With Days to Go...

Hi Folks!
Coming back to the drawing board after several months to share some final reflections. Where to start...

I recently had the privelege of spending a week in our training center outside Lima back where it all began. It was such an amazing time with my first host family, who supported me in the tough times and continue to support me today. I was "volunteer of the week," coming to help train the volunteers who recently arrived, share some of my experiences and answer their questions. I was surprized at how vastly different I felt from when I was there 2 years ago. I have become so comfortable with this culture and the ins and outs of volunteer life that I had forgotten a bit how it felt to be a brand new trainee in a foreign country trying to make sense of it all. It was a good reminder of how much natural progression can happen and how much one can grow from adapting to a new environment- language, culture, customs, communication style, food, and the list goes on.

Back here in site, I am wrapping things up. Presented my final report to the community, started giving my clothes away, and the goodbye parties and the "No te vayas" (don't go's) are in full swing. I can't believe how much different I feel about this place now than when I first arrived here 2 years ago. A part of me truly does want to stay a bit longer because the people here are so warm and loving. But I am more than satisfied with my experience here. I have learned, grown, and changed so much and been able to contribute to some pretty cool things. So now I am ready to move on and see friends and family. A part of my heart will always stay in this tiny mountain town in the Andes of Peru. I thank God for this amazing opportunity and trust Him to lead me in the next steps.

Here are some pictures from recent events:

The Cajamarca 19 group at our close of service conference in Lima

Me and my host brother Leo at the high school's 50th anniversary celebrations

The whole gang at a women's training in a rural church

Me and the artisan ladies celebrating 1 year of being a formal association!

That's all for now, folks. Thanks for being faithful readers, and hope to see you in person soon!

Adventures in Ayacucho

This Easter was definitely one of the most unique I've had to date. Not much can top last year, with my parents coming and us heading to Machu Picchu and my little town, but this was a whole different experience.

It started with two night buses in a row...ouch! We made the best of it, though, strolling around Lima and stretching our legs in between. Here is us (me and my girl Taneesha) on the bus...

When we got to Ayacucho, about 10 hrs south-east of Lima, we hit the ground running. It is a beautiful, historic city of about 100,000 and we wanted to see everything we could. During breakfast overlooking the plaza, we got to see a reinactment of Jesus being dragged through the streets by the Romans after his trial. Also they were making the sawdust carpets that the night's procession would walk over...

We headed to the Pampa, where there is a beautiful monument to the battle of Ayacucho (Peruvian independence from the Spaniards). On the way up, we got stopped in a traffic jam, which made for entertainment as literally everyone got out of their cars and tried to occupy themselves and not think about how hot it was.

But we made it up, and it was worth it! We even got our pictures taken with llamas...

Then we headed into the cute artisan town of Quinoa. Got a beautiful clay piece that shows the last supper, tried some new food, and headed back into the city content. That night we had dinner with our whole group and I had alpaca for the second time...SOO good!

Saturday was the main show...running with the bulls, horses dancing Marinera, scorns of people in the plaza (all in red shirts), craziness. Very cool to see. We decided to break away from the crowds to go see the terrorism museum and artisan work. The museum was very interesting and the artisan work was gorgeous. I am starting a collection for when I have an apartment someday :)

Then we got some much needed grub at this cute hole in the wall place near our hostel and made friends with the ladies...they were so cute and couldn't get over Taneesha's (6'1") height.

We stayed up all night through fireworks and crowds, went to mass at 4am and saw Jesus being brought out on this HUGE float that requires 200 people to carry it. Pretty awesome. 

The last day we took it easy, then headed up to the lookout spot over town and ate some delicious chicharron (fried pork...sooo yummy).

Us hanging out in Lima wrapping up the trip...

A wonderful trip and a great way to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus...He is risen!

'til next time...

Fun with Family & Four Months Left!

Hey All!
Wanted to fill you in on the latest. I had an amazing, wonderful trip with my cousin, Kasey. We got to be a part of Carnival in my capital city Cajamarca- known as the capital of Carnival for Peru. It was a blast!

Then we headed to my site so she could experience life there. We went to my church and all around town, visiting the people I'm closest with. Then headed to the artisans shop where she tried everything on and ended up a happy customer! The next morning we hit the ruins Kuntur Wasi just below my town.

Then we headed back to Cajamarca for some more site seeing and artisan shopping! Next up: Lima. But we didn't stay there long- we caught the next bus to Ica then on to Huacachina...an oasis in the middle of the desert. There we rode dune buggies and went sand boarding. We both were a little hesitant on the sand boarding but it turned out to be a total blast!

Next: Paracas- otherwise known as a little Galapagos. Really cool experience with the boat ride, seeing all kinds of birds and sea lions, and beautiful sunshine on top of it.

Lunahuana was our next stop. Gorgeous hotel and white water rafting!

Then back to Lima for an awesome Folklore Show with traditional music and dance...

The last day, Sat, was spent strolling around Lima, showing her my favorite parts (which of course include the Chocolate Museum!)

One last meal at Gaston's burger place, Papacho's. Seriously one of the best burger's I've ever had. And then we had to part. So grateful to God for sending her to me, even just for a little bit!

Also, just passed the 4-month-left mark...craziness!! I'll write back soon with some project updates!
Love to all!
J

How do keep 50 kids occupied during their school vacations?

Vacaciones Útiles:
These past couple months I've been doing a vacation school with the local kids. Started with over 50 kids, ages 6-15. We did English, took "trips" to other countries (via pictures/info in powerpoint presentations), identified problems and created work plans to solve them, focused on the environment with a trash pick-up day and a lets-make-crafts-out-of-recycled-materials day, learned about history, and had 2 field trips to nearby places. Although I was totally overwhelmed at times and even super frustrated, we finished strong and I will always remember that I got to have an impact on these kids' lives. Praise Him :0)

Artisans:
I've been working with my artisans over this winter as well. Some BIG blessings...one is that we now have the support of another NGO to help in the aspects of business management and writing a business plan. Also we won a mini-grant that I solicited so now we have our own weaving machine. And we were able to participate in a fair recently- didn't sell much and were pretty bummed. But then we got the surpruse that we won S/.500 for our stand!! The ladies defended their products in front of the judge so well, I am super proud! We will likely use that money for a sewing machine since they don't have one. Now I have less than 5 months, so these ladies are my main priority to finish strong and get them trained to take this business and run with it. Write back soon, thanks for reading you all are the best!