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Learning the Lessons of Travelling |
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Yesterday afternoon ended with a lesson I am sure we will have to relearn a number of times because of our nature as people. Antonio adopted us as soon as he saw us, playing with the children and constantly introducing us to people as his friends. He was likeable and good natured and to a degree offered us some inroads to narmality as the outsiders. But suddently things changed for Antonio. September is a quiet season and he was laid off without working. It is difficult for us to comprehend that people´s situation is so hand to mouth and I believe it is because of this that Antonio
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suddently became desperate enough to see as as his saviours of the moment and requested money. Just 2 Sols, merely 25p but it rasied alarms and we beat a hasty retreat without parting with any money, and slightly afraid of being followed and of retribution.
We debated the incident for sometime later, about our fear and guilt, half wishing we could have given him something. It is perfectly understandable that Antonio should see us as rich, we are rich, we could easily afford to give him money. Our fear was in where this might lead and when we would be able to put a stop to it once started. It was better not to start at all even though we knew that Antonio probably spend a lonely and hungry night contemplating his future. It was with some guilt later that evening that we parted with 3 Sols so that we could enjoy a game of table-tennis.
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We have spent our last day in Huanchaco in the safety of our complex, awaiting the next part of our journey. Although this morning we took at walk up to the church, where the view of the church was amazing, the town stretched before us with a birds eye view of life below, unfinished buldings and terraces with coloured pots and washing encased by the ebb and flow of the sea beyond. |
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| The doors of the church were thrown open to the view allowing passer by to come in and enjoy the ongoing service. It was peaceful to stand in the back and for a short time lose our identities as the Gringos and become part of the congregation. Although I could understand very little of the service I knew what they were singing about and for a moment I heard the voices of those people in the church joined with those I knew were singling evening song in St Marybourne and I suddenly understood clearly how religion can and does join the people of the world.
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