand sanitizer on all my body to get all that Kamoocha drool off me. Lesson Learned. Never serve people. Especially a Kamoocha. Just kidding. You really should serve other people.

Hello, my name is Hermana Ostler, and I fight with the Moto Taxistas. It’s a problem. They always try to charge me so much, which results in me yelling in really fast Spanish. “Is it because of these eyes? My hair? I LIVE HERE. I AM NOT DONE. 3 soles or walk! Yeah! Just walk away!” They always charge me three soles! I WILL NEVER PAY THAT. EVER. THAT IS MY VOW. “You think that I don’t know? I am smart? It’s the skin, right? I will never pay that extra sol.” My compy just watches in amazement. I have my pride. But I never pay the extra sol! I am so thrifty!

I love to testify. I feel like little by little, I am becoming a more powerful missionary. I just don’t get scared to tell the truth anymore. Before it freaked me out because I didn’t want to offend. I have learned that when you really love someone the truth will always help and they usually never take offense if you say it with love. 

We cannot be saved in sins. We cannot be rewarded for disobedience. We must be obedient if we want the blessings of God. I am learning how to be good and do what is right. It has always been so hard for me, but I love the things I am learning here. 

I love you all!

Hermana ALEX

FOREVER A HOBO. This is after spending the night at the other Hermanas' house because we had to go pick them up at the bus real late the night before. 

All I have to say is that whoever ends up marrying this girl is one lucky guy to see a face and hair like this every morning. Congrats future husband!

This is my zone. We are pretty fun. 

Elder Schumacher, my old district leader, was talking about the controversial topic of Sister Missionaries. I guess we are sometimes really horrible?? Hahaha. But do not worry because this kind Elder from St George told me... "Don't worry Hermana. You're not high maintenance, just dumb."

.....thanks! I guess that is what I get for calling all the time about bats in my room and falling into holes and stuff.

We went to this place called La Colina. Its way cool. Its a swimming pool! Why did we go to a swimming pool ON THE MISSION?? If anyone knows my mermaid tendencies, they would also know that I was way tempted to swim. But we did get to splash around and it was fun.

Look at my compy's face. I love it. Boca de Obesa. 

My companion has no idea that I am stealing her food in this picture. I look like a flippin' anaconda. So tight.

My compy went to Lima for the week to get all her papers done. (HOW IS SHE LEGAL AFTER A MONTH AND I AM STILL WITHOUT A VISA 10 MONTHS LATER???) 

But she left with my camera and this is basically the only photo that came back with her. Of fish. Her words, "but I really like fish!"