October 17, 2004
I took a trip to Huanchaco Beach today. I have to admit I am pretty lucky to be so close to the ocean, the 20 minute combi ride is nothing. At first glace, Huanchaco doesn’t seem like much of a beach town. It’s like most of Trujillo with contamination, pollution, and trash. If you take a second look, chill out on the pier or in a restaurant, its other beauties become much more apparent. It has a lazy, tranquil ambiance that kind of just begins to seep into your soul. The sunsets are magnificent and the local fishermen astride their long straw boats help you appreciate what’s left of the ancient seaside culture. It makes me want to transform myself into a jewelry-making hippie, dreds, flowy skirts, dark tans, and all. I want to learn to surf, paint seascapes, eat ceviche every meal, run along the coast line in the mornings, and get to know the locals. My purpose for the visit was to find a place for my entire training group to gather for Thanksgiving. After a grueling 6 hours of searching, I feel like we have some real prospects for a great vacation spot. I have to find a way to make this charming, little beach town a part of my ‘official’ job!
October 12, 2004
My English class was awesome today! I held both a morning and afternoon class which is amazing in itself. In the afternoon, hordes of kids crowded around my table to practice “My name is… and I can…” The only way I could keep them from killing me and/or each other was to promise a game outside after the class.
At a loss for what to play I quickly surveyed my surroundings and I spotted a long, knotted rope in the corner of the filing cabinet. Jump Rope! I corralled the kids to the basketball court and tried to explain the joys of jumping rope. Having never seen or heard of this form of entertainment, it took me 10 full minutes just to explain the jist of the activity. After one good example from a girl who successfully jumped 4 times over the rope everyone was excited to get their turn; which quickly turned into a lesson of “one at a time” and “boy, girl, boy, girl.”
Around 6:00, we were signaled by my counterpart to head back inside. I promised the group a cookie and soda if they entered the building, washed their hands, and took a seat at the table. When I entered the Center and they were all relatively clean and seated quietly at the table, I could’ve kissed them everyone. They looked so sweet and innocent, patiently waiting their treat. I love my job.
October 11, 2004
Today I met, along with my site mate, with a representative from JICA, the Japanese government’s form of Peace Corps. Peace Corps coordinated his visit to Trujillo because Japan is interested in starting a volunteer program here and Japan wanted to have a ‘real’ look at life as a volunteer. I have to admit I was a little honored to be put in such a position to help influence (in a small way) the launch of another volunteer organization, especially from a country as impressive as Japan. He traveled in a striking SUV, with a chauffer, and accompanied by a body guard. Driving such a nice rig around Peru, you would need the protection I am sure! We ventured first to El Milagro where I explained my work and showed him our Center.
We dared to visit the landfill for a first hand view of the destitution of our program’s families. I have to admit that this visit (my second one to date) was even more moving than the first. I was once more astounded at such the level of poverty where families dredge through waste, personal and hospital, to survive. I noticed an entire new community of ranchos (tiny plastic houses) in the distance. To think that families are still leaving from the rural communities and mountains of Peru with dreams of a better life, to arrive here in El Milagro to live and work in a dump.
We ended our tour in Winchanzao where my site mate greeted our guest with a great welcome sign, explained her job responsibilities, and showed off her Youth Center.
Our visit was interesting and educating, as well as entertaining. A comment made by the representative struck me as extremely amusing. He said, “It seems that you have to be very flexible as a volunteer.” A couple of years ago, flexible would not have been a word I would have used to describe myself and I doubt my friends and family would have thought so either. In fact, inflexible would have been more appropriate. Today I see a new open me immerging from my previous unbendable shell and I like it.
October 10, 2004
I find that I am definitely slacking in my journaling. I think the reason is maybe because the days run together or I may simply be unmotivated. I will give myself a pep talk about the importance of actually putting events and thoughts in writing, especially for the obvious stress release/soul soothing it provides. I need all I can get!
I had a friend visit from the states this week. It was fantastic to actually have someone who knows me here, to see my work, meet my family and friends, try typical dishes, and marvel with me at the acts and cultural norms of Peru.
We visited Casagrande, the town about an hour away where my host dad works. It’s a small bustling town, home of the largest sugar factory. For a second, on the ride into town, I felt like I was in South Georgia with the huge shade tree lined roads and flat green fields. That thought quickly vanished and I remembered I was in the desert when I experienced my first dust storm just off the main plaza. We had a personal tour of the factory, which proved to be a workman’s comp nightmare. What an adventure! We scaled the towers of the plant to get a bird’s eye view of the sugar cane crushers/extractors. We cat walked over the huge pools of molasses and were warned to tread slowly and carefully – there’s no pulling you out of that stuff if you fall.
We ventured around Lima and to the beach for souvenir shopping where we bought beautiful paintings so cheap it almost made me feel guilty actually paying the artist, amazing tapestries so incredibly colorful, and miniature typical Peruvian boats.
I feel as if I have had a week of vacation! Now it’s all back to work.
September 25, 2004
Running is great. So far, so good. We are developing a routine and my body is getting used to getting up at 7:30 every morning. I went to El Milagro at noon today for my first ‘sports’ class. I took my Frisbee as back-up. Only 5 kids came to my class, but it was fun anyway. We played basketball. We worked on passes and lay-ups. The kids don’t really want to allow for everyone’s turn. We have to work on that.
A very interesting thing happened right before I was to leave for lunch. A bunch of young guys borrowed our soccer ball for game. The ball got away from them and went into the highway and was run over by a big truck. My counterpart told the guys they had to pay for the ruined ball. She demanded $60 from the guys and that they had only an hour to get it to the center or she was talking to the police. I really thought this was inappropriate for a couple of reasons: one, it was an accident; it was nobody’s fault and two, the guys don’t have that kind of money. My counterpart knows that.
I shopped for a dog this afternoon with my brother. I am seriously considering getting a little companion. I am just wanting for the perfect pooch to come along.
September 20, 2004
I got up this morning at 7:30 to go run with my brother. We run in the industrial park that is close to where we live. It is a pretty gross area of town, with trash everywhere and lots of pollution, but there is pavement. This is something short of amazement, since most of the roads here are pure sand. Hopefully, we will make this a habit.
I cleaned my room, did some laundry, and then ate lunch with the family. At 4:30 I went to our weekly work meeting. Mostly, we just sat and chatted -- I even enjoyed it. I didn’t even feel like we were wasting time, but actually socializing and building relationships. My coworkers are sweethearts; we are all going to go out on Thursday night. It is YMCA of Trujillo’s 12th anniversary.
After the meeting, I headed to internet. Now I am at home. Supper was an apple, a can of tuna, handful of raisins, and a cup of decaf coffee. Yummy!
