Hello, hello.
Quick update on the events of October:
Went to 8 birthday parties, including my
own. Only my closest friends and family were invited to a little get together
at my house with a little wine, dancing, food, and cake. I got 12 gifts! A good
time was had by all.
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| Pot 'o Pollo (Chicken, that is) |
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| It tasted as good as it looks |
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| My Spanish tutor and friend, Alfredo |
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My most involved colleagues and friends,
Ketty and Miryam, representatives of La Cria in
the municipality in Patapo |
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| Miryam and me getting down |
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| No, seriously, we were getting down |
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| Ketty's daughter |
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They sing "Happy Birthday" here in English...
and in Spanish |
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My "Hora Loca," where everyone took turns dancing with
me while everybody else danced around me in a circle.
Super fun! |
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All my gifts, coin purse made out of shells, a doll bank, a blouse,
jewelry box, necklace, perfume, etc. |
There was an International Song Festival in
Patapo (like my county seat). It occurs every October. The contestants from
different countries (yes, mostly from Peru) sing songs that they themselves
have written. There are also acts from famous other singers and comedians and
celebrities. I’ve got an “in” with the mayor, so I got to be backstage and meet
all the famous folks and sit in this balcony with all the other important
people. It was kinda cool, but at the same time, I felt like I was acting super
superior to the “common folks” that are my friends, students, colleagues, and
relatives that were in attendance. Plus, I couldn't get pictures. Social hierarchies are engrained in the
culture here, and I feel much more comfortable being on the bottom rungs.
However, the overall experience was enjoyable and I made some great
professional connections that weekend.
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The man on the left is my mayor, a position of great authority
here. |
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Me and Michelle, a famous chick here.
She's on a game show kinda like American
Gladiators, but silly. It's called Esto es Guerra,
This is War |
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Miryam with Michelle, and another famous actor, Erick.
He's in a super popular show called Al Fondo, Hay Sitio,
There's Room in the Back. |
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This is the Volunteer leader of my department, Zack. He sang
in the contest, made it to the finals, but didn't win.
His song was still awesome! |
My host dad’s family owns a small farm with
banana trees, avocado trees, and snap peas. It is right next to the river, and
although I was wearing my bathing suit, my host mom thought it best that I not
swim all the way because I had a little cough. Only the peas were ripe and
pickable, but it was nice to see the family farm and spend time with them.
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I honestly cant remember what type of fruit this is. I think
maricuya, but it wasnt ripe yet, |
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| Mauricio and platanos, bananas |
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| Peas... and my hand |
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| Avacados |
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| Mauri, Dayhana, and me in the river |
There was a fair in town, celebrating Saint
Cautivo de Ayabaca. There constantly a band playing all day and all night
during the entire weekend. There were traditional dance contests, horse riding
shows, cooking contests, and games/rides for the kiddos. My little sister was
taken to the “salta salta” (trampoline) every night for nearly two weeks. My
favorite part was the street food! Anticuchos (cow heart on a stick,
delicious!), salchipollo (French fries with chicken and mayo), cotton candy,
and all the sweets of Peru!
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| Girlie band, the first night |
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The band that was ever present.
Check the cymbol player. |
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| Mariachi band |
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| Grand Finale! |
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Game where you throw coins and if you make it in the center
of one of these squares, you claim that amount. I think I won
20 cents once. |
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| Salta, salta |
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| My sister and cousins in the ball pit |
I took part in a parade through town with
the kids, mainly from the elementary school, but there were a few from the high
school, for Children with Disabilities Day. There was a lunch afterwards, and
the kids performed songs and dances.
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| Two high school girlies that contributed a poster |
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| The chicos of sixth grade |
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| (Some of) The chicas of sixth grade |
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| Some of the posters created for the event |
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| The Pre-game line-up |
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The town judge of principal of the elementary school
led the procession |
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| Circling the park |
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| Heading back to the school |
I also helped out a little with a conference
in Chiclayo for the children of my department who have participated in one of
Peace Corps’ sexual education programs, called “Pasos Adelante” (Steps
Forward). Even though I am too new to have a group of my own, it is something
that I am interested in doing at my site because over 10% of my high school
aged girls will become pregnant before graduating. I was lucky enough to have
my town’s obstetrician join me at the conference. We played many games
involving healthy sexual practices and youth leadership. The conference concluded
with a speech from a teen mom whose children are now grown. It was a good
experience.
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| The classic condom on the banana demo |
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Intense deliberation over the Jeopardy question,
"Name three mthods of AIDS transmission." |
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| Making paper airplanes |
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| Flying paper airplanes |
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| Of course, games! |
My cousin’s family has a huge papaya farm.
My sisters, cousin, and I took a little trek through it one day. It was so
pretty that day under this big mountain (It’s a mountain to this Texas girl;
the locals all call it a hill since the Andies are in our backyard.), and I had
one of those moments of clarity where everything seems right with the world.
Also, the papayas were the most gigantic papayas that I have ever seen.
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| My little sisters, how adorable! |
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| Absolutely HUGE! |
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| My cousin, Shirli. |
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| Gorgeous scenery. Just a little hill... |
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| This is my favorite. I had to put it in here. |
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Mango tree in another chacra close by.
Just one more month til mango season! |
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| Yessica in the mango tree |
It was the anniversary of my high school
this month which is a huge deal here. There were sports days and speech,
academic, classroom decorating, and food contests with each class competing
against each other. Also, a beauty contest with your truly as a judges. Those
of you who know me well are probably a little surprised by this. One of those
fine messes that my low-level Spanish got me into. The principal and a few
professors asked me to be a “juradora” for the “reinata.” Having no idea as to
what either one of those things are, I, of course, readily agreed. Trying to
integrate, get involved, you understand. It was one of the most horrible
experiences of my life. I hate judging people based on outward appearance alone
and do my best not to, but especially when the outward appearances being judged
are those of young vulnerable teenage girls. There was one portion of the
contest that was based on their oratory, but the other two male judges had
their minds made up directly after the preliminary introductory dance. After
the winners were announced, I was sure that I would be booed outta town by a
mad mob with pitchforks and molitaf cocktails, so I got outta dodge like a
crazed mall-walker as soon as I possibly could. Of course, you can’t please all
of the people, but nobody cursed me or threw anything at me, so it was not a
total disaster. I talked to the principal a few days later and asked never to
be involved in anything as a judge ever again. The benefit of the experience
has given me ideas about how to promote female beauty in other more productive
ways based on ability rather than just appearance.
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"Periodico Mural," Newspaper Mural. The students write articles
like for a school newspaper. |
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| Boys soccer game |
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Like the pic of Dayhana in the papya field,
I had to put this one in here.
Beckham! |
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| Next year, I'm going to push for co-ed games |
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| Girl's volleyball game |
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| Traditional Peruvian dishes from different regions |
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| The chefs of first grade |
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| Cleaning the classes in prep for "My Favorite Classroom" |
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| "My Favorite Classroom" competition |
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The lovely contestants of the high school
beauty competition |
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| The MCs, Profesor Fenco and Sandy, senior |
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| The supporters of the first grade competitor |
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| The judges table |
I celebrated Halloween with my fellow Peace
Corps volunteers in my capital city, Chiclayo. We all dressed up. Once again, forever
the outcast that stays secluded at my site and doesn’t know what all the cool
kids are doing because I don’t have Facebook, I made my own zombie costume
while nearly everyone else came as a pirate. Whatever. I’ll take variety any
day over conformity. I had a fairly good time, and was glad that I got to dress
up. Sorry, forgot to take a pic of my zombie get-up.
October 31st/November 1st
is celebrated as “Dia de Los Muertos,” Day of the Dead. I went with my family
to the cemetery to recognize the lives of the lost family members. Family
elders made little speeches, and we sang songs, and lit candles. I hear that
other families are much more traditional and bring gifts of food and trinkets
to their loved ones’ grave or have little shrines in their houses commemorating
them, but my family did not do this. However, I still really enjoyed participating
in a cultural tradition.
I will leave you with a few links of Peace
Corps related videos that you may enjoy:
Flash mob at the Ambassador's house, led by Pablo, my amazing language facilitator:
SO TRUE! THIS IS MY LIFE: (except #6 and #8 <minus the moos>):
LOL for me, hope this isnt one of those "you have to be there" funnies cuz I nearly fell outta my chair:
I don't expect you to understand this. I have been here for six months now, and I still don't get it:
Unofficial Peace Corps Anthem:
I love the new pictures. You look so happy!
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