I´ve added some new (and old) photos. You can choose to see the most recently added ones (slideshow), the photos of Cuzco only (slideshow), or some of the poorer areas of Peru´s cities (slideshow).

Select a language for easier browsing. Oh, and to change the speed of the slideshow, just change the “3000″ number in your address bar of your browser.

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“Robbert, I´m glad that you found some time to answer some questions. We didn’t hear from you for some time, as you didn´t write anything lately on your blog. Actually, what is it that keeps you so busy these days?”
“Well, I’m working hard on my research, meeting with many different people from companies, municipalities, NGO’s and more. Plus, the water and electricity companies are providing me with data, but there’s still lots of information is missing, especially concerning the population. The census of 1993 helped me a lot, whereas the 2005 one is almost useless. They are going to do the 1993 format again this year, seems to be influenced by political preferences.”

“So now that you have the information that is available you can go home?”
“There’s still a lot of work to do. I am busy with my questionnaires, visiting the different settlements where people lack water and sanitation services, and thus have to improvise. I won’t be home before Continue Reading »

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Apart from the worldwide tradition of drinking and dancing, Carnaval in Peru also means lots of paint fights and the constant threat of getting wet. I’ve added some photos of this; those with a fast connection can watch the slideshow.

Walking is generally safe in most part of Trujillo during the day (except for the zones where I carry out my research … semi-kidding). Lately however, people are somewhat more cautious, closing the windows of busses and looking up anxiously when they see a wet spot on the street. All of this just because of some water. Because that is what generally happens here, guys throws balloons filled with water from the rooftops at girls who pass by, whom in turn scream and pretend to be annoyed, followed by either sincere disappointment when he turns out to be just average or a very sensual smile when he is handsome. Continue Reading »

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For those who spend their day according to self-made shedules in which reading this has not been included: just read the whole post, it will take no more than ten seconds Peruvian time. Or at least, that is what most Peruvians would tell you.

Living in a different country always involves changes in you daily pattern. Obviously, there is nothing you can do against the sudden tiredness in the afternoon, apart from taking a short nap. So between 2 an 4pm, not much is happening. People go out for their lunches (for many their first meal of the day) and just rest a bit at home, in a parc, or merely anywhere. After this break, they just work some more, and have dinner only after 9. This means that people merely come and go whenever they prefer, some take a long break but work late at night, whilst other just plan or pretend to work late. Just the same applies for the days; the weekend consists of Sunday only, but it is completely normal to take a day off during the week. Or some days. Quite different from the Netherlands, where even students have the habit to work efficiently during the day, and stop before 6pm. Or 3pm on Fridays.

As a result of these continuous semi-work hours, contacting people is just a matter of mere luck. Continue Reading »

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