An Unexpected Lunch Guest

Gina and I were running some errands the other day.  This time it was to get the Apple MacBook cord repaired…AGAIN.  If anyone is considering purchasing an Apple computer drop us a note so we can talk you out of it!

Anyway we were ready to catch a taxi and head back to the apartment when we saw a little lunch place we thought we would try and went inside.  We are in the habit of splitting/sharing lunches, not only are the portions large but it save us a little money as well.

We actually started this practice back in the states.  We realized how much food we were wasting, our waist lines were expanding, and we could cut our “dining out” expenses in half.  Besides, we figured we could then splurge on dessert:)

Now the prices in Peru are not the concern, but we still adopt the same practise of sharing our meals.  Lunch at this place would set us back a cool $4 Soles…which converts to $1.24 U.S. dollars.  So, even for a couple of poor vagabonds we could afford to purchase 2 meals.

For some reason we did, and we both ordered a Ceviche first course (soup was our other choice) and beef as our main course (chicken & fish were also an option) throw on some Papa Fritas and a heap of Arroz and lunch is served.  As soon as the food arrived and we started eating I said to Gina “why did we order 2 lunches?” there was too much food for just her and I to eat.

About this time I feel something next to me and turn around to see what/who it is.  The cutest little face greets my gaze, all brown hair and brown eyes and cute little dimples when she smiled.

We continue our meal, not sure why the little girl was standing next to us…I mean right next to us!  We think we hear her saying something, but the lips are not really moving and the noise of the small little restaurant makes it difficult to hear if she is speaking.  After a little bit we realize that she is selling gum.  She is not very aggressive and only occassionally shows us the small package of gum she is carrying, in between twiddling it in her fingers and generally acting like a little girl.

Gina starts talking to her.  Asking her what she is doing, where her family is, etc.  When asked a question she is quite talkative and moves over to Gina’s side of the table to continue her conversation.  We ask here if she is hungry, she says she is and that her brother is also hungry.  We offer her a seat, ask the waitress for another fork and slide a plate of beef, potatoes, and rice over to her…the same plate that only moments ago we were questioning why we purchased.  We got another glass and poured her something to drink…lunch was served.

I can’t tell you her name.  We asked…repeatedly, but it was a very different and apparently difficult name for us gringos.  We did find out she was 6 years old, her and her brothers and sisters were selling gum to get enough money for school books and backpacks.  Her oldest sister was 16 years old.  She did not have a father, and they lived below a lady that drove a red car.

She ate and talked, ate and talked.  She was hungry and finished almost the entire meal.  When she was done, she got up, told us she was not hungry any longer, and walked out of the restaurant.

Gina and I finished, paid our bill, and also walked out of the restaurant.  It was a short walk around the corner to a spot where we could get a taxi, as we rounded the corner there she was.  We told her we would buy the gum from her, she smiled and told us she had already sold it and walked away.  We said goodbye and flagged a cab home.

I have written before about the contrasts you experience while traveling.  Again a contrast!  As we open the door to the apartment we are greeted by a smile and a hug from Gigi…our 7 year old.  The thought of her on the streets selling gum, alone, by herself is just difficult to get your head around.  We give her a big hug, sit down on the couch, and tell her our story of the unexpected lunch guest.