September 19, 2004
We took our families from El Milagro on another fieldtrip today. It is so great to see them relax and have a good time. We went to a club (of a sort) that had a playground and pool. I was exhausted by the time I got home.
September 18, 2004
I just spent the last week in Lima with all of my volunteer buddies at our Reconnect. It was a time for us to share experiences and enjoy the big city. Our days were filled with activity and we even met with the Ambassador to share our adventures. My return to Trujillo was tough, but things are definitely going to be ok. I realize how lucky I am to have a counterpart that treats me not only as a respected employee but as a friend and I have a host family that genuinely cares about me and my well-being. Everything else will come with time and I know I have to be patient.
September 10, 2004
I got up this morning around my usual 9:00 am, and then headed to El Milagro for my English class. It was a fun time. The kids really seem to enjoy the class. I think they especially like having their personal work book and the fact that I give stickers to those who participates helps too. After work, I went to the gym and then to the grocery store.
September 8, 2004
I ran with a group from my neighborhood this morning. I had to get out of bed at 6:00; extremely early for the schedule I have been living lately. It was a good run, about 30 minutes. They told me it would be dangerous to run alone, so I guess if I make a habit out of this, I will always have to take someone with me.
I headed to El Milagro around 10:00, hung out with the kids there and helped them with their homework. They love to just sit around and ask me questions about life in the states. I did a home visit with one of my coworkers to visit a small store the family has opened.
I started an adult English class this evening. I had 4 participants and I think it was a good first class. Even a ‘Señora’ came to the class. She was the mother of one of the guys I played basketball with on Sunday. We mostly had a conversation class where we talked about ourselves and I wrote new vocabulary on the board. Hopefully, this will be a weekly thing.
September 7, 2004
I went to Huanchaco (the beach) today to see about a group home that is interested in having a Peace Corps Volunteer. The home is located right on the beach! It is in a wonderful setting, the director seemed super nice and energetic, and they certainly have some things that a PCV could do.
I met with my site-mate and we headed to Trujillo to run errands and just chill for the afternoon. We met a really cool lady that runs an arts store just off the Plaza. She spoke great English because she had lived in the USA as a child. She had some really strong opinions about our presidency and her own country. It was an enlightening conversation. I will definitely have to return to her shop to chat.
September 5, 2004
I played full court, 5 on 5 basketball today. It was wonderful! One of my friends from the gym invited me to their usual Sunday afternoon game and I had a great time. We played for over two hours. I was so surprised to find an organized game like this here and these people could really play. It was so great. So, after the game, they asked me if I could teach them English. Situations like this usually make me nervous, because I feel like people want to use me for my ‘English-teaching’ abilities. They have all studied English and most of them are still in the University here. They want a serious class with conversation practice. Our first class is Wednesday, we will see.
August 30, 2004
Today is a holiday for Santa Rosa here in Peru. It seems they have a day off every couple of weeks – I am not complaining, means I get a day off too. Holidays like today are when everything is closed and everyone just hangs out at home. Days like today make me pensive and somewhat homesick. It’s probably because there’s little for me to do or go see. It has taken me a while to get used to ‘having little to do’. In fact, I am not quite sure I am used to it at all. It seems to make me think of times of past and of home. Last night, I described college life for American young adults to my host brother. I told of dorm life, intramural sports, clubs, the social life, and just being around so many people your age with your common interests. He was amazed at the liberty we are free to experience at this time in our lives. To a Peruvian, the freedom to live away from your parents, come and go as you please, work if you choose to, cook your own meals, and have your own friends is a way of life that is unheard of for a person of 18-23 years. It made me very proud to have had this opportunity; yet aware of the dangers we expose our youth to at such a young age. I realize now that I learned so much during my time in college. College is so much more than what you learn in class. Granted, I believe I am probably learning more now during this experience as a volunteer, but nonetheless, the furtherance of my education has helped formed me into the person I see today.
Another topic that has been on my mind today is a remark I have heard here about Americans in general. In two days, I have heard twice from two different people, that Americans respect each other. I have never thought about this concept before. Merely because I take it for granted, I think. We respect individuals as individuals, we respect other people’s property, and we respect each other’s rights as citizens of the USA. We simply RESPECT. I have so much pride in our culture. This type of respect here in this country really doesn’t exist. That is a strong statement. Maybe it would be best written -- the level of respect here is much lower. The crime rate is extremely high, the majority of all politicians are corrupt, and strangers show little/no consideration for each other.
August 29, 2004
I received my replacement cell phone and bank card today. I am still waiting on my ID. I continue to have a great distrust for the taxis here. To be safe, I carry very little money, nothing of value, and always put everything under my jacket. Those purses I brought from the states will never get used, looks like. I feel like I am constantly looking over my shoulder to make sure I am safe. I wonder if this feeling goes away here. With so many people telling me to be careful, to make sure I don’t walk where there a few people, and to avoid certain corners/streets it seems they, too, are always on guard. What a distressing way to live.
August 28, 2004
We had our monthly birthday party for the kids in El Milagro today. Around 80 kids showed up to enjoy the dancing, games, and birthday cake. It is always chaotic when you get that many kids in such a confined space. We had kids crying, fighting, and just making a mess of things. One thing that I have realized about most of the kids in our program is that they have little-to-no discipline. In USA Southern speak -- “they don’t mind”. It really doesn’t matter what I say or for that matter, what anyone says, they are going to do as they please. This can be very frustrating, especially when they also have sticky fingers. So if they aren’t getting into trouble, be on the lookout, they are probably looking for something to stick in their pockets to take home with them.
I came home for lunch and watched some of the Olympics with my mom and sister. I wish I could have seen more of the Games. I just love watching them.
After lunch, I decided to head to Huanchaco (the beach) since it was such a pretty day. The sun was actually shining! I took the bus and was immediately asked by the man sitting beside me if I was a tourist on my way to see the ruins. I gave my usual spiel about Peace Corps and YMCA. He went on to tell me that he and his wife had lived in the states and both taught English. He also said that his wife had some English material that she didn’t need and was looking for somewhere to donate it. I, of course, could use it. He was a very distinguished looking man, but as usual, I was on guard. It was daylight, he seemed sincere, and his house was right on the beach. I waited outside on the front porch with his mother-in-law, while he went in for the materials. It wasn’t long before his wife and daughters came to the porch to also meet me. I ended up staying and chatting with the family for over two hours. Just goes to show, I never know what/who I will encounter here.
August 27, 2004
On my way to El Milagro today, I watched the trash truck as it strolled through my neighborhood. It’s such a terrible job. The men have clothes tied over their faces to alleviate the smell. What I didn’t realize is that they unbag all the garbage as it is put on the truck. So, you have around 4 men just standing on top of this pile of garbage, emptying bags, as the people of the neighborhood deliver their household trash to the truck. I just couldn’t stop thinking how incredibly filthy their work is.
My English class went well. I only had 5 students, but they were an attentive group. We sang, “head, shoulders, knees, and toes” to go along with our “body parts” lesson.
As I pass my days here in Trujillo, at times I find myself wondering, “Do things seem normal to me here because it’s not that different from the US or am I simply adjusting to my new life?” I think it is the latter and that makes me glad. My visit home was good for my soul and made me once again appreciate my role here as a volunteer. I feel so much more settled here now. I feel so safe and comfortable in my home. My family treats me like a family member and I am making new friends everyday.
August 25, 2004
A group of 30 Italian volunteers visited our center in El Milagro today. The kids kept telling me that I had a twin in the group. She was blonde and that was the extent of our likeness, but to them we were twins. They were interested in seeing the landfill and to know about our work with the families that work there. I impressed them with my two-year commitment to El Milagro. They are only here for 6 weeks.
My counterpart and I talked about what we are going to do with the new youth group. The kids are interested in topics such as drugs, alcohol, sexuality, leadership, and sports. I thought their choice of topics were extremely liberal-minded. My counterpart even discussed providing them with birth control options. I hope to do more Niyelo activities and also organize a Taebo class with them.
My English Class went well; we did a coloring sheet about colors and sang a song.
I went to the gym and did the pilates class then the Taebo class. Made it home by 10:00, went to Internet, now I am busy watching a DVD.
August 23, 2004
I slept till noon, ate lunch with the family, and then just hung out in my room all afternoon. I am feeling more comfortable here. I was ok to just to chill and not feel the need to be busy, to keep my mind from making me homesick and sad. I want this to feel like home and it is beginning to be just that.
My site mate and I went with my family to visit their other house near the plaza. My dad keeps saying that we are going to move, but I really don’t think it is going to happen. He explained that he didn’t want me to pay rent that I was part of the family now, and rent wasn’t necessary. He also told me if I ever needed anything to just ask and act as if their home is my home. He wants me to tell my family that I am in good hands. I am so lucky to have found them.
August 22, 2004
I slept till noon and had lunch with my family. I tried to pay my rent, but they wouldn’t take it. They just thanked me for the gifts I brought back for them from home. So, for 2 months I have enjoyed a very comfortable place to live, food, companionship, personal tour guides, and I have paid absolutely nothing for it. All they say is don’t worry about it. So, I told them I wasn’t going to worry then. I guess they will let me know if/when I need to pay.
August 21, 2004
I got up this morning and finally unpacked my bags. I brought 85 pounds of stuff from the states to enjoy here! I now have too many clothes, lots of peanut butter & jelly, and flavored coffee creamer. My favorite is the worn-in t-shirt sheets (that smell like fabric softener) that I just put on my bed.
The youth group started out great! We had about 10 teens show up. We did 2 Niyelo activities that I led. It is so interesting that kids everywhere are just kids. The same issues that arose when I did these activities in my previous job showed up in today’s activities. Natural leaders become evident early, there is always someone who acts out for attention, and they often don’t realize the importance of non-verbal communication.
One of my favorite kids, I call him Charlie because he wanted an ‘English’ name, came by the center. He had just finished working for the day. He has his own business at the ripe, old age of 11. A super-intelligent kid, he is always challenging me and keeping me on my toes. He rents flip-flops and skirts to the women who visit the jail of El Milagro. There is a regulation that women can only enter the jail in skirt and sandals for ‘security’ reasons. Many women arrive and aren’t aware of this rule. For one sol, these women can rent Charlie’s flip-flops or skirts by the hour. Charlie is a wealth of information about the comings/goings of the jail. He knows when and who visits, including the police and inmate ‘girlfriends’. Sadly, many women of El Milagro support their families by prostituting. Charlie is so much older than his 11 years.
I met a friend at the gym and we went to her friend’s house. What I thought I was going to be a party was actually a meeting for a group of catholic missionaries. This group is forming to travel to the poorer areas of Trujillo. They welcomed me warmly and discussed plans for their group. We sang religious songs, said the Lord’s Prayer, and practiced their English. I then discovered that her friend was actually the priest of their church. He didn’t wear a priest’s clothes but was in normal attire. We joked and laughed until well after midnight. It was a good experience for me. Growing up Southern Baptist in a small, rural area of the USA, I recognize I have developed an incorrect stereotypical image of Catholicism. I realize that this group of people that I find myself lucky to have as new friends, love the Lord, praise Him, and welcome all into their fold. It was unimportant that I am Baptist, they were happy to have me in their midst.
The world is so small! One of the guys actually knows one of my volunteer friends in Cajamarca. He had heard about Peace Corps through the agency where my fellow volunteer is currently working. He is a psychologist here in Trujillo and works with drug addicts and abandoned children. We discussed the idea of a volunteer being placed in his agency. It is crazy to think, that at 1:00 in the morning when I was just thanking my lucky stars that I have finally found some friends here in this crazy country, I can actually consider this hanging out and socializing as my work as a volunteer. Where else in the world can you find a job like this? No where, I tell you!
August 20, 2004
I returned to El Milagro this morning. It was like I had never left. The kids didn’t even mention that I had been gone. We picked up right where we had left off. What a relief, I had this trepidation that they would think I had returned to the USA to never return to Peru. I showed off my new photos from my trip home and recounted my adventures and my misfortunes in Lima.
In the afternoon, I met my co-worker at the YMCA office to plan a youth group. We are going to start a group for teenagers in El Milagro. Our first activity is tomorrow afternoon. I am in charge of 2 activities.
I went to the gym after my meeting. I did the spinning class, then Taebo. I made plans with a friend to go out with her and her friends tomorrow night.
August 19, 2004
I made it to Trujillo around 7:00 am this morning. My host brother was waiting for me. We made it home for breakfast with the family. I slept the rest of the day away. Not sure if it was from being tired from my journey or just exhausted from a week of emotional situations. I hung out with my site mate so we could catch up; then we went to the movies to see Will Smith’s, I, Robot. Even my taste in movies is changing here in Peru, before I would never have been able to watch something that scary. It was pretty good.
I find that I have an intense fear of taking taxies -- probably not unfounded. I made it home in one piece with all my possessions intact. Thank goodness!
August 18, 2004
I had a medical check-up this morning. I have had some weird feet swelling going on… not sure about that one. The PCMO checked my vitals, my urine, and my blood and really couldn’t find anything, except that my cholesterol is HIGH again. That would probably be because I no longer take my medicine. Guess I have to start taking it again.
I spent the rest of the morning trying to replace my stolen articles: my Peace Corps ID card, my cell phone, my money, and my bank cards. Thankfully, my passport and driver’s license was safely in the office safe.
I have been staying with an Embassy lady and she is so sweet. She has been so supportive and generous. I have enjoyed her food, TV, and hot water. I spent the entire afternoon on the couch, catching up on Young and the Restless, chatting on IM, and reading.
I am nervous about returning to my site. I am heading to Trujillo tonight at 10:15 pm.
August 17, 2004
I’m back in Lima. It wasn’t as much of a shock or as hard as I thought it would be to return to Peru. I think because my trip home helped me see once again, that for now, my life is here. This is what I am supposed to be doing, that I am sure of.
I met up with some other volunteers who are here in Lima for an arts exhibit at the Embassy. They have brought in their Peruvian counterparts and their artwork to sell to Embassy employees. We met for dinner at a nice place in Miraflores. On the way home, in our taxi, we were robbed at gun-point! The taxi driver pulled out a pistol and demanded our things. Thank goodness, we were unharmed, just scared and abandoned. We had to walk about 15 minutes to the house where we were staying; we called PC and they escorted us to the police station to make a report.
What I find extremely ironic is that I happen to live in an unsafe area of Trujillo, I definitely work in the most dangerous area of Trujillo, and I go to Lima and dine/stay in the nicest area of town and I get robbed.
August 16, 2004
This last week at home in picturesque, summer-time Georgia has been a whirlwind of activity.
I have visited, shopped, and simply enjoyed my little piece of America to my heart’s content. I got a pedicure and manicure; walked around Wal-Mart for hours; tried out the homemade rope swing on Lake Chatuge; at Mexican food twice; watched MTV, HGTV, and TLC (all my favorites); downloaded current music; shopped in Old Navy and Bath & Body Works; took a glorious bath with the latest Nora Robert’s smut book in hand; ate fresh veggies and burgers with Mom on her new front porch; drove around on Grandmama’s farm, just appreciating the greenery, the beauty of the Northeast Georgia mountains; ate gravy & biscuits and black eyed peas at my aunts’ houses; drove over Unicoi Gap with my windows rolled down and my tunes up loud.
God Bless the USA.
August 10, 2004
Mom and my brother picked me up from the airport in Atlanta. How great it is to see them! I’m in the states – where efficiency is expected and attained. I am normal, I blend in to the surroundings, and my bunny suit has been abandoned in Trujillo. We stopped for breakfast at Shoney’s. I am craving meat -- lots of it. I find the over-stuffed breakfast bar hurts my heart. The food on our table alone would find my kiddies in El Milagro for weeks to come. We as Americans are accustomed to things in excess, ‘all you can eat’ breakfast bars, ‘super-sized’ meals, ‘bottomless’ refills, ‘economy’ sized products, I could go on and on I guess.
I drove us to Helen, Georgia; not bad for 6 months without driving a vehicle. We arrived home around noon; just time enough to shower and dress for Papa’s funeral. I struggled to find something to wear. Peru has agreed with me, in the form of 10 extra pounds.
I struggled to suppress my guilty feelings as Mom recounted the events of the last couple of days. Papa’s peaceful and beautiful passing – everybody was there except me.
The funeral was difficult, harder than I thought it would be. I was glad to be there for Mom.
August 9, 2004
I am making flight arrangements to get to Georgia. It is outrageously expensive -- $1500. My flight is at midnight. That means I have to chill in Lima for the day. Thankfully, two other volunteers are here for medical reasons, so we went to Jockey Plaza for lunch and a little ‘looking around’.
I showered at the PCMO’s house, had dinner, and took a taxi to the airport. This is too much. I hate all this traveling and waiting around. I just want to be ‘beamed’ home.
I was upgraded to first class. Champagne, anyone? Flying in comfort is great, but it is still impossible to get a good night’s sleep in a plane seat.
