If somehow some of you don't know this, I like taking pictures. I would never call myself a photographer, but I just like capturing moments. I like seeing things that other people don't and then presenting it to them in a new way. So in that, this trip, I have fallen in love with the panorama. (Please click on these pictures and really explore the moment in which they were taken.)
night view of the Plaza de las Armas with Christmas decorations
This type of picture allows you to actually show what was going on there. Give a more complete perspective. But even more, it maintains the ability to see the little things that are going on. Each of these pictures that are in this post have so much happening in them that I find myself going back time and time again to see what was going on and the little things in all of them.
View of Avenida Bolivar at night from atop a hotel (just a couple blocks from my house)
So in a big way, I do find that is a big deal about my time here. We all can look into a situation and see the big picture. Here in Peru, the poverty is obvious and is extreme. The climate change smacks you in the face every day. The stories of the atrocities of the civil war create rivers of tears, but in each one of those, there is a story and there is a person, and there is a day and there is a moment.
Playa Las Minas in Parque de la Reserva in Paracas
But these stories don't have to be sad either. I am amazed at the stories of live and laughter that I encounter every day. I am amazed at the extreme similarities between the people of Peru and the way we live our lives at home. The other night Erika and I took my host sisters out to McDonalds and a movie. During our Christmas dinner last night, there was a "kids table" (I have graduated from that finally).
Ayacucho from an overlooking mountain
So, since it is Christmas, I encourage to focus on the the little things. The big ones can wait for next week. They will always be there and are usually pretty easy to see. But today focus on the little ones. Tell a story or more importantly listen to a good one. Relish that moment because these are the things that really make life great. Thank you to all of you who are in my life. I truly cherish you all. I miss you during this time. I don't miss the cold, but I do miss a good soy latte before breakfast. I miss family, friends, and home. But, as I've said many times before, home is about the people and I am so blessed to have another home. Not one to replace, but one to compliment the one I know and love. So thank you for all being in my life. I love you so much. Please check out our latest podcast (or just search "kuzka" in the itunes music store), newsletter(También en Castellano) or just send me an email (jtobiason08@gmail.com). I love you all and will talk to you in the new year because tomorrow I head out on vacation. So, listen to a real story today and find the little things that you may have missed and cherish that. Merry Christmas from Peru. The video below was midnight, Christmas Eve. It was amazing.
Well, I think it is finally time that I address the biggest "issue" that I am working with down here. I've kinda skirted, referenced, joked about, podcasted, and slightly mentioned La Oroya and the Doe Run smelter that is there, but it is finally time to really dive into it. This is a not so short video that gives a little look into what is going on there.
I have mentioned inthe past, on the podcast, in our news bulletins, and in La Retama small bits about La Oroya. But here is my summary of what has led to it being listed as one of the most polluted cities in the world: The La Oroya smelter was opened in 1922 and subsequently expanded. The smelter can deal with gold, sliver, lead, copper, and lots of other elements and minerals. What makes this smelter unique is the way that it can deal with all of these elements together and at a lower grade than many other plants. La Oroya is one of only such plants in the world and therefore material from Peru and all over the world are brought there to deal be smelted. This also means that this plant is very difficult to "clean up" because of the complicated, unique nature
of what it does. There are also lots of companies around the world that are pretty keen on keeping it going because it is one of the only ways to get to whatever they need. From 1922 until 1974, the operation was owned by American Cerro de Pasco. Then it was nationalized and owned by the Peruvian state (referred to as Centromin) until it was sold to Doe Run (part of the Renco Group) in 1997. At this point, the output of the smelter went through the roof. Doe Run makes statements that their emissions perton (or whatever measurement they are using) is lower, which is true, but they were also producing at a much higher rate than the factory had ever operated at and therefore even more added to the pollution. Their charts always start at 1997, when they purchased the company. It does not represent the overall changes in lead and ohter toxins over time. (wikipedia article on it, Doe Run web site, in spanish)
As part of their agreement to buy the plant, Doe Run agreed to complete the PAMA (Environmental Remediation and Management Program) which called for various ecological improvements to the smelter. This was supposed to be complete by 2004. They were given an extension until oct 2009. In sept, they were given another 36 months to complete it. Doe Run makes says that they are broke and therefore can't complete the PAMA, but they have also sent almost $100 million to the owner (Ira Rennert) and an all time high in lead prices. Also, the plant has basically been shut down since June due to these financial issues, and doesn't look to re-open for another couple months.
I am really trying to look at this issue from as many sides of it as I can inorder to make my case and be in solidarity with the people in a way that is thought out. We cannot blame Doe Run for everything. They have only owned the plant for the last 13 yrs. There was many years of contamination before them (See for yourself on google maps how the city looks different from everything around). We cannot just blame the government for being spineless and bowing to the multinational coorporation. Peru is an "export" company, mining is the largest export and this is a model that is more or less accepted and sought by the international community with regards to countries like Peru. We can't just blame the Peru-US Trade Agreement for continuing this unbalanced, dependent form of commerce. We can't blame people for not caring. We also can't not do anything.
The big effect is on the lives of the people that live in La Oroya. 95% of the kids have elivated levels of lead in their blood. It comes from their mothers, through the placenta, and they are born into it. Also, the company basically owns the union. To work at the smelter is a good job. Those that work there can actually pay for things like food, shelter, beer, and prostitution (La Oroya has a higher number of prostitutes due to this steady income source). Therefore, the workers stand up for the company, but also know that if they speak out at all, they will lose their jobs.
So, what we are doing, as the Red Uniendo Manos, is working with a group, called Filomena, whose kids are organized and against the business that continues to poison their home. They are
all seeking better lives and futures. Right now, we are also connecting them with a group of students in Brooklyn (oddly enough, where Ira Rennert was born). They are having skype conversations to understand more about what the lives of the other are like, but also to learn how to be present and to really seek better lives for all. I am very proud to be involved in this process and hope you would too. For more information, please listen to our first podcast that is on La Oroya. Also, in the upcoming edition, there will be an interview with the director of Filomena on why she does what she does. Our podcasts are now hosted on itunes, so just type "kuzka" into the itunes store search bar and we pop up. It couldn't be easier. Become a fan of the Red Uniendo Manos Peru and Bridge of Hope on facebook.
Also, more pictures from my daily life (on facebook, but this link should work for everyone)
view of Lima from my roof
night view of the Plaza de las Armas with Christmas decorations
View of Avenida Bolivar at night from atop a hotel (just a couple blocks from my house)
Playa Las Minas in Parque de la Reserva in Paracas
Ayacucho from an overlooking mountain
of what it does. There are also lots of companies around the world that are pretty keen on keeping it going because it is one of the only ways to get to whatever they need. From 1922 until 1974, the operation was owned by American Cerro de Pasco. Then it was nationalized and owned by the Peruvian state (referred to as Centromin) until it was sold to Doe Run (part of the Renco Group) in 1997. At this point, the output of the smelter went through the roof. Doe Run makes statements that their emissions perton (or whatever measurement they are using) is lower, which is true, but they were also producing at a much higher rate than the factory had ever operated at and therefore even more added to the pollution. Their charts always start at 1997, when they purchased the company. It does not represent the overall changes in lead and ohter toxins over time. (wikipedia article on it, Doe Run web site, in spanish)
I am really trying to look at this issue from as many sides of it as I can inorder to make my case and be in solidarity with the people in a way that is thought out. We cannot blame Doe Run for everything. They have only owned the plant for the last 13 yrs. There was many years of contamination before them (See for yourself on google maps how the city looks different from everything around). We cannot just blame the government for being spineless and bowing to the multinational coorporation. Peru is an "export" company, mining is the largest export and this is a model that is more or less accepted and sought by the international community with regards to countries like Peru. We can't just blame the Peru-US Trade Agreement for continuing this unbalanced, dependent form of commerce. We can't blame people for not caring. We also can't not do anything.
So, what we are doing, as the Red Uniendo Manos, is working with a group, called Filomena, whose kids are organized and against the business that continues to poison their home. They are 
