It's gonna be MAY

 Trying to be more frequent with my updates. Here we go:

 

 

When you come up into the mountains from the coast, there's a distinct difference in the climate. Within 184 kilometers (112 miles or so) the terrain changes from sea level and dusty, humid, flat, and dry (never rains harder than a mist really), to more than 10,000ft above sea level, frequent torrential downpour, mountainous (switchbacks), and a sun so intense it can almost dry clothes faster than a dryer.

 

 

And so if you come up to the mountains during the day, you usually pass through a "cloud layer" is what I call it. And when you think you've seen it all, you keep going up and up and up. And then you can't breathe. And let me just mention that even though my site is only 112 miles from the coast (I'm thinking an hour and a half drive on I-10 at 75 miles an hour, right? Because of switchbacks, curves, round-a-bouts and the general amount of altitude you gain from the drive, it takes a little over 3 hours. When the road wasn't paved or only partly paved (as recent as last fall) it took about 5-6 hours. Years before, I've heard it would take over 8 hours at times... I think I would have requested a site change at that point.

 

 

I've got to throw in an Oscar update of course. I met his mom back in February and pretty soon she is leave to move back to Spain. I think she wants to move back, which would be great to get to know her more. From what Oscar has told me, and what I have seen, she is strong and admirable for her character. I'm really glad to have met her during her visit back to Peru. I hope to learn some recipies from her in the future :-)

 

 

For a weekend visit, I went to Cajabamba, which is in the region of Cajamarca. It's only about an hour and a half from where I live, and it's a nice weekend-get-a-way. Above is a picture of their cemetary. It reminded me of Louisiana where we bury many people above ground due to lack of space below. Believe me, at 10,000 feet, they're not lacking any space here but it's nice to see something familiar so far from home. I was looking for the oldest grave, but I only saw back to 1915... maybe there's an older part of the cemetary I didn't find.

 

 

Above is the central market in Cajabamba. It's organized and each vendor has their apropriate space. What I like is that each meat/fish/etc. stand is set up the same, and has its own sink and workspace. My site's market leaves a bit to be desired. It doesn't have a proper roof because it's a bunch of stands bunched together. It smells, vendors are all over the place, etc. I'm not saying it's not great, but compared to this one in Cajabamba, it's nice to know my mayor is planning on converting ours into something like this one. Yay for progress!

 

 

When you live in Peru, it is known to be true that you can learn to sleep anywhere. This man was fast asleep atop a motorcycle on May 1st, Peruvian's labor day. About 30 people were passing by him and he never woke up. I snapped a picture to share.

 

 

And finally, to leave you with this beautiful double rainbow I caught on camera earlier in May. Even when I'm freezing and damming the rain, it's nice to be reassured that beautiful things can still happen when you're negative on the world. It just kisses you right back.

 

Until the next time! Hasta la proxima!

There's work to be done...

I'm starting to think that instead of you guys following me here, you just need to hop on a plane and visit me.. because it is honestly so hard to describe to you what I do... especially the mundane (but interesting to you) things.

OK. Now on to pictures!

 

 

I went to America in early April to visit family and friends (above, cousins Natalie and Emily). Some things were really nice: hot water, indoor plumbing (and being able to throw the toliet paper in the toliet!), on-time meetings, Diet Coke, Gold Fish (and any other food item), driving, but some things weren't so great: constant stomach aches, overwhelming huge stores (like Sam's Club), the feel I needed to buy EVERYTHING, the lack of hand-made whipped cream topping, etc. After the first 10 days or so, I wanted to go back to Peru. I knew there was more work to be done, and I felt a little unproductive being in the "Land of the Free and the Brave" just eating everything in sight. After a 22-hour return to the land of the Andes Mountains and the Incas, I enjoyed a nice chicha-morada and arroz chaufa and settled back into site.

 

 

What's a Michigan winter without some snow? Snowed about 3 inches one day, and was 65F the next. Got my snow gear and my sandals out in the same vacation!

 

 

Getting back into the schools: Friday assembly, going over important details of the week, sorting out the lost and found box, etc. This is the school's "Secundary" section (like high school) with ages 11-16 (they graduate at 16). I work with 3rd and 4th year students, ages 13-15.

 

 

Que lluvia!! We're still in rainy season (winter) here in the mountains, believe it or not. Gosh, I can't wait until the day I can walk without having to waterproof my outfit for the day. It's a rainy day experience that's for sure.

 

 

To celebrate their Anniversary, Florencia de Mora (school I work with) had a parade around the plaza. Students noticed me watching and waved and winked, while students from my other school (N 82115) made guest appearances with their honor squad.

 

 

And to make your day better: BABY DUCKS!

 

 

The school year is in full swing and my Sexual Health group is coming along nicely. We're working on Tshirt designs as we speak. Until the next time!

Dia Internacional de la Madre Tierra

Or in English... Happy Earth Day!

 

"I'll make a man out of you"

Dear family and friends,

 

The volunteers of La Libertad in coordination with many local agencies in the community will be putting on a three and a half day camp for a total of 60 adolescent boys from our towns across the region, from rural, semi-rural, and urban communities. Our focus will be promoting the "well-rounded IRONMAN"- through activities in vocational orientation, future planning, volunteerism and gender equality (fighting the ever-dominant machismo). So, in order to achieve our goal we need to raise money, about $2,400 in the next month.  A little goes a long way here in Peru! Read more about our project and to donate follow the link below.

Here in Peru, sleepovers are not a thing and Peruvian teens in our region have very few opportunities to attend overnight camps.  Camp VALOR is a valuable opportunity for both young leaders and boys-at-risk to learn and be inspired by each other, and have a safe space to talk honestly about relationships, health, and other topics with their peers and Peace Corps Volunteers.  The boys will take vocational exams and learn from exemplary young male professionals about different careers, they will visit university in the department’s capital, learn the importance of volunteerism and giving back to their communities. They will also learn about gender equality (fighting the ever dominate machismo mindset) and respect for others with disabilities or differences. Keep in mind this is all benefitting boys from communities that often don't have the human or financial resources to offer these kinds of high-quality trainings.

As with all of our projects, a significant portion of the budget (50%) is coming from local community contributions and donated support.  All donations made through this link are secure through the Peace Corps website and tax-deductible.

Thanks for all of your support!

Cheyenne

LEARN MORE HERE: CAMP VALOR: IRONMAN

 

https://donate.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=14-527-003

 

9 months due / WOMEN!

They tell us in training that we should celebrate the small things, including "benchmark days" such as 30 days in site, 30 days in Peru, 6 months in site, 6 months in Peru, 1 year in site/Peru, etc. etc. So, March 6th marked my 9 month in Peru. Peace Corps service is a big committment, so much so that being here almost 9 months, I feel that I am at full-term with this "baby." It is a responsiblity that everyday, I have carried (and still do). This is a 24/7 job because when I'm not "in the office" teaching class or writing a report, I am always representing my country. So, don't mind the aukward 9-month reference, but Peace Corps, my job, is an every-day, in-it-to-win-it type of situation. Speaking of 9-months and babies, I have a new cousin Piper that was born about 2 weeks ago and a friend of mine just had her baby as well. CONGRATS!!

March 8th was International Women's Day. On the 7th, we celebrated with a ceremony in the Plaza de Armas, a parade around the Plaza, a speech from the mayor, and free lunch for those in attendance (over 2,000). The week before, we also had inspirational talks from different members of the commnunity, a radio show (in which I participated!), free health clinic for women at the hospital, and educational sessions on gender vs. sex, women's rights, and other topics.

 

The mayor, the governer, me, and the military doctor.



Dancing Huayno (tradtional Sierran dance)



How about dancing infront of 2,000+ women
a dance I've never attempted? And is kinda tricky!

January and February, 2014: Summer School!

 

January came and I started Vacaciones Utiles (literally translates to "Useful Vacaciones," but it's simply "Summer School"). Unlike in the states, summer school isn't for students who have failed a grade or need remedial help.... it's a chance for them to get prepared for the next grade and also to relax and learn something interesting.

 

Vacaciones Utiles is also the first opportunity for a volunteer (who just finished three months in site, like me) to put that Community Diagnostic (that document that covers everything about your site from culture to child labor that you spend your first 3 months putting together, in Spanish) to work. From my investigations, I realized that the youth of Huamahcuco lack creative thinking and critical thinking skills. As a result, I formed a class of 15 students that focused on Arts and Crafts with Recycled products. (Littering/throwing trash on the ground is a huge issue in Huamachuco as well). The students had to critically think about the every-day household products we were using and what we could make new with them.

 

Here, Annabel has folded/doubled old magazine pages into a reed/stick. She then rolled  the reed into a circle, developing base the size of a drink coaster, in which she will later start forming the sides/walls of a basket or small bowl.

 

Here, Edith has cut a toliet paper carton into circle strips. She is painting them and forming them together with glue to make a flower. The girls made many variations in colors in sizes and they really turned out great.

 

Bryan is making a picture frame from rolled tubes made from recycled newspaper (you can also do this with recycled magazines). He glued them onto a cardboard box we cut to his liking and then cut a hole in the middle for a picture. He painted them to give it design, and added a string to the back so he can hang it.

The "boys" explaining their crafts to passerbys. 

 

My students showing off their projects. (It's normal for Peruvians not to smile in photos.)

 

 

A sampling of our crafts from the class. We made cards that listed the materials so passerbys could marvel at how easy it is to replicate: (CLOCKWISE, starting at cans, top left) Lanterns from milk cans, bowls from coiled recycled magazines, decorative flowers, picture frames from tubes of recycled magazines/newspapers, baskets made from weaving recycled paper/magazines, and decorative flowers (different design) from toliet paper cartons.

 

Team picture after the exposition!

 

Why 27 months?

Why do volunteers serve 27 months? Whynot 25, make it a nice square-root number? There are reasons... and it actually makes a lot of sense. Click the link below to find out why.

 

Post by Peace Corps January 28th, 2014: Why do we need 27 months of Peace Corps service?

 

PS. I've had this blog for over a year now. That's a life-time first! Here's to finishing year #1 in the Peace Corps and all that year #2 has to bring!

 

Thanks for the support.

 

Love,

Cheyenne