A Cultural Bit: Movie Theaters {+Tuesday Tunes #7}

Hello lovely ladies, and gents too! Can I share something I was SOOOO excited about from this weekend? I went to the movies!!! This was something pretty special because until recently I was living in Cusco, where there are currently no movie theaters. So this Sunday Rafa and I were exploring downtown Lima and when we stumbled upon a little local theater at 7pm with no other plans, it was just the right thing to do. Despite the run-down appearance of the place (we go for authentic and cost-effective), we had a really fun time. We saw Aviones (Disney´s new movie Planes) and it was really cute. Aside from one other movie I saw in Spain, this was my first Spanish movie in a theater. Kids movies are perfect because it kept my attention and I wasn´t lost in very fast phrases. It was definitely a success!

 

 

 

And since today is Tuesday, I have a really fun fusion of Tuesday Tunes for you! The artist is called Miki Gonzalez and is apparently pretty well known (at least in Latin America). His music is an interesting mix of techno-trance, jazz, and traditional Andean music. I heard of this guy awhile back from a traveler I stayed with but didn´t listen much until lately. I love it because of the stories of the Andean people that are incorporated into this new style of music.

 

Do you have any favorite music fusions? Or maybe a favorite type of world music?
Sending wishes for a beautiful day!

Fall Food Must: Pumpkins!

Hello there, how's it going? Good to have you here on this lovely Sunday. I love seeing how everyone else is diving right into the beautiful fall season in the states! I'm just imagining the trees and the innumerable shades they are turning... But in reality, I'm in Lima and glad to be leaving the foggy days of winter and transitioning into sunnier spring days (t-minus 7 days!).

BUT I would still like to reminisce those things I love about fall! Today I'm linking up with my Snail Mail partner, Elizabeth, and her friend Stephanie for Autumn on My Mind. Every few days there is a different prompt, all about different aspects of autumn. So here we go with today's:
Do you have a favorite food that you associate with fall? This is the time to highlight those yummy fall goodies!

This time of year is all about the pumpkins!!! I love the tradition of the harvest and celebrating Thanksgiving by eating delicious foods! In addition to adding pumpkin spice to everything (coffee and all baked goods), I have 3 pumpkin foods to share.

1. Toasted pumpkin seeds

Every year when I was younger, my family would carve pumpkins. Then my mom would wash and toast the seeds with just a sprinkle of salt. So delicious!

[source]

2. Pumpkin soup

I am also imagining some warm, creamy pumpkin soup. I've had some good butternut squash soups, but would like to try out a pumpkin recipe sometime. This one I found looks like a winner in my book - creamy coconut and with a bit of curry spice. Yum!

[soure]

3. Pumpkin pie

And a Thanksgiving classic favorite in my family is pumpkin pie (with Cool Whip on top). I don't think it was ever home-made but I would like to try that one next time I'm in the states for the big feast. Well, last year I did make a squash pie that turned out pretty tasty {read up on my Thanksgiving in Peru here}.

[source]

Alright, so what are your fall favorites?? Any good recipes to share, I'd love to hear (and take notes)!

Graffiti in Granada

Maybe I haven't mentioned that I was in Spain for a year. A few years back I lived (and studied on the side) in the south of Andalucia. I love Granada and it will always have a piece of my heart (after all, it's where my travel bug was born!). One beautiful thing that changed my perspective (aside from the amazing Alhambra, flamenco, and tapas - oh how I miss those!)was the graffiti.

Many of these pieces weren't just graffiti tags (some were), but skillfully created murals which take time, skill, and passion.

I fell in love with the possibilities of creating a positive use of public space, how dimensions can be transformed...

A local bakery's mural art

I fell in love with the messages and meanings behind the paint, the interactions between the artists...

I fell in love with how the colors play with each other, the visual stimulation, and pure creativity...

I fell in love with the distinctive details and styles of the artists...

And I fell in love with the feelings and emotions that can be evoked.

I see graffiti art as an artistic expression written around the city for the world to admire, question, imagine, challenge, etc. What I really love about it, is what it is not - graffiti is not intended to advertise or gain your approval. It's art that everyone can enjoy and it doesn't cost a thing (aside from it's creation)!

Graffiti was such a huge, new discovery for me when I lived in Spain. It took on a new meaning for me - it's definition was no longer strictly related to gangs or negative parts of society. I saw it's artistic possibility and it was so exciting! But one thing that really bothered me was that this art form was so limited in the US. 

In the past few years, I've seen more and learned more (I even wrote a senior thesis on the subject). As least in large cities, I have seen more artists employed for these types of works (ie. ArtStart in Santa Rosa). Not long ago a friend began a campaign that's directly related to the idea of getting more positive art out in the public realm - what a beautiful thing to see! 
{you can check out what it's about here and donate if you're inspired}

In any capacity, I feel it's so important for people who are in society to express things they want to publicly, not only corporations and advertisers. 

Is street art common where you live? What kind of affect do you think it has?

Tuesday Tunes #6 Childhood Flashback

Hello and welcome my lovelies!
Today's Tuesday Tunes we're mixing it up a bit! I was telling my husband about the children's music I would listen to and sing along with as a kid. I loved singing and still have some of those songs are still ingrained in my mind (Bananaphone or Baby Beluga anyone??). Naturally in this conversation Raffi came up as the children's entertainer of the 80s and (I think) 90s. Do you guys remember him?! Man, this guy has a talent for story-telling and entertaining kids! Look at the kids' faces in this video - it makes me so happy!!

Raffi singing Peanut Butter & Brush Your Teeth

I was interested in seeing what Raffi is up to these days. This guy's even cooler than I thought - he has a campaign about honoring children and creating a commercial free childhood. And the part that I really respect is that he actually follows through with his philosophy - he's never advertised or promoted his music to children. 

Cheers to the memories, go Raffi!

2 Things for Today

Hi again! It´s been a few days since my last post, as life has it´s ups and downs I´m dealing with...so I have a little positive things to share tonight.

#1 Fresh Tomato and Basil snack

Is anyone else a big basil fan!? I definitely am. This is super simple and delicious (which is usually what my recipes are about). And since the sun is on it´s way to Lima, I made this snack getting ready for nice, warm weather. 

Tomatoes + (goat) cheese + basil + olive oil + sprinkle of salt

 #2 An ounce of positivity
My teacher from middle school posted this quotation on Facebook and it made me smile. I especially like the last two lines. We´re all in tough situations sometimes, but realizing that and moving on is key in overcoming it. It´s like Ben Lee once sang - we´re all in this together.

Best wishes for a restful, active, refreshing (or whatever you need it to be) weekend. 

A Cultural Bit + Tuesday Tunes #5

Well hello there! I hope everyone had a beautiful Labor Day weekend! Although yesterday wasn't a holiday in Peru, Friday was the celebration of Santa Rosa. While the majority of people here are Catholic, this day was a holiday when many people rest at home. I learned that it's also common to go to a convent with their hopes and wishes written and toss them into a well. While I didn't check out this little tradition and am not religious in the common sense of the words, I would love to see this wishing well action! (Not to mention, it would be an epic photo for Weekly Wishes)!

'Pozo de los Deseos' - Wishing Well, Convent of Saint Rose, Lima
www.educacionenred.com

{I was also amused to be informed that there is also a website dedicated to Saint Rose where these wishes can be emailed.} 

Now onto the music which I've been all about these past few weeks! This heart-felt and soul-expressing artist is Nahko Bear (member of Medicine for the People). This music doesn't just sound good, but it's music you can really feel: natural, ancient, and pure. It's a struggle to give justice to this music in words, so I'll let you feel for yourself. 
The song below is called "Black as Night" and I chose it because I love the playfulness and sense of humor with a humble message. Some other favorites are "Aloha Ke Akua" and "Wash It Away". If you like his sound, be sure to find more and spread the word!

Enjoy and remember the blessings around you :)

                                 

August recap...and hello, September!

It seems like September came out of nowhere for me, anyone else?! The weather here in Lima is quite the opposite of the states (although I think the weather everywhere is pretty out-of-whack). While I´ll miss autumn in California, it´s suppose to be spring in a few weeks and I´ll be glad to see the sun again :)

So I decided to recap what happened in August...

* To start out the month, my husband and I packed up and made big move to Lima.

Going to the market in Surquillo.

* I found a job and am continuing to work teaching English. Rafa is still on the job hunt and we´re anxious for something to transpire.

* We visited some museums, like Museo de Arte de Lima, Museo de Ciencas Naturales, and a few expositions around the city.

* Joined the Bigs-Littles and Kerry´s my partner. It´s been really helpful and fun getting to know her and giving ideas. Her blog is Till Then, Smile Often, definitely hop over and say hi!

* I experiemented with chia seeds and fell in love with them!

These are chia seeds!

* Completed my 2nd DIY vlog (hubby helped with the video/editting): Up-cycling Plastic Bags

What were the highlights of August for you?? Have a lovely day!