Incorporating veggies into the diet (9/28)

Ah, some progress with my family! I prepared some fresh vegetables I had attained from the agricultural center on Saturday for dinner last night – I was SO excited for a spinach salad with some other veggies and herbs, let me tell you! My family liked it a lot too. This was somewhat counteracted by the arroz con leche (rice with milk) and the Peruvian equivalent to elephant ears for dinner, but have to start somewhere…

And tonight, my host-brother, Junior, prepared a salad for himself for dinner! Ahh, small strides. Had my interview with the Health Program Coordinator… looking forward to finding out where I’ll be placed (find out in week 8)!

Runner’s High (9/27)

We went to the National Agrarian University in La Molina last Saturday to get our hands dirty with some gardening and learned about the different plant life present in Peru. It’s incredible the rich diversity existing in this country, and disconcerting how the people predominantly turn to potatoes and rice for daily consumption. Two weeks in and I’m already sick of potatoes, white rice, and white bread… I am definitely a vegetable and fruit lover. Upon entering the agricultural scenery of the university, I was in food Heaven. From what I gather so far, a decent array of fruits and vegetables are sold in markets, but the majority are exported and are too expensive for the local populace to consume - unfortunately, it proves more feasible to sell the nutritious foods rather than consume them. This isn’t to say that fruit and vegetables aren’t apart of the diet at all, but rather they aren’t consumed enough… my opinion so far - and judging from the region where I live... I live with those from lower SES (socioeconomic status), and it’s coming to my reality the missing educational piece in nutrition and sanitation. I’ve been witnessing the lack of separation between food handling and dealing with feces, etc. - I’ll spare the details.

We’ve had a few talks already about the guarantee of having diarrhea if we haven’t already, and quite a bit along the lines of categorizing the severity - again I’ll spare the details. I’ve never so openly talked about this topic, and with such a large group of people, in my life. It was comical at some points, but we all kind of laughed nervously…

I finally sort of had a day off today which was rejuvenating. Besides hand-washing clothes and cleaning, I was able to escape for a run along a small canal toward the bottom of Yanacoto (the pueblo where I’m living). I feel like it’s so easy some days to be excited about my surroundings, and at other times, I can just feel down and out, and want to retreat to find solidarity. Running always helps put things into perspective and always serves as a foothold to discovering something new. I was surprised to find some community gardens around some homes or rather, shacks. There was some green amongst the dry loose, rocky dirt of Yanacoto! Wahoo!

I’m looking forward to my Spanish improving so I can start striking up more random conversations – I’m hoping to co-teach a yoga class in Yanacoto with another Peace Corps volunteer. I taught my first yoga/tai chi/pilates class to Peace Corps volunteers last Monday and I think it went pretty well:)

Well, there’s so much to do and learn that I shall never fall short of things to do- although balance is always key…

La Carreterra Central (9/25)

So I think my computer (or rather netbook) may have a virus or worm? That may explain why it’s not working… that or it just sucks, not sure… and my watch is being problematic, such luck.

Our language classes went into Lima today to gain more exposure to Peruvian culture and enhance our survival skills perhaps. I’m adjusting to living more conservatively - we receive about $2-3/day which translates to 6-8 soles (the Peruvian currency). We do normally receive our meals from our host families (they receive compensation for food and housing). Taking the combi back to Yanacoto from Lima was quite the experience which ended up lasting about 3 hours (should only be ~1-1.5 hours). Starting from Miraflores (a commercialized/Americanized sector of Lima on the coast where we ended with our instructor), 2 other girls and myself took a bus to the end of the avenue back into downtown Lima. During the ride, our bus broke down, but luckily for the driver, we were in heavy traffic, so he and the guy that collects bus fairs and hoards people on and off (el cobrador), were able to shut off the bus, reach into the engine compartment from the front end/glove box, and make some adjustments until it worked. This was the first segment of the journey. We transferred to a combi headed homeward bound (Yanacoto), and had a riveting ride on the Carretera Central (freeway). Weaving in and out of traffic—between other combis, cars, buses and people—and coming within millimeters, sometimes touching—we eventually made it back. The cobrador jumped on and off while the combi was moving, using the outside bar for leverage, to pick up and drop off as many passengers as possible, clinking the coinage he had in his hand. There are head bars above for the standing passengers to grab onto. Least to say, the night on the freeway was a spectacle of intertwining lights, vehicles, swirling dust, people, and vendors scrambling on and off vehicles (while pulled over momentarily) to sell snack foods.

Nothing is simple (9/21)

Using the internet (access, speed), having things work (computer, cords, electricity, using different sites)- impossible. Difficult. Most of the time, I don’t even want to bother. They really are keeping us busy here, which is good, just hard to fit in sleep. It seems like I’m more tired than normal- maybe speaking another language is more draining? I can say I miss having a phone to use for meeting up with others, reliable internet, and hot, or even warm, running water. Using a bucket of water isn’t too bad- but cold water, meh. I can’t imagine, or rather don’t want to imagine, bathing with cold water in less than 60 degrees- whoo, hoo (that’s my shiver sound). If stationed in the Sierra, that will be an interesting transition. But at the same time, the Sierra is the place I am opting for since the scenery is spectacular.
So one new part of life to become accustomed to…
Bathing in cold water and from a bucket that was just used for mopping ;) (as was the case with my host family…)

Arrival (from ?)

We had orientation in D.C. the 9th-11th where all the Peace Corps volunteers gathered before departing together to Peru. There are 57 of us – from all over the states and predominately in our 20s and 30s. We arrived in Lima around 9pm Friday the 11th (Ken’s birthday!) and I think I may have brought the least amount of possessions, which so far has worked both to my benefit and left me hanging... We took buses to a retreat center in Chaclacayo about an hour east of Lima for the weekend. There we were assessed for our spansish skills, met with our respective programs (health, water and sanitation- ‘watsan’, and the environment). A few of us ventured out and went running along the river – felt so good, and danced at the local discoteca one night – such a hoot. Sunday, the 12th, we were divvied up between our host families. My host family has a mother (Ana Maria Ramirez) and three kids (Lizbeeth- 20, Junior-15, and Graice-5). They are wonder-filled and like all Peruvians I’ve met, most amiable. We are living in Yanacoto (un pueblo outside of Chaclacayo); Chaclacayo is where the Peace Corps training center and some of our classes are during training. Ana Maria is a busy bee- owns an internet café, works at the school of her youngest (escuela inicial), and is going to school to receive her teaching degree. Lizbeeth is going to university in Lima, and therefore commutes 4 hours roundtrip by 3 buses (or rather combi’s) a day to go to her classes! Don’t think I’ll ever complain about commuting to work/school again. Junior is a total sweetheart- we totally hit it off with similar interests. He’s so responsible- while going to school, he helps out with the internet café and the household, his youngest sister, and cooks! He always is sure I have what I need and shares a love for music, art, and sports.

We’ve started week one of ten for training- breaking out into our language classes, our programs/projects (mine is health), and meet all together as a group for certain activities. Again, such a dynamic group – the volunteers and instructors. Lovin’ it!

Getting to this point… (from 9/15/09)

Some background on the application process…

I submitted my application August 24, 2008, and shortly after, had an interview with the Peace Corps recruiter while I was “conveniently” in Seattle. Thereafter, I started the lengthy stepwise process to more supplemental application materials, extensive medical and dental clearances, a nomination for a health position in the pan-American region, more interviews, the final assignment, and departure date of September 9, 2009. Each step has surrounding stories to how they became, such as being counseled by an Ethiopian woman at lunch at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) when accepting the nomination in September. And… gracefully showing late to a Peace Corps meeting in D.C. in April with a visiting friend, when my name was surprisingly called to receive my final assignment. I have had guardian angels guiding me along the way when deciding to commit to Peace Corps service. By receiving the preliminary acceptances throughout the year, such as the nomination, it never was guaranteed: throughout the process, the acceptance to the Corps, the region, position, departure date, etc., could always change or never happen. The waiting, throwing myself into the nebulous, and trusting the feeling side of me instead of the rational side, was very testing. But, the instinctual feeling that it would work out in the end is finally happening. I have felt a draw to explore the Latin American region since elementary school, when awestruck by tropical rainforests, and a draw to the people since preschool, when befriending a Latina in southern California – we formed an unspeakable connection, especially since we didn’t speak the same language:) I feel engrained with this need and desire to explore and fulfill a pervading sense to serve. I’m hoping for Africa next… then India, the Dominican Republic, Tibet, Nepal… and perhaps the southwestern United States during grad/med school and the southeast for administering demonstration projects in health. I continuously feel restless to see more, experience more, and meet more people - I don’t feel like I quite belong anywhere for a lengthy period of time. Peru feels right for now.

On the cusp of reality… (from 9/9/09)

Or not, since how I’m sitting in the hotel room of a Holiday Inn. Just got to D.C. for orientation and it’s funny, along the way, I could tell from the passengers, that a couple of Peace Corps volunteers were among them. One accompanied from Portland, although we didn’t meet until we were at Reagan International Airport. And another jumped on during our layover in Chicago. What can I say, they just dressed and acted the part so I went up to them and asked when proceeding to the baggage claim.

I’ve really been excited coming up to this point. I continuously was asked if I was nervous/ anxious, but perhaps due to my naiveté, I did not feel either. The turning point was in the plane when doing some reading that arguably should have been done much earlier (thought I read the PC Peru Introduction booklet, but when my dad could answer some questions better than I could, I realized I really just skimmed through it). I started to feel a bit ill-prepared, but I am reminding myself I did the best I could in preparation for leaving for two years and I am where I am.

I always enjoy meeting flight attendants and the one on the flight was a male who had taught English in the past, near Busan, South Korea. So shout out to Erin and Isaac who were in Chungju for the past year! I naturally was excited to talk to him about the culture after travelling there this past March/April.

So here I am ready to set out for the journey, with a lot less baggage than others which I am proud of:) With all the support I received from family and friends, I was able to pack efficiently and mindfully. Still pulled the near all nighter before leaving (30 min of sleep counts for something), but in the good company of Derek and Anya. Hmmm, sounds reminiscent to leaving D.C. mid-August for the west coast with the support of Patrick, Peter, and Cristina. How lovely it is to have true love and support in your ventures.

I have to say the sendoff with having family and friends this past Sunday, was one of the most memorable, meaningful, and impressionable experiences of my life I will take with me.

Love you all!