Our Andean Experience

We are back from Cuzco and had such a great time! The trip began with a rough start but ended on a very good note. The first night we were in Cuzco we decided to take things really slow so we walked to the Plaza de Armas and walked around and just took it all in. We ate at wonderful pizza place where we made a new friend, she was incredibly nice! What we thought was a easy first day turned into a horrible evening. Arjun was incredibly fussy, he was crying constantly and then threw up, when he threw up we knew something was wrong. The hotel staff called us a doctor and turned out he was experience altitude sickness, while the doctor was checking him out Sanj started getting very sick with the same symptoms as Arjun (minus the crying), turned out he had altitude sickness as well! I knew then I better buck up, suck up the headache I had and start taking care of both of my guys. I was very happy when both of them finally fell asleep and woke up restful. Sanj was much better the rest of the trip but Arjun was still very fussy in the evening and wasn't really sleeping, but he was such a good sport throughout the day!

The second day we were in Cuzco was Christmas Eve. We really wanted to be in Cuzco for Christmas Eve because the Plaza de Armas turns into a huge market full of just stuff. The market is called, Santuranticuy Market which means "Buying of the Saints". This market started when the Spanish conquered Peru, I am sure it was much different then. When we went we spent only 10 minutes because there were thousands of people and hundreds of different stands set up not to mention the people sitting on the floor selling things. It was incredible and also exhausting at the same time, but very rich in color and culture. I learned that people who live high in the mountains come down just for this day to sell the herbs that they grow or things that they make. It was amazing to see the diversity in Cuzco amongst the people.

On Christmas day we decided to take a tour of the Sacred Valley, it was breathtaking! We saw many Incan ruins but the most fascinating thing that I saw or thought about was how the Incans created such an empire without technology. Our guide told us that in order to build their Citadel on this town called Pisac they had to carry bricks for miles on their backs. The Incans were a small tribe and then began conquering different areas and built their empire, granted they only ruled for about 100 years but still it was amazing to see how much they built in that amount of time. There was one part of the Incan ruins that we saw where they built water ways, they channeled water from the mountain for people to drink from, the same water from the river was still running through the channels today! It BLEW MY MIND! The Sacred Valley was incredible and I can't wait to go back and visit it again.

Overall the trip was amazing. We are going to go back to see Macchu Picchu but I think we're going to reserve that trip for when Arjun is a few more months older. It was miserable seeing him in that much pain and him not being able to tell us what was wrong!

We hope everyone had a great Christmas!

*Family picture with Llamas!*

**These are rocks placed by the Incans**

*These are farming terraces built by the Incans in Pisac**

They were still being used until the 40's until the Peruvian government put a stop to it

*This is a fountain that has been in existence since Incan times*

** The Incan legend is that a man with a white beard, rose out of Lake Titicaca and walked to the Incan Valley where he taught the people farming techniques which was the foundation of the Incan Civilization. The carving of the face against mountain is a depiction of the white beard man, an Incan carved the face.**

Happy Travels!

Cuzco Bound!

We have a couple of exciting days ahead of us! The family and I are going to be leaving for Cuzco today to celebrate Christmas Andean style. We decided to go to Cuzco this year for Christmas because mine and Sanj's families are traveling and we didn't want to go back to the states so we are going to do something traditional this year. I have been learning about the Andean Christmas and in Peru people celebrate Christmas Eve more than they celebrate the actual day of Christmas. We are going to Cuzco because we hear that is is beautiful during Christmas time, I will be taking many, many pictures so I will know more about it after we come back from Cuzco.

The past few days have been a whirlwind in the Avichal household. Arjun turned 5 months a few weeks ago and he has been changing everyday, it is so difficult to keep up with the many changes that happens in his life. We are going to be packing up our temporary place soon and going to be moving into our permanent home (2 years) pretty soon, we are hoping for the 1st of January.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Travels!

Sad, Sad, Sad day

December 14th was a sad day for Newtown,CT but also for the US. The events that took place at the school affected people all over the world. For the first time we prayed with Arjun last night for the children and families affected by the shooter, its unthinkable the actions that took place in the elementary school. Now that we are parents we think about this from a different perspective, what if that was our kid? What if we couldn't get to Arjun quick enough? These are things that we have to think about now. 30, 40 years ago kids could play outside and not worry about anything and now we can't let our kids 10 feet without keeping our keys off of them.

In Peru Sanj and I see that kids play here freely without their parents really wondering about them. Where we are living people have such a respect for kids here that they move out of the way, they go the extra mile to help you with your children. I feel safe here with Arjun because I know that no one is going to hurt him, I wish I could say the something for the US and it's so sad that I can't.

I know this is a sad post but it was sad day yesterday and I just wanted to write about it because it laid heavy on my heart last night and still does. 

All of Lima is bustling to get things ready for Christmas, everywhere you go there are nativity scenes and beautifully decorated Christmas trees, the only thing that is missing is snow. In the stores and restaurants there is familiar Christmas music playing (in English) and people just filled with the Christmas joy. Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year, it was the one time the whole family could count on being together. We don't know many people here yet so we are going to hopefully be spending Christmas in Cusco. We have read that Cusco is incredible during Christmas time. On Christmas Eve people from the inner villages and highlands of Cusco come and set up booths of hand made crafts in the center of Plaza de Arms. We can't wait to go and buy some hand made crafts and just be apart of Peru. Sanj and I decided that for the two years that we are in Peru we will travel somewhere new to experience Christmas in a different country. We want to be able to experience as much as possible.

Most of my friends that read this blog know that I have some really bad back issues and have has these issues for a while now. Sanj has been taking such good care of me that he finally put his foot down and made me go and get my back checked out. We met with an orthopedic specialist in Lima who had me have X-rays done and informed me of why I might be having back pain. Turns out I have an extra lumbar vertabrae and I was born with this, I guess that explains all the pain I have been feeling! He is sending me for an MRI and I will know more after my appointment. The reason why I am mentioning this is because I am so pleasantly surprised by the healthcare in Peru. The doctors are fantastic here and are always available. We called the Dr. and were able to get an appointment right away, in the states (especially dealing with Tricare) we would have to wait weeks before we were seen. I am so happy that I am able to get my back looked at here right away without being in pain for weeks, and I am also thankful that now I know what is wrong with me.

Overall it was another great day in Peru!

Happy Travels!

Beginning of many firsts!

Today was a great day for Arjun! He finally rolled over from his back to stomach, it was such a great accomplishment! Sanj and I have been watching him try to do it for the past few days and he finally was able to do it all on his own. It's amazing to see his development progress, he grows everyday and is becoming happier and happier. Sanj and I talk often about how amazing it is that a lot of Arjun's "firsts" will be in Peru, this will be where a lot of his early memories will be made. When we walk through the park we look all the other kids and can't wait for Arjun to start walking/running so we can chase him around the park and take him on the swings. It is going to be amazing to see all of his "firsts" in another country, this is going to be the home that he remembers. I hope one day when he is older he will look at the pictures we take of him and appreciate and love Peru like Sanj and I are beginning too.

I have been able to see Miraflores in a different light now. Sanj bought me a bike a few days ago and I have been able to take it around town to become more familiar with the area, I am so glad I am able to do this because it is helping me discover new places and things to see in Miraflores. I loved biking in DC and now I am able to ride my bike with the view of the Pacific Ocean, I am not sure if it gets any better!

Happy Travels!

Today was a great day in Peru! The weather was beautiful, I had lunch with a new friend and I was able to get my eyebrows done, all in all it was fantastic! I was really worried about finding a new salon to get all of my necessities done and I was so happy that I found one recommended by all the expats. It was such a great place, Encantos in Miraflores. The woman that did my brows was Luz, she didn't speak any English and I don't speak that much Spanish yet we were able to communicate exactly what I wanted and let me tell you she did a fantastic job. Before I went to the salon I was incredibly nervous because I don't speak Spanish. Things in Peru are a bit more difficult for me because of the language barrier, the smallest task take me a long time to accomplish. In the US it was so easy just to run to the salon, go to Target and to the grocery store with no issue of the language and driving. In Peru I am completely dependent on Sanj and at the mercy of finding a taxi. The scholarship program really wanted to take me out of my comfort zone and they are doing just that, which is difficult but I am loving every minute of it. I have realized since being here the strength that I have to move to a different country with a baby and not knowing the language, it is testing me everyday and just making me stronger. I will hopefully be starting some spanish classes soon which will be helpful with the language barrier.

I had a great lunch today with a new friend I met at the park here near our temporary place. She is so kind, she has 3 kids and Lis and her husband have been living in Peru for 5 years. She was is knowledgable about everything here and incredibly helpful helping me find doctors, dentist, massage therapist, etc. I am constantly amazed and surprised at the kindness that people offer. Even the people of Peru are incredibly kind and love talking to me (I think they love the baby more than talking to me). Needless to say I am so happy that I found a new friend!

Happy Travels!

Hola!

We are finally in Lima, Peru! We arrived in Lima on the 14th with my friend Alli Ribb and I am incredibly happy to say that Arjun did very well on the plane ride to Lima. When we landed in Peru the first few feelings that I felt were anxious, scared and excited, I know how can one person have so many feelings about one thing! I couldn't help but think of my parents when they came from India to America with nothing in their pockets and not knowing many people, to some extent I would know how they felt. I was thankful to have my friend come with me as my support system for the first week which was great. While Alli was in Peru with us for a week she helped me adjust to this new life that I was in for, she helped with Arjun and was there for me when I needed to talk.

It has been a week since I have been in Peru and so much has already happened! We were able to find an incredible pediatrician for Arjun in Miraflores who we absolutely love. He was so kind and great with Arjun, the best part was the fact that he was willing to make himself available for his patients at anytime. Sanj and I were shocked at the care we received from Arjun's pediatrician, we haven't met doctors like Dr. Torres in a very long time. It is always nice to know that our son is in good hands.

I am learning that I really need to know Spanish or I am not going to survive in Peru. Sanj and I have been looking for a school or tutor for me so I can learn it quicker. It is so difficult to do such simple tasks for me because I don't speak Spanish and not many people speak English, which honestly they don't have to because I am on their turf. The other day I went into a beauty salon to try and get prices for eyebrow wax and haircut and I still don't know what she said to me, I just nodded and said "si, gracias" about the only two words that are saving my butt right now!

Being a new country is taking me completely out of my comfort zone which obviously is the point to this scholarship program. I am still adjusting to my life here and love our temporary housing but I sure do hope we find something soon. It is very frustrating not knowing where we are going to live but I guess that all apart of the experience. I know one day Sanj and I will look back at this time and miss Peru but right now I am just ready to get settled into my new life.

**View of a town in Peru**

**Visiting the largest statue of Jesus in the world**

**The Family!**

Happy Travels!

Journey begins

So our journey begins! Arjun and I are flying to Atlanta today where we will be meeting up with Sanj (who is flying from Peru) so we can go and obtain our Peuvian visas! I'm sure that sounds easy but the process of getting to this point was no easy feat.

I am writing this entry as we are on the flight and I am happy to report only 3 dirty looks when I got on with Arjun and he is sounds asleep for our 6:30am flight (fingers crossed he stays this way!) I am amazed at how many people quickly forget that they might have kids at home and how they were when they were kids. Their babies, they cry, get over it! I understand when children are running around the aircraft but cut the babies and new moms a slack. On a happier note I was incredibly happy and relieved that the TSA agents were incredibly helpful. I think they took pity on a new (what looked like) a single mom. It was a pretty funny sight with a baby in my hands, breastmilk in the other and passports in my mouth, I would've felt bad for me too!

--We have successfully arrived in Atlanta! Arjun slept the whole time and woke up playing 5 minutes before we landed. Things are so much easier when he behaves! People on the flight were thankful that he wasn't crying the whole time which was a good thing. Sanj arrived safely as well and was thrilled to see Arjun, he said it was the best Veterans Day gift!

-Happy Travels!

My Family

Most of you who know me know exactly what is going on in my busy life, but for those of you who do not know me here is my story!

My husband and I were married June 26, 2011 and were pregnant in October and I gave birth to our beautiful baby boy, Arjun Sanjiv Avichal on July 9th, 2012. My husband, Sanjiv is a Major in the U.S Army and was awarded the Olmsted Scholarship. With this scholarship we are going to be moving to Lima, Peru! Sanjiv is already there and Arjun and I will be following in a few days. We are incredibly excited to begin this adventure with our son and can't wait to watch him grow the two years that we will be in Peru.

I am beginning this blog to keep for Arjun so he can read it when he is old enough and see the places that he traveled. I am also keeping this blog so friends and family can see how Arjun is growing and also witness all of our travels throughout  South America!

I hope you enjoy this blog and will continue to follow us throughout all of our adventures!

Happy Travels!