Soy Andina: The Blog

Soy Andina supporter Bob Schweich honored with Fulbright Award for supporting intercultural exchange

Congratulations Bob! I Just read the news in the latest issue of ourWorld. Most deserving. I don't know anyone who's more passionate about Intercultural exchange than Bob and his wife Monique.

I met Bob and Monique nearly 20 (!) years ago through The Experiment in International Living. I was a volunteer seeking host families for foreign visitors, and the Schweichs became hosts for Selma from Istanbul, Turkey.

Bob's also a fellow graduate of the Wharton School/University of Pennsylvania. Ironically, Bob convinced me to to go to my class reunion last year over pisco sours at the Country Club Hotel in Lima, where he and Monique were staying en route to Cuzco.

Need an eye exam, glasses or contacts?

Dr. Gary Tracy has been my "go-to-guy" for eye exams, eyglasses and contacts for something like 15 years - whether I've been in New York or Peru (yes they ship!). I wouldn't think of entrusting my eyes to anyone else.

Not to mention they've got a selection of very cool frames and lenses second to none, including those big impersonal chains with the splashy ads.

Full disclosure 1): Dr. Tracy is a member of the Soy Andina donor family. He loves the project (he grew up partly overseas, so cross-cultural stories resonate).

Full disclosure 2:) I helped him launch his new eNewsletter on eye care tips. You can see it and reach him here (hint: there's a $40 coupon for the eye exam/glasses package).

But way before he was a donor or client, I've been recommending him to friends. Happy to keep doing so.

Besides, I don't want to hear any complaints that Soy Andina was out of focus!

Anti-immigration legislation

Soy Andina donor Miryam Antunez de Mayolo sent this to me yesterday. I rarely get involved in politics but this issue surely touches many readers. Miryam has a beautiful immigrant story of her own family. She is a Peruvian-born immigration lawyer practicing in Iowa. Her father is from Ancash, where Nelida is from, and her donation honors his memory. Like Cynthia and so many others, she found us through a web search. I will ask her if she'd like to share more of her story here.

This is the first time that I send a mass e-mail, but his week, the House is trying to pass legislation that would criminalize millions of hardworking, law-abiding immigrants and divide American families: the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (H.R. 4437).

Please find time to oppose this heartless measure.

During the last five years I have seen too many families separated without hope of ever being reunited: US citizen children crying, hugging their daddies good-bye before being taken into custody to be deported; wives facing the daunting choice of following their husbands to a land with no opportunities, or staying here and having their children grow up without a father; high school graduates who are at the top of their class and end up working menial jobs because they are not eligible for financial aid.

Enforcement-only legislation will not fix our broken immigration system. Instead, we need realistic, comprehensive reform.

Please call your Representative TODAY, Wednesday Dec 14, and urge him or her to oppose H.R. 4437!

Sincerely,
Miryam Antunez de Mayolo
Attorney-at-Law
Cedar Falls, IA

Thank You to Our New Sponsor...

Welcome aboard new sponsor Lima Tours! Another Peruvian business sponsor that stands for tradition and excellence.

They are a long-time leader in the travel/tourism field — a family business with a reputation for first-class service, quality, and responsible tourism.

Salud to BarSol Pisco!

Welcome aboard BarSol Pisco to our roster of Soy Andina major sponsors!

You guys are in for a treat - this is an exceptional version of the national Peruvian drink that's about to take the country by storm. We're going to help spread the word and pour it at upcoming Soy Andina events. Can't wait? Order some here.

Thanks to Diego Loret de Mola, president of BevMax and BarSol's marketing agent, and Carlos Ferreyros Ferreyros, owner of Bodega San Isidro, the Ica-based producers.

These guys drive a hard bargain though — I had to visit the Bodega near the Peruvian coast in August and sample several glasses directly from the source...

Join us at Pio Pio!

This Wednesday, Nov 30, join us at Pio Pio in Queens, NY — the legendary Peruvian restaurant where Nelida and Cynthia first met.

What's the occasion? Nothing special, just the usual — eating polla a la brasa, dancing, carrying on like we shouldn't mid-week, and reconnecting with friends. We'll also be saluting our Queens-based friend Eddie Lozano before he heads to Bolivia for the Presidential elections. But that's a story for another blog, maybe another movie...
Directions for Pio Pio here. We'll gather around 8 pm. Their number (718) 426-1010. I know it's only two days notice but, hey, that's long-term planning for Peruvian events.

Presentations at South American Explorers

Still in New York. Contemplating whether I'll have room in my bag after all for insulated bag of bagels, lox and/or pizza. But I digress. Day after arriving I give a presentation at South American Explorers. Here's Explorers's blurb:

July 6th

Documentary Soy Andina
Dance is the main narrator in Soy Andina, a film exploring cross roads of intercultural exchange ,by medium of traditional and contemporary dance throughout Peru www.soyandina.com. Scheduled to release in the United States late summer 2005, join SAE with Director Mitch Teplitsky for a preview of the film not yet available to the general public. Following this screening will include a question and answer forum with the director himself. This Presentation will be in English. See you there, 7pm sharp!

July 13th
Habana, Cuba’s, 4th Annual International Congress on Art and Culture
Learn more about Cuba’s, 4th Annual International Congress of Art and Culture www.cultydes.cult.cu through the eyes of participant Carlo Brescia. Editor of Huaraz based Art & Culture magazine Peripheria, Carlo participated in this years forum representing his development projects in Peru which such as the Magazine, as well as future projects which include research & restoration of the Pan American Highway and a Pre Columbian instrument Museum in Huaraz. This presentation will be in English with first come first serve Mojitos! See you at 7pm sharp!

July 20th
Intro to Latin American Dance- Cumbia, Merengue and Salsa!
Latin American culture is filled with music and dance. Why not learn the basics steps to these invaluable and varied dance forms such as Cumbia, Meregue, and Salsa while living or traveling in South America! Join us at the club for this fabulous introductory class with dance teacher well known throughout the Lima expat community. This class will be in English and Spanish. Don’t miss it! See you on the dance floor, 7pm sharp!