Experiences by Cynthia Bolton & Pat Dowd

Sis, do you remember watching "The monster from the lake" in the living room at Yaupi? Gosh, who was it that got scared, and didn't want to go to his/her room alone? Hey who else was there on that trip? I remember Yaupi was full.

Weren't the Allen's there too? And what's the name of the lady who did the palm reading in the card-room? (I remember us kids couldn't go into that room). And do you remember staying up until late one night (or were we woken up?) and hearing some "gentlemen" splashing into the pool (as prim and proper as the day they were born)? I think we weren't able to distinguish them quite well from the distance, ejem, ejem, right?

I can still see my dads face when Moira and I appeared by the car, before leaving on that trip, with a suitcase soooo big, you'd think we were going for ever. I think once in Yaupi, we changed every hour and a half just to prove that everything we had taken was absolutely necessary!!! Yup, greatest of times.

Pat

Patricia,

If I remember all our dads were in the " buff" swimming in the pool. Our Moms were so protective of keeping the kids in the rooms. I t was " The Monster from the Black Lagoon" or "The Mummy" everyone got scared. The Allens were there and so were the Lesothos. Pauline was a graceful diver and her brother which I can't remember his name right now was in my class!!!!!! Who did the palm reading????? I have no idea.?????

talk to me. Sis

Cynthia

Experiences by Cynthia Bolton

Hey Pat,

I have memories of that funicular as well. What an adventure those trips were...... Nothing so sophisticated and extravagant could be as much fun as this was. The trips alone were great. Each time I went I was a little older and we approached the same things differently. Even though the entire place was small and did not change much year to year to year it was always magical.!!!!

The big kids ate at one table the little kids at another. Exploring the the town and the trails with the amazing butterflies and bugs was great. Another trips highlights was the funicular and the oroya. Yet another was when I went with the Oroya Youth Club. I beat Beverly Hannah and Patty Allen at swimming in (3) different races, and nobody thought that I could beat the other two. Boy ... did I show them. So what was my big winnings? Tres chocolates "Sublimes".

How about all those 28 de Julio celebrations and the kids from the town came parading with lanterns. And one more memory, what about when Gabriel was hooked on Cat Stevens "Tea for a Tillerman" and played my tape player over and over again. I'm surprised the tape did not wear out. Well anyway I know our parents had as equal or even more fun. Those days were blissful, especially looking back at them today.

I am so glad I have the memories.

Experiences by Laura Dowd

Hey Pat,

My earliest recollections:

The sparkling blue skies, ice cold air, sound of gravel under my feet, the sight of pots with water placed in front of the electrical heaters in each room that kept the air more humid, the unending trickling river running along the Mayupampa neighbourhood, friendly names such as Mrs. Oxley, the Bosshardts, the Allens, the Boltons, the Frazers... cute rhymes such as:

"Gringa Machichi

Hazte tu pichi

En tu pichichi"

Oatmeal for breakfast but "first" have your orange juice if not it makes your tummy go sour, coming from Lima a day must go by without moving too suddenly or running because of the height and the "soroche", the smell of tar, the crisp fresh air, the Beatles on the record player, the bowling and movies, uptown and downtown, my tricicle with an extra seat to take my sister, the street sales of lemonade, the heaters on the floor in the dining room that were terribly dangerous, the super events like Halloween and Christmas which made the world bloom...

Oooops! I must grow up for a while - my "now" world is asking for dinner and I have to give myself a minute to call upon my memory for more of these recollects...

so bye for now...

Experiences by Pat Dowd I

I was impressed at reading Sylvia's experience in Cerro, because I too lived in "la sierra", in La Oroya from 1958 till 1967. I too knew Mrs. Oxley, who by the time I started school (1963) was already Principal of La Oroya High School. She lived only 5 houses away from mine in Mayupampa (Oroya was divided into neighbourhoods, Mayupampa was one and the closest to school).
Sylvia is right when she says that our childhood's were special. I have very vivid memories of going mountain climbing, of stream hiking to find the beginning of the stream (which we never found), or go horseback riding in Casaracra on Saturdays.

I grew up with no TV, nor any need of it. I had the Mantaro (the river that crossed La Oroya) and the mountains and tons of friends to enjoy them with.

I have a special place for Christmas season memories, when Mr. Muir would come right into our house (we never locked doors) shouting "Merry Christmas to all!!" and just leave his present under our tree. And then on the week before Christmas Eve we'd all go carolling around the camp on the back of a truck at night when it got quite cold. I do regret never having been able to be part of the Bell Choir, organized by Mrs. Nuckolls (not sure of spelling).

Bonnie, there is much more I could say about Oroya, if you are interested, please e-mail me. I would like to get in touch with Sylvia, because although I didn't know her, I'm sure we must have more known people in common.

Thanks, 

Pat Dowd