Oh my God, the Gringa runs….for fun!!!

So basically attempting to run here is a huge ordeal. Thus far I have run three times, every time becoming more absurdly unproductive than the last. First of all, everyone I pass asks me if I’m exercising. What else would I be doing?!? It’s not like I’m running by decked out in my Sunday best. Frequently these oh-so-friendly folk also invite me in for a meal, apparently forgetting that I just told them I was exercising. Until today I had managed to dodge these invitations with ridiculous refusals such as, “I can’t I’m breathing hard” or “I’m coming back.” The latter excuse has worked quite well until today when, on my way back, one of my not-so-spry aunts emerged from behind some bushes and started sprinting after me yelling at me to get in her house and eat some breakfast. Clearly I had no option so I told her I could only stay for un ratito no más. Unfortunately, the ratito turned into about 30 minutes and included the consumption of a huge bowl of coffee—I hate coffee—and a plate of pork, bread and yucca. Being vegetarian, I at least was able to avoid the pork. During our “conversation”, which was entirely one-sided and consisted of me smiling politely and trying to pay attention while gagging down large gulps of coffee, she tried to tell me that she also runs everyday at 4:00 am. Just as I was about to leave she handed me a giant three liter bottle full of chicha (corn liquor) which obviously inhibited all hopes of continuing with my run. I ended up taking a moto-taxi (i.e. rickshaw) back to my house thus completing my entirely counter-productive workout. Furthermore, to all of the people in my town it appeared that I had indeed been running to buy the giant three liter bottle of chicha, in effect, reinforcing their belief that I am not actually exercising.