Hola amigitos,
Ok, so nothing much beyond the norm has been happening in these last few days. Oh, except, you know, saying goodbye to all my friends because they're leaving Peru to go off on their next adventures and I'm still here, trying to frantically finish up my projects, grants, and saying goodbye.
Ugh, saying goodbye is the worst. I mean, we're all leaving and some are going to travel for a bit (some of my friends are going on this amazing trip to Columbia, followed by a sailing trip to Panama and I, for reasons unknown.... kinda, there are good reasons but sometimes I forget... I am not going with them. SAD FACE.) and other are heading back to the states to be with family, friends, and significant others but we're all going to be so much further apart than before.
I mean, when we finished training in Chosica, it felt like I had something in my eye for days. Like a stick. Or a sharp rock. Whatever it was, it was constant tears. And that was when I knew I would be seeing them periodically, or at least it was within my power to easily go visit if I really felt the urge.. Now? I don't know. We'll be in the same country soon enough, but the US is way bigger than Peru.
This basically means I need to plan a road trip to visit as many states as possible, and a year in reunion with my 17ers and la lib favorites.
This also means me lying awake all night, the insomnia having returned, and bolting awake again once I've managed to catch a few hours, with a mild heart attack and literally saying out loud things like "WHY DO I OWN SO MUCH STUFF?" and "THIS WAS A MISTAKE" and "GAAAAAAAAAAAAH."
The end of Peace Corps is really the definition of bittersweet. There's a sadness underlying every day, a sadness underneath a constant denial of what's happening, interrupted by surges of panic. It's terrifying. Especially since on top of all these, like the cream and cherry on top, is me attempting to enjoy every single last second of it.
How messed up is that?
On the other side, I'm so excited to go. I'm like head over heels, puppy dog tail wagging kind of happy every time I think about going to machu picchu and puerto maldonado after COS, going home, getting to be with my family after 2 years of being in another country, starting a life with a job and moving towards a career, and even dating again (and although many PCVs will shake their heads no, I'm a big fan of some Peruvian men- the tall, dark, and handsomes who whisper sweet nothings in Spanish? Sweet nothings that I now understand? Yea. But all fun and no work's gotta end soon, right?)
I still have over a month left in Peru, and until August- it's going to be a series of Chaufas and Te quiero muchos and photographs galore.
Fun fact: Did I ever tell you about that time I lost my camera in Puno? Yea. Not sure if it was stolen or lost, but in any case I reported it. Considering the few months I had left in Peru, I just didn't think it was worth buying another digi cam, especially since another thing I'm really looking forward to in the states is getting me an iphone or some sort of scary smartphone with a small human named Siri locked inside. So instead, I've invested in a series of disposable DIGITAL cameras. Isn't that crazy? We're so technologically up there that we now have digital cameras... that you THROW AWAY after using.
Insane.
Oh! Besides my random musings, I wanted to tell you about the 10k I ran last Sunday. The International pacasmayo marathon is basically and off road masterpiece. It was started by a PCV like 6 years ago and has been going on strong ever since. I think slowly, but surely, it's gaining a foothold in the running world as a pretty intense and fun course to run. Although it's small, it definitely packs a wallop. Last year I ran a half marathon- my very first race ever- and like died.
I was definitely not prepared for the hills, the rocks and dirt, and the sun/wind combo. But you know what? I finished, and that's what counts! Still, my knees were seizing up just thinking about another half this year so I decided to do the 10k. Sadly, not having the motivation I did while training (badly, I might add... my training for the 21k was better suited to run a 10k but whatever) for the half so I basically did zero training for the 10k. I just figured, I'll run it. I'll finish it. I won't do well, but there we go.
I was right. I was aiming for an hour for the 10k but boy oh boy did I underestimate those hills and rocks again. Thankfully, not too much sun or wind this year around but I only managed to finish the 10k in 1hr 8min... But you know what was great? The PCVs who participated. We stayed until the last pcv came in (running the full marathon on some pretty damaged knees) and then we partied afterwards. Last year was intense, but this year was super chill. We made hot wings (sriracha honey hot wings, and tabasco sauce hot wings) and cauliflower for the vegetarians, sweet potato fries, and the beer flowed gently. There was music and singing, ping pong, and wonderful conversation as giant dogs in the hostel gently passed out on top of everyone.
Definitely a day to remember, and a solid last hurrah with other PCVs. The day afterwards, some of my favorites accompanied me to my Pasos Adelante class, where we had one PCV play his guitar and sing the ABCs of Prevention song in front of the school, and then went to my women's nutrition course where we made some plate lickingly delicious gluten free apple crisps!
God. I'm seriously going to miss these guys. And nothing in this 'verse is gonna stop me from seeing them stateside.
So that's all for now. At the mo, I'm waiting to hear back from the TEFL ppl so I can get my password and username, and take my exam to become TEFL certified. Why am I doing this, when I actually have no desire to ever teach english as a second language? I honestly don't know. Peer pressure. Everyone else was doing it, so I got on board. I actually even begged Peace Corps to please please please let me slide into this group's cause I originally forgot to sign up on time. Now, I don't know why I wasted a couple hundred bucks on this.
I'm an idiot. But I'm doing it anyway!
So now I'm eating snacks that I bought to push me through the exam, even though I have no idea when they'll respond and give me my password and things.. hopefully soon : /
I'll try to keep you posted as my days dwindle down... Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boooooy.
Peace and Love
Sincerely,
Sue.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
T-minus 58 days: Holy Crap, Where Did 2 Years Go?
Hey Friend,
Sorry I haven't written in so long, but I've been having an existential crisis and wasn't really sure what to do about it.
So basically, what's up is that I have officially decided my COS (Close Of Service) date and woah, it's coming up fast. August 9th is my final, official, ultimate day as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru, group 17. After 2 years of struggling, achieving, and overall just being, it's all coming to a close and womp womp womp.
But hey, it won't be ending without a bit of hullaballoo. I'll be having a few despedidas (and maybe finally get a chance to have some lizard ceviche!) and visiting Cusco and Madre de Dios before I get on a plane on Aug. 20th to fly back to the states with my little brother, who'll be flying back the same day and starting med school like less than a week later. Crazy kid.
In any case, what am I doing right now? Follow me through the rabbit hole that is my life.
Right now, I'm teaching about 80 or so kids at one of the schools on the theme of Sex Ed. It's super fun and a lot of these kids are fast becoming some of my favorite people ever. Sucks that I don't have much time left with them, but hopefully they learn a little something and don't get pregnant or impregnate anyone until they're ready... Still, we're going to do some fun things. Right now, I'm trying to get the kids organized to make a small music video to the song "Piensa Bien" and we just got funds secured to broadcast said music video on the tv! Yay!
Secondly, I'm still teaching my women's nutrition course and that's basically my most favorite project ever. I love these women and I'm really hoping that we start working to raise some money for them soon with a little mini business project selling healthy food and snacks at the fair, and the market. It should be interesting and we'll see how this little business venture goes down.
Third, I'm teaching Critical Thinking and Creativity with a group of kids that I used to teach English to. Turns out, they really don't want to learn English, they just want to have fun so now I'm taking that want to just hang out and do things, and making it educational! There's a story time, lots of little art projects, and cool "change your point of view" exercises.
Fourth, I'm working with that municipality recognized youth council I was working with the muni on and now that's it's all official and what not, I really want them to actually DO SOMETHING in the community. They've had like 3 meetings and literally, have done nothing. It's driving me crazy. I'm going to do my best for the next 2 months to work with the junta and drill the importance of volunteerism into their heads. Hopefully do a few projects while that's going on with them as well.
Fifth, I have a radio program once a week with another volunteer in Pacasmayo, during which we alternate talks about either youth development things (self esteem, volunteerism, health, etc.) or environmental things (not burning trash, climate change, desertificación, etc.). It's been a pretty interesting experience, and the fact that I get to play music I like is kind of a huge bonus. I have no idea how well this project is going, since I can't figure out how to measure listeners and stuff with my target audience- youth- but from what I hear via word of mouth, people seem to be enjoying it.
Sixth, and finally, I'm working with tourism groups in my site, including an english class to help them produce grammatically correct promotions for tourism. Since the Pacasmayo race is coming up, and I just got contact info for a tour company called keteka that focuses specifically on peace corps volunteers and offering people a more authentic view of countries (i.e. if you come to peru and only see machu picchu, you honestly have no clue what peruvian culture actually is...), I think this will be interesting in as far as I can be a part of it.
So yea, just a small update. More than anything, I'm really excited about my projects and really sad that I know I'm going to have to end them soon and hope for the best that some of them will continue, or at least that my students will have learned something in the end and will be able to make better decisions in the future. Getting on the plane and saying goodbye to Peru, hello to the States is probably going to be one of the most emotionally tough experiences I'm going to have.
I've been thinking of a lot of things about the states, lately, trying to get myself super pumped about the trip back. Family, friends, food, and the luxuries that come from being an american, but I don't know. I love my family and friends here, peruvian food is pretty amazing, and the luxuries of the states seems so stupid, extravagant and excessive now. I know I've changed and I'm really hoping these changes don't result in me judging american life too harshly.
Probably going to happen anyway. I'm already judging you on facebook. I know, I'm sorry, I just can't help it! First world problems are really annoying. At some point I'll probably get used to it again. Do I want to get used to it, though? I don't know, but chances are I will- I realize that I've gotten pretty good at adapting to different places, and quickly. Like, I'm looking forward to a smart phone. I remember when those phones just started to come out. I hated them. Actually, I hate most touch screen things. They freak me out- if that screen breaks (and look at just how many ppl walk around with broken screen touch things), then what? I mean before, it was like your screen broke? Oh well, you can still punch in numbers and use it until it's totally done for. Now it's like, your screen broke? SUCKS FOR YOU GO GET A NEW ONE. And you'd think the fact that the screen is like EVERYTHING now, they'd be indestructible or something but NO, they're just as cheap and flimsy as before.
It makes no sense.
But food, right? Food is something everyone looks forward to. Hell, I've already planned out my first month of meals. But now... well, I'm not really looking forward to it anymore. In Peru, most families eat the same thing day, after day, after day. Chicken. Rice. Potatoes. Soup. That's pretty much standard fair and I remember at first, the lack of diversity made me want to die. Eating the same thing more than 2 days in a row basically made me insane. Now? I don't mind it. I get a plate of chicken, rice, potatoes and you know what I do? I eat it.
When I go to Lima or Trujillo and splurge on different food, american food that's all covered in cheese and meat and sauces and stuff, it's super delicious- sure, I'll give you that. It also means my stomach gets all rumbly and unhappy for the next day or two. American food is too rich. It seriously messes up my stomach. Is this what I'm going to have to look forward to in the states? Eating delicious food, and then curling up into a ball and dealing with the stress to my gastronomical system afterwards?
Not. Cool.
SIGH. So much conflict. Should I have stayed another year? My projects are going so well and there's still so much I want to do here. What if there's nothing for me in the states? Do I want to struggle with America and its culture? Will I ever make money again? What if I get to the states, and all I want to do is leave it again? WHAT DO I DO.
Basically, I guess it's just another point in my life where I'm taking another giant leap of faith, both feet in, eyes close, and hoping that there's a bottom somewhere, and that it's solid.
Fifty eight days, guys, till I'm done. Fifty eight days left in site to inspire, push, pull, wait patiently, and get shit done. Fifty eight days left with what I've now adapted as normal. Fifty eight days.
I got this.
Sorry I haven't written in so long, but I've been having an existential crisis and wasn't really sure what to do about it.
So basically, what's up is that I have officially decided my COS (Close Of Service) date and woah, it's coming up fast. August 9th is my final, official, ultimate day as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru, group 17. After 2 years of struggling, achieving, and overall just being, it's all coming to a close and womp womp womp.
But hey, it won't be ending without a bit of hullaballoo. I'll be having a few despedidas (and maybe finally get a chance to have some lizard ceviche!) and visiting Cusco and Madre de Dios before I get on a plane on Aug. 20th to fly back to the states with my little brother, who'll be flying back the same day and starting med school like less than a week later. Crazy kid.
In any case, what am I doing right now? Follow me through the rabbit hole that is my life.
Right now, I'm teaching about 80 or so kids at one of the schools on the theme of Sex Ed. It's super fun and a lot of these kids are fast becoming some of my favorite people ever. Sucks that I don't have much time left with them, but hopefully they learn a little something and don't get pregnant or impregnate anyone until they're ready... Still, we're going to do some fun things. Right now, I'm trying to get the kids organized to make a small music video to the song "Piensa Bien" and we just got funds secured to broadcast said music video on the tv! Yay!
Secondly, I'm still teaching my women's nutrition course and that's basically my most favorite project ever. I love these women and I'm really hoping that we start working to raise some money for them soon with a little mini business project selling healthy food and snacks at the fair, and the market. It should be interesting and we'll see how this little business venture goes down.
Third, I'm teaching Critical Thinking and Creativity with a group of kids that I used to teach English to. Turns out, they really don't want to learn English, they just want to have fun so now I'm taking that want to just hang out and do things, and making it educational! There's a story time, lots of little art projects, and cool "change your point of view" exercises.
Fourth, I'm working with that municipality recognized youth council I was working with the muni on and now that's it's all official and what not, I really want them to actually DO SOMETHING in the community. They've had like 3 meetings and literally, have done nothing. It's driving me crazy. I'm going to do my best for the next 2 months to work with the junta and drill the importance of volunteerism into their heads. Hopefully do a few projects while that's going on with them as well.
Fifth, I have a radio program once a week with another volunteer in Pacasmayo, during which we alternate talks about either youth development things (self esteem, volunteerism, health, etc.) or environmental things (not burning trash, climate change, desertificación, etc.). It's been a pretty interesting experience, and the fact that I get to play music I like is kind of a huge bonus. I have no idea how well this project is going, since I can't figure out how to measure listeners and stuff with my target audience- youth- but from what I hear via word of mouth, people seem to be enjoying it.
Sixth, and finally, I'm working with tourism groups in my site, including an english class to help them produce grammatically correct promotions for tourism. Since the Pacasmayo race is coming up, and I just got contact info for a tour company called keteka that focuses specifically on peace corps volunteers and offering people a more authentic view of countries (i.e. if you come to peru and only see machu picchu, you honestly have no clue what peruvian culture actually is...), I think this will be interesting in as far as I can be a part of it.
So yea, just a small update. More than anything, I'm really excited about my projects and really sad that I know I'm going to have to end them soon and hope for the best that some of them will continue, or at least that my students will have learned something in the end and will be able to make better decisions in the future. Getting on the plane and saying goodbye to Peru, hello to the States is probably going to be one of the most emotionally tough experiences I'm going to have.
I've been thinking of a lot of things about the states, lately, trying to get myself super pumped about the trip back. Family, friends, food, and the luxuries that come from being an american, but I don't know. I love my family and friends here, peruvian food is pretty amazing, and the luxuries of the states seems so stupid, extravagant and excessive now. I know I've changed and I'm really hoping these changes don't result in me judging american life too harshly.
Probably going to happen anyway. I'm already judging you on facebook. I know, I'm sorry, I just can't help it! First world problems are really annoying. At some point I'll probably get used to it again. Do I want to get used to it, though? I don't know, but chances are I will- I realize that I've gotten pretty good at adapting to different places, and quickly. Like, I'm looking forward to a smart phone. I remember when those phones just started to come out. I hated them. Actually, I hate most touch screen things. They freak me out- if that screen breaks (and look at just how many ppl walk around with broken screen touch things), then what? I mean before, it was like your screen broke? Oh well, you can still punch in numbers and use it until it's totally done for. Now it's like, your screen broke? SUCKS FOR YOU GO GET A NEW ONE. And you'd think the fact that the screen is like EVERYTHING now, they'd be indestructible or something but NO, they're just as cheap and flimsy as before.
It makes no sense.
But food, right? Food is something everyone looks forward to. Hell, I've already planned out my first month of meals. But now... well, I'm not really looking forward to it anymore. In Peru, most families eat the same thing day, after day, after day. Chicken. Rice. Potatoes. Soup. That's pretty much standard fair and I remember at first, the lack of diversity made me want to die. Eating the same thing more than 2 days in a row basically made me insane. Now? I don't mind it. I get a plate of chicken, rice, potatoes and you know what I do? I eat it.
When I go to Lima or Trujillo and splurge on different food, american food that's all covered in cheese and meat and sauces and stuff, it's super delicious- sure, I'll give you that. It also means my stomach gets all rumbly and unhappy for the next day or two. American food is too rich. It seriously messes up my stomach. Is this what I'm going to have to look forward to in the states? Eating delicious food, and then curling up into a ball and dealing with the stress to my gastronomical system afterwards?
Not. Cool.
SIGH. So much conflict. Should I have stayed another year? My projects are going so well and there's still so much I want to do here. What if there's nothing for me in the states? Do I want to struggle with America and its culture? Will I ever make money again? What if I get to the states, and all I want to do is leave it again? WHAT DO I DO.
Basically, I guess it's just another point in my life where I'm taking another giant leap of faith, both feet in, eyes close, and hoping that there's a bottom somewhere, and that it's solid.
Fifty eight days, guys, till I'm done. Fifty eight days left in site to inspire, push, pull, wait patiently, and get shit done. Fifty eight days left with what I've now adapted as normal. Fifty eight days.
I got this.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
day 651: holy smokes, long time no blog
Hello boys and girls,
So after my epic blog about spending New Year's in Ecuador (again... best NYE I've ever experienced in my life. I highly suggest it to everyone on earth.), I dropped the ball and haven't posted for what... like 2 months now?
My bad.
In any case, nothing that spectacular has happened since then. My legs are destroyed from the mosquitoes, it's been rainier than ever before (like... floody), and I'm swamped with projects! Thankfully, my "creativity and critical thinking" and my english classes won't be starting until April, but my women's nutrition class is getting pretty fun (I think I'll be including an extra class to be taught in another pueblito next month) and I've been working on camp things!
Speaking of camp, we just had an english camp called Camp ACCESS last weekend and it was so much fun! The embassy gave El Cultural (english learning center) some money to pull of this camp and with the full force of a PCV here in la lib, it was a total success! Lots of US culture, speaking english, american food (peanut butter. nutella. freakin amazing), along with the theme of healthy living. It was super fun and I'm really glad I got the chance to participate :)
I'm working on our own Camp ALMA right now, which is a PC all girls youth camp that we're hoping to pull off in June. It should be fun, and a total headache, but worth it for the experience these girls get to have regarding their health, education, and futures!
Excited.
What else... oh! So there is a PCV living in Pacasmayo, which is just a few minutes out of my town. We've been working on a radio program that gets broadcasted every wednesday. It's tons of fun and I'm really liking the little bit of fame I've been accruing. Not gonna lie, I like being known. It's a weird conflict between my enjoyment of fame and my intense privacy... weird.
But whatever, I'm a weird person and I've always been. I accept this and my life moves on.
In other news, next week is holy week (semana santa) and I'll be travelling to Arequipa/Puno to see the colca canyons and lake titicaca! Really excited about that and it'll be my longest vacation yet (2 whole weeks!). I'm worried that being out of site for so long will be what finally convinces my neighbors and site friends that I've left for america for good. It's like, every time someone sees me with a backpack, they ask me if I'm leaving forever.
I swear, I'm just going to the municipality. I'm on my bike for goodness sakes... do you think I can bike to California?? Cause if you do... thank you.... I'm super out of shape but it's nice to know that people think I can still do crazy fit things!
Alright, I'm being a nuisance in the muni right now. There's a meeting going on and I'm just sitting here, using the internet for no reason... Technically I'm finished with the internet work I need to get done today but... I just really like being connected.
Tragic what this world of internet is turning me into. Zombies, like in The Walking Dead... but not as scary. Those zombies are freaky. Also, that show is AMAZING and I can't stop watching it.
Love and Peace (until next time... I swear, I'll try to post again sooner!)
Sincerely,
Sue
So after my epic blog about spending New Year's in Ecuador (again... best NYE I've ever experienced in my life. I highly suggest it to everyone on earth.), I dropped the ball and haven't posted for what... like 2 months now?
My bad.
In any case, nothing that spectacular has happened since then. My legs are destroyed from the mosquitoes, it's been rainier than ever before (like... floody), and I'm swamped with projects! Thankfully, my "creativity and critical thinking" and my english classes won't be starting until April, but my women's nutrition class is getting pretty fun (I think I'll be including an extra class to be taught in another pueblito next month) and I've been working on camp things!
Speaking of camp, we just had an english camp called Camp ACCESS last weekend and it was so much fun! The embassy gave El Cultural (english learning center) some money to pull of this camp and with the full force of a PCV here in la lib, it was a total success! Lots of US culture, speaking english, american food (peanut butter. nutella. freakin amazing), along with the theme of healthy living. It was super fun and I'm really glad I got the chance to participate :)
I'm working on our own Camp ALMA right now, which is a PC all girls youth camp that we're hoping to pull off in June. It should be fun, and a total headache, but worth it for the experience these girls get to have regarding their health, education, and futures!
Excited.
What else... oh! So there is a PCV living in Pacasmayo, which is just a few minutes out of my town. We've been working on a radio program that gets broadcasted every wednesday. It's tons of fun and I'm really liking the little bit of fame I've been accruing. Not gonna lie, I like being known. It's a weird conflict between my enjoyment of fame and my intense privacy... weird.
But whatever, I'm a weird person and I've always been. I accept this and my life moves on.
In other news, next week is holy week (semana santa) and I'll be travelling to Arequipa/Puno to see the colca canyons and lake titicaca! Really excited about that and it'll be my longest vacation yet (2 whole weeks!). I'm worried that being out of site for so long will be what finally convinces my neighbors and site friends that I've left for america for good. It's like, every time someone sees me with a backpack, they ask me if I'm leaving forever.
I swear, I'm just going to the municipality. I'm on my bike for goodness sakes... do you think I can bike to California?? Cause if you do... thank you.... I'm super out of shape but it's nice to know that people think I can still do crazy fit things!
Alright, I'm being a nuisance in the muni right now. There's a meeting going on and I'm just sitting here, using the internet for no reason... Technically I'm finished with the internet work I need to get done today but... I just really like being connected.
Tragic what this world of internet is turning me into. Zombies, like in The Walking Dead... but not as scary. Those zombies are freaky. Also, that show is AMAZING and I can't stop watching it.
Love and Peace (until next time... I swear, I'll try to post again sooner!)
Sincerely,
Sue
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
day 587: first update of the new year!
Hey boys and girls,
Sorry for this super late update. How've you been? Get through the "end of the world according to that mayan calendar no one seems to actually understand but agrees the 21st is the end of the end" day alright? Yea, me too. How were your holidays? Happy, I hope. Me? Yea, it was pretty great.
So if you remember from my last blog in regards to Christmas... actually, I don't remember if I wrote one. I hope I did. Anyway, on the chance that I wrote one, I would have mentioned that most of Peru is Catholic and therefore, Christmas is celebrated by everyone. There is none of this politically correct happy holidays/christmahannukwanzaka/whatever that happens in the states. It's Merry Christmas, dash it all, and happy new year cause Jesus loves you and God is watching.
But the thing is, Christmas is celebrate as soon as it's Christmas. That is, as the clock strikes 12. Christmas Eve, or "la noche buena," is when all the festivities take place. Not many but a few houses have some lights strung up, a few green and red randoms strung, some may have decorated xmas trees, and there's usually a nativity scene either in the house or set up outside in the street. The plaza de armas usually has lights and xmas trees, many of which are themed for the industries that donated them (last year, tons of "pitufos" or smurfs because it was a thing), and many a vuelta are walked around to admire them.
So we finally set off around 11pm and walk over a whiles away to the house of my host aunt. We bring a panettonne gift and as soon as we walk in, it's a series of greetings and talking and surprise at the korean girl who is now part of the family (I've never met this aunt before, but this is fairly normal- I don't know how many family members I have, and even my host siblings are often surprised to discover that so and so is actually a cousin... family relations in a small town are pretty interesting).
The table is being prepared, stories are being swapped, the women are bustling around in the kitchen (fun fact, there were only 3 males in the entire house- my host day, my little host brother, and my host cousin... the rest just all happened to be female), and the rest of us are pouring wine into little cups when my host cousin shouts, "Dios mio! Está la hora!" Turns out, in the bustle and confusion of it all, we lost track of time and it was 2 minutes until midnight.
Hurriedly, those little wine shots are passed around, words are given and the toast is made. Everyone wishes everyone good health, the wine is tossed back and everyone hugs everyone. Phone calls and text messages are made and received, wishing friends and families the happiest of christmases, and turkey and rice are served with pannettone and hot chocolate.
 |
| Host dad hugs little host brother at midnight. |
 |
| Pavo a la brasa- delicious |
 |
| The fam by the end of the night |
The night ends, we mosey on back home, stuffed and getting chillier as the night goes on, to snuggle back under the covers and sleep until the morning.
On Xmas day, the day goes back to normal and at this point, I am on full vacation mode. My bags have been packed and I'm ready to leave site to head for a week in Ecuador with wonderful friends. Before then, though, I have to figure out how to get to another PCV's site up in Lambayeque. Along the way, I'm muling a suitcase of things for another volunteer to gift to another volunteer in Chiclayo. Many problems arise, predominately with transportation, and by the end, I am cranky as all hell.
Nonetheless, I finally make it to my friend's site and we spend a wonderful few hours making gluten free treats and later, walking her "this dogs needs to be mine but it's my host uncle's or something's" dog. Super cute.
 |
| Gluten free no bake cookies! |
 |
| Rodgers and some gluten free spiced marshmallow coated popcorn. Will be making more of this cause omg, so delicious... |
 |
| PITER! awwwww... |
We pack up the snacks, say goodbye to super cute Piter, and head to Chiclayo to meet up with the rest and head on to Ecuador.
So Ecuador... well, let's just say- if you are ever wondering about where to celebrate New Year's Eve, I ask that you seriously consider Ecuador.
 | ||
First night with all the girls together, we had dinner at Cafe "Dios no muere" (God doesn't die) that was this great Ecuadorian/New Orleans mix restaurant. Sadly, restaurants in Quito seem to only make a very specific amount of food in a day and if you show up during regular dinner hours (aka, anytime after 7pm), most of the food is gone. It's seriously annoying but whaddyagonna do.
|
 |
| We took a bus from Chiclayo to Guayaquil and a plane from Guayaquil to Quito. Here are those of us who took the bus at the Guayaquil airport, which, by the way, has some seriously delicious smoothies. |
 |
| In Guayaquil, we climbed up the "Punto Cerro" and got a great view of the city. There's not much to do in Guayaquil, but still, very pretty. |
Monday, December 17, 2012
day 558: it's the end of the year, now what?
Hey.
So anyway, it's December and just a few more days until 2012 culminates. It's only 4 days away from the world apparently sinking into darkness and there are tons of Peruvians pretty preocupados with that. Personally, I've been kind of swamped with work and a little too busy to even remember what day it is.
Still, here are some updates!
Last week, I made the pilgrimage to the city of Otuzco for the Virgen de la Puerta. It's a 2 day hike from Trujillo to Otuzco, but my friends and I decided to do just one day, starting in Shiran. When we initially asked Barry, a guy who runs a vegetarian restaurant in Huanchaco, how long he thought the hike might be, he gave us an estimate of roughly 14 hours. Uphill. All the way.
We raised our eyebrows, straightened out our shoulders, and agreed that we would walk the entire thing. And then we show up in Shiran, when another friend says her host sibling estimated it to be a 4 to 6 hour walk and that last year, they did it in 5.
Wait. What?
We figure, whatever it is, it is what it is, and begin walking from Shiran. A few hours later, it's sweltering hot and I'm reapplying sunblock every 30min to an hour. We take a nice break in a small town, refill on water and find there is ice cold gatorade for sale, eat a few of the snacks we packed, and continue.
Every time we stop, we're told that Otuzco is only 5 more hours away. But, I mean, 2 hours later, it's still 5 hours away. We finally make our way up dirt road, sometimes climbing rocks to help cut the journey a bit shorter, until we finally hit pavement! How much further away are we? 5 hours, say the locals.
There are cars and trucks and buses passing by, filled with people who didn't want to walk or decided that it was enough walking for the day and they just wanted to get there. Some people handed us rosaries, others passed us oranges, there was even one bus who threw out virgen de la puerta t-shirts (one I was not lucky enough to get, but ah well).
Eventually, we find ourselves in a place where the girls who live in Otuzco tell me is a recognizable marker and the people are now telling us it's 3 hours away. My knees are not taking this very well (recall, they are fairly damaged from trying to run that half marathon last July) but I keep trekking and by this point, all of us are quite starved and ready for some polla a la brasa once we get in.
It starts to get seriously chilly and the sweaters get donned as the mist rolls in and darkness begins to fall. Just as it gets really dark, we see the sign- Otuzco, just ahead! We make it in as the sun has fully set, grab some food, and make our way to one of the volunteer's house for some slumber party fun.
The siesta fiesta turns more into brownies before bed and we all immediately pass out...
We wake up the next morning, hurting but not as badly as you would think. The party in the street is going already and we decide to grab some cheese (delicious, sharp, queso suizo) and some delicious tangy yogurt from the cheese lady, a few pork sandwiches and this goat cheese tasting cow cheese sandwiches and sit in the plaza to nom.
The rest of the day involves walking around to look at all the cool stuff and enjoying the atmosphere before heading to the burrocross and watching children race donkeys. That was pretty interesting and such a sierra event, haha.
My friend and I eventually head back to Trujillo, grab some Pinkberry (new! so good! I love froyo!) before heading back to our respective sites.
It was a seriously good few days of rest, but now I'm back in site and the week is full of last minute december/2012 things before I can take a few days of vacation in Ecuador with friends.
I'm not really going to go on about work and stuff just yet, but things are going well. I have high hopes for my final few months in site, and I'm getting ready for the crazy that January will bring. I won't be coming back to Peru until the 5th of January, will be leaving for Lima to visit my host sister from training who'll be having a babyshower then, and the 19th is not only a regional meeting, but a world guiness record breaking down for most marinera dancers on the plaza! I might join. I need a partner, though... and learn how to dance marinera. It should be interesting.
Then there's Carnival for february and possible friends or family visiting. Before you know it, it'll be my last few months in site and I'll be trying to figure out how time went by so quickly.
Man, that's a strange thought. Time, huh? Freaky.
Well, that's all for now! Update you soon enough.
Peace and Love, y'all.
So anyway, it's December and just a few more days until 2012 culminates. It's only 4 days away from the world apparently sinking into darkness and there are tons of Peruvians pretty preocupados with that. Personally, I've been kind of swamped with work and a little too busy to even remember what day it is.
Still, here are some updates!
Last week, I made the pilgrimage to the city of Otuzco for the Virgen de la Puerta. It's a 2 day hike from Trujillo to Otuzco, but my friends and I decided to do just one day, starting in Shiran. When we initially asked Barry, a guy who runs a vegetarian restaurant in Huanchaco, how long he thought the hike might be, he gave us an estimate of roughly 14 hours. Uphill. All the way.
We raised our eyebrows, straightened out our shoulders, and agreed that we would walk the entire thing. And then we show up in Shiran, when another friend says her host sibling estimated it to be a 4 to 6 hour walk and that last year, they did it in 5.
Wait. What?
We figure, whatever it is, it is what it is, and begin walking from Shiran. A few hours later, it's sweltering hot and I'm reapplying sunblock every 30min to an hour. We take a nice break in a small town, refill on water and find there is ice cold gatorade for sale, eat a few of the snacks we packed, and continue.
Every time we stop, we're told that Otuzco is only 5 more hours away. But, I mean, 2 hours later, it's still 5 hours away. We finally make our way up dirt road, sometimes climbing rocks to help cut the journey a bit shorter, until we finally hit pavement! How much further away are we? 5 hours, say the locals.
There are cars and trucks and buses passing by, filled with people who didn't want to walk or decided that it was enough walking for the day and they just wanted to get there. Some people handed us rosaries, others passed us oranges, there was even one bus who threw out virgen de la puerta t-shirts (one I was not lucky enough to get, but ah well).
Eventually, we find ourselves in a place where the girls who live in Otuzco tell me is a recognizable marker and the people are now telling us it's 3 hours away. My knees are not taking this very well (recall, they are fairly damaged from trying to run that half marathon last July) but I keep trekking and by this point, all of us are quite starved and ready for some polla a la brasa once we get in.
It starts to get seriously chilly and the sweaters get donned as the mist rolls in and darkness begins to fall. Just as it gets really dark, we see the sign- Otuzco, just ahead! We make it in as the sun has fully set, grab some food, and make our way to one of the volunteer's house for some slumber party fun.
The siesta fiesta turns more into brownies before bed and we all immediately pass out...
We wake up the next morning, hurting but not as badly as you would think. The party in the street is going already and we decide to grab some cheese (delicious, sharp, queso suizo) and some delicious tangy yogurt from the cheese lady, a few pork sandwiches and this goat cheese tasting cow cheese sandwiches and sit in the plaza to nom.
The rest of the day involves walking around to look at all the cool stuff and enjoying the atmosphere before heading to the burrocross and watching children race donkeys. That was pretty interesting and such a sierra event, haha.
My friend and I eventually head back to Trujillo, grab some Pinkberry (new! so good! I love froyo!) before heading back to our respective sites.
It was a seriously good few days of rest, but now I'm back in site and the week is full of last minute december/2012 things before I can take a few days of vacation in Ecuador with friends.
I'm not really going to go on about work and stuff just yet, but things are going well. I have high hopes for my final few months in site, and I'm getting ready for the crazy that January will bring. I won't be coming back to Peru until the 5th of January, will be leaving for Lima to visit my host sister from training who'll be having a babyshower then, and the 19th is not only a regional meeting, but a world guiness record breaking down for most marinera dancers on the plaza! I might join. I need a partner, though... and learn how to dance marinera. It should be interesting.
Then there's Carnival for february and possible friends or family visiting. Before you know it, it'll be my last few months in site and I'll be trying to figure out how time went by so quickly.
Man, that's a strange thought. Time, huh? Freaky.
Well, that's all for now! Update you soon enough.
Peace and Love, y'all.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
day 547: relationships are weird
Hey friends
Relationships are weird, don't you think?
I mean, relationships with friends and family are fantastic and yea, they get a little strained sometimes due to a variety of reasons, but those are bridges I like to have reinforced and checked up on at least monthly, if not daily. Plus, they do tend to be weird, sometimes. There are definitely people who I am friends with now that I wonder, would I have been friends with them years ago when I was in high school? College? And my relationship with my family is a little odd. I love them to death and I would do anything for them, but I don't really talk to them as often as I used to. I don't know why, it's just how life has become. I mean, I try to call and skype whenever I can, but chances are my internet is out or our timing is off or if my internet is on, the connection can be described as shitty at best.
But the weirdest relationships I can think of are the romantic ones, the significant others in our lives. Personally? I don't like them. I know it's probably because I've never really had a relationship. The ones I did have were terrible- timing, expectations, everything was just never right. The sad thing is, I like being with other people and my general nature, the need to make other people happy, has resulted in my being in relationships that are, at best, not good for me.
Still, I think I'm learning. I'm figuring out what I like, what I don't like, and how to actually talk about it. I've been reading a lot of articles on a topic that has recently been making more and more of a presence in the media these days- the concept of a rape culture.
The fact that "Don't get raped" is taught and "Don't rape" isn't discussed. I think at this moment in our history, it would be stupid to stop teaching how to not get raped. Unfortunately, that part of our culture still exists and we need to ensure that girls and boys know how to defend themselves. However, it is equally if not more ignorant of us not to teach and reinforce the message of "DO NOT RAPE."
This is a huge part of our culture that we look over. I asked my Sex ed (called "Pasos Adelante") class what the spanish word was for "rape" and they told me, "violación." The english homonym is, of course, violation. Rape is a violation. But I find this interesting because we grow up in a culture where rape culture is actually cultivated as something that, if it doesn't go as far as drugging someone and physical violence, is actually a romantic ideal- something that girls and boys should practice and expect.
You see it on television shows, the boy plying the girl with wine during a date, the boy pursuing a girl who has repeatedly told him no until she eventually gives in and says she loves him, the boy who hits the girl and the girl is told it's because he likes her, the girl who plays hard to get and teases and toys but never says yes until the boy throws himself into a passionate frenzy and the girl gives in to her actual desires.
This is ridiculous. All of these are forms of rape. No mean no.
And I know that I've played a part in this. I definitely liked the idea of being pursued, of a guy working hard to convince me that I should date him, of playing those stupid games that are always played between couples. I was told as a child by my teachers that the only reason a boy was bullying me was because he liked me. I have come to associate pain with pleasure and have accepted that I can't be loved by someone who is nice to me.
It's stupid. I've decided today, that I can't be a part of it anymore. I can't, as a responsible human being, condone a culture where I see girls and boys doing this to each other, a culture where nice boys finish last. I'm sick of it.
So yea... relationships are weird. But they're also things that we, especially my generation, which holds so much potential for the future, it's something that we need to start changing. The social interactions we have shape the way future relationships will be viewed. We need to start setting the examples.
I've seen girls as young as 12 tell me they love some guy who's 16 or 18 or 25, and that he has worked so hard to show her his love, that even though she knows she's young and her parents don't want them to be together, that he must be her soulmate.
What.
It blows my mind. For the rest of us, it seems to obvious. A 12 year old should not be sharing a bed with a 25 year old. That's pretty gross. But to these young girls who believe so much of what the media puts out there, what tv tells them, what the internet tells them, who don't know what their parents aren't communicating with them, who don't have the role models that most of us can turn to for help... it's a culture that is very dominant and if the world ends on dec. 21st, I sincerely hope that it's a social end to all these terrible problems our society needs to unite against.
Relationships are weird, don't you think?
I mean, relationships with friends and family are fantastic and yea, they get a little strained sometimes due to a variety of reasons, but those are bridges I like to have reinforced and checked up on at least monthly, if not daily. Plus, they do tend to be weird, sometimes. There are definitely people who I am friends with now that I wonder, would I have been friends with them years ago when I was in high school? College? And my relationship with my family is a little odd. I love them to death and I would do anything for them, but I don't really talk to them as often as I used to. I don't know why, it's just how life has become. I mean, I try to call and skype whenever I can, but chances are my internet is out or our timing is off or if my internet is on, the connection can be described as shitty at best.
But the weirdest relationships I can think of are the romantic ones, the significant others in our lives. Personally? I don't like them. I know it's probably because I've never really had a relationship. The ones I did have were terrible- timing, expectations, everything was just never right. The sad thing is, I like being with other people and my general nature, the need to make other people happy, has resulted in my being in relationships that are, at best, not good for me.
Still, I think I'm learning. I'm figuring out what I like, what I don't like, and how to actually talk about it. I've been reading a lot of articles on a topic that has recently been making more and more of a presence in the media these days- the concept of a rape culture.
The fact that "Don't get raped" is taught and "Don't rape" isn't discussed. I think at this moment in our history, it would be stupid to stop teaching how to not get raped. Unfortunately, that part of our culture still exists and we need to ensure that girls and boys know how to defend themselves. However, it is equally if not more ignorant of us not to teach and reinforce the message of "DO NOT RAPE."
This is a huge part of our culture that we look over. I asked my Sex ed (called "Pasos Adelante") class what the spanish word was for "rape" and they told me, "violación." The english homonym is, of course, violation. Rape is a violation. But I find this interesting because we grow up in a culture where rape culture is actually cultivated as something that, if it doesn't go as far as drugging someone and physical violence, is actually a romantic ideal- something that girls and boys should practice and expect.
You see it on television shows, the boy plying the girl with wine during a date, the boy pursuing a girl who has repeatedly told him no until she eventually gives in and says she loves him, the boy who hits the girl and the girl is told it's because he likes her, the girl who plays hard to get and teases and toys but never says yes until the boy throws himself into a passionate frenzy and the girl gives in to her actual desires.
This is ridiculous. All of these are forms of rape. No mean no.
And I know that I've played a part in this. I definitely liked the idea of being pursued, of a guy working hard to convince me that I should date him, of playing those stupid games that are always played between couples. I was told as a child by my teachers that the only reason a boy was bullying me was because he liked me. I have come to associate pain with pleasure and have accepted that I can't be loved by someone who is nice to me.
It's stupid. I've decided today, that I can't be a part of it anymore. I can't, as a responsible human being, condone a culture where I see girls and boys doing this to each other, a culture where nice boys finish last. I'm sick of it.
So yea... relationships are weird. But they're also things that we, especially my generation, which holds so much potential for the future, it's something that we need to start changing. The social interactions we have shape the way future relationships will be viewed. We need to start setting the examples.
I've seen girls as young as 12 tell me they love some guy who's 16 or 18 or 25, and that he has worked so hard to show her his love, that even though she knows she's young and her parents don't want them to be together, that he must be her soulmate.
What.
It blows my mind. For the rest of us, it seems to obvious. A 12 year old should not be sharing a bed with a 25 year old. That's pretty gross. But to these young girls who believe so much of what the media puts out there, what tv tells them, what the internet tells them, who don't know what their parents aren't communicating with them, who don't have the role models that most of us can turn to for help... it's a culture that is very dominant and if the world ends on dec. 21st, I sincerely hope that it's a social end to all these terrible problems our society needs to unite against.
Monday, December 3, 2012
day 544: being old is kind of fun
Sup amiguitos.
So, here's an idea: Being old is kind of fun. Your thoughts?
I mean for me, there're a number of things that prompt this idea for me. First and foremost, it's almost my birthday. On the 11th, I turn 25 years old. That's a quarter of a century. I can test drive nice cars if I want to. I can rent a car without the "you're under 25" fee. People think of me as more mature because hey, you're twenty freakin five years old. But if I screw up, hey- you're only twenty freakin five years old!
What a nice age.
On top of that, I'm group 17. Group 16 has just cos'd (Close Of Service) and only a few 16ers remain (tears. so many tears. I miss them all). This means that my fellow 17ers and I are the vets of Peace Corps Peru right now.
We are the grizzled veterans, the ones who've gone through the gauntlet to emerge, scarred and triumphant, regaling the young-uns with tales of amazing feats and woe. How weird is that? Seriously weird. But pretty cool.
I think I'm going to really enjoy being old. Right now, I'm getting there. Slowly, but surely, the years are passing by and I'm aging. Right now, though, even if I'm calling myself aged and wise, I know that I'm kind of an idiot and too young to really understand it.
I accept that.
I'm freaking out, mostly, about my future. I have roughly 7 months remaining as a peace corps volunteer and I have no idea what I'm going to do once my service is over. I was really motivated to go to school, but I realized that I had no idea what I wanted to specialize in.
Do I go to med school? The idea of someone's LIFE being my responsibility, that as a doctor I am definitely likely to be responsible for the death of someone... I don't think I could ever survive the weight that would have on my conscious. Still, medicine fascinates me and how the human body works is just absolutely insanely cool.
Do I go to law school? The idea of a life of paperwork makes me want to scream, and that's just the idea of it. Law is an interesting subject, especially in relation to medicine and health. How do you balance moral right and wrong versus legal right and wrong? It's an interesting thought. Law school is definitely still in the back of my mind.
Do I get a Master's in Public Health? I was definitely thinking of this. I had a bunch of schools and programs in mind, I had a bunch of applications downloaded and essays written. And then I realized, I would have to apply with a concentration in mind. What did I want to specialize in? Global health? Epidemiology? Statistics? And more! I narrowed my choices down to 5 different concentrations in Public Health and there was no way for me to decide on one except for casting dice or something else as equally irresponsible and left to the fates.
No, I've decided that I need to get a job that'll help me figure out what it is that I want to do. Plus, whether or not I'll even need a degree to pursue it. I might get a job and find out that having a master's degree works against me. I do NOT want to waste time and money to get ahead only to find myself farther behind!
Plus, I've been in Peru for 2 years. The states are so different and will be so different when I return. I mean, I just found out you can pay for things using your cellphone. Like, what? Seriously? Mind. Blown.
The rate of technology is seriously cray. I mean, talk about me getting old. I am so out of the loop it's ridiculous. But that's something I'm really excited about for when I return. Here, I don't expect my kids to have internet in their homes. I don't expect volunteers to read my emails or answer my phone calls because chances are, there's no signal and internet is slower than a concussed turtle. I'm one of the lucky few to have internet access on a daily basis (sometimes at home or if I set up shop in the municipality) which is both awesome (fb, pinterest, tumblr, email, time wasting potential at maximum capacity) and terrible (time wasting potential at maximum capacity, no one else has what I have, sometimes having it and sometimes not makes me unable to dismiss and ignore it... it's like gambling, I'm heavily addicted).
So once I'm back in the states, I know that most if not all of my friends are as connected as I will be. I won't have to worry about calling someone because I don't know if I have enough money on my phone to do it, and others being able to call/text me back will be normal. Side note: the cell phone system in Peru is god awful, but it's better than Mexico from what I hear. I'm really excited to get a phone in the states. I think a smartphone will take some getting used to since my current phone can send/receive calls and texts, has a calculator, and one game called "jewel quest" that I managed to get to the elusive level 51 before it pissed me off and I restarted it.
So yea, I'm excited to be nearing the end of my service. I know I complain a lot about things in my site, but I'm also really sad about the idea of leaving. Partially because of all the things I mentioned (no longer being a PCV means I have to face all the issues coming up in the future) but also because I'm a good volunteer. The work I'm doing, I'm good at. I love the kids in my site. I love my host family. I have found my groove, even if it gets kind of crazy sometimes, and I'm really going to miss the pace of life. Things work differently in Peru and although 70% of the time, the pace really clashes with 24 years of growing up the way I was raised, the other 30% of the time, I can really really really appreciate it. And that 30% weighs pretty heavily.
Anyway, it's my birthday in a week and I'm really excited. In 3 weeks, it'll be xmas, which I'll be celebrating with some friends in Ecuador. Before you know it, time is going to fly by in the blink of an eye. I can hardly believe that I've been in Peru for nearly 2 years now (a year and a half, more like). I can't imagine what the future has for me, but I really hope I'm happy in it.
So yea, that was just a quick update cause I feel like I haven't written in this blog for so long and I wanted to let you know what was up. December 1st was world AIDS day and I had a volleyball tournament in my site with some of my youth and their teachers. A bunch of 19ers came for in service training and they were super stars!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)