Mis hermanos no tienen límites/ My brothers are without boundaries

Peruvians are a lot of things, but they are not politically correct. They will say that they believe themselves open minded and respectful of all cultures and statuses. But then they will turn around and call their chubby sister "gordita" (little fat one) or their korean friend "chino" (chinese) or their husband "feo" (ugly). You ask them why and they will tell you "it's an endearing term" or "it's what we all have always called him."

Chicha Morada: a peruvian drink made of purple corn.

Negrita: little black woman.

Chicha Morada Negrita: a storebought brand of chicha morada (note the very steriotyped black woman on the package).

So when we went to a restaurant last night and this is what the menu said...

Negrita.......................................S/. 3

Josue: Oh look, this menu says that for just 3 soles you can order yourself a negrita. Anyone want a slave woman to wash their dishes, take out their trash, and do other household chores?

Me: did he just say what I think he said?

Unfortunately, yes, he did. However he is Afro Peruvian meaning his purpose in saying that was not to show disrespect to the tragic history of slavery in Peru. Rather, he was enjoying the horrified expressions on our faces as he opened up a realm of dark humor to us which we can never enter.

I was talking to a colleague's wife when I heard even more of Josue's doings:

Me: So last night I was hanging out with Nadia, Josue’s girlfriend.

Annie: Josue has a girlfriend?

Me: Yeah, she is really nice, don’t know what she is thinking. AND she is about 5 years older than him. He likes older women aparently.

Annie: Oh I know that already…

Me: What do you mean?

Annie: Well…its kind of embarrassing.

Me: do tell.

Annie: Well, on Sundays I will be standing next to my husband and four children and Josue will be up on stage playing his bass during worship. On occasion, I'll be looking up front and occasionally I will catch his eye and he does this:

(below is the look she demonstrated for me along with a short head lift)

Annie: What on earth is he thinking? I could be his mother, Eden!

I think he would be much more annoying to me except that he really reminds me of my real older brother, who loves pushing and destroying boundaries in similar ways for humor's sake.