- Julio, our host dad
- Miriam, our host mom
- Daniela, our host sister
- Pablo, our host brother (our other host brother Diego is 10 days married and living down the street with his bride)
- Abuelita, our host grandmother
- Joni, one of the two housekeepers
- Miriam, a German missionary and fellow student
- Sandra, another German missionary and fellow student
- Robert, an English medical student and friend of the host family
- Joseph, Robert's brother and also friend of the host family
- Me
- Tim
- Lula the other housekeeper and her daughter Andrea, who don't actually live here but are here at least 9 hours a day
Today all but Sandra, Tim and I were gone. Joni was at school (which she attends in the afternoon) and the rest were at a funeral. When they left, Julio was sure to tell us that we were the only ones in the house. They bolted the door. I realized at that point that in the five months we've lived here, I've never known the house to be left all alone. The closest it ever comes is on Sunday morning, when a specific 3rd housekeeper comes to guard the place while everyone is at church.
Is this paranoia or wisdom? In the US, I know at least one person (unnamed to protect her valuables) who doesn't even lock her door when she leaves the house unattended. And here we are bolting the door four times when there are 3 people and 2 dogs left in a house also guarded by walls with broken glass on top.
I suppose I'm so quick to laugh because I haven't been robbed yet. More cultural tidbits to digest. After our 5 months here, I am coming to the point where I know what to expect a little more, but I definitely don't feel like I understand it.
