Los Hombres Peruanos

For those of you who don’t know Spanish, the title is Peruvian men. I figured it is about time they deserved an entry.

First people I ever told in Indiana that I was moving to Peru were John and Karen Chipman. As many of you know, they were mission presidents up north in Piura, where my roommates Mari and Gabi are from.

John had a few words of wisdom he shared with me that have stuck in my head. When I first told them I was moving to Lima, John took a long serious look at me and said, “You’re not naïve, you’ll be okay.” For me that was a compliment.

Another piece of advice John gave that I often repeat is, “Remember, you’re an American, and you look like one.”

But the one I will address today is when he said, “There are a lot of Peruvian men down there who will be happy to pair up with you.” Man, was he not joking.

Most of my street smartness comes from my time in Hungary. The only difference was in Hungary you couldn’t tell I wasn’t Hungarian until you heard me speak. In Peru, well, it’s kind of obvious sometimes. But I had a couple of guys be interested in me as a missionary. Not just because I was young and female, but also because I was a visa opportunity to the United States. I told John I had already experienced that, so I wouldn’t be surprised if some Peruvian guys would have similar ideas.

So friends, this is where you might think I’m a little silly (course you already knew that though, right?) But when I came down to Peru, I was pretty determined, and still fairly am, that I do not want to marry a Peruvian. I just don’t. I have met some very nice ones, but I often say unless he’s fairly wealthy I just don’t see it happening (because he will need to be able to pay for plane tickets back and forth between Peru and the US).

So I know my friends from game night will be smiling about this. So far I have been on two dates. One was a blind date set up by my roommate Mari with a friend of hers. His name is Jose and he is a lawyer. Nice guy. Haven’t talked to him since, but if Mari were to invite him over, I would be happy to see him again. Course, I’m one of several friends she has set up with him.

Second was a guy named Luis. I met him on the bus like my second week in the country. He gave me his seat on the bus and later when it was open he sat by me. His skin was so fair I asked if he was Peruvian and he said he had some European ancestry. He started talking with me a bit. It was a day when I just came from the College of Nursing to find out what I needed to do to get a nursing license in the country. He said he worked at a University that was heavily into the healthcare sciences and he could inquire if there were any possibilities for me. He seemed nice.

Two months passed and I had not given him a second thought. He e-mailed me one day (because I had given him my e-mail address) and asked if I was still in Peru. He wanted to get together to talk some job possibilities. My roommate Mari was suspicious and was pretty sure he had a crush on me. I said I had met him for only a few minutes on the bus. How could that be possible.

Anyway, we got together, he asked for a resume, then one day he invited me to come to the school. For Peruvian standards, it seemed a pretty classy school. But considering all courses were taught in Spanish, I had no clue how I would ever manage teaching any class there.

I realized he was interested in me, but I was getting ready to go home for Thanksgiving and other celebrations, so any further interest he had would have to wait.

I kind of thought it over later and decided he really isn’t my type. He occassionally works at the university as a sound technician in the auditorium. Kind of a free spirit that plays in a rock band, or used to at one point. In his 40’s, 50’s and lives at home with his parents (which is not that uncommon in Peru). He also has a 14 year old son from a previous marriage. I guess the past year he was living in Switzerland with his Swiss girlfriend. He only contacted me once when I went back right before Christmas.

Then the third Peruano happened this past Friday while I was riding the Metro Bus to get to the hospital in the morning. He asked me something about which bus was coming, so I answered. Heard my accent, and then asked where I was from. While I was on the bus, he started asking me more questions. Then, in my opinion, he was just way too aggressive. Asked me how old I was, how long I’d been in Peru. I told him I was leaving that night for the US. He said when I got back I should contact him and we could go out to eat, go for a walk. Of course while this is all happening he is pushing himself up against me and trying to whisper in my ear. I cocked my head at an angle so there would be some space.

He asked for my cell phone number and I told him I didn’t have one. Now the fact that he actually bought that me makes me question his intelligence. Though it actually is a believable story. In Peru you can’t sign up for a regular cell phone plan unless you have a Peruvian Social Security number. Right now I have what is called a pre-paid phone plan that anyone can have. In the end he settled for my e-mail address, so I gave him a fake one.

So there’s three, with I’m sure many more to come. I’m kind of used to it at this point between Hungary and Peru. I’m also getting to a point I’m not as nice. If I’m not interested, just let them know because I really don’t feel like wasting my time. I also need to start telling them I have a boyfriend or I’m married. Though sad part is, with some guys, that still may not stop them.