EAGLE VS. STOKES

    In a few days it will mark three months that I have been in my site. I live in Illimo-a mid size pueblo in Northern Peru. It lies within the department of Lambayeque-a region known for its Archeology, good food, and for friendly people. Midsize town here means 5,000 people with an additional 3,000 in the surrounding smaller areas , out in the more campo style landscape known as Caserios in English it falls under the word hamlet-when I here hamlet I think of a small French village two hours outside of Paris…this is obviously not the case. It falls short in being esthetically appealing from first glance but its beauty it seems lies right below. It would be thunderously absurd to give a summary on a town or people after living in it for three months and not understanding most of the dialogue going on around me. I am also aware that any failures or successes are initial and time will show the real value of my presence here for myself and the town. The last three days here have bee

Two to three times a week I go running after my days activities….on these days I have different routes I take as to mix up the scenery and to explore different areas near the center of town.…you quickly move from paved to unpaved…..from electricity to none and the world changes within a five minute 34 year olds running pace (we all know I have the speed of a large jungle cat so the age is not a factor). Every day on my run a select group of young children and men over the age of fifty then recreate the scene from Rocky where he is running through the streets of Philadelphia and a large group starts assembling around admiring his spirit and the fact that within the film he embodies the spirit of the city of Philadelphia itself. For me it is not as poetic or inspiring but it adds a good deal to my daily existence. I would gather 75% of the people that see me think it is highly entertaining that a human being runs just to run…..they find it a novel idea…..kids think I am training t