A Little Collaboration

Hi all and happy Thursday. It’s a beautiful day here in Huancayo and I am taking advantage of the faster internet to give you a blog post with pictures today. Hooray.

So as the title implies, today we're going to talk about collaborating. If you've been reading for a while (and I hope you have) then it might seem like I am the only one responsible for anything I do in Laraos. And in some ways that is true because I am the only volunteer in my town and because travel between towns is somewhat difficult. But in the last few months, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with my fellow volunteers on a few projects. So I thought I would use today to tell you about them. Here we go.

1. Tomas Verde

This was the project of my "site mate" Alex (check out her blog at http://lexwritr.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html) who lives about an hour's drive away from me but really only 30 km. She's been working all year doing environmental art projects with her kids and as a culmination, she put on this event to showcase the work of her students. There was a contest among the high school students where they were required to demonstrate one of 5 themes (earth, water, wind, fire, flora/fauna) in a poster using natural materials in addition to markers and paint. The contest among the elementary school kids was in chalk art. I must say, I was impressed with their knowledge on how to shade and blend the chalk colors. It was a one day commitment for me but I know that Alex had been working on it for a while and I was there to lend a hand and to be (dun dun dun!) a judge in the contests. This was the first time that we volunteers of Yauyos had a work-related reason to get together and it was really cool to spend my day with these guys.

And to see the creations that Alex had encouraged out of her little soldiers. Though it wasn't my event, I feel justified in declaring it a success. Kudos to Alex.

2. Laraos Despedida

I think we technically designated the two days that my site mates came up to visit Laraos as the goodbye event for one of them, Mark. And we had a good time just hanging out in my room and spending some last moments in Peru together. Little did they know that they were coming over one of the days that I teach my weekly class to the 5th and 6th graders. So being the good sports that they are, they helped me talk about the food web that day.

And since they seemed to have it covered, I just sat back and relaxed.

3. Campamento Runa/Huarmi

You might guess by the name that this is a camp, specifically, two camps - Runa for boys (because Runa means men in Quechua) and Huarmi for girls (Huarmi means women). The camps were held in Junin, a solid 8 hours of travel from Laraos and took place on two consecutive weekends. Alex and I were able to bring two boys and two girls from each of our towns. And once in Junin, we met up with the 6 volunteers there who were also bringing students from their towns!

So let's start with Runa:

8 volunteers, 10 campers and 3 youth helpers attended this camp the last weekend of October. In the photo above, we are at the top of our hike, the activity that I led. As part of the plan, the lady volunteers fulfilled more behind-the-scenes rolls for this camp. The boys got did a team building activity, row in a boat, make environmental thank you cards, learn about the 3 R's, make music with recyclables, go on a hike, watch a movie, learn yoga and more. Two nights, two days and a whole lot of travel for us from Yauyos but as we were leaving the camp the final day, the boys I had brought commented to me (totally unsolicitied) "Este fue bien chevere. Seria mejor que sea un dia mas." Translation: This was really cool. It would be better if if were one day longer. Ah yeah, nothing like some unsolicited props to let you know that you are doing something right.

On to Huarmi:

The next weekend, these girls got together for their eco-camp experience.

The girls got to do a lot of the same activities as the boys but we had learned from the past weekend's experience and this camp flowed much more smoothly. This time we had the same 8 volunteers, 21 campers, 2 helpers and 7 Peace Corps volunteers in-training participate in this camp. For the girls, we girl volunteers got to play the more prominent role and I got to lead one of the teams. Here I am with my team, the Pink Panthers.

All weekend as we participated in the activities, teams could win points for skill, spirit and eco-conscientiousness. The last day a team was declared a winner and although it wasn't us, I think we had the most fun. I, personally, was so glad to be able to be a leader to these girls if only for a weekend. We also got to meet the new volunteers who would be coming to our region this next year and see them in action as they gave a talk on composting. As cool as it was to begin getting to know these people who will be working with us next year, we knew that as a result we would have to say goodbye to the volunteers with whom we had worked all of this last year. In a way, this camp was a good last hurrah while simultaneously a good "welcome to the region" activity.

As the girls and I left this camp, they gave the same feedback that the boys had. They wished it could have been longer and they hoped to keep in touch with the friends they had made while at the camp. We value these camps as a way for our students to come to know other realities, other regions of Peru and people beyond their own town. They expand their worldview and encourage them on their path as leaders in their own communities knowing that there are youths just like them doing the same thing in other communities. So, if you are one of those people who saw the link I posted on facebook asking for donations to make these camps a reality, thank you.

So I wanted to write about these events for a couple of reasons. The first being that they have taken up a whole lot of my time in the last month and for many of you, you read this blog to know what I am up to. But the other reason is this:

I think that a lot of people have an image of Peace Corps as a solitary person working in their community far removed from any sort of civilization. And historically or in other countries this may be the case. But in Peru, we are lucky to be able to collaborate with other volunteers and other communities and for me, that is when true development can begin. After all, what good is a highly developed community that isn't interacting with the rest of the world? The point of Peace Corps is to aid countries in development by providing volunteer professionals and to PROMOTE PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. What better way to promote peace and friendship than to bring together people who would not be brought together under other circumstances? What better way to promote peace and friendship than by expanding world views and growing confident leaders? And I think in some small way with these activities, we have done that. So. Here's to working together.

Blessings.

Homecoming

Hi all. Everyone be glad. Not only is it a beautiful day but for once I didn't leave a month between posts. I'm finding that if I don't stay on top of this whole posting business, I fall very very far behind and then cool things to write about are no longer relevant because even cooler things have happened. So before I can tell you about the cool things I've been up to in the last two weeks, let me give you some thoughts on the first two weeks of October. For some of you these stories might sound very familiar because they happened in the United States and you were there to share in them with me. Also, I'm sorry that there are no pictures but the upload just wouldn't happen. I figure you can forgive it because most of you were there for these events. And those that weren't can check out photos on the facebook. Anyway, here we go.

OK, as most of you (and the people of Laraos who most likely don't read this blog) know, I went home in October to attend my one and only big brother's wedding. I was very excited because I had not been in Palatine in October in 5 years and I was pleased with the brilliant foliage my eyes met everywhere they gazed.

I was also very excited to be spending two whole weeks in the great country of variety and choice when it comes to food, drink, entertainment and people. Unfortunately, my enjoyment of the food and drink was postponed until 5 days into the trip due to a sickness that hit me on the plane. It was uncomfortable but I can now add some new experiences to my list. And I still had the pretty leaves and many flavors of Gatorade to enjoy.

But once I was better, I more than made up for time lost and thoroughly enjoyed myself and seeing all of you. So should we do a top ten list? I think this blog would be lacking without a top ten list. Here goes.

1. Met my teacher pen pal and her classes in Lake Geneva where I gave 6 1-hour talks to high school students. I like to think that a few of them enjoyed my anecdotes if not just the break from the routine of normal class. And I definitely look like I know what I'm talking about. Also note: I had not fully recovered at this point. Now that's professionalism.

2. Tested out my mountain lungs at sea level and found that my previously "hard run" route in Palatine was surprisingly easy.

3. Falling back in with my Rhino friends and a Mr. Jeff Zagoudis. When other hear that I still am in contact with these buddies, some of whom I've known since elementary school, they tell me I'm lucky and that it is rare. I am only now coming to appreciate that fact and I am so thankful to continue having these folks in my life.

4. Skyping to a friend in Peru from the comfort of my living room. Having skyped many times from Huancayo to Palatine, it was especially neat to be on the Palatine end of that conversation. I found it much less frustrating and much happier.

5. Joe and Carrie's Wedding! I think I'm going to make a sub-list for this one.

a. How about the obvious result of this event being that JOE AND CARRIE ARE NOW MARRIED!!!! So that was pretty much a given but you can call that my excitement at acquiring a sister and seeing my brother the happiest (and giddiest) I've ever seen him.

b. Giving the soon-to-be-weds gifts from all over Peru. Hats and honey from Laraos, mugs from Ancash, a bowl from Huancayo and placed in a handmade basket from Laraos. I like to think they enjoyed those things.

c. The great thing about weddings is that they are like family reunions with a purpose beyond just getting together. So all of Joe's family (which is coincidentally my family too) came in to celebrate the event which means that I got to catch up with them too! It was especially cool to visit with cousins now that we are all "adults" and have developed into "real people" as some would say. It was almost like meeting new folks altogether and I liked hanging out with those new friends.

d. Party! What a good way to experience good food I had been missing than at a wedding. Also, dancing. Need I say more?

e. Getting all dolled up. I hadn't worn heels in a while since I am already a giant in Peru and heels aren’t the most practical of shoes when walking in the campo or up and down the town’s hills. I also hadn't worn a dress in a while for that matter. So as much as I may have complained about pomp and circumstance and frivolity, it was nice to be clean and dressed up and maybe even reminded of the fact that I am a girl.

f. Also, this girl. I got to see her! How great! I mean, come on. Maggie. Is there more to be said? Probably. Do I have the words to do any of our interactions/love for each other justice? Definitely not. So let’s just say that it was without a doubt, a highlight of the trip to get to hang out before and during all the wedding shenanigans.

g. Let’s reiterate: JOE AND CARRIE ARE MARRIED!!!

6. Trip to Charleston! Once the wedding smoke had cleared, mom and I took a trip to my college town to visit friends, eat good food, feel a little nostalgic and enjoy the beach. More on that in the following items.

7. Sushi with Sam and Alex and Marisa! So not only was there delicious sushi that cannot be found here in Peru but there was fantastic company.

8. That same night of sushi, the Chucktown Trippintones were so kind as to let me crash their rehearsal and even sing with them. I don’t think they realized how much it meant for me to be able to sing with them again. See, here in Peru, I don’t get a whole lot of chances to sing and zero chances to sight read music. So that first greeting I got when I typed in the familiar code on the door’s keypad once they realized who had come in and the next couple of hours felt like such a comfortable homecoming. For those two hours, I was somehow transported to a once familiar element. So good. Thanks Trippintones for letting me sing my way down memory lane with you.

9. Crashing at Michael’s house with Marisa. With this came late night discussions of everything and delicious breakfasts (one at a new café and one of cupcakes and oranges). It also meant taking nice relaxing walks with very nerdy conversations about what we were seeing in the harbor. What I liked most about this trip and visiting with these two especially is that we just fell back in to our friendship. Sometimes when away from folks for a while, it can be difficult to get back into a swing of interaction but with the truly great friends, after not seeing each other for a while, no time is wasted on “catching up”; the conversation goes straight to the now and sharing silly things like new shows.

10. BEACH!!!! After 4 years of living in Charleston and being only 11 miles from the beach, I up and moved to the complete opposite- the mountains of Peru. And as a marine biologist (that still sounds funny), it is weird that I now live at 3500 meters above sea level and a 6 hour drive from the ocean. So needless to say, I have been missing the coast and particularly the verdant marshy coast that is Charleston’s. Good day with mom at the beach and an even better night and morning run on the pebbly sand of Folly Beach.

11. Pizza! Mellow Mushroom pizza remains my favorite pizza in the southeast and I got to enjoy it again with some great company. I’ve found decent pizza in Peru but it’s not around and so although I didn’t eat it very often when it was everywhere, I can’t get enough of good pizza when I can find it these days.

12. Kaminsky’s dessert. I’m thinking that maybe I should have put all of the food things together in one super number in the list. But the emphasis of these food numbers shouldn’t be the food but rather the people I ate it with. So at Kaminsky’s, I was so glad for the company of Jen Jones and Patty Melt. What an adult conversation that was: talking about teaching the kids and school systems and how to teach character. What? When did we become so adult-ish?

13. A Saturday morning to myself in Charleston. After staying up late talking with Michael and Marisa, I woke up early Saturday morning to revisit one of my favorite running routes along the peninsula. As I turned off of Ashley to run along the Battery, the sun was glinting above the blue water of the harbor and my music kept my mind at ease. My legs carried me back down Queen Street to Colonial Lake where I was reminded that other people exercise for the fun of it too (a rarity here in Peru). Having that alone time in this city I had come to love, I felt like I had come home. In fact, it was weird to be in the city without having my home be there. But maybe I'll be back to stay some day.

14. Visiting with professors and mentors from the college. It was nice to see that although there had been some changes on campus, the people I had come to love are still working hard and devoting their lives to the development of their students. I was glad to chat with a few Honors Students about the Peace Corps but I was even more glad to catch up with Jill and Maria. My last event in Charleston before getting back on the plane was a lunch with Courtney and Marisa. Somehow, the 3 of us had developed a great working friendship my last year of college and although we still are doing some working, this lunch was all chatting. And I couldn't have been happier with it.

I found that I couldn't get enough conversation out of my trip to those homes. There were so many people to see and to talk with that I felt like I could have stayed a week longer just to keep up the conversation. But that is the beauty of the internet. It is always more difficult to keep a conversation going when not in the same place but with the help of technology, it is not impossible. And like I said, the good friends - the really good ones - are the ones that keep the conversation alive, even if they know they won't see you for another year.

And that's the plan. If you would like to see me in the next year, you are welcome to come to Peru and I will show you around as best I can. Because as we learned in June, Peru has become a home for me too.

You could say that home is where there is someone (and not a cabby with a sign) to welcome you at the airport. I had it in Chicago and I had it when I landed in Lima thanks to my friend Mark. I took my time getting back to site, spending time in Lima and then in Huancayo for a regional meeting. As sad as it was to leave friends in the States again, it was equally nice to reunite with the other volunteers in this place that has become another home.

Blessings.