9 Junio 2008

9 June 2008
It’s around 11 o’clock and I just returned home from a party next door. Two Canadian girls came back to see a host mom they stayed with for 10 days, 5 years ago. They were here to help paint a school in my barrio. It is amazing that within 2 hours the entire community managed to stop by, sip on a pisco, and dance a bit. This is one of the many differences between here and the states.
Okay, so I will begin my journey, not in Miami, but in Chacalacaya. Here we stayed in what the other PCTs and I call the “compound.” The “compound” had very nice rooms, hot water, and good food. We all laughed at how we were being slowly immersed into the way we would be living for the next couple of years. (Miami, the compound, nice house, el campo) We had a lot of fun/bonding there as well as got to meet all the people who will be our “bosses.” One of the kids even got spit on by a llama.
On the second day, we left and headed to the PCT headquarters. Here we were briefed about health and language before they introduced us to our host families. I was told about my family a mom and 2 children 19 and 17. However, when “my family” showed up, I had a mom 2 little siblings and a dad. So me, being a recent student, didn’t think twice about questioning my professors. Turns out, my inclinations were right, I was sent home with the wrong family. Luckily, the two families lived close to each other and knew other (another great thing about their culture). I eventually met my family and all was forgotten. I didn’t have a moment to breathe, because right away mi mama wanted to take me to her neighbors where a fellow PCT, Mark was. We found 2 other PCTs, Alex and Vince there with their families! So up the street we walked (my house is in the middle of the hill, but closer than others to the bottom) gathering more PCTs and their families as we went! They took us up a hill (large hill, I live in the mountains) and at the top was a futbol field. Their field is about 9 squares of concrete with goalposts, no nets. Here we all played together for a bit, with a water bottle and eventually a ball, then on the way back they showed up their water purifying system, which everyone in town is really proud of. After this, though I felt like it was 9, it was only 4!! We decided to go to Chosica to the carnival. The carnival had all sorts of different rides, games, food, and small trinkets. I also saw el Cristo Blanco, which has underneath a Cathedral. Oh, my family is Catholic and I will be attending mass at 8 on Sundays. However, if I understood mi mama correctly we walked outside onto the street and watch the procession… Que chevere?! At around 7ish we came home and had dinner, (arroz con pollo) rice and chicken. I tried to stay up in the living room to watch Peru versus Mexico futbol game (Mexico dominated) but was too tired. I went to bed and passed out. The next morning my mom took me to the bus to meet the rest of my group. We all took the bus to the center together. The rest of this day is boring, besides meeting another volunteer who talked about diarrhea and how we all will get it. Surprisingly enough (or not) one of the volunteers already did. He ate food from the carnival en la noche pasada. (Which we are strictly told not to do) Also, we did have one girl pass out from the vaccinations we received. Also, we did receive our medkits, which are loaded to the brim… I’m still not quite sure how I’m fitting it with my things… yet to be determined. When I got home, I headed to the Lovandoria (I don’t think that’s quite how you spell it) where I could call home and go on the internet. But when I say this place has 3 phone booths and 6 computers, do not think spacious. I’m talking like half the size of a small bedroom in the states. I can’t compare anything exactly, but I will measure it next time! The town here is beautiful, la vista is beautiful. Hopefully, I will get my pics up soon so you all can see for yourself. The people here are so nice and so grateful for us to come to Peru, it’s remarkable.
I also should mention, I am one of the 2 PCTs that live in a house with running hot water. Yay me! However, this can only mean bad things for my future house, no?
Okay, well I need to sleep.
I hope this was enough details for you to hold you off for a little bit!!