Chapter 7: Olivia’s Performance at the University of Trujillo

Early in the morning, the phone rang in my room. Heidy asked if she could come and cuddle with me. She hadn’t understood me, or just didn’t want to accept my words. We agreed to meet in the foyer in about 30 minutes. Like father and daughter, we sat overlooking the pool and had a small breakfast. I told her again that love or sex with the younger girls was out of the question for me, after she had asked me with pleading eyes to show her the ‘fire of love’. All the girls who were partnered with me would talk about it.

“Heidy, your English is still so bad. Who told you that and in what language?”

She spoke to me haltingly in English. She said she could understand me quite well, but she still found it very difficult to speak. She practised English every minute of her free time with Ananda and Sula, and Zarina and Babette had also helped her. Mrs Liebknecht also gave her special homework, which Heidy always did before her regular homework. “Luisa helps me too. When I help her, I get a strong Coca tea and we talk.”

Once again, I realised that I was no longer in control of everything. But that wasn’t necessary as long as we all pulled together. Since the arrival of the eleven new girls and the mountain dwellers, many things had happened without me knowing or noticing. I had to smile. “That’s a good thing,” I whispered to myself.

Heidy looked at me questioningly. Smiling, I stroked her forearm. “Heidy, I like you a lot. Your learning English is great. Your progress is amazing. And one more thing, I’m sure you’re going to be a really good mum.”

Heidy was visibly embarrassed. The praise did her good, but it also made her feel insecure. She saw herself much more critically. But the conversation was worth it for both of us. We looked into each other’s eyes and were happy with the start of the day.

Soon, the other young women joined us. We joked and enjoyed the perfect breakfast. Everyone learnt the meaning of scrambled eggs and had them prepared individually by the chef. We enjoyed the quiet morning. I explained the rules for the public performance at the university. Olivia was to perform alone. I only wanted to help in case of an emergency. Zarina and the two pregnant women, Fahsai and Heidy, were to stay discreetly in the background.

Suddenly, I had a completely different idea. I could take the three young ladies to the beach, like Sula and Babette did recently. They would have a good few hours and would be well looked after. The porter beamed when I asked about his relative at the ‘Huanchaco Paradise beach restaurant’. On our first visit, his relative had told his uncle that he had been well paid and had had free food all day. It had been one of the best days of his life because the two young ladies had also been very nice to him. He would like to take care of the three young ladies today. The porter asked me to give his nephew a ride from the hotel because he had lost his job there.

The young women were delighted with my suggestion. Zarina and Heidy wanted to bathe, but Fahsai definitely didn’t, and not just because she was pregnant. Her Islamic upbringing had long been at odds with her behaviour, especially her out-of-wedlock pregnancy. She had internal conflicts, but she had to find her own way. She had found it in the valley, but out in the open it seemed to be a different matter altogether.

We checked out of the hotel around 8 a.m. Alvaro, the concierge’s nephew, was waiting outside the hotel entrance. He cheerfully greeted his three guests. Then he saw Olivia, once again wearing her yellow dress and green cross. Her hair was adorned with a headdress of red and blue dyed alpaca hair. Alvaro was not so fascinated by her. He later confessed to me that many of the local mestizos were afraid that Olivia would bring unrest back to the country. I was very grateful for this information, as we still had to prepare the speech that our dear Peruvian was to give today to present the first gift from the Incas.

Early in the morning, the weather was not good for swimming. A cool wind blew sand and rubbish across the beach. Nevertheless, the nature here was particularly beautiful and we enjoyed it. Zarina was also very exuberant this time. She teased Fahsai, ran after Heidy, and threw stones into the water. She glanced furtively at Alvaro several times. Had she caught a glimpse of him? Smiling, I watched her from the front table where I had sat with Olivia. We didn’t want to get dirty and we certainly didn’t want to arrive at the university drenched in sweat, but we enjoyed the minutes on the beach.

Alvaro took my young ladies to a shop to buy beachwear and a swimsuit for Zarina and Heidy. While Olivia jotted down her ideas for handing over the precious Inca cords, I hurried into the shop to pay. Contrary to my fears, Zarina and Heidy had already finished their selection. Zarina had chosen a chic wine-red bikini with white trims. Heidy wanted to keep her belly covered and had opted for a slightly looser blue swimsuit with yellow patterns. Fahsai, on the other hand, stood dreamily in front of a mirror, throwing one hijab after another over her head. Of course, she could buy one if she really wanted to, but I thought it was unnecessary and inappropriate with her short jeans and T-shirt with the thin straps. On top of that, her belly was sticking out of her trousers, which didn’t close properly and had to be held together with a belt.

In order as not to offend her, I asked the shop assistant to bring three modern, full-length dresses that cover the whole body, as it is customary in Yemen. Fahsai tried on a dark green dress and pulled a matching hijab over her head. She twisted and turned in the mirror.

“Chic, a textbook Muslim,” I praised her.

Zarina and Heidy teased her, asking if her baby was still breathing. A little later, she decided to take these clothes off again. “I’m sorry, but I’m staying dressed like everyone else in paradise.”

Relieved, I stroked her hair. Her T-shirt already had a sweat stain on the back.

“Put it back on. You can go swimming in that dress.”

Now, I had to stop her Chinese friend and scold her briefly, but all the ladies laughed happily. Heidy laughed, too. So, she really did understand almost everything that was said in English. That made me even happier.

The seller persuaded Fahsai to buy a loose, airy beach dress. Before paying, Alvaro haggled with the seller over the price. In the end, we got a 20% discount. Another lesson learned: you can negotiate prices in Peru, even if they are marked as fixed on the product.

When Zarina came out of the changing room in her bikini, it was not only Alvaro who looked at her as if she were a wonder of the world. The sight of her also made me hold my breath for a moment. The Chinese woman had slimmed down after her second childbirth, but her breasts were oversized, which seemed to have a particularly strong effect on the men here. I looked worriedly at the gawping Peruvians, but we had to get to the university. Surely, Zarina could manage.

Regarding her speech at the university, Olivia told me that she wanted to say the first two verses of Luisa’s song in Spanish, and if necessary, in English. I did not agree. It had to be appropriate for the event and include all Peruvians. I explained to her what Alvaro was afraid of and what the woman at the hotel reception had told her. We cannot allow a confrontation with the descendants of the Spanish colonisers. In the worst case, it could lead to civil war.

“Please, Olivia, speak in a few sentences about the greatness of your people and how your culture was almost destroyed by foreign conquerors. But today is a new time. The Peruvian people are great, but they could benefit from the knowledge and culture of the Incas. Say that you have been taught the rich knowledge of healing and the use of natural means by a descendant of an Inca priestly family, and that you will soon publish this knowledge for free on the Internet, so that all the peoples of Central and South America can benefit from it. But you are still young and need help. It will probably take another year or two. Then you tell them about the golden shrine, the precious knotted cords with the knowledge of the Incas, and you hand them the two photographs. You do not know where this shrine is hidden, but you will see to it that it is made available to science for evaluation if they prove themselves worthy in evaluating today’s gift from the Incas. Then I will hand you the display case with the first set of ropes we have prepared. What do you think? Would this be, OK?”

Olivia smiled, briefly lost in thought. “That is a worthy message from our ancestors. You are so wise, Michael. The great words of the Incas and the predictions of our ancestors fit together. I will add a few sentences in Quechua so that everyone knows how serious we are. Michael, I love you.”

“Stop, Olivia. No one must see this. You are a young woman, carried by the greatness of the thoughts of your ancestors. You will marry a worthy Inca or another Peruvian. Believe me, this is the only way you will become the president of this wonderful country.”

Unfortunately, I couldn’t prevent a quick peck on my lips, but hopefully no one had seen it.

We arrived at the university campus fifteen minutes early. A uniformed officer was waiting, recognised Olivia by her clothes and waved us through. Five other photographers rushed towards us alongside Ernesto. What was all the fuss about? The handover of the first part of the Inca legacy was obviously a major event. We were quickly and unwillingly separated. A reporter had grabbed Olivia and the crowd of students around Olivia prevented me from getting to her.

A student was willing to help me. By the time he led me to our Peruvian woman with the photo folder and the glass case covered with a blanket, it was too late. Olivia was standing in front of a camera, BBC was written on the microphone, and her thoughts were pouring out. The young man translated quietly for me.

“ ... It’s about peace and prosperity for everyone in Peru. The Indios need a better life, but so does everyone else.” When asked, she replied: “Yes, I’m only 16 years old, but I felt that many Indios need someone who tells the truth, but who also helps all people in Peru should work together for a better life.”

Those around Olivia were thrilled, although few had been able to hear her answers. Olivia had seen me and stopped the interview. The English-speaking student led us to a small stage. It was actually more of a raised table with a desk and microphone on top. A senior member of the university staff and the museum director greeted us warmly. There were only three chairs, so I stood a bit away from the table. It would be better if I didn’t make an appearance anyway, I thought at that moment. I whispered to Olivia and then disappeared into the crowd, having handed the photo folder and small display case to the nice student.

There was trouble again. The rector had come to open the event. I was later told that the interview with Olivia had shown him the good intentions of his guest of honour.

Finally, Olivia spoke. She played with the students like a professional. Where had she learnt that?

“Hello, thank you for coming, but please don’t be so solemn. Who knows why I’ve come to you today? - Some do, I hear. - We have received an incredible legacy from a recently deceased descendant of an Inca priest family. She asked me to preserve the knowledge and make it available to the Inca people. Is Peru only made up of descendants of the Incas?”

Many times: “No”.

“Do you agree with me that all people in Peru should be better off?” Now came a hundredfold “Si!”

“Do you think the Incas have knowledge that you can use?”

“Si!”

Then she talked about her collection of Incan natural remedies, which she had put together with an old woman last year. A German doctor was helping her to prepare it for the Internet. “I promise you: in two years at the latest, it will be available to you on the Internet, completely free of charge”.

There was widespread agreement, even jubilation. She had the masses on her side.

“Now comes the most important thing. The Inca treasury of knowledge really exists. Unfortunately, I only have photographs. I don’t know where it is in the mountains. The guards are still keeping it secretly, but one day I will be able to make a decision. Nuria Inca Roca, the only descendant of an Inca priestly family known to me, decreed this before her death. What good is it to the people if it lies in a cave high up in the mountains? It should serve the people. Here are two photos. The shrine, I was told, is made of pure gold. The knowledge is locked in the knots of the ropes. Your scientists have a great task ahead of them.”

For the first time, applause broke out, but it was unclear why at this point. Then Olivia had the simple glass case handed to her. “These cords in here are just simple records, including accounts, but from the same time and from the same priests as the invaluable store of knowledge in the golden shrine. Today I am handing over these cords as the first part of our treasure to the University of Trujillo.”

Now she received thunderous applause.

“If you clever scholars understand and translate the message, then you are ready for the true heritage of my people. Unfortunately, we have lost the ability to read it ourselves. If your scientists can solve the mystery of the writings, the shrine will be brought to you and the Peruvian people. I am sure that this will enrich all of our lives. However, the ceremonial handover should take place in Cusco or in the grounds of Machu Picchu. That is my message.”

The applause didn’t end. The principal thanked her by shaking her hand with both hands.

“Guys, thank you. There’s a song about our people. You all know ‘Contigo Peru’?”

Mass approval.

“A poor woman, unfortunately without any schooling, rewrote this song for our people. It touched me so much that it gave me the strength to perform here today. Like most Indios, I never went to school. My mother left me to survive, but my dear grandmother taught me Quechua. Carmen, who was exploited in a household as a child, later taught me Spanish. I’m afraid I don’t have enough words, but you understood me, didn’t you?

Another “Si!” And applause.

“I have been learning English for about two years with the dictionary I was given and the help of a Kenyan girl.”

Then she continued speaking in English, her pronunciation sounded wonderful through the loudspeakers. I almost cried with pride. She was a great woman, a true president.

“I just wanted to show you that we Indios are not stupid, but we haven’t had enough of a chance so far. Help me to give everyone a chance.”

Indescribable applause. Then she shouted two sentences in Quechua to the crowd. The few Indios present shouted enthusiastically. When she began to sing, it was silent again. Inti, Ernesto’s assistant, stood at the front of the stage and raised his fist to the sky after each line, shouting “Si!”. Soon the Indios followed, then the non-Indians. Olivia sang the second verse, but I was able to stop her from continuing. The fourth verse was a declaration of war on the government and the status quo. It would have ruined the good mood.

The applause just wouldn’t stop. Two Indio students came forward, crying, and kissed the hem of Olivia’s dress. It took at least ten minutes for the crowd to begin to disperse. I quickly phoned the consul to apologise for being late. Then a mobile phone rang just behind me. Mr Schmidt had been watching and congratulated me on this unique experience. Mrs Schmidt and Joachim embraced me. They had insisted on being there for this important event.

The BBC reporters then conducted the interview with Olivia in English. She was repeatedly praised for her good English. Our ‘Mama Olivia’, as she was repeatedly called, said that she was planning to open a school for Indio girls to give them a good education, but also to teach them their rights as women. “Unfortunately, men in Peru do not treat women as they should and as the Catholic faith teaches. Indio men in particular need to change their attitudes. We women are the heart of every Indio family.”

Luckily, she stopped now. Amira and Antonio had fought their way over to us. Antonio gave Olivia a quick hug. She was pleased with his praise in Spanish. I introduced the two young Peruvians to the Schmidt family.

“Amira will be our Spanish teacher and Antonio will take over our Catholic community.”

Once again, I had astonished them. Mr Schmidt patted me on the shoulder. “Your valley will change the whole country. We are delighted. But I’m afraid I don’t have any good news about Inka. Would you please bring her to the consulate next week? She must go back to Germany.”

I smiled at him. Mrs Schmidt immediately looked interested. “That’s what I expected. When are you having her picked up?”

“What do you mean?”

“As I said, from today I am released from any obligation to look after Inka. Whoever picks her up will have to pay me the cost of caring for her for three months. If I have been informed correctly, this amounts to 618 euros per month. I am also entitled to the back payment of child benefit of 204 euros per month from April. I expect to be paid for teaching Inka maths, English, science, and sport. We found Inka in April by chance with a life-threatening illness and paid for the necessary expensive medical treatment. - Hopefully, the German government has reclaimed the child benefit from the parents for the last three years. That would be a fair compensation for our efforts.”

Mrs Schmidt laughed at her husband. “Our government will probably need something to bring Inka, who is so loved by her parents, back into their exemplary care.”

Joachim grinned and simply said that none of the girls wanted to go back, especially not Inka. “When the girl noticed that she could speak German with me, she told me her story in tears. She would rather die than return to her parents in Germany.”

“Are you all going to stab me in the back?” Even Mr Schmidt had to smile.

“Well, I informed you verbally today. You asked me to do it in writing. You don’t have a postal address. That’s why I have to send a courier to your valley. I have to get approval for the cost of the courier first. It will probably take another two or three weeks”.