Lately

Well, it's been a tough week in the world of animals here in Ollanta.  Our Michi the cat (we've pretty much settled on this name out of usage, it just means cat in Quechua and every cat in Peru is named this.) had her kittens last Thursday evening.  She popped out four incredibly cute little babies with very little trouble and took to being a little mother quite well.  Unfortunately, we were out of the house for half the day on Friday and when we came back in the evening neither she or the bebes were in sight.  We reckon she's gone off and hid them as mother cats are wont to do but it's still upsetting.  She stops in several times a day for food and water and then rushes off. She always goes in different directions so we haven't figured out exactly where she's keeping them.  I tell you, it is stressful trying to take care of a cat who is not even really yours and you can't close up in a room because she's not litter trained...and out of respect for her wild heart, haha. We leave the door cracked so she can come in and get food but then the big bad cat (probably her baby daddy) comes and steals the food. It is all a lesson in unattachment.

Second upsetting event in the animal world involves our best friend stray dog whom we call alternately Jack London or Jack Wolfskin. He is the prettiest black and white husky sort of dog with little fox ears. His favorite things include giving kisses and hanging out with friendly tourists.  Anyway, he was taking a walk with some friends this weekend and got mobbed by four other stray dogs. They gave him a nasty bite on one of his rear legs, right at the joint and the achilles tendon so he can't walk on it.  Anyway, poor little baby has been sleeping in Will and Jess' room (hey guys! hope you're enjoying the states! we'll wash your sheets!).  We cleaned up the wound and put on a dressing with antibiotic ointment and bandaged it.  He's in surprisingly good spirits and can't help but get excited and try to jump up when you come into the room.  ANIMALS NEED TO STOP HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES ON MY WATCH!!!

To top it off, our landlords are building a second bathroom on our roof patio which involves them being at our house ALL THE FREAKING TIME. I thought I hated renting in North America but the Peruvian concept surpasses every obnoxious landlord I've had to date.

But, this week is Thanksgiving and Noah and my five year anniversary so celebration is at hand and if things go right I will be eating turkey, alpaca steak, chocolate cake and going to a sauna.

For visual interest, here is an old photo of me hiking, taken by Mr. Blair Gardner.