August 8, 2004
Emergency at home! My grandfather just passed away. I am making preparations to leave, so I can be with my family.
After hours of searching, I finally found a bus ticket to Lima. I leave at 11:00 pm tonight. I was getting worried!
August 7, 2004
Today was the health campaign in El Milagro. I was up there all day from 9:00 this morning to 7:00 in the evening. I barely got to stop for lunch. I was the ‘pharmacist’. The families of El Milagro come to our Health Campaign to receive free doctor’s visits and free medicines. Prescription drugs are extremely easy to obtain here, you are supposed to have a prescription, but can usually walk up to any drug store and get anything you want. ACJ keeps a supply of prescription drugs on hand for the Health Campaign. It was my job to give the correct medicines to each person. It was great practice for me because I got to speak with each family, learn their names, and learn a little bit about medicine too. I was invited to church by one mother with her next weekend. The church they attend is a evangelistic church; a result of huge missionary influence in El Milagro. I look forward to attending.
After work, I met with my new friend Karla and we went to a discoteca to dance. It was my first experience with dancing in Trujillo. We had a great time! I am so glad to have a real Peruvian friend.
August 6, 2004
I tried out the step class this morning at the gym – not for me. It was too slow. Afterwards, a couple stopped me on my way out and they had the usual questions for me. Where are you from? Why are you here? After introductions, I realized that they also work at the gym and speak pretty good English. We then got into a conversation about how Peruvians are exploited in jobs abroad. They had worked for Carnival Cruises last year and barely lived to tell about it. They left Peru with the promise of good wages for a good job. They said that they were worked to death for little money. (Less than $100 a month, for 16-hour days, 7 days a week.) Then they went on to say that as Peruvians with college educations they could only work in the US or Europe as maids or laborers, not as professionals. It was a very enlightening conversation for me. They were very sincere and unobtrusive, yet very truthful. It made me almost ashamed to know that I had been on a cruise line where these very people had been exploited.
August 4, 2004
I got up early this morning and went to the 7:00 am Taebo class. Afterwards, I went with my new friend, Lourdes, to go to the English Institute of Trujillo. She takes English classes there and I was hoping to volunteer in the Conversation Club. However, the director was out of town, so we are going back on Monday. We returned to the gym and had juice with the guys at the juice bar. Everyday at 2:00 pm, children from a group home come to the gym to have Taebo class. Since this sounds like a perfect counterpart for a future volunteer, I asked my friends to show me the group home. We visited and I spoke with the Director and she was overjoyed to hear about Peace Corps and actually begged for a volunteer. I told her I would pass the information along to Lima. I finally made it to El Milagro around 11:00 where I helped some kids with a crossword puzzle race, then organized the office. I ate lunch with a friend named Carla that I had met at the gym. She speaks great English. After lunch, I checked email, and then returned home to chill for a couple of hours. At 8:00, I went back to the gym for another Taebo class. After Taebo, I went with Carla to her friend’s house where I met more people. It has been a good day.
August 3, 2004
I got up early this morning to meet the Peace Corps staff for my site visit. The purpose of the visit is to meet my family, see my work, and just make sure I am safe and healthy. My family was so great! They talked with PC staff and saw my room. Then we went to El Milagro to view my work. Overall, I think they were pleased with my work as a volunteer. I have to admit I was a bit worried that they would tell me I wasn’t doing enough. A great thing I realized during this visit is that PC staff is super supportive and they want you to be happy. As long as you are trying to get to know your community and applying yourself in your work, they are content.
August 2, 2004
Today is Counterpart Day. Peace Corps staff from Lima is here in Trujillo to have a workshop with my counterpart and to do a site visit. Mostly to clear up any doubts anyone has about Peace Corps role in Trujillo’s YMCA and to see how I am faring. All my coworkers from El Milagro came to the workshop and said some great things about my work in the center.
At 5:00, I had a meeting with YMCA to coordinate the events of the week. Then at 7:00 pm, I met up with the Peace Corps staff to eat dinner. We ate at Romano’s, my favorite café. I was home by 10:00pm, but can not sleep because I am so nervous about my site visit tomorrow.
August 1, 2004
I got in to Trujillo this morning around 5:30 am, to find that I had left my keys in Piura. I had to wake up my family to let me into my room. I slept to nearly 2:00 pm, had lunch at 3:00 pm, and then went with my site mate into town for a little shopping and internet. We swapped vacation stories, ate dinner, and then headed home. I just finished “Cold Mountain” – great film, sad but excellent.
July 31, 2004
I just spent the last week in Piura, up near Ecuador. PC gave us 4 free vacation days because it is Independence Holiday here in Peru, so I decided to head to the beach and sun. I met up with other volunteers from Cajamarca and Piura. We traveled to Mancora, a cute little beach town in very northern Peru. We stayed at the only place we could find that wasn’t outrageously expensive. It was very basic, with a shared bathroom, 4 single beds to a room, but in a great location. We got great tans, ate Ceviche (great raw fish dish typical to Peru), went out at night, spoke English, and just generally had a fantastic time. I also spent 2 days in Piura, the capital of the department, with a couple other volunteers. I traveled to Catacaos, a big artisan area, and bought a great leather handbag and some pottery. We had great food, great shopping, and great times together. I needed the break from normal PC life. Now it is back to life as a PCV.
July 23, 2004
I had the opportunity to play basketball today! It was great. I met up with some friends from the gym at an outdoor court and played for a couple of hours.
July 22, 2004
I slept in this morning. I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast. I think I have probably eaten pb&j as often here in PC as I did when I was a kid.
Around 12:00 pm I ventured to the computer café, at 2:00 pm I had lunch with the family, and at 4:00 pm I went into Trujillo for a workshop at the YMCA office. One of my coworkers, a psychologist, attended a workshop in Lima and wanted to ‘train’ us as well. The focus of the workshop was personal space and boundaries. We did activities that involved drawing, coloring, and playing with play-doe. I did not really agree with some of the conclusions that my coworkers drew. For example, we were asked to pick a crayon, paying particular attention to which color we chose. After we chose our color, my coworker explained what each color said about our particular personality. If you chose red then she said you had a lot of aggression. If you chose yellow, a lot of happiness. She didn’t explain that the color definitions were just theories, but tried to convince the entire group that this was always accurate. Another coworker didn’t agree with what her color said about her and this caused a heated discussion, yet the workshop leader could not be dissuaded from her views. It was an interesting meeting; it lasted for about 3 hours.
Afterwards, I went to the gym. Taebo rocked, as usual. There is always variety, which is great. I have some new ‘torture’ techniques for when I get back to coaching.
I have to say, besides the fact that the exercise is good, the gym has warm (notice I didn’t say hot) showers and that in itself is enough to keep me coming back for more!
July 21, 2004
I could barely get out of the bed this morning, I was so sore! Taebo is kicking my butt. I went to work around 10:30 am. Only a couple of kids were in the center. I played cards with Edwin, a really cool little dude. He is such a clown, always making a joke or making fun of my Spanish. Lunch was so-so with mashed potatoes, rice, and fish. I am trying to work up the courage to tell my Peruvian Mom to give me less rice or, hey, none at all. I just don’t want to hurt her feelings. I told my family about my Taebo class and even gave them a demonstration. They got a real 'kick' out of it.
I returned to El Milagro around 3:00 pm to visit another school with my counterpart. This particular school was humongous and very different from the first one we visited. At the door, the teacher was very hesitant about allowing us to visit and talk with the teachers. We were finally allowed in and were bombarded by kids. It was recess time and all 1300 kids were in the courtyard. It was a sight! Of course, every single one of them turned toward me, the new Gringa. I recognized a few faces. The bravest of the curious came up to me to ask my name, where I am from, the usuals. We visited with the teachers who have students that are in the YMCA program. Generally speaking, the kids are allowed to run wild. It is up to them to stay in their classroom and do their work. The students realize that not all kids are able to attend school, thus appreciate their place in the classroom. Which I guess is good thing in a way. The kids appreciate their opportunity to learn. It is just so terrible that not all kids have the right to an education. Many can’t afford the required school uniforms, books, and supplies.
I went to the gym again. Hopefully, I am developing a routine. I used the weights for half an hour then did Taebo for an hour. Taebo is great! What a stress reliever to be able to act like you are punching and kicking someone. I felt like I was back in basketball conditioning, except I wasn’t the one doing all the yelling. The instructor had us running laps, ‘running our motors’, doing push ups and crunches. If only my basketball girls could have seen me work!
July 20, 2004
My Spanish class this morning only had two students. I am not complaining though; it is so much easier to actually get something accomplished. We talked about family and learned a few new vocabulary words. My afternoon class was loco! I had over 20 kids and we ‘attempted’ to have our class at the same time as a mother’s meeting. We were packed on this little table in the corner with very little space. Everyone kept telling us to keep quiet, but the kids were rambunctious. It was a true test of my patience, I have to admit. I wanted to scream. The kids have this winy voice they use when they want something and it was grating on my nerves! Many of them have problems working alone and feel they must copy everything exactly. They don’t really understand the term ‘creativity’. All and all I think my lesson was a hit. All the kids were showing off their family trees to their moms.
I headed to the gym after work to workout. I first attended the Pilates class. Not for me, I was dying. I made it through it, but just barely. (Too slow and too ‘abdominal’ intense for me.) At 8:00 pm, I showed up for the Taebo class. What great fun. I loved it. I have never done Taebo before, not even in the states. I was beat after the hour workout. Before I could get out of the gym, the Taebo instructor introduced himself and asked me the usuals. I told him about my work with the YMCA and he says that he too works with abandoned kids in downtown. They come to the gym 3 days a week for activities. I told him I would like to visit his program. I think that would be a great secondary project for me.
July 19, 2004
Since I feel 100 percent again, I joined a gym bright and early this morning. I worked out for about 45 minutes with weights. Afterwards, I went with my brother to Trujillo to buy a few things. We were back to the house by 2:00 pm for lunch. The weekly YMCA meeting was at 4:00 and lasted until 8:30 pm. I was in bed by 11:00.
July 18, 2004
Thank goodness I feel better! My fever is gone. I woke up and realized I had slept through the night. Still think I will take it slow today, just in case. I went to Trujillo to buy my bus ticket to Piura for the end of the month. I am going to the beach! Some of my fellow volunteers and I are going to celebrate the Peruvian Independence Day in Mancora, a city very north of here, right on the Ecuador border.
After lunch with the family, we walked to the appliance repair shop. Their computer monitor is broken. My dad was full of questions about how much housing costs in the states and what it’s like to live in the country.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
July 17, 2004
I woke up at 11:45 am. The last 3 days have been a real blur. I have been sick, unusually sick. I have had a fever around 101°-102°F, have been SO tired with extreme body aches, and with (the lovely) diarrhea. I called the PCMO yesterday and she said that I probably picked up a virus and the only thing to do is drink lots of water, take fever reducer, and rest. Well, that is what I have been doing; hopefully by tomorrow I will feel more like myself. I have slept more in 3 days than I usually sleep in 2 weeks.
July 16, 2004
I woke up with a fever but felt like I could probably make it to El Milagro for my English classes. I didn’t shower or anything just threw on some clothes and grabbed the combi. Sure enough, I had a couple of kids waiting to begin my class. I had 5 kids in total and we studied numbers and colors, sang 2 songs, and played Uno. I also had some time to work on my next lesson plan: we are going to learn family titles and make family trees from old magazines. I think they will enjoy it. I talked with my counterpart and we decided that I could wait until Tuesday for my other class, since the afternoon class is one lesson ahead anyway. That way, on Tuesday I will be giving the same lesson twice.
I was home by 2:00 pm for lunch. My family insisted that I not be out in the cold (make my sickness worse), and that I drink lots of hot drinks like tea. Fine by me, I like tea, but I am not so sure it has as much medicinal strength as they seem to think that it does.
Returned to my room around 2:30 pm and slept until 9:00 pm. I drank more tea with my family, and then was back in bed by 11:00 pm. I hope I feel better soon. I am sleeping my life away!
July 15, 2004
I hung out in El Milagro all day today. I worked on lesson plans in the morning and in the afternoon I went with one of my counterparts to the local public primary school where many of our kids attend. The building itself was relatively nice and looked new, all made of cement and with paint. There was a play area with soccer goals and volleyball net. A bathroom and a 2 story school building with 12 classrooms. We arrived there around 3:30, in time for their recess. What was a bit surprising was the director was just arriving also. My counterpart told me this was a common complaint of the parents: the tardiness of all the teachers. The purpose of the visit was to check on the progress of the kids in our program and offer a workshop to the teachers on a specific topic like boundaries, self esteem, rights/legislation, etc. This school, very recently, had a sexual abuse scandal between a female student and male teacher. The YMCA is helping the family of the girl pursue the case in court. We interviewed each of the four teachers that work in the afternoons. There are 2 sessions of classes; one session in the afternoon for the youngest classes and a session in the afternoon for the oldest classes. I couldn’t believe the number of students in each class: 45-60 in each classroom. That is crazy! How could just one teacher do it? Many of the classrooms in the building are standing empty, because the government won’t pay for more teachers.
We walked back to the center with a family of our program. Just goes to show, I can always find a little friend to ‘escort’ me around El Milagro… hand in hand the whole way. They ask us at Peace Corps, “If you had to leave today, what would you miss most about your site?” I would definitely miss the most my little kiddies and their unconditional love and affection.
I got back to my house to find my site mate waiting on my doorstep. It’s Harry Potter 3 day! Today it comes out in the cinema here and I promised her I would go with her to see it. We invited my brother, since he has to go into town anyway to buy his bus ticket. So, we went into Trujillo, bought our movie tickets for the 9:00 show, and then ate pizza. The whole time I was so extremely hot. I was convinced I had a fever, so we stopped by the pharmacy. I asked for something for fever and a head ache and she just says “60 cents, please.” I have learned by now, not to trust these establishments, so I asked what type of medicine. She hands me something that I’d never seen, with what looked to me to have the ingredients of an anti-inflammatory. So, I asked for another medicine. She game me something which had Tylenol as an ingredient but combined with other things, so I asked for the Tylenol by itself in 500 mgs. Twenty-three cents lighter, we left the pharmacy with me thinking, these people don’t have a clue.
In the movie, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I slept through most of it… I am definitely sick.
July 13, 2004
I got into Trujillo around 8:00, came home and slept to around 11:00 am. I am having a tough time getting back into the groove of things here in Trujillo. Amazing how my mentality can be affected by just a weekend in Lima. Imagine what it will do to me, when I visit the states. I have all the feelings of being a bad volunteer because I am not doing enough or being competent enough. I think it is the guilt of wanting to live with modern conveniences, yet knowing to be a good volunteer I have to give up some of those.
My missionary friends have given me a week guest pass to the country club, so I enjoyed the workout machines, the pool, and hot shower before I went into El Milagro for the afternoon session with my kiddies.
July 12, 2004
I got up at 10:00 to my cell phone alarm, went into the kitchen to put my clothes in the dryer, to find the maid already doing my laundry. What a way to live. She ironed my clothes, cleaned the house, and then made us fresh squeezed orange juice. My taxi to the bus terminal was coming at 11:00, but I decided to change my ticket to Trujillo to the 11:00 PM trip. What are another 12 hours living “normal” with modern appliances, carpeting, hot water, and cable TV? So far, I have been able to watch American news channels, What Not To Wear (my favorite!), and MTV; eat grilled chicken salads and order Pizza Hut; wash and dry all my clothes; take a bath in a bathtub (and shave!). I would rather be able to sleep on the eight hours home anyway. I called my counterpart to let her know I would be at El Milagro tomorrow for my English class and then called a few people in the states, just to say hello. Emily leaves at 6:00 pm this afternoon and I leave at 10:00 for the bus terminal.
My bus didn’t leave until 11:30. I didn’t have any problems falling asleep. I think I am getting used to this form of travel.
July 11, 2004
I made it back to Emily’s home stay by 11:00 am and we decided to just bum around the apartment all afternoon. We cooked sausage, ate cereal, and made ‘real’ coffee. Since, Lina had already left to head back to her site, I spoke with Veronica and I am going to stay with Emily at her place. We ventured to Jockey Plaza around 5:00 am where we shopped, had Starbucks (where I bought a coffee press), and then watched Spiderman 2 in the cinema. We got back home around midnight and stayed up till 2:00 am watching TV and reading. It has been such a relaxing weekend here in Lima. There is definitely culture shock in enjoying this side of life in Lima, especially in a country where the huge majority lives in poverty.
I am heading back to Trujillo tomorrow at 12:00 pm. Back to PC life…
July 10, 2004
I got into Lima around 7:00 am this morning. Veronica, a secretary at Peace Corps, picked me up at the terminal, and then we went to her house. I am staying with her this weekend. They have a really nice place, in a ritzy area of Lima. Wanting to see my buddies, Veronica took me to where they were staying. What a great reunion! It is great to see my training buddies. They are staying with an American lady who works for the Embassy. She has a nice 3 bedroom apartment where she gave us the run of the place. We cooked, showered, watched TV as if we were in our own home. I am a bit sad that I have to stay in the other house, but we will hang out while we can. At 2:00 we went to the Peace Corps office for the VAC meeting. Definitely, the longest American meeting I have sat through since coming to Peru. We were there for almost 5 hours. Gratefully, the meeting was interesting in that we discussed many topics that involved the struggles and challenges of PCVs, PC regulations, future meetings, and budgetary concerns. After the meeting, we headed back to the apartment to eat dinner and change for a night out in Lima. We met up with some of the guys for a trip to Barronco.
July 7, 2004
I head to Lima on Friday to represent Trujillo Volunteers at the Volunteer Advisory Committee meeting. Some of my favorite pals from Piura, Cajamarca, and Ancash are coming too, so I am excited to get a couple of days to hang out with them. I had to go into Trujillo this morning to buy my bus ticket. I am taking the most expensive bus that they say is a bus with beds. We will see. I am not getting my hopes up; I know how Peru can over exaggerate. Hopefully, I will be pleasantly surprised. I also bought a nightstand for my room at the Mayorista Market. The prices are so cheap there and you can see the carpenter’s making the furniture. I had lunch at home: fish, rice, beans, and salad.
After lunch, I went to El Milagro for the afternoon session with the kids. I made another sign to announce my upcoming English classes. I am sure I will have a crowd on Friday because at the same time there is a Mother’s Club meeting and the mother’s will inevitably bring their kids. After work, my counterpart and I went to the medical clinic in El Milagro to attend a meeting. We waited around for about 30 minutes, but no one showed up. Who knows? So, we left and visited with a family that the YMCA is helping -- a very touchy situation with this family. To the best of my understanding, the YMCA is assisting this family with a charge against a school teacher for sexual abuse.
A situation with YMCA that I have observed that I am still trying to understand is their relationship with a group called INABIF. INABIF is practically Peru’s Department of Family and Children’s Services. INABIF shares the center space with us, they work with the same kids, and generally do the same stuff that YMCA does with kids of El Milagro. However, INABIF and YMCA do not coordinate their activities together. For example, INABIF also celebrates birthdays of the kids (separate from YMCA). It is not unusual to show up at the center and realize that you can’t do an activity that YMCA has planned because INABIF has already started a workshop with the kids or vice versa. To me, this is an easily solved problem – why not have a weekly coordination meeting with INABIF and YMCA? Work together besides working separately. This is one of my ulterior goals as a volunteer in El Milagro. I would love to help make this relationship between agencies more efficient.
I made my way home around 8:00, cooked myself some pasta with tomato sauce, and then went to the internet café. I discovered how to use web cam on the instant messenger. Too cool! People can see me at home and if they have web cam I can see them. Technology in this day and age is really just growing leaps and bounds.
July 6, 2004
I pulled the morning and afternoon shifts at the center again today. This morning was a bit frustrating. None of the kids showed up for my English class. No one thought to tell me that all the kids had to march in a parade celebrating El Milagro’s anniversary. So, instead I went to the Plaza of El Milagro and watched the kids march and enjoyed the festivities of the celebration. I had fun chatting with the moms of the project I saw and with some of the kids too.
After lunch, I returned to the center for my afternoon English class. I was fortunate to have 12 kids attend my second English class ever. Today’s lesson was about colors and numbers which lead us into 3 intense games of UNO. The kids really had fun, I think, but who doesn’t like playing UNO, right?
Returned home, did internet for a while, cleaned up my room, then off to bed.
July 4, 2004
Today is my nation’s Independence Day. My family remembered and gave me a hug in remembrance and I listened to Martina McBride’s tribute to our freedom and that is about it. We had a cookout here on the roof of the house. My dad set up a grill and we had steaks, pork, and chicken. Boy, it was great. The steaks were excellent. I didn’t even know that you could buy meat like that here in Peru. Afterwards, my dad, mom, brother and I went downtown to walk around. Nestle promoters were giving out free Sublimes (chocolate candy bars) in the Plaza – first I’d seen of that. Something free! Then we had Chinese, stopped by the grocery store for a few things, and then headed home. We sat around the living room chatting for awhile and I came upstairs to finish my book. Happy 4th! I missed seeing fireworks.
July 3, 2004
All the folks in El Milagro went on a fieldtrip today and I believe it was the best day I have had yet! We loaded 2 huge buses with over 80 people – moms, dads, grandparents, and kids and headed an hour away to the foothills of the mountains to an area that boasts of two pools, a playground, soccer field, and volleyball court. The kids didn’t waste anytime in jumping in the pool. The owner of the establishment announced that all swimmers must have a bathing suit to get in the pool and they must shower first. Many of the kids didn’t have bathing suits, most made due with their underwear with little regard for modesty. The shear happiness on their faces was something I wouldn’t have missed for the world. To escape from the landfill for a day to relax at picnic tables on grass, snooze on the lounge chairs, or play with the attractions was a real treat for everyone.
Several situations arose that I felt I have grown as an individual by being able to witness them –
One was this boy, about 12 years old. He has a severe speech impediment and he came all alone on the field trip. Most kids came with at least one relative. He was very dirty in ill-fitting clothes, he couldn’t button or zip his pants they were so small, his toes were poking out the tips of his shoes, and his shirt was in tatters. He didn’t get into the pool at first; he just stood with us adults not saying anything. He slowly made his way until he was standing directly inside our little circle. Cautiously, he finally asked my coworker, after several attempts for she couldn’t understand him well, if it would be ok for him to swim in his underwear. She said yes that would be fine, but he would have to shower first. An outdoor shower was right beside the pool for this purpose. He obviously had never showered before, nor had he ever been in a pool. After he become accustomed to the feel of the water, you could tell he loved it! The sheer exhilaration on his face has made this entire experience for me. He played and jumped around in the pool for hours. He touched my heart yet again at lunch time. YMCA personnel were fed by the club’s restaurant and the family’s brought their lunch. I thought randomly, as I bit into my second helping of duck, rice, and beans, if everyone remembered to bring their lunch. Just as we were finishing and starting to stand from the table, the same boy approached our table. He just stood there and one of my coworkers asked if he had had lunch. He shook his head no and she promptly combined our leftovers on one plate and he sat and dug in. I felt so incredibly guilty at that moment in time. To have been enjoying good food and conversation with my coworkers, while this little boy, all alone and hungry waited for us to finish, so he could beg for our leftovers.
I also came to realize that the YMCA personnel keep themselves at a safe distance from becoming emotionally involved with the people of the project. They did very little to integrate into the activities of the families on the fieldtrip. I was a bit lost in where I was to fit into the picture. I found I was most happy dancing with the moms, or playing volleyball with the teenage girls, or sitting on the ground with the little girls all in my lap or hanging on my shoulders, or singing silly songs with the boys. It was somewhat uncomfortable to be associated as an employee of the YMCA because of the distance they put between themselves and the families of El Milagro.
Another experience I will never forget is the delight the kids and parents get by having their picture taken. I didn’t quite understand the hysteria at first, for when I take out my camera I am hounded to death! But I realize now, that they will never have the pleasure of owning a camera or taking photos of their life’s experiences. The mom’s shyly asked me to take photos of their babies and hesitantly told me they would pay me for the photos. The things that we take for granted, how many they are! The simple joy of being able to document our lives -- the people of El Milagro don’t have this same luxury.
After lunch, we also held a birthday party for the kids who had birthdays in June. We brought out 2 huge cakes and every kid got a bag of fruit and a hard boiled egg. I was in charge of handing out the fruit and eggs. They all lined up and not so patiently awaited their turn to receive their gifts. I felt like Santa! The kids were so happy to get their food. Many lingered at the end to see if there were any leftovers and their little voices begging (for an apple, an orange, or a hard boiled egg) will probably haunt me forever.
I expect the unexpected and I am still surprised. A little boy was crying and moaning with a stomach ache after we finished with the birthday festivities. His mother promptly began pulling his hair out! With both hands, she was pulling fists-full of hair out of his head. It was later explained to me that this is ‘supposed’ to help with a stomach ache. My way of thinking is that yes, it helps. It helps you forget your stomach ache and you then cry because your head hurts.
You know, there was a time back when I was so scared of ever returning to El Milagro, that the thought brought me to tears. In fact, at the end of my first day there, I swore I would never return. I mistakenly thought the fright and nervousness would never go away and that I would never get used to the trash. I may never get used to the odor or ever feel completely safe walking alone, but to think I would have missed the utter joy of a sweetly smiling face with dirty little arms squeezing my neck in a huge hug me making me feel like the richest woman on earth.
So, today on this fieldtrip to the countryside with these families that lack so much, who enjoy life and friendship, who offer so much love to me -- I feel truly blessed.
I woke up at 11:45 am. The last 3 days have been a real blur. I have been sick, unusually sick. I have had a fever around 101°-102°F, have been SO tired with extreme body aches, and with (the lovely) diarrhea. I called the PCMO yesterday and she said that I probably picked up a virus and the only thing to do is drink lots of water, take fever reducer, and rest. Well, that is what I have been doing; hopefully by tomorrow I will feel more like myself. I have slept more in 3 days than I usually sleep in 2 weeks.
July 16, 2004
I woke up with a fever but felt like I could probably make it to El Milagro for my English classes. I didn’t shower or anything just threw on some clothes and grabbed the combi. Sure enough, I had a couple of kids waiting to begin my class. I had 5 kids in total and we studied numbers and colors, sang 2 songs, and played Uno. I also had some time to work on my next lesson plan: we are going to learn family titles and make family trees from old magazines. I think they will enjoy it. I talked with my counterpart and we decided that I could wait until Tuesday for my other class, since the afternoon class is one lesson ahead anyway. That way, on Tuesday I will be giving the same lesson twice.
I was home by 2:00 pm for lunch. My family insisted that I not be out in the cold (make my sickness worse), and that I drink lots of hot drinks like tea. Fine by me, I like tea, but I am not so sure it has as much medicinal strength as they seem to think that it does.
Returned to my room around 2:30 pm and slept until 9:00 pm. I drank more tea with my family, and then was back in bed by 11:00 pm. I hope I feel better soon. I am sleeping my life away!
July 15, 2004
I hung out in El Milagro all day today. I worked on lesson plans in the morning and in the afternoon I went with one of my counterparts to the local public primary school where many of our kids attend. The building itself was relatively nice and looked new, all made of cement and with paint. There was a play area with soccer goals and volleyball net. A bathroom and a 2 story school building with 12 classrooms. We arrived there around 3:30, in time for their recess. What was a bit surprising was the director was just arriving also. My counterpart told me this was a common complaint of the parents: the tardiness of all the teachers. The purpose of the visit was to check on the progress of the kids in our program and offer a workshop to the teachers on a specific topic like boundaries, self esteem, rights/legislation, etc. This school, very recently, had a sexual abuse scandal between a female student and male teacher. The YMCA is helping the family of the girl pursue the case in court. We interviewed each of the four teachers that work in the afternoons. There are 2 sessions of classes; one session in the afternoon for the youngest classes and a session in the afternoon for the oldest classes. I couldn’t believe the number of students in each class: 45-60 in each classroom. That is crazy! How could just one teacher do it? Many of the classrooms in the building are standing empty, because the government won’t pay for more teachers.
We walked back to the center with a family of our program. Just goes to show, I can always find a little friend to ‘escort’ me around El Milagro… hand in hand the whole way. They ask us at Peace Corps, “If you had to leave today, what would you miss most about your site?” I would definitely miss the most my little kiddies and their unconditional love and affection.
I got back to my house to find my site mate waiting on my doorstep. It’s Harry Potter 3 day! Today it comes out in the cinema here and I promised her I would go with her to see it. We invited my brother, since he has to go into town anyway to buy his bus ticket. So, we went into Trujillo, bought our movie tickets for the 9:00 show, and then ate pizza. The whole time I was so extremely hot. I was convinced I had a fever, so we stopped by the pharmacy. I asked for something for fever and a head ache and she just says “60 cents, please.” I have learned by now, not to trust these establishments, so I asked what type of medicine. She hands me something that I’d never seen, with what looked to me to have the ingredients of an anti-inflammatory. So, I asked for another medicine. She game me something which had Tylenol as an ingredient but combined with other things, so I asked for the Tylenol by itself in 500 mgs. Twenty-three cents lighter, we left the pharmacy with me thinking, these people don’t have a clue.
In the movie, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I slept through most of it… I am definitely sick.
July 13, 2004
I got into Trujillo around 8:00, came home and slept to around 11:00 am. I am having a tough time getting back into the groove of things here in Trujillo. Amazing how my mentality can be affected by just a weekend in Lima. Imagine what it will do to me, when I visit the states. I have all the feelings of being a bad volunteer because I am not doing enough or being competent enough. I think it is the guilt of wanting to live with modern conveniences, yet knowing to be a good volunteer I have to give up some of those.
My missionary friends have given me a week guest pass to the country club, so I enjoyed the workout machines, the pool, and hot shower before I went into El Milagro for the afternoon session with my kiddies.
July 12, 2004
I got up at 10:00 to my cell phone alarm, went into the kitchen to put my clothes in the dryer, to find the maid already doing my laundry. What a way to live. She ironed my clothes, cleaned the house, and then made us fresh squeezed orange juice. My taxi to the bus terminal was coming at 11:00, but I decided to change my ticket to Trujillo to the 11:00 PM trip. What are another 12 hours living “normal” with modern appliances, carpeting, hot water, and cable TV? So far, I have been able to watch American news channels, What Not To Wear (my favorite!), and MTV; eat grilled chicken salads and order Pizza Hut; wash and dry all my clothes; take a bath in a bathtub (and shave!). I would rather be able to sleep on the eight hours home anyway. I called my counterpart to let her know I would be at El Milagro tomorrow for my English class and then called a few people in the states, just to say hello. Emily leaves at 6:00 pm this afternoon and I leave at 10:00 for the bus terminal.
My bus didn’t leave until 11:30. I didn’t have any problems falling asleep. I think I am getting used to this form of travel.
July 11, 2004
I made it back to Emily’s home stay by 11:00 am and we decided to just bum around the apartment all afternoon. We cooked sausage, ate cereal, and made ‘real’ coffee. Since, Lina had already left to head back to her site, I spoke with Veronica and I am going to stay with Emily at her place. We ventured to Jockey Plaza around 5:00 am where we shopped, had Starbucks (where I bought a coffee press), and then watched Spiderman 2 in the cinema. We got back home around midnight and stayed up till 2:00 am watching TV and reading. It has been such a relaxing weekend here in Lima. There is definitely culture shock in enjoying this side of life in Lima, especially in a country where the huge majority lives in poverty.
I am heading back to Trujillo tomorrow at 12:00 pm. Back to PC life…
July 10, 2004
I got into Lima around 7:00 am this morning. Veronica, a secretary at Peace Corps, picked me up at the terminal, and then we went to her house. I am staying with her this weekend. They have a really nice place, in a ritzy area of Lima. Wanting to see my buddies, Veronica took me to where they were staying. What a great reunion! It is great to see my training buddies. They are staying with an American lady who works for the Embassy. She has a nice 3 bedroom apartment where she gave us the run of the place. We cooked, showered, watched TV as if we were in our own home. I am a bit sad that I have to stay in the other house, but we will hang out while we can. At 2:00 we went to the Peace Corps office for the VAC meeting. Definitely, the longest American meeting I have sat through since coming to Peru. We were there for almost 5 hours. Gratefully, the meeting was interesting in that we discussed many topics that involved the struggles and challenges of PCVs, PC regulations, future meetings, and budgetary concerns. After the meeting, we headed back to the apartment to eat dinner and change for a night out in Lima. We met up with some of the guys for a trip to Barronco.
July 7, 2004
I head to Lima on Friday to represent Trujillo Volunteers at the Volunteer Advisory Committee meeting. Some of my favorite pals from Piura, Cajamarca, and Ancash are coming too, so I am excited to get a couple of days to hang out with them. I had to go into Trujillo this morning to buy my bus ticket. I am taking the most expensive bus that they say is a bus with beds. We will see. I am not getting my hopes up; I know how Peru can over exaggerate. Hopefully, I will be pleasantly surprised. I also bought a nightstand for my room at the Mayorista Market. The prices are so cheap there and you can see the carpenter’s making the furniture. I had lunch at home: fish, rice, beans, and salad.
After lunch, I went to El Milagro for the afternoon session with the kids. I made another sign to announce my upcoming English classes. I am sure I will have a crowd on Friday because at the same time there is a Mother’s Club meeting and the mother’s will inevitably bring their kids. After work, my counterpart and I went to the medical clinic in El Milagro to attend a meeting. We waited around for about 30 minutes, but no one showed up. Who knows? So, we left and visited with a family that the YMCA is helping -- a very touchy situation with this family. To the best of my understanding, the YMCA is assisting this family with a charge against a school teacher for sexual abuse.
A situation with YMCA that I have observed that I am still trying to understand is their relationship with a group called INABIF. INABIF is practically Peru’s Department of Family and Children’s Services. INABIF shares the center space with us, they work with the same kids, and generally do the same stuff that YMCA does with kids of El Milagro. However, INABIF and YMCA do not coordinate their activities together. For example, INABIF also celebrates birthdays of the kids (separate from YMCA). It is not unusual to show up at the center and realize that you can’t do an activity that YMCA has planned because INABIF has already started a workshop with the kids or vice versa. To me, this is an easily solved problem – why not have a weekly coordination meeting with INABIF and YMCA? Work together besides working separately. This is one of my ulterior goals as a volunteer in El Milagro. I would love to help make this relationship between agencies more efficient.
I made my way home around 8:00, cooked myself some pasta with tomato sauce, and then went to the internet café. I discovered how to use web cam on the instant messenger. Too cool! People can see me at home and if they have web cam I can see them. Technology in this day and age is really just growing leaps and bounds.
July 6, 2004
I pulled the morning and afternoon shifts at the center again today. This morning was a bit frustrating. None of the kids showed up for my English class. No one thought to tell me that all the kids had to march in a parade celebrating El Milagro’s anniversary. So, instead I went to the Plaza of El Milagro and watched the kids march and enjoyed the festivities of the celebration. I had fun chatting with the moms of the project I saw and with some of the kids too.
After lunch, I returned to the center for my afternoon English class. I was fortunate to have 12 kids attend my second English class ever. Today’s lesson was about colors and numbers which lead us into 3 intense games of UNO. The kids really had fun, I think, but who doesn’t like playing UNO, right?
Returned home, did internet for a while, cleaned up my room, then off to bed.
July 4, 2004
Today is my nation’s Independence Day. My family remembered and gave me a hug in remembrance and I listened to Martina McBride’s tribute to our freedom and that is about it. We had a cookout here on the roof of the house. My dad set up a grill and we had steaks, pork, and chicken. Boy, it was great. The steaks were excellent. I didn’t even know that you could buy meat like that here in Peru. Afterwards, my dad, mom, brother and I went downtown to walk around. Nestle promoters were giving out free Sublimes (chocolate candy bars) in the Plaza – first I’d seen of that. Something free! Then we had Chinese, stopped by the grocery store for a few things, and then headed home. We sat around the living room chatting for awhile and I came upstairs to finish my book. Happy 4th! I missed seeing fireworks.
July 3, 2004
All the folks in El Milagro went on a fieldtrip today and I believe it was the best day I have had yet! We loaded 2 huge buses with over 80 people – moms, dads, grandparents, and kids and headed an hour away to the foothills of the mountains to an area that boasts of two pools, a playground, soccer field, and volleyball court. The kids didn’t waste anytime in jumping in the pool. The owner of the establishment announced that all swimmers must have a bathing suit to get in the pool and they must shower first. Many of the kids didn’t have bathing suits, most made due with their underwear with little regard for modesty. The shear happiness on their faces was something I wouldn’t have missed for the world. To escape from the landfill for a day to relax at picnic tables on grass, snooze on the lounge chairs, or play with the attractions was a real treat for everyone.
Several situations arose that I felt I have grown as an individual by being able to witness them –
One was this boy, about 12 years old. He has a severe speech impediment and he came all alone on the field trip. Most kids came with at least one relative. He was very dirty in ill-fitting clothes, he couldn’t button or zip his pants they were so small, his toes were poking out the tips of his shoes, and his shirt was in tatters. He didn’t get into the pool at first; he just stood with us adults not saying anything. He slowly made his way until he was standing directly inside our little circle. Cautiously, he finally asked my coworker, after several attempts for she couldn’t understand him well, if it would be ok for him to swim in his underwear. She said yes that would be fine, but he would have to shower first. An outdoor shower was right beside the pool for this purpose. He obviously had never showered before, nor had he ever been in a pool. After he become accustomed to the feel of the water, you could tell he loved it! The sheer exhilaration on his face has made this entire experience for me. He played and jumped around in the pool for hours. He touched my heart yet again at lunch time. YMCA personnel were fed by the club’s restaurant and the family’s brought their lunch. I thought randomly, as I bit into my second helping of duck, rice, and beans, if everyone remembered to bring their lunch. Just as we were finishing and starting to stand from the table, the same boy approached our table. He just stood there and one of my coworkers asked if he had had lunch. He shook his head no and she promptly combined our leftovers on one plate and he sat and dug in. I felt so incredibly guilty at that moment in time. To have been enjoying good food and conversation with my coworkers, while this little boy, all alone and hungry waited for us to finish, so he could beg for our leftovers.
I also came to realize that the YMCA personnel keep themselves at a safe distance from becoming emotionally involved with the people of the project. They did very little to integrate into the activities of the families on the fieldtrip. I was a bit lost in where I was to fit into the picture. I found I was most happy dancing with the moms, or playing volleyball with the teenage girls, or sitting on the ground with the little girls all in my lap or hanging on my shoulders, or singing silly songs with the boys. It was somewhat uncomfortable to be associated as an employee of the YMCA because of the distance they put between themselves and the families of El Milagro.
Another experience I will never forget is the delight the kids and parents get by having their picture taken. I didn’t quite understand the hysteria at first, for when I take out my camera I am hounded to death! But I realize now, that they will never have the pleasure of owning a camera or taking photos of their life’s experiences. The mom’s shyly asked me to take photos of their babies and hesitantly told me they would pay me for the photos. The things that we take for granted, how many they are! The simple joy of being able to document our lives -- the people of El Milagro don’t have this same luxury.
After lunch, we also held a birthday party for the kids who had birthdays in June. We brought out 2 huge cakes and every kid got a bag of fruit and a hard boiled egg. I was in charge of handing out the fruit and eggs. They all lined up and not so patiently awaited their turn to receive their gifts. I felt like Santa! The kids were so happy to get their food. Many lingered at the end to see if there were any leftovers and their little voices begging (for an apple, an orange, or a hard boiled egg) will probably haunt me forever.
I expect the unexpected and I am still surprised. A little boy was crying and moaning with a stomach ache after we finished with the birthday festivities. His mother promptly began pulling his hair out! With both hands, she was pulling fists-full of hair out of his head. It was later explained to me that this is ‘supposed’ to help with a stomach ache. My way of thinking is that yes, it helps. It helps you forget your stomach ache and you then cry because your head hurts.
You know, there was a time back when I was so scared of ever returning to El Milagro, that the thought brought me to tears. In fact, at the end of my first day there, I swore I would never return. I mistakenly thought the fright and nervousness would never go away and that I would never get used to the trash. I may never get used to the odor or ever feel completely safe walking alone, but to think I would have missed the utter joy of a sweetly smiling face with dirty little arms squeezing my neck in a huge hug me making me feel like the richest woman on earth.
So, today on this fieldtrip to the countryside with these families that lack so much, who enjoy life and friendship, who offer so much love to me -- I feel truly blessed.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
July 2, 2004
This morning I walked with a couple of the kids to get a pump for the soccer balls. On the way, we practiced a little bit of English. The kids are always asking me what everything means in English. I was a bit nervous about starting my English classes today, but for no reason because the kids were so enthusiastic! They really made it easy. I can tell that many may have some learning disabilities. We started with “My name is, Hello, and Bye”. I also taught them, “Howdy”. I gotta keep that Southern pride alive! We also played a name game, which took some coaxing to get all the shy girls to participate. I realized a little later is was because they needed a bit more personalized attention. After I practiced the pronunciation with them, they had more confidence about playing. In pairs, the kids had to see who could say “Your name is…” the fastest. They seemed to enjoy it. For my first class, I felt like it went great.
At lunch, I made a country music CD for my brother in exchange for copies of his CDs of salsa and Latina music. He had told me that he liked Kenny Rogers. What a hoot, right? So, I brought my laptop downstairs and let him pick out songs to burn for a CD. I have been hesitant to let anyone know that I have a laptop, one because I don’t want to cause too much unwanted attention, don’t want to seem like a rich American, and lastly, I don’t want it stolen. However, my family has a computer too and even a DVD player, so it wasn’t that much of a shock. We have been trading DVDs too.
I went back to El Milagro in the afternoon, continued my English class, and took photos. Boy, was that exciting for the kids. They are hams for the camera. They wanted a photo of everything, including the guinea pigs. The guinea pig project is sponsored by YMCA and is to encourage the mothers of the community to start small animal-raising businesses in their homes to sale in town. Those cute little guinea pigs are going to be somebody’s lunch sometime soon.
At dark, I returned home, had tea and bread with my family for supper, then headed to the internet cafe for some messaging.
July 1, 2004
Not much going on at work today. I helped some of the kids with their homework and just hung out mostly. I came home for lunch around 2:00. After we ate, I showed my family all my pictures from home and even some of the photos I had taken here. They enjoyed getting to know my family a little more by the pictures. My brother and I headed to Trujillo for a little while, I needed to go by the post office and the bank, and he needed to buy his ticket to Lima. Then we had a sandwich for supper at the “BEST” sandwich joint in Trujillo. Supposedly, all the college students hang and eat there; I have to say it was good. I bought the DVD, Spiderman 2, and then we came home. I watched my new DVD, then went off to sleep.
June 30, 2004
Back to work! I was actually excited to get to El Milagro today. I began my preparations for my English class on Friday. I have a couple of other people’s resources and I am trying to get a lesson plan going for the classes. I really have no clue about teaching! I was a psychology major. The beauty of the Peace Corps, you can try on all kinds of hats to see if they are for you. I guess I will know soon enough if teaching is for me.
Lunch was good, beef tips, broccoli and rice. We always have fresh juice and today it was papaya. My brother asked me if I was feeling better. He had seen me come in the house yesterday, my fresh butchered hair cut and my blood shot eyes. He told me that when I get homesick again, to let him know and we will go for a walk, chat, or take a trip to the beach. He was really sweet.
Returned to El Milagro in the afternoon for a meeting with the community council, where they discussed the importance of having organizations in a community. It was pretty boring; I just sat there and listened. However, it is interesting to watch the body language of the community leaders. Everyone stands when speaking, even in a small group/informal setting. And they always begin by acknowledging all the important people in the room (mayors, presidents, etc.) and saying very formally, “Good day to everyone here”.
I was home by 8:00. I made myself pasta and fresh tomato sauce.
My physical exercise is non existent again. There are several gyms in Trujillo. I just need to make room in my schedule to take a couple of hours to get back into shape. I know that would help me with dealing with stress/homesickness too.
June 29, 2004
Today started out ok and ended ok, but boy the middle of it was a tough one. It is a holiday today and the center in El Milagro was closed, so no work for me. I decided I would do some shopping, which I love. I thought at first I would find a gym and try to work out, but I quickly lost the urge. So, after my shopping, on my walk to where I normally catch the bus to my home, I decided I would get my hair cut. Mistake # 593,487 – never get your hair cut when you can’t explain exactly what you want done; never get your hair cut at a place that charges 3 soles a cut; absolutely never ask for layers. Oh yeah, and just take off a little, means take off a lot. I made it out of there without bursting into tears, but the people on the combi weren’t as lucky. I cried the whole way to my room, just wishing I was at HOME. I think I may be experiencing the end of the honeymoon period that they tell you about as a trainee. For a short time period, things are great when you get to your site, then you realize that what was new, quaint, and interesting is now backward, boring, infuriating, and frustrating. So, I wallowed in self pity for a couple of hours in my room, examining my hair, and wondering if I should even venture to style it myself. After a shower and a blow dry, I felt better. I visited my site mate and we decided to go see a movie. Just what I needed!
June 27, 2004
I got up early this morning to go shopping for a bookcase with my brother. We found a big one for $50 soles, pretty good. For lunch, the whole family went to eat at a seafood restaurant. It was fantastic. I had a seafood platter that had all kinds of meat: octopus, crab, oyster, fish, shrimp, scallops, and other indefinables all mixed in an Alf redo sauce. It was so great. I also tried Ceviche, the dish of Peru. Ceviche is raw fish (like sushi) ‘cooked’ with lime juice and ahi. It was superb. I really regret not trying it before now. After we got back from lunch, I visited Winchanzao for a little while. Tonight I went with my neighbors and my brother to downtown Trujillo, just to walk around. We had stuffed potatoes on the street, watched the street artists work their magic with only spray paint and a white piece of paper, stopped by a mass service in the Cathedral, and then we sat on benches in the plaza to chat. It was a good evening. We got home around 9:00 and everyone hung out in my room for tea and a look at pictures of home. There are always so surprised to see where I live, that it’s in the mountains, not the city, that all the houses are made of wood, and that everyone has cars. At times, I miss not having more volunteers in my area like the volunteers in Piura, Cajamarca, and Huaraz who have group 1 and 2 to hang out with. It would be nice to just chill with some other Americans for a little while. However, I realize that I am making Peruvian friends and improving my Spanish more everyday I DON’T hang with Americans.
This morning I walked with a couple of the kids to get a pump for the soccer balls. On the way, we practiced a little bit of English. The kids are always asking me what everything means in English. I was a bit nervous about starting my English classes today, but for no reason because the kids were so enthusiastic! They really made it easy. I can tell that many may have some learning disabilities. We started with “My name is, Hello, and Bye”. I also taught them, “Howdy”. I gotta keep that Southern pride alive! We also played a name game, which took some coaxing to get all the shy girls to participate. I realized a little later is was because they needed a bit more personalized attention. After I practiced the pronunciation with them, they had more confidence about playing. In pairs, the kids had to see who could say “Your name is…” the fastest. They seemed to enjoy it. For my first class, I felt like it went great.
At lunch, I made a country music CD for my brother in exchange for copies of his CDs of salsa and Latina music. He had told me that he liked Kenny Rogers. What a hoot, right? So, I brought my laptop downstairs and let him pick out songs to burn for a CD. I have been hesitant to let anyone know that I have a laptop, one because I don’t want to cause too much unwanted attention, don’t want to seem like a rich American, and lastly, I don’t want it stolen. However, my family has a computer too and even a DVD player, so it wasn’t that much of a shock. We have been trading DVDs too.
I went back to El Milagro in the afternoon, continued my English class, and took photos. Boy, was that exciting for the kids. They are hams for the camera. They wanted a photo of everything, including the guinea pigs. The guinea pig project is sponsored by YMCA and is to encourage the mothers of the community to start small animal-raising businesses in their homes to sale in town. Those cute little guinea pigs are going to be somebody’s lunch sometime soon.
At dark, I returned home, had tea and bread with my family for supper, then headed to the internet cafe for some messaging.
July 1, 2004
Not much going on at work today. I helped some of the kids with their homework and just hung out mostly. I came home for lunch around 2:00. After we ate, I showed my family all my pictures from home and even some of the photos I had taken here. They enjoyed getting to know my family a little more by the pictures. My brother and I headed to Trujillo for a little while, I needed to go by the post office and the bank, and he needed to buy his ticket to Lima. Then we had a sandwich for supper at the “BEST” sandwich joint in Trujillo. Supposedly, all the college students hang and eat there; I have to say it was good. I bought the DVD, Spiderman 2, and then we came home. I watched my new DVD, then went off to sleep.
June 30, 2004
Back to work! I was actually excited to get to El Milagro today. I began my preparations for my English class on Friday. I have a couple of other people’s resources and I am trying to get a lesson plan going for the classes. I really have no clue about teaching! I was a psychology major. The beauty of the Peace Corps, you can try on all kinds of hats to see if they are for you. I guess I will know soon enough if teaching is for me.
Lunch was good, beef tips, broccoli and rice. We always have fresh juice and today it was papaya. My brother asked me if I was feeling better. He had seen me come in the house yesterday, my fresh butchered hair cut and my blood shot eyes. He told me that when I get homesick again, to let him know and we will go for a walk, chat, or take a trip to the beach. He was really sweet.
Returned to El Milagro in the afternoon for a meeting with the community council, where they discussed the importance of having organizations in a community. It was pretty boring; I just sat there and listened. However, it is interesting to watch the body language of the community leaders. Everyone stands when speaking, even in a small group/informal setting. And they always begin by acknowledging all the important people in the room (mayors, presidents, etc.) and saying very formally, “Good day to everyone here”.
I was home by 8:00. I made myself pasta and fresh tomato sauce.
My physical exercise is non existent again. There are several gyms in Trujillo. I just need to make room in my schedule to take a couple of hours to get back into shape. I know that would help me with dealing with stress/homesickness too.
June 29, 2004
Today started out ok and ended ok, but boy the middle of it was a tough one. It is a holiday today and the center in El Milagro was closed, so no work for me. I decided I would do some shopping, which I love. I thought at first I would find a gym and try to work out, but I quickly lost the urge. So, after my shopping, on my walk to where I normally catch the bus to my home, I decided I would get my hair cut. Mistake # 593,487 – never get your hair cut when you can’t explain exactly what you want done; never get your hair cut at a place that charges 3 soles a cut; absolutely never ask for layers. Oh yeah, and just take off a little, means take off a lot. I made it out of there without bursting into tears, but the people on the combi weren’t as lucky. I cried the whole way to my room, just wishing I was at HOME. I think I may be experiencing the end of the honeymoon period that they tell you about as a trainee. For a short time period, things are great when you get to your site, then you realize that what was new, quaint, and interesting is now backward, boring, infuriating, and frustrating. So, I wallowed in self pity for a couple of hours in my room, examining my hair, and wondering if I should even venture to style it myself. After a shower and a blow dry, I felt better. I visited my site mate and we decided to go see a movie. Just what I needed!
June 27, 2004
I got up early this morning to go shopping for a bookcase with my brother. We found a big one for $50 soles, pretty good. For lunch, the whole family went to eat at a seafood restaurant. It was fantastic. I had a seafood platter that had all kinds of meat: octopus, crab, oyster, fish, shrimp, scallops, and other indefinables all mixed in an Alf redo sauce. It was so great. I also tried Ceviche, the dish of Peru. Ceviche is raw fish (like sushi) ‘cooked’ with lime juice and ahi. It was superb. I really regret not trying it before now. After we got back from lunch, I visited Winchanzao for a little while. Tonight I went with my neighbors and my brother to downtown Trujillo, just to walk around. We had stuffed potatoes on the street, watched the street artists work their magic with only spray paint and a white piece of paper, stopped by a mass service in the Cathedral, and then we sat on benches in the plaza to chat. It was a good evening. We got home around 9:00 and everyone hung out in my room for tea and a look at pictures of home. There are always so surprised to see where I live, that it’s in the mountains, not the city, that all the houses are made of wood, and that everyone has cars. At times, I miss not having more volunteers in my area like the volunteers in Piura, Cajamarca, and Huaraz who have group 1 and 2 to hang out with. It would be nice to just chill with some other Americans for a little while. However, I realize that I am making Peruvian friends and improving my Spanish more everyday I DON’T hang with Americans.
Saturday, June 26, 2004
June 25, 2004
I took my time getting ready this morning. Probably shouldn’t record this but I am going to write it anyway. I have not taken a shower since I left the hotel 3 weeks ago. I know that sounds disgusting. To clarify my hygiene habits: it is too cold to stand under that freezing water! So, I take a sponge bath every morning. Needless to say… no shaving.
At work, my counterpart took me for a walk around El Milagro. We walked by the state penitentiary that is next door, the only jail in Trujillo where both men and women are housed. She explained that innocent people are held in prison until they are proven guilty; opposite of the system we have in the USA. (Yet, another reason to be thankful!) Also, if you want to visit a prisoner, women must wear a skirt and they give every person a full-body check to prevent someone bringing in weapons, etc. I am assuming that means that they can’t afford a metal detector. We ventured on our way, down streets of pure sand, filled with garbage. You can see personal ‘landfills’ where the families bring their collectibles to their homes to guard them; if not their things will be robbed. Robbery is extremely common. Each family has a pack of dogs that protects their property, whether that means their houses, their pigs, or their garbage. I have to be extremely careful with my things while I am in El Milagro, for at any moment a kid might decide they want it. But as a way for me to understand this lack of values, I must remember that these children and families are struggling to survive. I believe I might steal too under those conditions. We continued on our walk and talked of many subjects. She explained that there are 3 types of families that live in El Milagro: families that live in the landfill in plastic houses, those that live in plastic/whatever material outside the landfill and work in the landfill, and those that live in cement houses outside the landfill. Those families with the cement houses mostly raise pigs; pigs that graze freely in the landfill. Another problem she mentioned (which I have noticed by working with the kids) is that many of the kids are developmentally delayed, a side effect of their lack of nutrition and stimulation as babies/children.
I had lunch with my family, and then returned to El Milagro where I played and drew with my favorite group of girls. After work we visited some of the ladies of the communities who had developed a couple of small businesses, one selling ducks and the other has opened a small market. YMCA encouraged them to start these projects.
June 24, 2004
Around 9:00 this morning the carpenter came to hang a curtain on my bedroom window. This entire house is made out of cement, so to get a nail into the wall it takes a big drill. My mom sewed me a cute little blue curtain for my window, so now I can take the piece of construction paper down I was using for privacy. Tuesday night, I moved down to a room on the second floor. It is a bit warmer in this room and I have my personal bathroom. I am slowing getting it organized. I bought a new wooden table for 30 soles, which is less than $10 bucks. You can’t beat it.
I got to El Milagro at about 11:00. We cleaned up the office a bit and reorganized the kid’s library. I was back home by 2:00 for lunch. I am still getting lots of veggies and fish. Yeah!
Tonight, my brother and I went to town to shop for me a bookcase. He also had to buy his bus ticket to Lima, he goes there every weekend to attend classes; he is working on his masters in engineering. The market is dangerous to visit at night and that is where the cheapest furniture is, so we are going to come back this weekend. For supper, we ate ‘antecucho’ – cow’s heart. It was fantastic. Tasted like a great steak! We also stopped by the supermarket then we headed home.
Still haven’t paid a dime to live here or to eat lunch here. Who knows?
June 23, 2004
I made my way to work around 9:30. I am supposed to be there at 9:00 or at least that is when they say the center opens, but nobody is ever there before 9:30, so that is when I show up. Suits me fine, I am always late. I played a game called ‘leader of the band’ with the kids after a workshop on how to care for guinea pigs. They seemed to enjoy it. I also announced that I would be starting English classes next Friday. The kids are constantly asking me how to say various words in English. I hope to be able to incorporate some other activities into my English classes, like team building, songs, games, and sports.
I didn’t make it home for lunch until 2:00 today and my family was worried. I had told them 1:00, so they had already called my cell phone and was getting ready to come looking for me. That brings me to a good topic: my family. They are so great! I eat lunch with them everyday and they love to show me around Trujillo. What impresses me is that when they say they are going to do something, they really follow through with what they say they are going to do. I had the impression that Peruvians were bad to be the opposite. They also seem to really care about me and take good care of me. I feel like we have a lot in common and that I can relate to them. They really value education. My dad has two jobs: he is a professor at a night school for adults who want to continue their education and an economist at a sugar factory. My mom stays home, cooks, and is a great seamstress. She makes all my dad’s clothing.
At 5:00 this afternoon, I met my coworkers in downtown to buy a baby gift for my counterpart. She just had a new baby girl on Saturday and we bought her a gift then visited with them.
June 22, 2004
I went into town to check my mail and received 3 packages. This makes my day!
My dad invited me to his sister’s house for lunch. It’s her birthday. I felt a little like I was intruding, but the family was super nice. My dad always looks out for me – he introduced me to everyone, keep my glass filled with coke and made me take a photo with him and his sister. He is such a funny guy, too. He is always teaching me new slang or telling me a joke.
I headed to El Milagro for the afternoon session.
June 21, 2004
I got up late this morning. It was great to sleep in. I went with my mom and dad to see their house that they have in downtown Trujillo. It is in a really cute area and is very nice, 6 bedrooms all with bathrooms, 3 floors, and ceilings with chair railing that is gorgeous. My family is definitely doing ok financially, they don’t have many modern conveniences like cable tv, hot water, their own car, but they are comfortable.
At 3:00, Angela and I took the combi into town again for the weekly meeting at the YMCA office. Except that we couldn’t find it and had to call them to get us. I told the group that I would like to organize some kind of sports activity in El Milagro, like a soccer tournament or mini Olympics and also I would like to start English classes. They were excited to hear about my ideas.
Angela and I had dinner in town at the supermarket (they have a pseudo-Starbucks upstairs) and returned to our houses. When I got home, my sister and neighbors were on the front patio chatting. I asked my sister about accompanying me to the university library and she said that there is going to be a protest by the students tomorrow, so we will have to wait. I ended up talking with them until 2:00 in the morning. They were teaching me Peruvian slang and I told them all about the states. It is crazy how Peruvians are under the impression that the USA is a utopia, where there’s no violence, no corruption, no poverty. Granted I would have to agree our situation is better, but we have our share of problems too.
June 20, 2004
I did some great shopping today. My site mate and I headed to Trujillo for some great things like a blanket and a table. We ate lunch at a typical Peruvian restaurant, where I had some indistinguishable meat that was very tasty. We went to a very shady area of town for shopping. Someone told us that is where to get the best blankets, we went. In fact, while we were there I think I witnessed a pick pocking incident. A kid just ran up to this guy and grabbed what he had his hand. The lady with the guy screamed ‘robber’ but nobody even flinched. It happened so quick I wasn’t really sure that was what I had seen.
I have heard that you can compare being a volunteer to wearing a bunny suit everywhere you go. People look at you, some laugh, and others think you are crazy. That is how I feel here. Living in a fish bowl where everyone watches what you do. Good points, people remember you. If I visit a store more than once, they mention it. Others know my route home better than me and tell me where to get off the combi. Bad points, a million questions from everyone when you just want to continue on your way, the money changers who hang out in the streets haggle you for dollars, and you just can’t blend in, even though you want to so bad.
We returned to my house and my dad invited us to tea and bread. He is so sweet. He just loves to talk with us. My whole family walked Angela home. They had never been to Winchanzao, how crazy is that? So, we all took the walk there. After we got back home, my dad sat me down and told me he wanted me to feel at home and to come to the family with any problem/doubt I encountered. He said on Tuesday we could sign the lease. So far, I still haven’t paid anything for my rent. I feel so lucky to be here, in a home that is so welcoming and protecting. God is looking out for me.
June 19, 2004
Thought I would start this entry with a description of my daily routine, just to take note of it, because it is quite different from my previous life at home in the states.
I wake up at about 7:30 am, I still let my alarm go off at least 5 times and I just continue to push snooze. I plug in my water boiler for my bath. (Picture a plastic pitcher with a plug-in that boils water.) I grab my shower caddy with all my essentials, my hot water, and head to the bathroom. I first wash my hair with the shower, but only get my head wet, because the water is freezing. I bucket bath with the hot water. Brush my teeth (with the water out of the tap, they tell us not to…), return to my room to iron my clothes on my bed, and then get dressed. Then I boil more water for my instant coffee/tea. As I wait for this to cool, I head downstairs and across the way for some fresh bread for my breakfast. There is a little old lady who sits daily with her fresh bread, just on the corner. I return to my room, for some jelly and butter sandwiches and maybe some fruit.
Around 9:00, I head to the street to catch the combi for my ride to El Milagro, $.50 and it takes about 5 minutes to get there. I walk the couple of blocks from the highway to the YMCA center and inevitable there are a couple of kids who meet to walk with me. At the center, the first thing we all do is greet each other with a ‘buenos dias’ and a kiss on the cheek. You greet each and every person in this manner, young and old. We then open up the office and get things ready for the day’s activities; that may mean sweeping the center or rearranging the tables to make room.
Around 1:00, we start to close the center for ‘siesta’; it usually takes until 1:30 to get out of there. I return to my house for lunch. I eat with my family and my mom is a great cook. After lunch, sometimes I may return to El Milagro for the afternoon activities from 3:00-6:00. If not, I may head into Trujillo for groceries or hang out with my family or visit my site mate.
Around dark, I head to the internet café. Afterwards, I head to my room for the evening. I have bought several DVDs, which I may watch, read, or listen to music. For supper, I usually just eat something in my room or in the park where they sell some really great fried chicken and fried potatoes (I can’t do that too often, but it sure is good!) My volunteer pals in Piura may call and we’ll chat for a while. Around 9:00, I am usually beat. Speaking Spanish all day is very mentally exhausting, so I turn in.
That’s a day in the life of this volunteer serving in Trujillo, Peru.
June 18, 2004
I went this morning with my family to their other house inside the city of Trujillo. The father says that they have been planning on moving there for 2 years now. He says that I can live in either place. I told him I would live where I am for the time being. I ate lunch with my family. The meals are much more balanced here. I have at least 2 servings of vegetables and one meat, which is so much better than before. The dad has been so nice to me; he is very interested in my culture and continues to praise my Spanish. He is a professor at a high school and works a second job at a sugar factory. All the kids of the family attend the university and the mom stays at home. There is a 92 year old grandmother living next door too; she is so cute, but can’t hear a thing.
It is really crazy how everyone just wants to go the USA. Everyone I talk with has a friend or family member that is living there. Even my dad here can’t imagine that jobs are hard to come by in my home too. I have to admit, things aren’t nearly as bad in the USA, as they are here. I am so lucky.
As for my work in El Milagro, I am learning more about how things run. My counterpart gave the same workshop that we gave at the town meeting to the mother’s group. The mother’s group calls themselves the ‘Dream Recyclers’, which is catchy since they also work as recyclers in the land fill. I mostly just hung out with the kids and talked with the mothers.
I took my time getting ready this morning. Probably shouldn’t record this but I am going to write it anyway. I have not taken a shower since I left the hotel 3 weeks ago. I know that sounds disgusting. To clarify my hygiene habits: it is too cold to stand under that freezing water! So, I take a sponge bath every morning. Needless to say… no shaving.
At work, my counterpart took me for a walk around El Milagro. We walked by the state penitentiary that is next door, the only jail in Trujillo where both men and women are housed. She explained that innocent people are held in prison until they are proven guilty; opposite of the system we have in the USA. (Yet, another reason to be thankful!) Also, if you want to visit a prisoner, women must wear a skirt and they give every person a full-body check to prevent someone bringing in weapons, etc. I am assuming that means that they can’t afford a metal detector. We ventured on our way, down streets of pure sand, filled with garbage. You can see personal ‘landfills’ where the families bring their collectibles to their homes to guard them; if not their things will be robbed. Robbery is extremely common. Each family has a pack of dogs that protects their property, whether that means their houses, their pigs, or their garbage. I have to be extremely careful with my things while I am in El Milagro, for at any moment a kid might decide they want it. But as a way for me to understand this lack of values, I must remember that these children and families are struggling to survive. I believe I might steal too under those conditions. We continued on our walk and talked of many subjects. She explained that there are 3 types of families that live in El Milagro: families that live in the landfill in plastic houses, those that live in plastic/whatever material outside the landfill and work in the landfill, and those that live in cement houses outside the landfill. Those families with the cement houses mostly raise pigs; pigs that graze freely in the landfill. Another problem she mentioned (which I have noticed by working with the kids) is that many of the kids are developmentally delayed, a side effect of their lack of nutrition and stimulation as babies/children.
I had lunch with my family, and then returned to El Milagro where I played and drew with my favorite group of girls. After work we visited some of the ladies of the communities who had developed a couple of small businesses, one selling ducks and the other has opened a small market. YMCA encouraged them to start these projects.
June 24, 2004
Around 9:00 this morning the carpenter came to hang a curtain on my bedroom window. This entire house is made out of cement, so to get a nail into the wall it takes a big drill. My mom sewed me a cute little blue curtain for my window, so now I can take the piece of construction paper down I was using for privacy. Tuesday night, I moved down to a room on the second floor. It is a bit warmer in this room and I have my personal bathroom. I am slowing getting it organized. I bought a new wooden table for 30 soles, which is less than $10 bucks. You can’t beat it.
I got to El Milagro at about 11:00. We cleaned up the office a bit and reorganized the kid’s library. I was back home by 2:00 for lunch. I am still getting lots of veggies and fish. Yeah!
Tonight, my brother and I went to town to shop for me a bookcase. He also had to buy his bus ticket to Lima, he goes there every weekend to attend classes; he is working on his masters in engineering. The market is dangerous to visit at night and that is where the cheapest furniture is, so we are going to come back this weekend. For supper, we ate ‘antecucho’ – cow’s heart. It was fantastic. Tasted like a great steak! We also stopped by the supermarket then we headed home.
Still haven’t paid a dime to live here or to eat lunch here. Who knows?
June 23, 2004
I made my way to work around 9:30. I am supposed to be there at 9:00 or at least that is when they say the center opens, but nobody is ever there before 9:30, so that is when I show up. Suits me fine, I am always late. I played a game called ‘leader of the band’ with the kids after a workshop on how to care for guinea pigs. They seemed to enjoy it. I also announced that I would be starting English classes next Friday. The kids are constantly asking me how to say various words in English. I hope to be able to incorporate some other activities into my English classes, like team building, songs, games, and sports.
I didn’t make it home for lunch until 2:00 today and my family was worried. I had told them 1:00, so they had already called my cell phone and was getting ready to come looking for me. That brings me to a good topic: my family. They are so great! I eat lunch with them everyday and they love to show me around Trujillo. What impresses me is that when they say they are going to do something, they really follow through with what they say they are going to do. I had the impression that Peruvians were bad to be the opposite. They also seem to really care about me and take good care of me. I feel like we have a lot in common and that I can relate to them. They really value education. My dad has two jobs: he is a professor at a night school for adults who want to continue their education and an economist at a sugar factory. My mom stays home, cooks, and is a great seamstress. She makes all my dad’s clothing.
At 5:00 this afternoon, I met my coworkers in downtown to buy a baby gift for my counterpart. She just had a new baby girl on Saturday and we bought her a gift then visited with them.
June 22, 2004
I went into town to check my mail and received 3 packages. This makes my day!
My dad invited me to his sister’s house for lunch. It’s her birthday. I felt a little like I was intruding, but the family was super nice. My dad always looks out for me – he introduced me to everyone, keep my glass filled with coke and made me take a photo with him and his sister. He is such a funny guy, too. He is always teaching me new slang or telling me a joke.
I headed to El Milagro for the afternoon session.
June 21, 2004
I got up late this morning. It was great to sleep in. I went with my mom and dad to see their house that they have in downtown Trujillo. It is in a really cute area and is very nice, 6 bedrooms all with bathrooms, 3 floors, and ceilings with chair railing that is gorgeous. My family is definitely doing ok financially, they don’t have many modern conveniences like cable tv, hot water, their own car, but they are comfortable.
At 3:00, Angela and I took the combi into town again for the weekly meeting at the YMCA office. Except that we couldn’t find it and had to call them to get us. I told the group that I would like to organize some kind of sports activity in El Milagro, like a soccer tournament or mini Olympics and also I would like to start English classes. They were excited to hear about my ideas.
Angela and I had dinner in town at the supermarket (they have a pseudo-Starbucks upstairs) and returned to our houses. When I got home, my sister and neighbors were on the front patio chatting. I asked my sister about accompanying me to the university library and she said that there is going to be a protest by the students tomorrow, so we will have to wait. I ended up talking with them until 2:00 in the morning. They were teaching me Peruvian slang and I told them all about the states. It is crazy how Peruvians are under the impression that the USA is a utopia, where there’s no violence, no corruption, no poverty. Granted I would have to agree our situation is better, but we have our share of problems too.
June 20, 2004
I did some great shopping today. My site mate and I headed to Trujillo for some great things like a blanket and a table. We ate lunch at a typical Peruvian restaurant, where I had some indistinguishable meat that was very tasty. We went to a very shady area of town for shopping. Someone told us that is where to get the best blankets, we went. In fact, while we were there I think I witnessed a pick pocking incident. A kid just ran up to this guy and grabbed what he had his hand. The lady with the guy screamed ‘robber’ but nobody even flinched. It happened so quick I wasn’t really sure that was what I had seen.
I have heard that you can compare being a volunteer to wearing a bunny suit everywhere you go. People look at you, some laugh, and others think you are crazy. That is how I feel here. Living in a fish bowl where everyone watches what you do. Good points, people remember you. If I visit a store more than once, they mention it. Others know my route home better than me and tell me where to get off the combi. Bad points, a million questions from everyone when you just want to continue on your way, the money changers who hang out in the streets haggle you for dollars, and you just can’t blend in, even though you want to so bad.
We returned to my house and my dad invited us to tea and bread. He is so sweet. He just loves to talk with us. My whole family walked Angela home. They had never been to Winchanzao, how crazy is that? So, we all took the walk there. After we got back home, my dad sat me down and told me he wanted me to feel at home and to come to the family with any problem/doubt I encountered. He said on Tuesday we could sign the lease. So far, I still haven’t paid anything for my rent. I feel so lucky to be here, in a home that is so welcoming and protecting. God is looking out for me.
June 19, 2004
Thought I would start this entry with a description of my daily routine, just to take note of it, because it is quite different from my previous life at home in the states.
I wake up at about 7:30 am, I still let my alarm go off at least 5 times and I just continue to push snooze. I plug in my water boiler for my bath. (Picture a plastic pitcher with a plug-in that boils water.) I grab my shower caddy with all my essentials, my hot water, and head to the bathroom. I first wash my hair with the shower, but only get my head wet, because the water is freezing. I bucket bath with the hot water. Brush my teeth (with the water out of the tap, they tell us not to…), return to my room to iron my clothes on my bed, and then get dressed. Then I boil more water for my instant coffee/tea. As I wait for this to cool, I head downstairs and across the way for some fresh bread for my breakfast. There is a little old lady who sits daily with her fresh bread, just on the corner. I return to my room, for some jelly and butter sandwiches and maybe some fruit.
Around 9:00, I head to the street to catch the combi for my ride to El Milagro, $.50 and it takes about 5 minutes to get there. I walk the couple of blocks from the highway to the YMCA center and inevitable there are a couple of kids who meet to walk with me. At the center, the first thing we all do is greet each other with a ‘buenos dias’ and a kiss on the cheek. You greet each and every person in this manner, young and old. We then open up the office and get things ready for the day’s activities; that may mean sweeping the center or rearranging the tables to make room.
Around 1:00, we start to close the center for ‘siesta’; it usually takes until 1:30 to get out of there. I return to my house for lunch. I eat with my family and my mom is a great cook. After lunch, sometimes I may return to El Milagro for the afternoon activities from 3:00-6:00. If not, I may head into Trujillo for groceries or hang out with my family or visit my site mate.
Around dark, I head to the internet café. Afterwards, I head to my room for the evening. I have bought several DVDs, which I may watch, read, or listen to music. For supper, I usually just eat something in my room or in the park where they sell some really great fried chicken and fried potatoes (I can’t do that too often, but it sure is good!) My volunteer pals in Piura may call and we’ll chat for a while. Around 9:00, I am usually beat. Speaking Spanish all day is very mentally exhausting, so I turn in.
That’s a day in the life of this volunteer serving in Trujillo, Peru.
June 18, 2004
I went this morning with my family to their other house inside the city of Trujillo. The father says that they have been planning on moving there for 2 years now. He says that I can live in either place. I told him I would live where I am for the time being. I ate lunch with my family. The meals are much more balanced here. I have at least 2 servings of vegetables and one meat, which is so much better than before. The dad has been so nice to me; he is very interested in my culture and continues to praise my Spanish. He is a professor at a high school and works a second job at a sugar factory. All the kids of the family attend the university and the mom stays at home. There is a 92 year old grandmother living next door too; she is so cute, but can’t hear a thing.
It is really crazy how everyone just wants to go the USA. Everyone I talk with has a friend or family member that is living there. Even my dad here can’t imagine that jobs are hard to come by in my home too. I have to admit, things aren’t nearly as bad in the USA, as they are here. I am so lucky.
As for my work in El Milagro, I am learning more about how things run. My counterpart gave the same workshop that we gave at the town meeting to the mother’s group. The mother’s group calls themselves the ‘Dream Recyclers’, which is catchy since they also work as recyclers in the land fill. I mostly just hung out with the kids and talked with the mothers.
Saturday, June 19, 2004
June 18, 2004
I went this morning with my family to their other house inside the city of Trujillo. The father says that they have been planning on moving there for 2 years now. He says that I can live in either place. I told him I would live where I am for the time being. I ate lunch with my family. The meals are much more balanced here. I have at least 2 servings of vegetables and one meat, which is so much better than before. The dad has been so nice to me; he is very interested in my culture and continues to praise my Spanish. He is a professor at a high school and works a second job at a sugar factory. All the kids of the family attend the university and the mom stays at home. There is a 92 year old grandmother living here too; she is so cute, but can’t hear a thing.
It is really crazy how everyone just wants to go the USA. Everyone I talk with has a friend or family member that is living there. Even my dad here can’t imagine that jobs are hard to come by in my home too. I have to admit, things aren’t nearly as bad in the USA, as they are here. I am so lucky.
As for my work in El Milagro, I am learning more about how things run. My counterpart gave the same workshop that we gave at the town meeting to the mother’s group. The mother’s group calls themselves the ‘Dream Recyclers’, which is catchy since they also work as recyclers in the land fill. I mostly just hung out with the kids and talked with the mothers.
It is so great to be able to prepare my own food. I have gotten into a hot tea habit too.
June 17, 2004
My family took me to the big market in our community today. It is about 5 blocks away and has anything you can think of. I have been eating lunch with my family, but I haven’t even paid my rent yet. I told the dad a couple of days ago, that I need to pay, but he doesn’t seemed concerned. I guess I will just wait until he asks.
Today in El Milagro, we did home visits. What an experience. I can’t really even explain it. Imagine a land fill, then imagine families and animals (dogs, pigs, burros) living there in whatever they can find to make walls (mattresses, plastic, wire, bags). The odor is horrendous. The YMCA has implemented a latrine project, so there are outhouses sporadically amongst the houses. At 5:00pm every afternoon, the families take their pigs to the landfill to eat. These pigs are humongous. The families are raising these animals to sell, but they can’t sell them in Peru. Of course, the pigs carry disease because of what they eat, so these families go to the Ecuador border and sell them there. I was once again astounded at the extreme level of poverty that these people are living in.
Not feeling so well tonight, must be something I’ve eaten. I was asleep by 8:00pm.
June 16, 2004
I did some much needed grocery shopping today. I made some great finds like: Equal sweetener, Campbell’s soup, and even Romen noodles. I dropped some laundry off at the laundry mat – not cheap, but it is just so hard to hand wash jeans. So, the other half I will hand wash here.
I went to work in El Milagro at 3:00. I attended a community meeting with my counterpart. She held a workshop on advocacy. The YMCA in El Milagro, functions a lot like Family Connection does at home. They serve as a community resource where kids are mentored and tutored, families receive counseling, health fairs are organized, and community meetings are held. I was able to see the main plaza and the church and we also visited with some families of the community while we were there.
I introduced myself to the mini market owner and the guy who cuts hair here where I am living. They were nice and warned me to be careful getting off and on the bus from certain areas, there is a history of robbers.
June 15, 2004
I got up this morning and packed my things to move to my new house. I ventured to the market to find some breakfast – bread and mandarins. Around 11:00 am, my counterpart showed up and we moved all my stuff. My family took the news well; my counterpart told them I had to move because Peace Corps wanted us in separate communities.
My new family is nice. There are 3 kids (21, 24, 26 years old), their parents and they rent out the 2nd and 3rd floor rooms. I am in a room on the third floor. My neighbors are a young married couple and a single 21 year old. The oldest son of the family is 27 and he has been a real help to me. He helped me move in and put up my bed; he took me for a tour of the neighborhood, and even helped me get a bus into town. He has studied English and wants me to tutor him. I went into Trujillo to go to the supermarket, but it was closed. I am figuring out that most things close here around siesta time of 1-4pm. I will be eating lunch with the family but I want to cook my own breakfast and dinner. I pay $100 soles a month for rent. That is like $35 American dollars, you can’t beat it.
I made my first visit to El Milagro today. I prepped myself for the shock of it all and I have to admit that it wasn’t such a shock at all this time. All the kids were happy to see me. My counterpart gave me a set of keys to the building and went over the objectives of the YMCA in El Milagro. They are doing so much! They have a full-time social-worker, a full-time psychologist, a part-time teacher, and several volunteer college students who all do programs/activities in the center. There weekly schedule is packed full of workshops, therapy sessions, activities. It is all a little intimidating, but I can see where I can bring some of my skills to the table. I told them I was interested in doing sports activities with the kids (which they lack), team building activities, and a paper making project and they seemed excited that I had some new ideas. In fact, they wanted me to hop right in the schedule for this week. I had to try to explain that I am still in the adjustment phase and would need some time to observe and learn about the culture and way things work.
I told my counterpart that I didn’t even know how to take the bus or where to shop for things like laundry soap, so before I jump into work, I need to feel organized and settled in at home. She was great and immediately took me to town. We bought me an electric hot plate, a dish, a fork, a knife, a spoon, Tupperware, and a bucket to wash my clothes. She gave me a tour of Trujillo on the way. We also decided that I would only work the afternoons this week, so I could get more settled in.
I am feeling more and more confident with my Spanish. My new host family dad told me I speak better Spanish than he does, I know he was kidding, but it does feel good to be able to communicate and share ideas with others in another language.
I don’t think I picked up lice from my sister. Thank goodness!
June 14, 2004
I returned to the house I found by the internet cafe to see about moving in. The dad of the family says all is good for me to move in, so I believe I will just do it. God is telling me this is where I should live, so I am going to follow his advice.
At 4:00, we visited the new YMCA office; the building is brand new and very nice. It is in an area of town that is pretty shady. They don’t even have water, electricity, or telephones and they can’t move in until they do. So, it will probably be forever until that all is ready. We had a YMCA staff meeting at the temporary office. It was quite overwhelming; they want us to start doing activities immediately. Peace Corps tells us to take 3 months to get settled in before we start any projects. Also, they want me to be in the center in El Milagro, 6 days a week, 9:00-6:00 with a 2 hour lunch. That is like a full-time job!
I am worried about how my current family will take the news that I am moving out. Hopefully, everything will work out. I am learning so much, but the lessons are tough ones. To not be liked or to be liked or to stand out wherever you go, simple because of your skin color is harsh.
June 13, 2004
I had a bad night last night. I couldn’t sleep because I am so worried about my living situation. I keep praying, but I just can’t shake my anxiety. I bought some things today for my family, like milk, bread, fruit, and rice.
I met the missionary family for lunch at a golf club in Trujillo. I met their children, visited with them at their house, and afterwards, we again looked for housing. I think God put them in my life for a reason. What a coincidence to be able to know them here in Peru.
June 12, 2004
This area of Trujillo where I am living doesn’t have police, so it is pretty much self-patrolled. People are extremely worried about being robbed. I have been warned several times about it. This common opinion is that if you are stupid enough to allow your stuff to be stolen, then so be it.
This being a ‘rich’ foreigner thing is tough. I so obviously have so much more than they do, and it makes things so difficult.
I went to the YMCA center of Winchanzao to a leadership workshop, but nobody showed up. However, I did chat with another YMCA volunteer, she’s Peruvian and lives in Winchanzao. I have yet to visit El Milagro. I ate lunch at a little house and the family was super nice. This house is a couple of doors down from the house I want to move into to. They said they would give me 3 meals a day for $6, when I move.
I met the missionaries that I had been corresponding with via email. What a nice couple! They helped me for a room to rent in some nice areas of Trujillo.
June 11, 2004
I had a weird night last night for sure. I had absolutely no privacy. I am still sleeping in the same room as my sister. Even though I was writing in the living room, my mom just turned off all the lights said to get in the bed. So we went to our bedroom and she said I could use her bedroom if I wanted to change. There are no doors on either of the 2 bedrooms. Something has to give! Oh, yeah, my sister has lice. I helped my mom pick the nits out of her hair this morning. My mom says its something she has to do every morning. I realize we are supposed to compromise as volunteers, but this is too much. I have to look for somewhere else to live ASAP. My sanity depends on it. Who’s going to look out for me if I don’t?
I tutored the neighbor in English a bit this morning, before I headed to the internet café, a couple of blocks from Winchanzao. I asked the attendant in the internet cafe if she knew of any place for me to live. What do you know? She says she rents a room from a family close by and that they have a room with bathroom that is available. The room is clean and nice, totally cute and only $100 per month. I have to wait until Sunday to talk with the father about the logistics. But I think this is definitely an option for me.
On a good note, our counterpart really seems to understand our roles as volunteers and the importance of being happy where we live.
I am so scared! What am I scared of? Being lonely, I think. I know that this pace of life will take some time to get used to and some adjustments on my part. I really haven’t had to be truly on my own. I will have to fill my days with activities. I can get a membership at a gym. I will be able to cook my food in my new room. I can read and I could get a Spanish tutor. I could make jewelry, sew, paint, or draw. See, I have lots of activities to keep boredom stay away.
Secondary projects I would like to tackle are: teaching English, youth group for Niyelo activities, reading group.
I am thinking about the 2 years before me and it seems like an eternity. I just hope to make this place my home. I know that just means putting myself out there and getting involved. I just want everything to happen quickly and naturally. Patience, I keep telling myself.
When I returned from Trujillo, my family had rearranged the house. The sister’s bed is now in the parent’s room. We had supper or bread and coffee. That is all they seem to ever have for supper. I think financially this family is suffering. It puts me in such a tough situation. I know any number of churches would happily donate to this poor Peruvian family. It would be a temporary fix, one that is not sustainable in the long run. I could I help this family help themselves? That is the real goal of a volunteer.
June 10, 2004
Wow. Here I am in my new home. I am with the same family I stayed with during my site visit. Granted they are very nice, sweet in fact, but this home is pretty rough. As long as I have my own space, I will be fine. The arrangement for me staying here is that I will make repairs on the house in place of rent. In the first 10 minutes, my mom showed me the things that she wanted me to fix or install like: a window, door, and bathroom. The dad even sat me down and said he needed a pair of eye glasses that cost $200. Definitely, not the foot I wanted to start off with in my new home. Peace Corps warns us that people will think we are made of money because we are from the USA. At this point, I am sharing a room with my sister. Hopefully, they will clean out the room so I can have it to myself. They do have a refrigerator here, but like in Santa Eulalia, it is unplugged (I think that is to conserve electricity, but what good is it?) Good things about this home: a flush toilet with a seat, water, electricity, telephone – so all and all I will be ok. Bad things: extremely close to other volunteer (about 2 blocks), no privacy, money issues.
I am having the urge to cry, but hopefully I can hold out. As for my work in El Milagro, I have to get myself prepared for my work there. I know it will be a shocker if not, especially the first couple of days. It is a good thing to be close to Trujillo.
Our counterpart took us shopping. We bought a bed and shelf for our rooms. I am glad I spoke up for myself and told my counterpart that I wanted to live somewhere else, they were supportive. Yeah! Now I have to find somewhere else to live.
June 8, 2004
We have spent two more days in Trujillo enjoying the cafes, shopping, and cable TV. We were supposed to move into our host families today, but something came up with our counterpart, so we are going to move into tomorrow or at least that is the new plan. We also mentioned to our counterpart our concerns about living so close together and they completely understood. They said that we were living in different sections of Winchanzao, so hopefully, it will all work out.
June 6, 2004
We got into Trujillo at 7:30 this morning. Our hotel is ok; not the greatest, but it does have hot water. I slept all night on the bus. We explored the city first thing this morning. I have to admit I am very excited about Trujillo. It is a great city. There are supermarkets that have great stuff like American sliced cheese, sandwich meat, milk, and peanut butter. I was so excited! We found the post office and the bank. Also, there are some great restaurants. For lunch, we ate in a cute little café where I had a great grilled chicken salad with oil/vinegar dressing. We found lots of appliance stores and even a department store with almost anything I would need. We sat in the Plaza for a while and it didn’t take long before people just came up to us and asked us what we were doing in town. It was so funny how incredible friendly and curious people are here. After we chatted for a while, we headed to the movies. I can’t believe there is actually a cinema here. We watched the Day after Tomorrow; it was fair, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Tomorrow is another day to laze around here in Trujillo, and then on Tuesday we head to our sites and to our host families. I am very nervous. I am praying things will be ok.
I went this morning with my family to their other house inside the city of Trujillo. The father says that they have been planning on moving there for 2 years now. He says that I can live in either place. I told him I would live where I am for the time being. I ate lunch with my family. The meals are much more balanced here. I have at least 2 servings of vegetables and one meat, which is so much better than before. The dad has been so nice to me; he is very interested in my culture and continues to praise my Spanish. He is a professor at a high school and works a second job at a sugar factory. All the kids of the family attend the university and the mom stays at home. There is a 92 year old grandmother living here too; she is so cute, but can’t hear a thing.
It is really crazy how everyone just wants to go the USA. Everyone I talk with has a friend or family member that is living there. Even my dad here can’t imagine that jobs are hard to come by in my home too. I have to admit, things aren’t nearly as bad in the USA, as they are here. I am so lucky.
As for my work in El Milagro, I am learning more about how things run. My counterpart gave the same workshop that we gave at the town meeting to the mother’s group. The mother’s group calls themselves the ‘Dream Recyclers’, which is catchy since they also work as recyclers in the land fill. I mostly just hung out with the kids and talked with the mothers.
It is so great to be able to prepare my own food. I have gotten into a hot tea habit too.
June 17, 2004
My family took me to the big market in our community today. It is about 5 blocks away and has anything you can think of. I have been eating lunch with my family, but I haven’t even paid my rent yet. I told the dad a couple of days ago, that I need to pay, but he doesn’t seemed concerned. I guess I will just wait until he asks.
Today in El Milagro, we did home visits. What an experience. I can’t really even explain it. Imagine a land fill, then imagine families and animals (dogs, pigs, burros) living there in whatever they can find to make walls (mattresses, plastic, wire, bags). The odor is horrendous. The YMCA has implemented a latrine project, so there are outhouses sporadically amongst the houses. At 5:00pm every afternoon, the families take their pigs to the landfill to eat. These pigs are humongous. The families are raising these animals to sell, but they can’t sell them in Peru. Of course, the pigs carry disease because of what they eat, so these families go to the Ecuador border and sell them there. I was once again astounded at the extreme level of poverty that these people are living in.
Not feeling so well tonight, must be something I’ve eaten. I was asleep by 8:00pm.
June 16, 2004
I did some much needed grocery shopping today. I made some great finds like: Equal sweetener, Campbell’s soup, and even Romen noodles. I dropped some laundry off at the laundry mat – not cheap, but it is just so hard to hand wash jeans. So, the other half I will hand wash here.
I went to work in El Milagro at 3:00. I attended a community meeting with my counterpart. She held a workshop on advocacy. The YMCA in El Milagro, functions a lot like Family Connection does at home. They serve as a community resource where kids are mentored and tutored, families receive counseling, health fairs are organized, and community meetings are held. I was able to see the main plaza and the church and we also visited with some families of the community while we were there.
I introduced myself to the mini market owner and the guy who cuts hair here where I am living. They were nice and warned me to be careful getting off and on the bus from certain areas, there is a history of robbers.
June 15, 2004
I got up this morning and packed my things to move to my new house. I ventured to the market to find some breakfast – bread and mandarins. Around 11:00 am, my counterpart showed up and we moved all my stuff. My family took the news well; my counterpart told them I had to move because Peace Corps wanted us in separate communities.
My new family is nice. There are 3 kids (21, 24, 26 years old), their parents and they rent out the 2nd and 3rd floor rooms. I am in a room on the third floor. My neighbors are a young married couple and a single 21 year old. The oldest son of the family is 27 and he has been a real help to me. He helped me move in and put up my bed; he took me for a tour of the neighborhood, and even helped me get a bus into town. He has studied English and wants me to tutor him. I went into Trujillo to go to the supermarket, but it was closed. I am figuring out that most things close here around siesta time of 1-4pm. I will be eating lunch with the family but I want to cook my own breakfast and dinner. I pay $100 soles a month for rent. That is like $35 American dollars, you can’t beat it.
I made my first visit to El Milagro today. I prepped myself for the shock of it all and I have to admit that it wasn’t such a shock at all this time. All the kids were happy to see me. My counterpart gave me a set of keys to the building and went over the objectives of the YMCA in El Milagro. They are doing so much! They have a full-time social-worker, a full-time psychologist, a part-time teacher, and several volunteer college students who all do programs/activities in the center. There weekly schedule is packed full of workshops, therapy sessions, activities. It is all a little intimidating, but I can see where I can bring some of my skills to the table. I told them I was interested in doing sports activities with the kids (which they lack), team building activities, and a paper making project and they seemed excited that I had some new ideas. In fact, they wanted me to hop right in the schedule for this week. I had to try to explain that I am still in the adjustment phase and would need some time to observe and learn about the culture and way things work.
I told my counterpart that I didn’t even know how to take the bus or where to shop for things like laundry soap, so before I jump into work, I need to feel organized and settled in at home. She was great and immediately took me to town. We bought me an electric hot plate, a dish, a fork, a knife, a spoon, Tupperware, and a bucket to wash my clothes. She gave me a tour of Trujillo on the way. We also decided that I would only work the afternoons this week, so I could get more settled in.
I am feeling more and more confident with my Spanish. My new host family dad told me I speak better Spanish than he does, I know he was kidding, but it does feel good to be able to communicate and share ideas with others in another language.
I don’t think I picked up lice from my sister. Thank goodness!
June 14, 2004
I returned to the house I found by the internet cafe to see about moving in. The dad of the family says all is good for me to move in, so I believe I will just do it. God is telling me this is where I should live, so I am going to follow his advice.
At 4:00, we visited the new YMCA office; the building is brand new and very nice. It is in an area of town that is pretty shady. They don’t even have water, electricity, or telephones and they can’t move in until they do. So, it will probably be forever until that all is ready. We had a YMCA staff meeting at the temporary office. It was quite overwhelming; they want us to start doing activities immediately. Peace Corps tells us to take 3 months to get settled in before we start any projects. Also, they want me to be in the center in El Milagro, 6 days a week, 9:00-6:00 with a 2 hour lunch. That is like a full-time job!
I am worried about how my current family will take the news that I am moving out. Hopefully, everything will work out. I am learning so much, but the lessons are tough ones. To not be liked or to be liked or to stand out wherever you go, simple because of your skin color is harsh.
June 13, 2004
I had a bad night last night. I couldn’t sleep because I am so worried about my living situation. I keep praying, but I just can’t shake my anxiety. I bought some things today for my family, like milk, bread, fruit, and rice.
I met the missionary family for lunch at a golf club in Trujillo. I met their children, visited with them at their house, and afterwards, we again looked for housing. I think God put them in my life for a reason. What a coincidence to be able to know them here in Peru.
June 12, 2004
This area of Trujillo where I am living doesn’t have police, so it is pretty much self-patrolled. People are extremely worried about being robbed. I have been warned several times about it. This common opinion is that if you are stupid enough to allow your stuff to be stolen, then so be it.
This being a ‘rich’ foreigner thing is tough. I so obviously have so much more than they do, and it makes things so difficult.
I went to the YMCA center of Winchanzao to a leadership workshop, but nobody showed up. However, I did chat with another YMCA volunteer, she’s Peruvian and lives in Winchanzao. I have yet to visit El Milagro. I ate lunch at a little house and the family was super nice. This house is a couple of doors down from the house I want to move into to. They said they would give me 3 meals a day for $6, when I move.
I met the missionaries that I had been corresponding with via email. What a nice couple! They helped me for a room to rent in some nice areas of Trujillo.
June 11, 2004
I had a weird night last night for sure. I had absolutely no privacy. I am still sleeping in the same room as my sister. Even though I was writing in the living room, my mom just turned off all the lights said to get in the bed. So we went to our bedroom and she said I could use her bedroom if I wanted to change. There are no doors on either of the 2 bedrooms. Something has to give! Oh, yeah, my sister has lice. I helped my mom pick the nits out of her hair this morning. My mom says its something she has to do every morning. I realize we are supposed to compromise as volunteers, but this is too much. I have to look for somewhere else to live ASAP. My sanity depends on it. Who’s going to look out for me if I don’t?
I tutored the neighbor in English a bit this morning, before I headed to the internet café, a couple of blocks from Winchanzao. I asked the attendant in the internet cafe if she knew of any place for me to live. What do you know? She says she rents a room from a family close by and that they have a room with bathroom that is available. The room is clean and nice, totally cute and only $100 per month. I have to wait until Sunday to talk with the father about the logistics. But I think this is definitely an option for me.
On a good note, our counterpart really seems to understand our roles as volunteers and the importance of being happy where we live.
I am so scared! What am I scared of? Being lonely, I think. I know that this pace of life will take some time to get used to and some adjustments on my part. I really haven’t had to be truly on my own. I will have to fill my days with activities. I can get a membership at a gym. I will be able to cook my food in my new room. I can read and I could get a Spanish tutor. I could make jewelry, sew, paint, or draw. See, I have lots of activities to keep boredom stay away.
Secondary projects I would like to tackle are: teaching English, youth group for Niyelo activities, reading group.
I am thinking about the 2 years before me and it seems like an eternity. I just hope to make this place my home. I know that just means putting myself out there and getting involved. I just want everything to happen quickly and naturally. Patience, I keep telling myself.
When I returned from Trujillo, my family had rearranged the house. The sister’s bed is now in the parent’s room. We had supper or bread and coffee. That is all they seem to ever have for supper. I think financially this family is suffering. It puts me in such a tough situation. I know any number of churches would happily donate to this poor Peruvian family. It would be a temporary fix, one that is not sustainable in the long run. I could I help this family help themselves? That is the real goal of a volunteer.
June 10, 2004
Wow. Here I am in my new home. I am with the same family I stayed with during my site visit. Granted they are very nice, sweet in fact, but this home is pretty rough. As long as I have my own space, I will be fine. The arrangement for me staying here is that I will make repairs on the house in place of rent. In the first 10 minutes, my mom showed me the things that she wanted me to fix or install like: a window, door, and bathroom. The dad even sat me down and said he needed a pair of eye glasses that cost $200. Definitely, not the foot I wanted to start off with in my new home. Peace Corps warns us that people will think we are made of money because we are from the USA. At this point, I am sharing a room with my sister. Hopefully, they will clean out the room so I can have it to myself. They do have a refrigerator here, but like in Santa Eulalia, it is unplugged (I think that is to conserve electricity, but what good is it?) Good things about this home: a flush toilet with a seat, water, electricity, telephone – so all and all I will be ok. Bad things: extremely close to other volunteer (about 2 blocks), no privacy, money issues.
I am having the urge to cry, but hopefully I can hold out. As for my work in El Milagro, I have to get myself prepared for my work there. I know it will be a shocker if not, especially the first couple of days. It is a good thing to be close to Trujillo.
Our counterpart took us shopping. We bought a bed and shelf for our rooms. I am glad I spoke up for myself and told my counterpart that I wanted to live somewhere else, they were supportive. Yeah! Now I have to find somewhere else to live.
June 8, 2004
We have spent two more days in Trujillo enjoying the cafes, shopping, and cable TV. We were supposed to move into our host families today, but something came up with our counterpart, so we are going to move into tomorrow or at least that is the new plan. We also mentioned to our counterpart our concerns about living so close together and they completely understood. They said that we were living in different sections of Winchanzao, so hopefully, it will all work out.
June 6, 2004
We got into Trujillo at 7:30 this morning. Our hotel is ok; not the greatest, but it does have hot water. I slept all night on the bus. We explored the city first thing this morning. I have to admit I am very excited about Trujillo. It is a great city. There are supermarkets that have great stuff like American sliced cheese, sandwich meat, milk, and peanut butter. I was so excited! We found the post office and the bank. Also, there are some great restaurants. For lunch, we ate in a cute little café where I had a great grilled chicken salad with oil/vinegar dressing. We found lots of appliance stores and even a department store with almost anything I would need. We sat in the Plaza for a while and it didn’t take long before people just came up to us and asked us what we were doing in town. It was so funny how incredible friendly and curious people are here. After we chatted for a while, we headed to the movies. I can’t believe there is actually a cinema here. We watched the Day after Tomorrow; it was fair, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Tomorrow is another day to laze around here in Trujillo, and then on Tuesday we head to our sites and to our host families. I am very nervous. I am praying things will be ok.
Saturday, June 05, 2004
June 5, 2004
I am just hanging out in the hotel room today. I couldn’t really sleep last night. I woke up early and checked my email here at the hotel. They had a continental breakfast which was excellent. With Peru’s ways of little waste, the all you could drink, eat of my breakfast was fabulous. I took a shower, disappointingly my water wasn’t very hot, and then we headed to the beach for some shopping and lunch at Pizza Hut. It is very cold here and there’s no heat. So I have been bundling up when we head outside. I got a 10 minute massage at the mall for 10 soles; it was worth every minute of it! We don’t head out to Trujillo until 9:00 pm. Everyone else leaves earlier. It is so sad to see everyone leave for their sites. Everyone has gotten so close – going through training together, laughing & crying together. It is hard to think about not seeing everyone everyday for now on.
June 4, 2004
Swearing in today! I got up extremely early to get my luggage sent off and myself ready for the big day. With a borrowed dress and shoes and an up-do I said my goodbyes to my Santa Eulalia family. It was very sad. They have treated me so well and made me a part of their family. We left for Lima with a crowd waving us farewell from the training center. Needless to say, I was very nervous about giving my speech.
We made our way to the Peace Corps Office, then to the Presidential Palace. Our ceremony was very formal with about 200 people attending, including past volunteers, world diplomats, the US ambassador, the Peace Corps director, and of course President Toledo. I have to admit, my speech went well! I spoke just before President Toledo. Afterwards, many congratulated me on a job well done and even complemented my Spanish. There were a lot of press cameras present and we even made it on Peruvian television.
After our ceremony, we had an amazing lunch at a restaurant called Mango’s on the beach in Lima -- a complete buffet where I stuffed myself full of chicken, beef, pork, vegetables, and salad. It was scrumptious. The Peace Corps Director, Gaddy Vasquez, dined with us and he sat by me at the table -- my first experience conversing with a President Bush appointee. He told us of his experiences as a politician and his job at Peace Corps Director. Later, we checked in our hotel and just chilled out. For our last night together as a group, we headed to Miraflores with our trainers and language teachers. We had a lot of fun.
June 3, 2004
Our last day of training. We had breakfast at our trainer’s house. We cooked for ourselves: pancakes, scrambled eggs with veggies, smoothies from fresh fruit, and coffee. Afterwards, we presented our mentoring experience. At 3:00 pm, we had a party for our families. I was on the gift committee – we gave the families flowers, framed photos, and homemade candles. Also, we had a food committee (and, boy, they did a great job!), decorations, and entertainment committee. The party was a huge success. We sang a song we dubbed the CHP Blues, did a skit where we acted like our Peruvian moms, and presented the gifts. All and all it was a great end to training.
Tonight is my last night here. I dread packing! My family took me for my last dinner to a restaurant in Chosica. They are too sweet. I will miss them.
June 1, 2004
I practiced my speech for my language class today. We went to Chosica for errands this afternoon. I bought another pair of handmade sandals; thought it might be my last chance! I practiced my language interview questions with another trainee. I have had late nights everyday this week. Just not enough time in the day to get everything in and completed.
I am just hanging out in the hotel room today. I couldn’t really sleep last night. I woke up early and checked my email here at the hotel. They had a continental breakfast which was excellent. With Peru’s ways of little waste, the all you could drink, eat of my breakfast was fabulous. I took a shower, disappointingly my water wasn’t very hot, and then we headed to the beach for some shopping and lunch at Pizza Hut. It is very cold here and there’s no heat. So I have been bundling up when we head outside. I got a 10 minute massage at the mall for 10 soles; it was worth every minute of it! We don’t head out to Trujillo until 9:00 pm. Everyone else leaves earlier. It is so sad to see everyone leave for their sites. Everyone has gotten so close – going through training together, laughing & crying together. It is hard to think about not seeing everyone everyday for now on.
June 4, 2004
Swearing in today! I got up extremely early to get my luggage sent off and myself ready for the big day. With a borrowed dress and shoes and an up-do I said my goodbyes to my Santa Eulalia family. It was very sad. They have treated me so well and made me a part of their family. We left for Lima with a crowd waving us farewell from the training center. Needless to say, I was very nervous about giving my speech.
We made our way to the Peace Corps Office, then to the Presidential Palace. Our ceremony was very formal with about 200 people attending, including past volunteers, world diplomats, the US ambassador, the Peace Corps director, and of course President Toledo. I have to admit, my speech went well! I spoke just before President Toledo. Afterwards, many congratulated me on a job well done and even complemented my Spanish. There were a lot of press cameras present and we even made it on Peruvian television.
After our ceremony, we had an amazing lunch at a restaurant called Mango’s on the beach in Lima -- a complete buffet where I stuffed myself full of chicken, beef, pork, vegetables, and salad. It was scrumptious. The Peace Corps Director, Gaddy Vasquez, dined with us and he sat by me at the table -- my first experience conversing with a President Bush appointee. He told us of his experiences as a politician and his job at Peace Corps Director. Later, we checked in our hotel and just chilled out. For our last night together as a group, we headed to Miraflores with our trainers and language teachers. We had a lot of fun.
June 3, 2004
Our last day of training. We had breakfast at our trainer’s house. We cooked for ourselves: pancakes, scrambled eggs with veggies, smoothies from fresh fruit, and coffee. Afterwards, we presented our mentoring experience. At 3:00 pm, we had a party for our families. I was on the gift committee – we gave the families flowers, framed photos, and homemade candles. Also, we had a food committee (and, boy, they did a great job!), decorations, and entertainment committee. The party was a huge success. We sang a song we dubbed the CHP Blues, did a skit where we acted like our Peruvian moms, and presented the gifts. All and all it was a great end to training.
Tonight is my last night here. I dread packing! My family took me for my last dinner to a restaurant in Chosica. They are too sweet. I will miss them.
June 1, 2004
I practiced my speech for my language class today. We went to Chosica for errands this afternoon. I bought another pair of handmade sandals; thought it might be my last chance! I practiced my language interview questions with another trainee. I have had late nights everyday this week. Just not enough time in the day to get everything in and completed.
Saturday, May 29, 2004
May 29, 2004
Back home by 10:30 am and cleaning up a little. Hand-washing all your clothes is not fun. I definitely have appreciation for my old washer and dryer. I can’t believe we swear in as volunteers in less than a week. It is crazy that training is almost over. I am excited to get started with the next step in my adventure. Santa Eulalia has a new internet cafe. Yeah, I won’t have to head to Chosica every time I want to use the internet. You would know internet would make it here a week before I move!
May 28, 2004
We went back to the school. The director was there, but he didn’t think we should do a presentation. We’re not really sure what to make of our last visit to Callahuanca. I think in a lot of ways our novelty of being Gringas has worn off. On to plan B, we are going to plan a playtime for the kids at 3:00 and hopefully sneak in a couple of words about leadership (our homework for our last visit). We had an announcement made on the loud speaker, inviting the whole town the Peace Corps activity and it worked. We had several kids and adults showed for our activity. We played ‘Leader of the Band’ then ‘Trust Walk’ and had a discussion afterwards. The kids brought up some great ideas about what they would do if they were president of Peru. We continued to play with the kids and took another walk. Another early night for me, I am in bed at 9:00 pm.
May 27, 2004
We’re back in Callahuanca for our final visit. I am staying with the elderly couple again. It is definitely a little uncomfortable, we just don’t have much in common and there are several ‘silent’ moments. They are sweet and their home is comfortable. We visited the school to set up a time to do a presentation, but the director wasn’t there, so we have to try again tomorrow. Ate lunch, boy was it yummy! Speaking of my eating habits, you might as well call me a vegetarian, cause I am not getting meat. All I eat is pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread. I buy my own fruit to supplement my diet, but I can really tell my body needs more protein. After lunch, we had Spanish classes, and then we took a walk with the kids of the community. I pulled out my Uno cards and had fun teaching the kids to play. In bed by 8:00 pm, I guess it’s lot of rest for me!
May 26, 2004
Language class this morning was better, not quite as boring. Maybe I just had more energy. The PCMO came today. I always like the days she comes, her sessions are always fun. We talked about security again. PC really takes that part of their job seriously. She also took our blood, since we are on malaria medication. After classes, we talked about who should speak at our ceremony and would you know, they picked me. Needless to say, I am already nervous and I have no idea what to say; but what an honor, to speak on behalf of our group and to such important world leaders. After class, we watched Shrek II; it was good to just enjoy a movie in English. Pirated movies/dvds/cds are the craze here and you can get them for cheap. I taught my family to play Uno. They liked it. I also showed them my gadget box that has my locks, binoculars, flashlight, and Gerber knife. They were so intrigued by it all.
May 25, 2004
The Country Director visited today for lunch. She cleared up some questions about our swearing in ceremony. Looks like it is going to be a pretty big deal! The Peace Corps Director from DC will be there and so will the Peruvian President, Toledo. It is going to be at the Presidential Palace, think Peruvian White House. We have to pick someone to speak on behalf of our group during the ceremony.
May 24, 2004
Today was definitely nothing to write home about, but I will record my thoughts for future reference. We started out the day with an alcohol workshop that we can do with youth. We had 2 volunteers present to help out. It is always good to get to know other volunteers and hear about their experiences. After lunch, I had language training. Our professor took us to Chosica for class which added an air of excitement to the afternoon. Then I went to internet and home. This is a really challenging time for me. I feel so ready to get to Trujillo, to get things started and organized. I don’t want to rush things, but I can’t seem to help my feelings of impatience. We have about a week left of training.
May 23, 2004
I headed to Lima with a friend. We went to Jockey Plaza again for some shopping and “Americanism”. We had Starbuck’s and Burger King. It was great! I made it home by 5:00 because my sister said that she wanted to go to her school’s party, but we didn’t end up going. That is a thing about this culture that really gets on my nerves. They may or may not follow through with their plans. They always just say what they think you want to hear. So I headed back to Chosica for some internet. When I got home, my sister helped me with my homework and the family hung out in my room, eating my fruit, and generally having a good time. It was cool.
May 22, 2004
We had classes this morning. Not fun to get up on a Saturday for school, believe me. After lunch, we headed to Surco for an environmental session. This included local girls leading us on a hike to the waterfalls of Surco, a small town about an hour from Santa Eulalia. On our way there, we were pulled over for illegally passing someone. Our driver had to pay the cop off -- $4. And the ticket would have cost him over $150. We made it there and made our way up the trail to the waterfalls. Because there hasn’t been much rain, the river was a bit dry and the waterfall not as impressive. But I did get to see some really cute sheep up close. In fact, I picked up a little white lamb and I thought its mom was going to ram me! We had a scary experience—one of our trainers, fell on the slippery rocks and cut his nose. There was blood everywhere. We had to escort him off the mountain and then to the hospital. He had to have 3 stitches. I made it home before dark and decided to stay in for the night.
Back home by 10:30 am and cleaning up a little. Hand-washing all your clothes is not fun. I definitely have appreciation for my old washer and dryer. I can’t believe we swear in as volunteers in less than a week. It is crazy that training is almost over. I am excited to get started with the next step in my adventure. Santa Eulalia has a new internet cafe. Yeah, I won’t have to head to Chosica every time I want to use the internet. You would know internet would make it here a week before I move!
May 28, 2004
We went back to the school. The director was there, but he didn’t think we should do a presentation. We’re not really sure what to make of our last visit to Callahuanca. I think in a lot of ways our novelty of being Gringas has worn off. On to plan B, we are going to plan a playtime for the kids at 3:00 and hopefully sneak in a couple of words about leadership (our homework for our last visit). We had an announcement made on the loud speaker, inviting the whole town the Peace Corps activity and it worked. We had several kids and adults showed for our activity. We played ‘Leader of the Band’ then ‘Trust Walk’ and had a discussion afterwards. The kids brought up some great ideas about what they would do if they were president of Peru. We continued to play with the kids and took another walk. Another early night for me, I am in bed at 9:00 pm.
May 27, 2004
We’re back in Callahuanca for our final visit. I am staying with the elderly couple again. It is definitely a little uncomfortable, we just don’t have much in common and there are several ‘silent’ moments. They are sweet and their home is comfortable. We visited the school to set up a time to do a presentation, but the director wasn’t there, so we have to try again tomorrow. Ate lunch, boy was it yummy! Speaking of my eating habits, you might as well call me a vegetarian, cause I am not getting meat. All I eat is pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread. I buy my own fruit to supplement my diet, but I can really tell my body needs more protein. After lunch, we had Spanish classes, and then we took a walk with the kids of the community. I pulled out my Uno cards and had fun teaching the kids to play. In bed by 8:00 pm, I guess it’s lot of rest for me!
May 26, 2004
Language class this morning was better, not quite as boring. Maybe I just had more energy. The PCMO came today. I always like the days she comes, her sessions are always fun. We talked about security again. PC really takes that part of their job seriously. She also took our blood, since we are on malaria medication. After classes, we talked about who should speak at our ceremony and would you know, they picked me. Needless to say, I am already nervous and I have no idea what to say; but what an honor, to speak on behalf of our group and to such important world leaders. After class, we watched Shrek II; it was good to just enjoy a movie in English. Pirated movies/dvds/cds are the craze here and you can get them for cheap. I taught my family to play Uno. They liked it. I also showed them my gadget box that has my locks, binoculars, flashlight, and Gerber knife. They were so intrigued by it all.
May 25, 2004
The Country Director visited today for lunch. She cleared up some questions about our swearing in ceremony. Looks like it is going to be a pretty big deal! The Peace Corps Director from DC will be there and so will the Peruvian President, Toledo. It is going to be at the Presidential Palace, think Peruvian White House. We have to pick someone to speak on behalf of our group during the ceremony.
May 24, 2004
Today was definitely nothing to write home about, but I will record my thoughts for future reference. We started out the day with an alcohol workshop that we can do with youth. We had 2 volunteers present to help out. It is always good to get to know other volunteers and hear about their experiences. After lunch, I had language training. Our professor took us to Chosica for class which added an air of excitement to the afternoon. Then I went to internet and home. This is a really challenging time for me. I feel so ready to get to Trujillo, to get things started and organized. I don’t want to rush things, but I can’t seem to help my feelings of impatience. We have about a week left of training.
May 23, 2004
I headed to Lima with a friend. We went to Jockey Plaza again for some shopping and “Americanism”. We had Starbuck’s and Burger King. It was great! I made it home by 5:00 because my sister said that she wanted to go to her school’s party, but we didn’t end up going. That is a thing about this culture that really gets on my nerves. They may or may not follow through with their plans. They always just say what they think you want to hear. So I headed back to Chosica for some internet. When I got home, my sister helped me with my homework and the family hung out in my room, eating my fruit, and generally having a good time. It was cool.
May 22, 2004
We had classes this morning. Not fun to get up on a Saturday for school, believe me. After lunch, we headed to Surco for an environmental session. This included local girls leading us on a hike to the waterfalls of Surco, a small town about an hour from Santa Eulalia. On our way there, we were pulled over for illegally passing someone. Our driver had to pay the cop off -- $4. And the ticket would have cost him over $150. We made it there and made our way up the trail to the waterfalls. Because there hasn’t been much rain, the river was a bit dry and the waterfall not as impressive. But I did get to see some really cute sheep up close. In fact, I picked up a little white lamb and I thought its mom was going to ram me! We had a scary experience—one of our trainers, fell on the slippery rocks and cut his nose. There was blood everywhere. We had to escort him off the mountain and then to the hospital. He had to have 3 stitches. I made it home before dark and decided to stay in for the night.
May 29, 2004
Back home by 10:30 am and cleaning up a little. Hand-washing all your clothes is not fun. I definitely have appreciation for my old washer and dryer. I can’t believe we swear in as volunteers in less than a week. It is crazy that training is almost over. I am excited to get started with the next step in my adventure. Santa Eulalia has a new internet cafe. Yeah, I won’t have to head to Chosica every time I want to use the internet. You would know internet would make it here a week before I move!
May 28, 2004
We went back to the school. The director was there, but he didn’t think we should do a presentation. We’re not really sure what to make of our last visit to Callahuanca. I think in a lot of ways our novelty of being Gringas has worn off. On to plan B, we are going to plan a playtime for the kids at 3:00 and hopefully sneak in a couple of words about leadership (our homework for our last visit). We had an announcement made on the loud speaker, inviting the whole town the Peace Corps activity and it worked. We had several kids and adults showed for our activity. We played ‘Leader of the Band’ then ‘Trust Walk’ and had a discussion afterwards. The kids brought up some great ideas about what they would do if they were president of Peru. We continued to play with the kids and took another walk. Another early night for me, I am in bed at 9:00 pm.
May 27, 2004
We’re back in Callahuanca for our final visit. I am staying with the elderly couple again. It is definitely a little uncomfortable, we just don’t have much in common and there are several ‘silent’ moments. They are sweet and their home is comfortable. We visited the school to set up a time to do a presentation, but the director wasn’t there, so we have to try again tomorrow. Ate lunch, boy was it yummy! Speaking of my eating habits, you might as well call me a vegetarian, cause I am not getting meat. All I eat is pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread. I buy my own fruit to supplement my diet, but I can really tell my body needs more protein. After lunch, we had Spanish classes, and then we took a walk with the kids of the community. I pulled out my Uno cards and had fun teaching the kids to play. In bed by 8:00 pm, I guess it’s lot of rest for me!
May 26, 2004
Language class this morning was better, not quite as boring. Maybe I just had more energy. The PCMO came today. I always like the days she comes, her sessions are always fun. We talked about security again. PC really takes that part of their job seriously. She also took our blood, since we are on malaria medication. After classes, we talked about who should speak at our ceremony and would you know, they picked me. Needless to say, I am already nervous and I have no idea what to say; but what an honor, to speak on behalf of our group and to such important world leaders. After class, we watched Shrek II; it was good to just enjoy a movie in English. Pirated movies/dvds/cds are the craze here and you can get them for cheap. I taught my family to play Uno. They liked it. I also showed them my gadget box that has my locks, binoculars, flashlight, and Gerber knife. They were so intrigued by it all.
May 25, 2004
The Country Director visited today for lunch. She cleared up some questions about our swearing in ceremony. Looks like it is going to be a pretty big deal! The Peace Corps Director from DC will be there and so will the Peruvian President, Toledo. It is going to be at the Presidential Palace, think Peruvian White House. We have to pick someone to speak on behalf of our group during the ceremony.
May 24, 2004
Today was definitely nothing to write home about, but I will record my thoughts for future reference. We started out the day with an alcohol workshop that we can do with youth. We had 2 volunteers present to help out. It is always good to get to know other volunteers and hear about their experiences. After lunch, I had language training. Our professor took us to Chosica for class which added an air of excitement to the afternoon. Then I went to internet and home. This is a really challenging time for me. I feel so ready to get to Trujillo, to get things started and organized. I don’t want to rush things, but I can’t seem to help my feelings of impatience. We have about a week left of training.
May 23, 2004
I headed to Lima with a friend. We went to Jockey Plaza again for some shopping and “Americanism”. We had Starbuck’s and Burger King. It was great! I made it home by 5:00 because my sister said that she wanted to go to her school’s party, but we didn’t end up going. That is a thing about this culture that really gets on my nerves. They may or may not follow through with their plans. They always just say what they think you want to hear. So I headed back to Chosica for some internet. When I got home, my sister helped me with my homework and the family hung out in my room, eating my fruit, and generally having a good time. It was cool.
May 22, 2004
We had classes this morning. Not fun to get up on a Saturday for school, believe me. After lunch, we headed to Surco for an environmental session. This included local girls leading us on a hike to the waterfalls of Surco, a small town about an hour from Santa Eulalia. On our way there, we were pulled over for illegally passing someone. Our driver had to pay the cop off -- $4. And the ticket would have cost him over $150. We made it there and made our way up the trail to the waterfalls. Because there hasn’t been much rain, the river was a bit dry and the waterfall not as impressive. But I did get to see some really cute sheep up close. In fact, I picked up a little white lamb and I thought its mom was going to ram me! We had a scary experience—one of our trainers, fell on the slippery rocks and cut his nose. There was blood everywhere. We had to escort him off the mountain and then to the hospital. He had to have 3 stitches. I made it home before dark and decided to stay in for the night.
Back home by 10:30 am and cleaning up a little. Hand-washing all your clothes is not fun. I definitely have appreciation for my old washer and dryer. I can’t believe we swear in as volunteers in less than a week. It is crazy that training is almost over. I am excited to get started with the next step in my adventure. Santa Eulalia has a new internet cafe. Yeah, I won’t have to head to Chosica every time I want to use the internet. You would know internet would make it here a week before I move!
May 28, 2004
We went back to the school. The director was there, but he didn’t think we should do a presentation. We’re not really sure what to make of our last visit to Callahuanca. I think in a lot of ways our novelty of being Gringas has worn off. On to plan B, we are going to plan a playtime for the kids at 3:00 and hopefully sneak in a couple of words about leadership (our homework for our last visit). We had an announcement made on the loud speaker, inviting the whole town the Peace Corps activity and it worked. We had several kids and adults showed for our activity. We played ‘Leader of the Band’ then ‘Trust Walk’ and had a discussion afterwards. The kids brought up some great ideas about what they would do if they were president of Peru. We continued to play with the kids and took another walk. Another early night for me, I am in bed at 9:00 pm.
May 27, 2004
We’re back in Callahuanca for our final visit. I am staying with the elderly couple again. It is definitely a little uncomfortable, we just don’t have much in common and there are several ‘silent’ moments. They are sweet and their home is comfortable. We visited the school to set up a time to do a presentation, but the director wasn’t there, so we have to try again tomorrow. Ate lunch, boy was it yummy! Speaking of my eating habits, you might as well call me a vegetarian, cause I am not getting meat. All I eat is pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread. I buy my own fruit to supplement my diet, but I can really tell my body needs more protein. After lunch, we had Spanish classes, and then we took a walk with the kids of the community. I pulled out my Uno cards and had fun teaching the kids to play. In bed by 8:00 pm, I guess it’s lot of rest for me!
May 26, 2004
Language class this morning was better, not quite as boring. Maybe I just had more energy. The PCMO came today. I always like the days she comes, her sessions are always fun. We talked about security again. PC really takes that part of their job seriously. She also took our blood, since we are on malaria medication. After classes, we talked about who should speak at our ceremony and would you know, they picked me. Needless to say, I am already nervous and I have no idea what to say; but what an honor, to speak on behalf of our group and to such important world leaders. After class, we watched Shrek II; it was good to just enjoy a movie in English. Pirated movies/dvds/cds are the craze here and you can get them for cheap. I taught my family to play Uno. They liked it. I also showed them my gadget box that has my locks, binoculars, flashlight, and Gerber knife. They were so intrigued by it all.
May 25, 2004
The Country Director visited today for lunch. She cleared up some questions about our swearing in ceremony. Looks like it is going to be a pretty big deal! The Peace Corps Director from DC will be there and so will the Peruvian President, Toledo. It is going to be at the Presidential Palace, think Peruvian White House. We have to pick someone to speak on behalf of our group during the ceremony.
May 24, 2004
Today was definitely nothing to write home about, but I will record my thoughts for future reference. We started out the day with an alcohol workshop that we can do with youth. We had 2 volunteers present to help out. It is always good to get to know other volunteers and hear about their experiences. After lunch, I had language training. Our professor took us to Chosica for class which added an air of excitement to the afternoon. Then I went to internet and home. This is a really challenging time for me. I feel so ready to get to Trujillo, to get things started and organized. I don’t want to rush things, but I can’t seem to help my feelings of impatience. We have about a week left of training.
May 23, 2004
I headed to Lima with a friend. We went to Jockey Plaza again for some shopping and “Americanism”. We had Starbuck’s and Burger King. It was great! I made it home by 5:00 because my sister said that she wanted to go to her school’s party, but we didn’t end up going. That is a thing about this culture that really gets on my nerves. They may or may not follow through with their plans. They always just say what they think you want to hear. So I headed back to Chosica for some internet. When I got home, my sister helped me with my homework and the family hung out in my room, eating my fruit, and generally having a good time. It was cool.
May 22, 2004
We had classes this morning. Not fun to get up on a Saturday for school, believe me. After lunch, we headed to Surco for an environmental session. This included local girls leading us on a hike to the waterfalls of Surco, a small town about an hour from Santa Eulalia. On our way there, we were pulled over for illegally passing someone. Our driver had to pay the cop off -- $4. And the ticket would have cost him over $150. We made it there and made our way up the trail to the waterfalls. Because there hasn’t been much rain, the river was a bit dry and the waterfall not as impressive. But I did get to see some really cute sheep up close. In fact, I picked up a little white lamb and I thought its mom was going to ram me! We had a scary experience—one of our trainers, fell on the slippery rocks and cut his nose. There was blood everywhere. We had to escort him off the mountain and then to the hospital. He had to have 3 stitches. I made it home before dark and decided to stay in for the night.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
May 19, 2004
Received a call to let me know that my counterpart will assist in changing my home stay in Trujillo. Yeah! I know I still have a rough rode ahead of me.
May 18, 2004
After some intense soul searching, some intense studying of my Bible, and some intense conversations with God, I know he has a purpose for me here. After seeing and experiencing El Milagro, I have decided that I can work in the site, but would need to live outside it, in Trujillo.
I talked to the APCD and felt I was upfront with my needs. I told him of my dedication to serve as a volunteer, but in order to be the best volunteer I could be, I would need a certain living environment in which to escape. He was completely understanding and supportive. He said that he would call my counterpart and would discuss with her the options of another host family for me, outside of my site. He will let me know what he finds out tomorrow.
I definitely feel better about things, but I know this is going to be so hard. Possibly the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, in fact. With faith in God, I can do this. He is showing me that.
Like my APCD told me--if it was all rosy and great, then why would Peace Corps be in Peru?
May 17, 2004
I made it back to Santa Eulalia. What a beautiful home I have here. I called the PCMO to see what the APCD had said and she said that there are definitely some options for me. What a relief. She suggested that I talk with a trainer, to get her perspective on the situation since she had visited my site previously.
She helped me to realize that intense poverty is a reality in a 3rd world country and she validated my feelings of doubt and encouraged me to call the APCD. I pretty much just gave him my thoughts on my site. He asked that I come up with ideas on how I might be able to fix the problems that I have with the site. He said that El Milagro can be considered the most challenging site in the group, that it meets PC regulations for safety, and that housing is adequate. We scheduled a meeting for tomorrow at noon to talk face to face on a solution.
Since all the other trainees had gotten into town today too, we all met in Chosica for supper and time to exchange stories about sites. One thing that I realized is that many others had a miserable time too. And that I had some pretty great things going on in Trujillo. My counterpart is awesome, they have some great activities going on, they are progressive thinkers, educated, and resourceful. Plus they were just incredibly nice people. The beach is only a 15 minute drive away and Trujillo offers everything in the form of modern amenities. Some of my compadres didn’t fare so well either. One guy was sent 2 hours north of Cajamarca by milk truck to this extremely rural site, where he slept on the dirt floor, only ate potatoes, was unwelcomed by his reserved community, didn’t have a counterpart, had an outhouse (that you would just drather use the woods it was so bad), and was somewhat badgered by the town’s alcoholics because he was gringo. Other trainees, lived behind locked gates for the entire stay unable to leave, others didn’t like their counterparts or felt they didn’t have a role to fulfill in the community. In other words, maybe the grass isn’t greener on the other side.
May 16, 2004
Well I guess it is time for a recap on the previous 3 days of my experience in Trujillo. I really wasn’t able to write, to eat, nor to sleep. It was that bad.
Me and one other trainee arrived here on Wednesday in the afternoon. We were immediately shuttled from the bus station to our host family. Our host families were located in another site about 10 min. from my site, El Milagro. We started off with a big bang. We went to a mother’s club where we were introduced and expected to speak to the group. Then we headed over to a youth group meeting where the same thing happened. We talked, answered questions, and played a couple of games. My host family was marvelous. They had electricity, water, bucket flush toilet, and a shower. They had turkeys and guinea pigs in their patio. Their home was quite comfortable. It was a good first night. Reality set in the very next day.
The YMCA director and our counterpart, picked us both up early the next day to tour my site, El Milagro. I had no idea what to expect and there was no way I could have prepared myself for the reality of the site. El Milagro epitomizes the term ‘extreme poverty’. It is the last pueblo of the city of Trujillo before entering the desert, most famous for the city dump where many residents make a living ‘recycling’ trash and looking for anything of use. When I say city dump, it’s not to be confused with my experience of US’s landfills. This dump is as far as you can see out into the desert. Families live in little square black plastic shelters or in crude adobe housing. Over 40,000 people live in El Milagro. Most have no electricity, no water, and no bathroom. There are no regulations on trash disposal here, anyone may dump trash, and anyone may live in it or go through it. The community ‘recycles’ things found in the dump. They earn 10 cents a kilo for plastic, eat what food they find, and wear the clothes the recover. They take their pigs there to graze, not understanding the re-contamination they are producing. Also, El Milagro is also home to a state prison. The YMCA center, where I am to work, is located next to the prison. The center is a location where kids in El Milagro can hang out, do homework, and play. There are students from universities in Trujillo who volunteer to help with the kid’s with school work and 3 YMCA employees that organize activities for the youth and women’s club of the community. The center is open Monday – Saturday 9:00-6:00. Rocio took us for a driving tour of El Milagro and drove directly to where the children and adults were ‘working’ in the trash. After our tour, we drove into Trujillo to the YMCA office (in a very nice section of town), where I proceeded to break down. I had never experienced such inhumane conditions in my life and to think that I would be living there for 2 years was too much to bear. We took a walk and I just cried and cried. We returned to our home stays and I didn’t sleep. I finally was able to make myself calm down by praying for guidance, support, and a solution.
We returned to El Milagro the next day where we hung out in the center and played with the kids. What a loving group of kids. They had a ton of questions, big hugs, and smiling faces. I was able to visit my future home stay and boy was it a disappointment. The home was made of adobe, my room was supposed to be getting improvements but none by my eyes could be noted. There was no roof, no water, and an outhouse. In the afternoon, we returned to the other site. I attended a mass service at the Catholic Church with my host sister. She introduced me to the priest, who asked me if I was catholic. I told him no that I was Baptist. And he told me that was all that was important, that I was a Christian. How true, I find that to be. I immensely enjoyed the service and felt God’s presence and his calming hand. After chatting with the congregation after the service, I returned home to another restless night. I just remember experiencing this intense fear.
My last day in El Milagro was during a Health Campaign sponsored by the YMCA. There was a nutritionist, a dermatologist, an obstetrician, and general practitioner there to see the community members. I helped with the campaign and played outside with the kids. After another long day, I headed back to Angela’s site. I finally felt in control of my emotions enough to call the Peace Corps nurse, to tell her of my experience. I told her about my site and that I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t live there in that site for 2 years, that I felt incredibly unsafe physically, emotionally, and mentally. She was absolutely great and told me that was the point of a site visit--to see if the site is the right match for you. She also said she would call Ken, the guy who does our placements, to give him a head’s up. What a relief to verbalize what I was feeling.
My last day in Trujillo was a good one. Before lunch, we helped the YMCA with a youth workshop and a women's group fundraiser in the other site. In the afternoon, we did the touristy things like visiting the Ruins of the Moon & Sun, touring down town, and visiting the beach.
May 13, 2004
Oh my goodness. My site is unlike anything I have ever seen. The worst situation I have ever witnessed, in fact.
May 12, 2004
The bus I was on to the ‘campo’ broke down, so I had to hail another one. I helped another volunteer with more presentations in the schools. I head to Trujillo tomorrow. Things that I have loved about Cajamarca are the traditional dress of the people. They wear such brightly colored clothing. The women have on big skirts and babies strapped to their backs. Big white hats are worn by all. Generally, the people are very nice and friendly.
May 10, 2004
I ventured to the ‘campo’ today. That’s Spanish for countryside. I met up with a health volunteer where I was able to help kids learn how to properly brush their teeth, to teach an English class to kindergarteners, and to do some team building activities with high schoolers. Interestingly, only boys attended the high school, it seems that the girls have dropped out of school at this point. After our work in the schools, we headed to the pasture to “water” the cows. The cows are staked to the ground by a lead rope and ever so often you move them to fresh grass and lead them to the creek to drink water. It was a fun experience. We ate lunch at another volunteers house: pasta with a vegetable tomato sauce. Her house is mostly dirt floors, has an outhouse, no refrigerator, and a wood burning stove for cooking. We headed back into Cajamarca to meet up with another volunteer, to visit the local artisan workshops. What a neat place, to watch them make such beautiful ceramics. Her home in the city is very modern. She has all modern conveniences including TV, refrig, and bathroom. I am experiencing some definite anxiety about what is awaiting me in Trujillo.
May 9, 2004
Today is Mother’s Day. I called Mom to wish her a good day. This morning we toured Cajamarca with the PCVs of the area and had lunch in on the plaza. I have the afternoon to myself and just climbed the hill to the church to overlook all of Cajamarca. I went to the market for breakfast goods.
Received a call to let me know that my counterpart will assist in changing my home stay in Trujillo. Yeah! I know I still have a rough rode ahead of me.
May 18, 2004
After some intense soul searching, some intense studying of my Bible, and some intense conversations with God, I know he has a purpose for me here. After seeing and experiencing El Milagro, I have decided that I can work in the site, but would need to live outside it, in Trujillo.
I talked to the APCD and felt I was upfront with my needs. I told him of my dedication to serve as a volunteer, but in order to be the best volunteer I could be, I would need a certain living environment in which to escape. He was completely understanding and supportive. He said that he would call my counterpart and would discuss with her the options of another host family for me, outside of my site. He will let me know what he finds out tomorrow.
I definitely feel better about things, but I know this is going to be so hard. Possibly the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, in fact. With faith in God, I can do this. He is showing me that.
Like my APCD told me--if it was all rosy and great, then why would Peace Corps be in Peru?
May 17, 2004
I made it back to Santa Eulalia. What a beautiful home I have here. I called the PCMO to see what the APCD had said and she said that there are definitely some options for me. What a relief. She suggested that I talk with a trainer, to get her perspective on the situation since she had visited my site previously.
She helped me to realize that intense poverty is a reality in a 3rd world country and she validated my feelings of doubt and encouraged me to call the APCD. I pretty much just gave him my thoughts on my site. He asked that I come up with ideas on how I might be able to fix the problems that I have with the site. He said that El Milagro can be considered the most challenging site in the group, that it meets PC regulations for safety, and that housing is adequate. We scheduled a meeting for tomorrow at noon to talk face to face on a solution.
Since all the other trainees had gotten into town today too, we all met in Chosica for supper and time to exchange stories about sites. One thing that I realized is that many others had a miserable time too. And that I had some pretty great things going on in Trujillo. My counterpart is awesome, they have some great activities going on, they are progressive thinkers, educated, and resourceful. Plus they were just incredibly nice people. The beach is only a 15 minute drive away and Trujillo offers everything in the form of modern amenities. Some of my compadres didn’t fare so well either. One guy was sent 2 hours north of Cajamarca by milk truck to this extremely rural site, where he slept on the dirt floor, only ate potatoes, was unwelcomed by his reserved community, didn’t have a counterpart, had an outhouse (that you would just drather use the woods it was so bad), and was somewhat badgered by the town’s alcoholics because he was gringo. Other trainees, lived behind locked gates for the entire stay unable to leave, others didn’t like their counterparts or felt they didn’t have a role to fulfill in the community. In other words, maybe the grass isn’t greener on the other side.
May 16, 2004
Well I guess it is time for a recap on the previous 3 days of my experience in Trujillo. I really wasn’t able to write, to eat, nor to sleep. It was that bad.
Me and one other trainee arrived here on Wednesday in the afternoon. We were immediately shuttled from the bus station to our host family. Our host families were located in another site about 10 min. from my site, El Milagro. We started off with a big bang. We went to a mother’s club where we were introduced and expected to speak to the group. Then we headed over to a youth group meeting where the same thing happened. We talked, answered questions, and played a couple of games. My host family was marvelous. They had electricity, water, bucket flush toilet, and a shower. They had turkeys and guinea pigs in their patio. Their home was quite comfortable. It was a good first night. Reality set in the very next day.
The YMCA director and our counterpart, picked us both up early the next day to tour my site, El Milagro. I had no idea what to expect and there was no way I could have prepared myself for the reality of the site. El Milagro epitomizes the term ‘extreme poverty’. It is the last pueblo of the city of Trujillo before entering the desert, most famous for the city dump where many residents make a living ‘recycling’ trash and looking for anything of use. When I say city dump, it’s not to be confused with my experience of US’s landfills. This dump is as far as you can see out into the desert. Families live in little square black plastic shelters or in crude adobe housing. Over 40,000 people live in El Milagro. Most have no electricity, no water, and no bathroom. There are no regulations on trash disposal here, anyone may dump trash, and anyone may live in it or go through it. The community ‘recycles’ things found in the dump. They earn 10 cents a kilo for plastic, eat what food they find, and wear the clothes the recover. They take their pigs there to graze, not understanding the re-contamination they are producing. Also, El Milagro is also home to a state prison. The YMCA center, where I am to work, is located next to the prison. The center is a location where kids in El Milagro can hang out, do homework, and play. There are students from universities in Trujillo who volunteer to help with the kid’s with school work and 3 YMCA employees that organize activities for the youth and women’s club of the community. The center is open Monday – Saturday 9:00-6:00. Rocio took us for a driving tour of El Milagro and drove directly to where the children and adults were ‘working’ in the trash. After our tour, we drove into Trujillo to the YMCA office (in a very nice section of town), where I proceeded to break down. I had never experienced such inhumane conditions in my life and to think that I would be living there for 2 years was too much to bear. We took a walk and I just cried and cried. We returned to our home stays and I didn’t sleep. I finally was able to make myself calm down by praying for guidance, support, and a solution.
We returned to El Milagro the next day where we hung out in the center and played with the kids. What a loving group of kids. They had a ton of questions, big hugs, and smiling faces. I was able to visit my future home stay and boy was it a disappointment. The home was made of adobe, my room was supposed to be getting improvements but none by my eyes could be noted. There was no roof, no water, and an outhouse. In the afternoon, we returned to the other site. I attended a mass service at the Catholic Church with my host sister. She introduced me to the priest, who asked me if I was catholic. I told him no that I was Baptist. And he told me that was all that was important, that I was a Christian. How true, I find that to be. I immensely enjoyed the service and felt God’s presence and his calming hand. After chatting with the congregation after the service, I returned home to another restless night. I just remember experiencing this intense fear.
My last day in El Milagro was during a Health Campaign sponsored by the YMCA. There was a nutritionist, a dermatologist, an obstetrician, and general practitioner there to see the community members. I helped with the campaign and played outside with the kids. After another long day, I headed back to Angela’s site. I finally felt in control of my emotions enough to call the Peace Corps nurse, to tell her of my experience. I told her about my site and that I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t live there in that site for 2 years, that I felt incredibly unsafe physically, emotionally, and mentally. She was absolutely great and told me that was the point of a site visit--to see if the site is the right match for you. She also said she would call Ken, the guy who does our placements, to give him a head’s up. What a relief to verbalize what I was feeling.
My last day in Trujillo was a good one. Before lunch, we helped the YMCA with a youth workshop and a women's group fundraiser in the other site. In the afternoon, we did the touristy things like visiting the Ruins of the Moon & Sun, touring down town, and visiting the beach.
May 13, 2004
Oh my goodness. My site is unlike anything I have ever seen. The worst situation I have ever witnessed, in fact.
May 12, 2004
The bus I was on to the ‘campo’ broke down, so I had to hail another one. I helped another volunteer with more presentations in the schools. I head to Trujillo tomorrow. Things that I have loved about Cajamarca are the traditional dress of the people. They wear such brightly colored clothing. The women have on big skirts and babies strapped to their backs. Big white hats are worn by all. Generally, the people are very nice and friendly.
May 10, 2004
I ventured to the ‘campo’ today. That’s Spanish for countryside. I met up with a health volunteer where I was able to help kids learn how to properly brush their teeth, to teach an English class to kindergarteners, and to do some team building activities with high schoolers. Interestingly, only boys attended the high school, it seems that the girls have dropped out of school at this point. After our work in the schools, we headed to the pasture to “water” the cows. The cows are staked to the ground by a lead rope and ever so often you move them to fresh grass and lead them to the creek to drink water. It was a fun experience. We ate lunch at another volunteers house: pasta with a vegetable tomato sauce. Her house is mostly dirt floors, has an outhouse, no refrigerator, and a wood burning stove for cooking. We headed back into Cajamarca to meet up with another volunteer, to visit the local artisan workshops. What a neat place, to watch them make such beautiful ceramics. Her home in the city is very modern. She has all modern conveniences including TV, refrig, and bathroom. I am experiencing some definite anxiety about what is awaiting me in Trujillo.
May 9, 2004
Today is Mother’s Day. I called Mom to wish her a good day. This morning we toured Cajamarca with the PCVs of the area and had lunch in on the plaza. I have the afternoon to myself and just climbed the hill to the church to overlook all of Cajamarca. I went to the market for breakfast goods.
Saturday, May 08, 2004
May 8, 2004
I made it to Cajamarca – 14 hours on a bus last night! The bus was nice granted, like a charter bus in US, but what a night. There is no good way to sleep, especially on bumping rodes. Cajamarca is beautiful, unlike anything I have ever seen. Rolling green mountains, quaint villages, huge farms, and friendly people. We are staying in a hostel right in down town. It is great. Believe it or not – I have hot water! My first hot shower in 8 weeks, what a treat. The rooms are neat and clean and there’s a tv. I feel like I am on vacation. We have the rest of today free to explore the city. Tomorrow I meet up with a volunteer named Amanda to learn first hand about PC service. Cajamarca is a big city with colonial buildings in the town center. There is a huge market a couple of blocks south of the plaza, where everything is sold – guinea pigs, fruits, vegetables, clothing, you name it.
May 7, 2004
What a whirl wind of a day. We found out of site placements, finally! I can’t believe I have made it this far in my PC experience. We leave this afternoon for Field Based Training for 10 days – where you stay with a current volunteer for 3 days to learn the ropes, then visit your site for 3 days to see your home of 2 years. Since there are no volunteers currently in Trujillo, I am heading to Cajamarca first, then will go to Trujillo at the end of the week.
A little about my site, from the written info I received: Intense poverty, final shanty town of the city before entering the desert, most famous for the city dump where many residents make a living recycling trash and looking for anything of use, there is electricity and water, latrines (outhouses), beach of Huanchaco is 15 minutes away, climate is warm and dry (often above 80), houses are made mostly of adobe and bricks, of any PC/Peru site offers the toughest daily reality, structured work (Monday-Friday) environment with YMCA, and Internet is a 5-minute walk away.
May 5, 2004
My family took me to thier uncle’s farm today, he raises exotic fish and has bananas, alvocados, limes, and apples. I was able to pick bananas right from the tree and eat them. He also took me to his ancestrial adobe home that is in his back yard. He said his great grandparents built it. Also got to see the guinea pigs and chickens he’s raising to eat.
May 4, 2004
Not too much happened today that is interesting. Just classes, then this afternoon two counterparts (agencies we will be working with in our sites) came to give presentations to our training group. A site in Cajamarca is in a group home/orphanage. The volunteer will have their own personal apartment, equipped with kitchen and hot water. You can’t beat that for living arrangements. However, the work seems arduous. The volunteer will live and work in this facility with 25 kids and one other adult. That’s a lot of responsibility and a lot of work. The other presentation was about Ancash, way up in the Andes Mountains. This site is a lot less structured. The volunteer will be living in a Quechua-speaking community and focusing on bi-lingual (Quechua/Spanish) education. I return to the Buenos Aires school on Thursday, so I am busy preparing a lesson. Supposedly, we are returning to help with tutoring, but the teachers have requested that we do another self-esteem activity.
May 3, 2004
Something that I have realized is -- you can really get used to any surrounding. The things I thought were just crazy and that I would never get used to, are a part of my everyday routine now. It’s almost like they’ve always been that way. You really don’t need a toilet seat, nor do you really need hot water to bathe in, and you can make due without a car. They say that reverse culture shock when you go home is even worse than the initial culture shock of the foreign country. I am beginning to see why. I can’t believe I have been here 2 months.
Classes today were great – my language improved! I’m up one more level. We’ve changed professors. We leave on Friday to visit our sites and to stay with another volunteer. We had a session on things you can do to improve the housing in your future site, so take notes on your first visit. PC gives you $200 as a settling in allowance, for things like a bed, stove, dresser, paint, or whatever you think you might need. All sites have some sort of shelter, latrine, and water source; but it is up to you to add what is not already there. The families can consider this part of the rent. If after a couple of months, your family is not working out, you can move homes. So, there is freedom in where you live, but you have to remember part of the PC mission is to live like the locals.
May 2, 2004
I went to a trainee´s soccer game today. She’s playing with the Santa Eulalia women’s team. It was fun to sit in the stands and hear the Peruvians root for the Gringa! I heard from a neighbor they want her to play for a team in Lima. Later in the afternoon, went with my family to the men’s soccer game, and had some great grilled chicken. They were having a chicken dinner for a fundraiser for the teams. Really, really sick tonight… You don’t want the details. Probably was the chicken.
May 1, 2004
This was my first experience staying in a hostel, but I have to admit, it wasn’t that bad. We still didn’t have hot water but my bed was reasonable clean. We toured the Plaza de Armas in downtown Lima, where I bought a great purse and had lunch. Service in a restaurant is definitely different here. One person does all the ordering and you better order everything at first or good luck getting it later. In the afternoon, we visited the PCMO´s place in Lima for homemade Mexican food. She pulled out her old PC scrapbook and told us her stories of her service in Paraguay. It has been a great weekend of speaking English and eating “normal” food. Back to Santa Eulalia.
April 30, 2004
We went to Huacan again today to do a health fair. We had a great time working with the kids. Supposedly this area of Lima, is a lot like my site in Trujillo, so I was taking notes. The area was congested with lots of people, shops, and houses. The streets were mostly dirt and lots of graffiti on the walls. On our way back to the training center, we saw a group marching to Lima. This group of 6000+ farmers had marched from the jungle in northern Peru. They were headed to the capital to protest new laws restricting cocoa plant production. Ventured back to Lima to eat dinner and watch a movie at the APCD´s house. What a great setup, working for the American Embassy. They have strict limitations on where employees can live, so that means you get a great pad. We played badminton in the back yard, snacked on chips & salsa, ate salad and Pizza Hut Pizza. Afterwards, we checked in at a hostel and headed to Barronco and Miraflores, nice sections of Lima, for some night scenes.
April 29, 2004
I had my second language interview today. It went pretty good. My Spanish has to of improved, right? I have been living here for 7 weeks now. I ventured to Chosica this afternoon for internet and some ice cream.
I made it to Cajamarca – 14 hours on a bus last night! The bus was nice granted, like a charter bus in US, but what a night. There is no good way to sleep, especially on bumping rodes. Cajamarca is beautiful, unlike anything I have ever seen. Rolling green mountains, quaint villages, huge farms, and friendly people. We are staying in a hostel right in down town. It is great. Believe it or not – I have hot water! My first hot shower in 8 weeks, what a treat. The rooms are neat and clean and there’s a tv. I feel like I am on vacation. We have the rest of today free to explore the city. Tomorrow I meet up with a volunteer named Amanda to learn first hand about PC service. Cajamarca is a big city with colonial buildings in the town center. There is a huge market a couple of blocks south of the plaza, where everything is sold – guinea pigs, fruits, vegetables, clothing, you name it.
May 7, 2004
What a whirl wind of a day. We found out of site placements, finally! I can’t believe I have made it this far in my PC experience. We leave this afternoon for Field Based Training for 10 days – where you stay with a current volunteer for 3 days to learn the ropes, then visit your site for 3 days to see your home of 2 years. Since there are no volunteers currently in Trujillo, I am heading to Cajamarca first, then will go to Trujillo at the end of the week.
A little about my site, from the written info I received: Intense poverty, final shanty town of the city before entering the desert, most famous for the city dump where many residents make a living recycling trash and looking for anything of use, there is electricity and water, latrines (outhouses), beach of Huanchaco is 15 minutes away, climate is warm and dry (often above 80), houses are made mostly of adobe and bricks, of any PC/Peru site offers the toughest daily reality, structured work (Monday-Friday) environment with YMCA, and Internet is a 5-minute walk away.
May 5, 2004
My family took me to thier uncle’s farm today, he raises exotic fish and has bananas, alvocados, limes, and apples. I was able to pick bananas right from the tree and eat them. He also took me to his ancestrial adobe home that is in his back yard. He said his great grandparents built it. Also got to see the guinea pigs and chickens he’s raising to eat.
May 4, 2004
Not too much happened today that is interesting. Just classes, then this afternoon two counterparts (agencies we will be working with in our sites) came to give presentations to our training group. A site in Cajamarca is in a group home/orphanage. The volunteer will have their own personal apartment, equipped with kitchen and hot water. You can’t beat that for living arrangements. However, the work seems arduous. The volunteer will live and work in this facility with 25 kids and one other adult. That’s a lot of responsibility and a lot of work. The other presentation was about Ancash, way up in the Andes Mountains. This site is a lot less structured. The volunteer will be living in a Quechua-speaking community and focusing on bi-lingual (Quechua/Spanish) education. I return to the Buenos Aires school on Thursday, so I am busy preparing a lesson. Supposedly, we are returning to help with tutoring, but the teachers have requested that we do another self-esteem activity.
May 3, 2004
Something that I have realized is -- you can really get used to any surrounding. The things I thought were just crazy and that I would never get used to, are a part of my everyday routine now. It’s almost like they’ve always been that way. You really don’t need a toilet seat, nor do you really need hot water to bathe in, and you can make due without a car. They say that reverse culture shock when you go home is even worse than the initial culture shock of the foreign country. I am beginning to see why. I can’t believe I have been here 2 months.
Classes today were great – my language improved! I’m up one more level. We’ve changed professors. We leave on Friday to visit our sites and to stay with another volunteer. We had a session on things you can do to improve the housing in your future site, so take notes on your first visit. PC gives you $200 as a settling in allowance, for things like a bed, stove, dresser, paint, or whatever you think you might need. All sites have some sort of shelter, latrine, and water source; but it is up to you to add what is not already there. The families can consider this part of the rent. If after a couple of months, your family is not working out, you can move homes. So, there is freedom in where you live, but you have to remember part of the PC mission is to live like the locals.
May 2, 2004
I went to a trainee´s soccer game today. She’s playing with the Santa Eulalia women’s team. It was fun to sit in the stands and hear the Peruvians root for the Gringa! I heard from a neighbor they want her to play for a team in Lima. Later in the afternoon, went with my family to the men’s soccer game, and had some great grilled chicken. They were having a chicken dinner for a fundraiser for the teams. Really, really sick tonight… You don’t want the details. Probably was the chicken.
May 1, 2004
This was my first experience staying in a hostel, but I have to admit, it wasn’t that bad. We still didn’t have hot water but my bed was reasonable clean. We toured the Plaza de Armas in downtown Lima, where I bought a great purse and had lunch. Service in a restaurant is definitely different here. One person does all the ordering and you better order everything at first or good luck getting it later. In the afternoon, we visited the PCMO´s place in Lima for homemade Mexican food. She pulled out her old PC scrapbook and told us her stories of her service in Paraguay. It has been a great weekend of speaking English and eating “normal” food. Back to Santa Eulalia.
April 30, 2004
We went to Huacan again today to do a health fair. We had a great time working with the kids. Supposedly this area of Lima, is a lot like my site in Trujillo, so I was taking notes. The area was congested with lots of people, shops, and houses. The streets were mostly dirt and lots of graffiti on the walls. On our way back to the training center, we saw a group marching to Lima. This group of 6000+ farmers had marched from the jungle in northern Peru. They were headed to the capital to protest new laws restricting cocoa plant production. Ventured back to Lima to eat dinner and watch a movie at the APCD´s house. What a great setup, working for the American Embassy. They have strict limitations on where employees can live, so that means you get a great pad. We played badminton in the back yard, snacked on chips & salsa, ate salad and Pizza Hut Pizza. Afterwards, we checked in at a hostel and headed to Barronco and Miraflores, nice sections of Lima, for some night scenes.
April 29, 2004
I had my second language interview today. It went pretty good. My Spanish has to of improved, right? I have been living here for 7 weeks now. I ventured to Chosica this afternoon for internet and some ice cream.
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