Chapter Closed

It's official. I am no longer a Peace Corps volunteer. I've left Huaca Rajada for the last time, said good-bye to Chiclayo, turned in my residency card, and eaten my last plate of ceviche. All that's left in schlepping two overweight bags across two continents. 

I wish I had some profound and clever way to summarize these two years, but I don't. It's been such a complex mix of emotions and experiences and right now all I feel is dazed. I'm sure that with time I'll be better able to define my Peace Corps experience, but when I think about it right now I'm struck by the contradictions. 

I learned to true definition of loneliness, but I met some truly amazing friends. 

I went through moments literally pulling my hair out from boredom, but I swam in the Amazon river, summited Andean peaks, and bused my way around a truly beautiful country.

I feel a little more jaded, but I was repeatedly humbled and awestruck at the simple human kindnesses that marked my days. 

I feel a little wiser, but I've regressed to the sense of humor and vocabulary of a 14-year-old boy.

I felt sadder and more isolated at times than I imagined possible, but I laughed harder and smiled wider than ever before.

Basically, it was a wild ride and it barely seems real. But it was wonderful, amazing, life-changing, hilarious, and unquestionably worth all the low moments.

Thanks for reading all these months. I'm planning on keeping the blog going through my next adventure (stay tuned for details), so keep me bookmarked and check back soon for the next chapter in my American life. 

Road Rage

I have never willingly put myself through such constant physical discomfort as I have by braving the cars, vans, and buses in Peru. I think by now you all understand that I am much, much taller than my Peruvian counterparts. My legs are literally twice as long as some of the women I know here. It’s silly that I even try to fit into Peruvian-sized spaces, but when the alternative is staying in Huaca Rajada indefinitely, you better believe I’ll squeeze myself into the first thing with wheels that’s headed west.

 Terminal Epsel, Chiclayo: organized chaos.

Taxis are ubiquitous in all Peruvian cities. In Chiclayo, both mototaxis and ticos are popular and cheap ways to get around. A mototaxi is a similar to a rickshaw but with a small motorcycle for power, usually steered by a 15-year-old boy. As with all things wheeled here, there are varying degrees of luxury and age. Roads are rough and bikes and cars take a beating. Shocks are pretty much non-existent and we ride low to the ground, which can make for a bone-jarring ride on the best of days. Especially when you’re loaded down with gallons of water, boxes of wine and stacks of books to take back to site.

Ticos are mini-taxis most often seen in northern coastal cities. They’re like a miniature version of a Mini Cooper but a whole lot jankier. I would say they comfortably seat about half a person, but we routinely squeeze four gringo-sized people in there. Anything to save a few centimos (that we then go spend on overpriced and underwhelming pizza). I have ridden with six full-sized adults before, plus the driver. It’s like the circus – how many clowns (Peace Corps volunteers) can we fit in one tiny car?

Looking frightened on one of my first Lima combi rides.

Combis are beat up minivans that run circuitous routes around the cities or shuttle people between the capital city (Chiclayo, for example) and a campo town. Rides can cost anywhere from 50 centimos to 4 soles (one good thing about public transport: it is cheap). The best seat in the front passenger seat but then you have an up close and personal view of the many, many times you almost die in a head-on collision. A combi can comfortably seat eight people but they routinely squeeze up to 15 adults, a slew of nursing babies, and bulging bags of produce and/or livestock. I once rode for two hours with a pig strapped to the roof. That pig seemed to enjoy his trip about as much as I did (side note for all you non-farm dwellers, pigs are extremely loud. Like louder than you’d ever imagine.).

How many Peruvians does it take to change a tire?

Coosters are what I’ve spent a large percentage of my time on these last two years. A cooster is a larger version of a combi, sort of like a public school bus in the States, but much older, more beat up, and all-around horrible. The average trip from Huaca Rajada to Chiclayo takes about an hour-and-a-half, but this can vary depending on a number of factors: road conditions, the driver, passenger weight and cargo, number of stops, flat tires, etc. The best ride I ever had took just under an hour and the worst was upwards of three hours. There’s an art to riding coosters that I’ve finally perfected.

Fun with Peruvians on moving vehicles.

Not even visiting siblings are immune to the joy(e)s of public transportation.

As a tall lady, I initially sought out the aisle seats so as to provide myself with a little extra leg room. This is correct in theory, but as the cars inevitably fill up and all manner of Peruvians squeeze themselves into the aisles, your extra leg room is quickly overtaken by muffin tops, squealing babies, and unsteady drunks. There is no such thing as personal space on a crowded trip. I’ve become intimately acquainted with more strangers than I’d like to recall. No, the best seat is a window seat in the first or second row. The back seats take the brunt of the potholes and it’s nearly impossible to disembark from the back row (picture the gangly gringa literally climbing over seats knocking unsuspecting grandmothers upside the head with giant bottles of water). I wish the pictures I had did better justice to my stories, but the best/worst rides are far too crowded to even think about getting out a camera and snapping a pic. Just trust me when I say it’s a painfully hilarious experience.

Please note the difference between the length of my leg and the back of the seat.

Long-distance buses range from the awful to the luxurious. I once took a 14-hour trip to Lima on a directo bus (i.e. economic) with Papy’s head on my shoulder and my seat unable to recline. That was pretty bad. But on the whole, overnight buses are pretty comfy, especially after two years of practice.  I just bought my LAST BUS TICKET EVER and went for the nicest of the nice – a 180 degree reclining leather seat. I’m giddy.

My typical Peace Corps experience: waiting for a car to anywhere.

I started out this blog post intending to convey how much I hate public transportation, but writing and remembering some of my favorite stories, well, it all seems kind of funny and endearing now. I’m sure this also has something to do with the fact that I have only about two trips left. Hindsight is a funny thing. 

Back to Basics

I’ve spent a lot of time and space chronicling the amusing oddities of life in Peru on this blog. Recently feeling reflective, I skimmed over some previous blog entries, and it was both horrifying and enlightening to see how my writing (which I suppose is an extension of me…hey, cool, I’m “evolved”…) has evolved over the last two years. Reading early entries I'm struck at my own naiveté, my confusion, my awe. I thought everything was so strange, so funny. About a year or so in, I started to become a little more analytical; no longer confounded by drinking circle etiquette I focused more on the differences between here and there, between us and them, and realized that maybe things weren’t so different after all. And then all the things that had delighted and confused me in those early months started to annoy me in their repetitiveness and predictability. I was desperate for escape and set my sights further afield.

And now?

In my own banal predictability, I’ve come full circle and am again charmed by this place, by these people. The little things that became invisible in their familiarity are now blindingly apparent. Like the smell of the adobe stove that clings to your clothes after lunch, the spicy-acidic taste of fresh ceviche, the gurgling sounds the faucet makes every morning around 11 when the water turns on, the thwacks of the soccer ball outside my open window.  I am trying desperately to commit to memory these images, smells, tastes, and sounds. Trying to linger a little bit longer in my daily routines absorbing what makes them so familiar and, at the same time, soon-to-be so foreign.

I know I’ll never forget this experience, but I also know that these comforting sensations will someday soon be relegated to far reaches of my memory. I’ve started carrying my camera with me everywhere, taking random pictures of dirt paths and doorways because I know one day I’ll forget the way the sun reflects off the tempered glass of my neighbor’s window every afternoon.  Even my daily runs through swaying sugarcane fields seem profound from this perspective of almost-hindsight. Will something that has been such a part of my daily existence be easily forgotten?

And the people. Argh. The people. How do you say goodbye, most likely forever, to the people who have been the one constant in your rollercoaster emotions? Their laughter and conversation sustained me on days when there was little else keeping me here. How do you thank someone for literally keeping you sane? I can only hope to carry a little of my host mom’s sly wit and boundless capacity for mothering with me, to sear the sound of Bryan’s high-pitched giggle to my heart, to hold onto the optimism and generosity that so many people have shown me over countless lunches and lazy afternoons. Sitting beneath my open window on a typical afternoon, I can look up from my book and identify the neighborhood kids by the tones of their shrieks, the chords of their laughter. Will the new soundtrack of my life ever hold this much innocence, this much promise? I doubt it.

It’s becoming all too real, friends. Goodbyes suck. 

Saucy Seniors

It's a Peace Corps tradition to put together a "yearbook" for the outgoing "seniors," and I'm a senior, baby! Much like anxious 17 year olds suffering from a severe case of senioritis,  my friends and I have spent the last few weeks bandying about our "senior quotes" and "senior superlatives" over rambling phone conversations and extended weekend getaways. As with any graduation, I'm feeling a bittersweet sense of nostalgia. As I keep telling my friends, I'm ready to look back on this experience fondly. I am undoubtedly ready to move on and start the next great chapter of my life, but I am equally sure that there is a great deal I will miss about Peru, Peruvians, and this crazy Peace Corps lifestyle. I'm sharing an excerpt of my COS profile (COS = close of service) with you in an attempt to summarize some of these feelings.

Description of your service in 100 words or less:

Jessica spent two years trying, unsuccessfully, to learn the names of all 723 other inhabitants of Huaca Rajada, playing hours of Uno and hide-‘n-seek with neighborhood kids, and gossiping around the kitchen table with her host family. In her spare time she helped develop a new product line for the costura association, gave general marketing and accounting talleres, helped construct a cockfighting ring, and taught some English. She is an unapologetic fan of drinking circles and campo bailes, where she is heads above the rest on the dance floor. All in all, it was a weirder and funnier two years than she ever could have imagined.

Was it worth it?

Without a doubt. For all the long and boring days at site, there are just as many hilarious and fun memories. I’ve learned more about myself, and the world, than I ever imagined possible.

Favorite peruano en tu sitio:

My host family for teaching me the true definition of generosity. Special shout out to my chanchito nephew, Bryan, for always finishing my leftovers and for letting me play hours of Super Mario Bros with him.

What do people in your site consider your strangest behavior?

Sleeping with a fan every night, exercising, and drinking cold water. Frankly, even I am surprised to still be alive.

What's the longest amount of time you spent in site?

15 long and sweaty days.

TV/Movie character who kept you company in site:

Josh, CJ, Toby, and Sam were the best friends a girl could ask for.

Worst movie you’ve watched on a bus:

I once watched three Hillary Duff movies in a row. You say worst, I say awesome!

Longest you've gone without bathing:

5 or 6 days, which is a little excessive considering I have my own bathroom (sans agua) and live in the very hot desert.

Arroz y papas. A necessity or a burden?

Rice is only good for soaking up oil or masking the taste of unidentifiable meat. I will gladly eat 5 kilos of potatoes if it means I never have to eat yucca again.

Weirdest medical issue:

That would have to be the heretofore unknown mango allergy, which resulted in eyes swollen shut, face expanded to three times its normal size, and an unpleasant stint in a Peruvian ER.

Thoughts on cumbia/huayno:

I used to be annoyed by the sameness of every cumbia song, but like many other things in this country, it snuck up on me and I now find myself requesting cumbia songs at parties and adding Grupo 5 songs to my running playlist.

How many cell phones/bank cards/hats/sunglasses/cameras/girlfriends/boyfriends have you gone through? 

4/2/1/15/2/and depends who you ask.

Did you pick up any new hobbies or activities?

Sweeping, Nokia Snake game, and watching entire television series I’d never heard of before from start to finish.

Favorite wall décor in your host family’s house:

The Avon poster with Reese Witherspoon and Patrick Dempsey. They kept me company during many an unpalatable meal.

Combi story:

I was coming back to site on the Sunday of the presidential elections and the car was more crowded than I’d ever seen before, which is saying a lot. I spent the better part of two hours with one baby on my lap, another awkwardly sprawled on my shoulders/head, and a woman’s lady parts melded to my left arm. I quite literally couldn’t move a muscle. Oh, and the woman sitting next to me had propped her broken ankle across my legs, effectively pinning me to the seat. Did I mention it was 9,000 degrees?

Most amusing misconception you have heard about the U.S.?

Everyone is rich and drives two cars. We eat everything, especially meat, out of cans.

Have you been robbed?  What did they take?

Peru robbed me of my dignity, modesty, and any sense of shame very early on.

What’s the most creative thing a Peruvian has said to you in English?

“I love you but I don’t know what to do about it.”

Best/weirdest gift from a Peruvian:

On my second day in site, my host brother gave me a framed picture of his recently deceased grandmother. In her coffin.

Most embarrassing story:

As I said, I lost any sense of shame early on and, as a result, don’t realize many of the ways in which I embarrass myself daily. But this one still stands out: I had come back from an afternoon run and was playing tag with some kids outside my room. After about 15 minutes, I reached into my running shorts to get my key, but I couldn’t find it. I jumped around a little and felt the key move. After a couple awkward minutes groping around, I realized the key had somehow worked its way into the lining of my underwear. There was no way to get it without pulling down my pants. I tried to get the kids to walk away but they refused to leave my side. So I walked around a corner and discreetly pulled down my shorts only to look up and see several concerned parents starting at me. One hand in my underwear, five kids around me, and a terrified look on my face. Awkward.

Biggest lie that you’ve told:

To my host family: “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Meltdown story:

Toss-up between the hospital stint and the 18-hour canoe ride. Or all those times my community completely bailed on my meetings and/or projects … but I kind of got used to that after about a year.

How has Peace Corps changed your future plans?

It’s actually made me less certain of what I want to do or where I want to be – after this anything seems possible.

What Peruvian article of clothing or accessory are you planning to rock when you return stateside?

Graphic tees are the new black.

What will you be sad to leave behind?

My host family. The unwavering generosity of Pervuians and their amazing ability to feed however many people show up with whatever is in the pot. The rambling conversations. The freedom to do whatever and be whomever I want. The serenity of campo life. Huancaina sauce, tacu tacu, and ceviche.

What will you not be sad to leave behind?

The complacency and machismo. Not fitting on combis, collectivos, taxis, or buses. Public urination. The way drunk campo men smell.

What has Peru taught you?

Not to take myself too seriously. To go with the flow. To find beauty in the most unexpected places.

What scares you the most about returning to the States?

The 2012 election.

First meal you will have when you get back to the States:

Chips con queso, chicken enchiladas with sour cream and guacamole, veggie fajitas and ice cold beer out of a can. My stomach is growling as I type.

Any advice for current/future PCVs?

Don’t take anything, especially yourself, too seriously. Sure there are down moments and times you want to kill your host family, counterpart, etc., but being able to laugh at your situation is the only way to stay sane. And, c’mon, it’s funny.

And my superlative? "Most likely to bring Papy." :-)

Sipan Stories

As I’ve mentioned before, my site is home to some ancient Moche ruins – a civilization which pre-dates the Incas by nearly 1,000 years. The ruins are most famous for the 1987 discovery of the Señor de Sipán, an incredibly well-preserved tomb of a warrior king. Many of the artifacts from this tomb, and others more recently discovered, are on display at our local site museum, a state-run facility.

The story of the discovery and excavation of the tomb is a popular one around these parts. There is the version that exists in the “official” history of the region, and there are the versions that are passed from family to family. As you can imagine, the official history lacks some of the local color and flair I’ve come to expect from my Peruvian neighbors. I’ve been here long enough to listen with a heavy dose of skepticism, but after nearly two years piecing together the disparate bits, doing a little of my own research, and brushing up on archaeological vocabulary, I’m ready to take the story public.

Get ready – it’s a fascinating yarn of mystery, the supernatural, history, and international intrigue. And also one that’s surprisingly heartbreaking.

Seriously.

The Moches were dominant from around 100 AD to 800 AD, an impressive reign by all accounts. The surviving pyramids (the huacas for which my town is named) don’t look like much; they’re large, misshapen dirt mounds. Before the archaeologists descended, local residents didn’t know, or didn’t care, that they were valuable relics from the past. In the time of Spanish colonization, homesteads were built directly on the huacas. Weather, time and human destruction have taken their toll.

Local legend claims spirits still haunt the area. I’ve heard a number of people tell me about times they were walking by the tomb at night and heard strange whistling noises. One of the night guards swears he saw something glowing above an excavation site. The dogs, which supposedly have a sixth sense about these things, won’t go near the tombs on a full moon.

Beginning in the early 1980s, local residents began finding little gold statues or ceramics in the fields around the huacas. My host mom loves to tell a story of her kids bringing home huge hunks of turquoise they found in the mud after a particularly hard rainstorm. Every local family has stories of treasures found and lost again.

In the mid-1980s the Bernales family claims to have received a divine message directing them to the source of all these riches. Mr. Bernales, who coincidentally is a distant cousin of Papy’s family, told his friends and family that he’d dreamt of four donkeys pulling carts of gold from the mounds. He is said to have pressured Papy’s father to go on a late-night raid with him. Papy’s papy declined and the secret raid went ahead without him. The Bernales family racked up some serious loot, and they weren’t shy about telling people: supposedly their windowsills were decorated with gold statues. A local bigwig got wind of the fortune and alerted the authorities. According to my host family, a few months later, police stormed the Bernales residence, severely beat Mr. Bernales, and sacked all the loot. Mr. Bernales died in the car on the way to Chiclayo.

Shortly thereafter, in the spring of 1987, archaeologist Walter Alva discovered the warrior tomb, directly below where Bernales and friends first hit it big. The artifacts were hauled down in donkey-pulled carts. To this day, long-time residents of Huaca Rajada and Sipán scoff at Alva’s name, not believing he deserves the credit and fame for the discovery that cost one of their own his life.

The relationship between the town and the archaeologists was doomed from the start. Archaeological journals and history books mention little of the role played by the local excavators, to say nothing of the Bernales family saga. In the months following the initial discovery, huaceros (loosely translated as ‘grave robbers’) descended on the site, pillaging hundreds of priceless artifacts for sale on the black market. International investigators, including the FBI and Interpol, were called to the scene. Artifacts were found as far away as Philadelphia. A large majority of the pieces were recovered, but some remain lost to this day.

It’s unfortunate to lose such valuable relics, and with them a window into the past. But what is perhaps more tragic is the daily reminder to the people of Sipán and Huaca Rajada of the narrow window of their future.

In the wake of the 1987 discovery Sipán landed on the international archaeology scene. And with the subsequent discoveries and the construction of the new site museum, there was a hope that the community could at long last capitalize on its rich history.

Unfortunately, the increasing numbers of tourists and high-profile visitors do little to change the economic realities in these towns. The museum employs very few local workers, choosing instead to bus in “experts” from Chiclayo, Trujillo or Lima. The excavation site is only open for part of the year, and the additional workers hired earn a pittance for their manual labor. None of the proceeds from the ticket sales are invested back into the town.

This certainly does not mean that there aren’t opportunities for improving relationships between the museum and the community. There are. I’ve been trying to facilitate those meetings for two years. But the river of mistrust runs deep around here. Damn the man!

Editor’s Note: I am not an expert on this issue, and it’s more complicated than one blog entry can tackle, but I do feel confident in expressing my opinion as someone who has lived here, among the people, every day for the past 22 months.

Like Lists

My volunteer friends and I jokingly like to put together lists poking fun at Peruvians, a tongue-in-cheek way to let out some steam. I’m not going to publish “Things Peruvians Like” or its companion list, “Things Peruvians Are Scared Of” here because without understanding the context or the spirit of the lists, they seem a little harsh. We laugh because we love.

Instead, I've decided to share with you another list I've been working on:

Reasons I Like Peruvians:

• Their unwavering generosity;
• That no matter how many unexpected guests turn up at the dinner table, there’s somehow always enough food to go around;
• The women have a surprisingly raunchy sense of humor;
• They love to dance and do so completely unselfconsciously;
• They will tell you their life story immediately upon meeting you, which might be heartbreaking or heartwarming, but is always honest;
• Their lack of body image issues;
• And hand-in-hand with that, their rich culinary traditions;
• They love to throw a good party or tell a good story;
• That despite all the hardships they endure, they love to laugh – at themselves, at each other, at their country – and their humor is infectious;
• Because they welcome me into their homes as a friend, a sister, a daughter.

Some of my favorite relatives showing off their hospitality (and adorableness).

To me, Peru is like that kooky friend or aunt or cousin we all have. The one we roll our eyes at and laugh a little about, but who we secretly, passionately hope never changes because we love her for being exactly who she is with no apologies, and because when you break through the surface barriers and see the essence of the person (or place), it’s startlingly beautiful.

Peruvians: always a good time.

Bolivian Bonanza

For this year’s Easter break, I headed across the border to Bolivia. I am happy to report it was a much more successful trip than last year’s ill-fated canoe experience. It was a week of superlatives with visits to the world’s highest navigable lake, the world’s highest capital city, and the world’s largest salt flats. And I’d like to add my own superlative as my most favorite vacation to date.

The adventurers.

We started the trip in Puno, Peru, visiting the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, which I was excited to see. There are indigenous tribes that live on reed islands in the middle of the lake, eschewing modern technology and preserving a lifestyle that dates back centuries. However, I was a little disappointed. It was so touristy – a 30-minute boat ride to what amounted to a floating artisan market. The Ayamara culture is rich with history, but this felt like such a bastardization of that culture, catering to the lowest common denominator. We were ferried over to the ‘capital’ island (after paying an additional ‘tip’) where vendors offered inflated bottled water and postcards. Granted, we only had a couple hours, so we went for the fastest and cheapest tour. There are more remote islands that, I hope, offer a better glimpse into the true nature of these ancient peoples, but what I saw left me with an icky feeling. The lake was picturesque though, especially as we got further away from Puno.

On a floating island, Lake Titicaca.

The floating islands, made of reeds.

We then spent a few days in La Paz, Bolivia. The city is built in a stunningly dramatic fashion, cascading down steep mountainsides. It’s all windy hills (that leave you quite winded) and crowded alleyways full of Bolivian women in traditional dress hawking everything from mouse pads to potatoes. It is a decidedly third-world city, but charming in its own, loud way. There are also a surprising number of delicious international restaurants, which we took full advantage of, shockingly. (Bolivian food being the poor-man’s version of Peruvian food and thus not suitable for vacation!) I think we were all surprised at how often we kept comparing Bolivia to Peru, and further surprised by how often Peru won. Absence certainly does make the heart grow fonder.

Enjoying delicious Cuban food in La Paz.

In front of the presidential palace, La Paz. Take that, Evo!

Just like the locals!

However, La Paz came out ahead in the artisanry, or maybe it was just because it was different from what I’ve spent the last two years buying. Either way, we bought lots of souvenirs (mainly for ourselves), ate lots of meals, and hung out with other backpackers in the hostel bar.

A Bolivian alpaca.

The real adventure of the trip was a three-day tour of southwestern Bolivia, home of the salares (salt flats). My main motivation for the whole trip was seeing these salt flats; the rest was of little concern to me. Luckily, my naiveté paid off and I was floored by the entire trip. Words and pictures will never do the scenery justice … but that won’t stop me from trying!

Ready for anything.

We spent the majority of the first day on and around the salt flats. They were incredible. It’s blindingly white for as far as the eye can see. We were there on the tail-end of rainy season, so some parts of the salares were still underwater, turning them into giant reflecting pools. The best way I can describe it is simply white. Everywhere you looked was bright, bright white. It quite literally took my breath away (though, admittedly that might have had something to do with the altitude) and is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. The big attraction of the salares is the amazing pictures you can take playing around with perspective. We had a little trouble figuring out the ‘trick’, but spent a hilarious couple hours trying our hardest. Eventually we had limited success. While the pictures are a wonderful memento, that view and that experience are what I will hold in my mind’s eye forever. Amazing.

Big ups on the salares of Uyuni, Bolivia.

After the awesomeness of the first day, I was prepared to be underwhelmed by the next two days of sightseeing. How wrong I was! The landscape of this part of the world is absolutely incredible. You’re always at least 4,000 meters above sea level; the clouds, when there are any, look to be within your grasp, and yet the horizon stretches interminably, so you forget you’re on top of the world.

Trippy landscapes.

The contradictions confound the senses and it’s hard to make sense of what you’re seeing. The best I can come up with is ‘otherworldly.’ We drove across unending sand dunes, punctuated by crystal clear high-altitude lakes encrusted with bright white mineral deposits. We drove across dried up lakebeds and through a Dali-esque landscape of lava rocks. We bunked down next to a crimson lake (tinted by billions of microorganisms) that was home to hundreds of pink flamingos. And behind it all were towering snow-capped mountain peaks. Every stop afforded another unique and stupefying vista. We saw the sun rise between the sulphuric burps of 5,000 meter-high geysers and watched the sun set over a dusty, remote Andean village. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s the weirdest, most wonderful place I’ve seen.

The flamingos of Bolivia.

On the Bolivia-Chile border.

We spent a lot of time in cars, buses, and planes to see so many places in such a short amount of time but it was undoubtedly worth it. If you ever find yourself with an invitation to the altiplano of Bolivia, don’t hesitate to check it out for yourself!

Wise Words

When we were in training, oh-so-many months ago, a staff member read us a speech recently given by Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, about aid, development and the Peace Corps’ recent return to his country. I remember getting a little teary-eyed that day in July 2009, excited and moved by the possibilities that lie ahead of me. I’ve kept a copy of this speech taped to my wall for nearly two years now, such was its effect on me.

My experience as a volunteer is definitely different from volunteers in Rwanda or other African nations, different from other volunteers right here in Peru, different even from my own expectations of two years ago. But there is something uniformly true and poignant about Mr. Kagame’s speech that speaks to the heart of the Peace Corps experience – the generosity of the host country nationals to open their countries, and their hearts, to volunteers.

In the waning months of my service, I’ve found myself reflecting a lot on what has happened over the course of these two years. What’s been better, harder, funnier, weirder, worse than I’d anticipated. What I’d do differently. What I’d keep the same. Of all the things I’ve seen and done, what’s highlighted in the following excerpt of the speech is the best. Without a doubt.

“We view the return of the Peace Corps as a significant event in Rwanda’s history. These young men and women represent what is good about America; I have met former volunteers who have run major aid programs here, invested in our businesses, and I even count them among my friends and close advisors.

Peace Corps volunteers are well educated, optimistic, and keen to assist us as we continue to rebuild, but one must also recognize that we have much to offer them as well…

We will teach your children to prepare and enjoy our foods and speak our language. We will invite them to our weddings and funerals, and out into the communities to observe our traditions. We will teach them that in Africa, family is a broad and all-encompassing concept, and that an entire generation treats the next as its own children.

And we will have discussions in the restaurants, and debates in our staff rooms and classrooms where we will learn from each other: What is the nature of prosperity? What is a cohesive society, and how can we strengthen it? How does a nation recognize and develop the leaders of future generations? …

We will do this because we see that the only investment with the possibility of infinite return is in our children, and because after a couple of years in Rwanda, working and learning with our people, these Peace Corps volunteers will be our sons and daughters too.”
--Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda

Upbeat Update

Thanks to all for your kind messages after my "illness" (and if you didn't send me a nice message, here's your chance to make it up to me by sending chocolate. Or peanut butter.). I am feeling much better and my face is back to normal. We (the doctors and I) are placing the blame on mangoes. Apparently I am extremely allergic. The fact that I've eaten several dozen mangoes over the past year doesn't seem to matter. All I know is I'm allergic now and will be staying far, far away from mangoes. Like forever.

So with my face back to its normal size, I was able to take off my sunglasses and mingle with the VIPs at an event at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Lima celebrating Peace Corps' 50th anniversary. It was a great evening. My cocktail party skills were a little rusty and I definitely felt overwhelmed the grandeur and smart, accomplished people. I even got to meet (well, brush shoulders with) Alejandro Toledo, former president and current front-runner in this year's presidential campaign. The current first lady was also in attendance, as were a number of embassy officials and Peruvian government representatives.

Seeing all these people come together to celebrate and recognize Peace Corps gave me a warm fuzzy feeling all night. It was a wonderful reminder that we are doing important work and it doesn't always go unnoticed. It's also inspiring to think about the thousands of volunteers who have served around the world in the past 50 years, bringing Kennedy's commitment to public service to life in remote towns in far-flung corners of the globe. I am most definitely in good company.

So with a renewed "Yay, Peace Corps!" outlook, I'm looking forward to the next few months. It is hard to believe that this whole crazy experience is quickly coming to an end. I know the next five months are going to fly by and I want to focus on enjoying the present, soaking in all the familiar sights and sounds of Peru, as well as knocking off the last few items on my Peruvian to-do list. Good times ahead!

You still inspire me, sir.

Hospital Hiatus

Well, I've reached another milestone in my Peace Corps service -- first trip to the emergency room! This was actually the first ER trip, and IV drip, of my life. Other than stitches at age seven and few ill elderly relatives, I've managed to steer well clear of hospitals.

Now I wouldn't wish seven hours in a Peruvian ER on anyone, but it did make for some interesting cultural observations, at least from what I was able to see. But let's back up a sec. How did I find myself in this bustling ER? I woke up two days ago with an extremely swollen face; red, itchy and generally unpleasant. I consulted our friendly Peace Corps doctor, via phone, and she advised me to take some Benadryl and go back to bed. Well, Benadryl is not easily found in the remote desert town I currently inhabit. I found what I could and spent a day moaning about in bed. Cut to this morning when I awoke with eyes swollen almost completely shut and face even more grossly inflated. I had a picture but my vanity won't allow me to post it, even to this limited audience. Instead I present a close approximation, and a reminder of a really funny movie.

I feel you, Hitch. Really I do.

I managed to find my way, semi-blind, to an emergency clinic in Chiclayo. I saw a doctor almost immediately, much to my shock, who confirmed an allergic reaction diagnosis, gave me a couple shots, and then ushered me into the sick bay. Where I was to spend the rest of eternity. All the beds were taken, so I was given a Peruvian-sized gurney to rest on. Anyone want to take bets on how many inches my legs hung off? Let's just say noticeably so. For the first couple hours, I was content to sprawl about, let the meds wash over me, rest my weary eyes, and make up stories about my fellow patients. I noticed a disproportionate number of teenage boys around me. I don't know if this is because boys that age are more likely to have clumsy accidents or if it's because Peruvian mamas are seriously overprotective of their adored sons. Judging by the amount of "tummy-aches" I'm going with the latter.

There were also a number of very old ladies, one of whom vomited approximately every half hour, and several wailing feverish babies. In the six hours I spent on my gurney, I saw exactly four nurses, two orderlies, and three doctors. None of them knew my name, I didn't have a chart, just my IV cart trailing behind me every time I went in search of answers. Eventually a doctor came back and informed me that I would need to stay 24 hours for observation and set an appointment with an internist. My Spanish is pretty solid, but combine an unfamiliar medical system, a number of drugs, and rapid-fire medical terms and you've lost me. Luckily I was able to get in touch with my English-speaking PC doctor who convinced the clinic to release me, prescriptions in hand.

Phew. What a day. Most of the time I feel pretty in control of my life here; I know what to do, where to go, what to say. But today I felt completely overwhelmed, confused and lonely. When the ER doctor asked me why I couldn't just call a family member to come stay with me overnight I wanted to slap her, in between bouts of hiccup-y crocodile tears. I probably got out easy in terms of third-world hospital visits, but there's nothing like a sick day to really humble a girl.

The swelling has gone down some and the itching has thankfully subsided. I can see, sorta, out of one eye (so apologies for the million typos) and am about to take a hefty amount of Benadryl and put this day behind me. I'm currently holed up in a Chiclayo hotel under strict instructions from my PC doctor not to go back to site for at least the next 24 hours. Now that's a treatment I can get behind.

Soul Sisters

Greetings from sweaty coastal Peru! I've spent the better part of my weekend enjoying the sweet, sweet comforts or air-conditioning thanks to the generosity of a friend's visiting mom. Moms really are the best. Now before you go thinking that I am living the high life here as Peace Corps volunteer, I would like to remind you of the many hardships I've put up with over the past 20ish months -- lack of running water, eating small rodents and unidentifiable intestines, limited access to the outside world, etc., etc., etc. Everyone deserves a break now and then.

Plus our relaxing weekend came on the heels of a three-day leadership camp for teenage girls, called ALMA, the Spanish word for "soul" and an acronym for female teenage leadership. And let me tell you, spending three days with 40+ hormonal teenagers is far from relaxing. Months of planning went into organizing and funding this year's camp, as well as weeks of incessant nagging to make sure that the girls I wanted to bring would actually come. It was a success by all accounts. I took two adorable girls (actually host cousins of mine), aged 14 and 16. They live with their (our) aging grandmother in a town a little further down the road from my house. They have three younger siblings for whom they are the primary caregivers. They don't have television or cell phones and have barely traveled further than Sipan. In short they needed, and deserved, a getaway.

Fun with balloons.

Hard at work creating promotional materials after my enlightening marketing workshop.

We spent three days leading workshops on leadership, self-esteem, sexual health and entrepreneurship. Once again I was reminded of the caliber of my fellow volunteers. I was inspired and moved over and over again by the dedication and commitment my peers demonstrated. The male volunteers especially shined in their role as support-staff -- it is such a valuable experience for these young Peruvian women to see men helping out in the kitchen, cleaning up after themselves and the girls, leading volleyball matches, trying their hand at traditional dances. We can give a thousand workshops, but leading by example is one of the most powerful and impactful things we're able to do here.

My sweet girls.

My girls, Angi and Mirella, seemed to have a great time. They made lots of new friends, though they were hesitant to separate at first, and thanked me several times for bringing them. We had a mini-debrief during the trip back to site and they both said they'd never been talked to about sex or sexual health in such an up-front and honest manner. This type of feedback goes a long way to making all the frustrating days seem worthwhile.

Angi participating in the world-famous condom/banana relay.

Mirella's turn.

The girls eagerly awaiting the volunteer relay.

And it was also fun to get in touch with my inner-teenager (not that she's ever too far from the surface) and spend a few days giggling, playing tag, and gossiping. There was an adorable 15-year-old boy who came as part of a marinera (traditional northern Peruvian dance) exposition. The girls went wild -- you'd have thought we'd had them locked up in a convent for months. But it was fun to watch, I even found myself happily posing for few pictures with cute William.

Group shot.

Best of all, the success of the camp has inspired me to pick up a few projects with the school once classes start up again. On the agenda: a youth entrepreneurship club with the high-schoolers and a geography/culture club for the younger kids.

But for now, I'll enjoy the last couple weeks of a lazy summer.