As we have begun to seek out an understanding of our life in Peru, I find myself so often looking for the familiar, for similarities, or exact replicas at times, of that which I knew in Fresno, our home town. I have been amazed at how many similarities there are between the area of and surrounding Piura to that of Fresno. Lately, this has included much of the plant life here. Following are a few that I have noted in the past few days:
The Boganvilla
This one grows in our back courtyard. Finally, after wanting one for so many years, this is growing well! I had the same color one a few years back in Fresno, but it never took a liking to its location and died eventually.
The Cape Honeysuckle
I just found this honeysuckle at the local "Home Depot" (called Sodimac here) last week. So excited! When Melissa and I purchased our first home on Kerckhoff in Fresno, it came with a cape honeysuckle, which got moved several times over the years, and ended up finally in our yard on Alta at our house there. Love those bright orange flowers!
The ?
I know that over the years, we had multiple variations of this house plant in our homes, but here in Peru, it is an outdoor plant (as is true for many such plants here).
The Pomegranate
My parents have the full-size version of this fruit, but these minature versions grow both here in the area of Paita, near the coast, and also in the landscaping at Fresno Pacific University, there behind the library off of Hamilton Avenue. I like these bushes, and it was wonderful to see one here yesterday.
The Annual Flowers
Again not sure what this one is called, but my father-in-law Tom could probably tell me. Every year, since marrying my beautiful wife Melissa, these have been replanted in his yard. Here, near the ocean, though, the colors just pop!
I could keep going on this list, since there are many more. The oleander bushes I am sitting next to here while writing this blog remind me of the many miles of Fwy 99, where this bush is planted in the median. The ficus trees that I have always tried to keep in our house, with the leaves on, that grow into full-blown outdoor trees here in this climate. The grape vine in our back courtyard that reminds me of the miles of rows of raisins in late summer we see around Fresno. And so many more.
It is good for me to find the similarities of this place called Peru. It gives my mind a connection of some sort, a relationship between what was home and what now is becoming home. I do miss these plants in their former context often, but as time goes on, seeing them here gives me some kind of comfort, that all has not fully changed, that all is not truly different. And it is good to see this, these glimpses I believe given by our great and wonderful God above, showing us that He loves and cares for us, for me!
Take care friends, and may you see the similarities in your surroundings!
Lowell
