*As I arrive here on one of Peru’s precious shore lines getting ready to write, I get surrounded by five decent size crabs. I don’t shoo them away, I wait patiently as they get closer and closer to me. I ask my self, what could they possibly want to do to me? They sure aren’t letting me concentrate…. *

Hoping once I was done w/ training, I would keep up w/ my blog at least once a month. Unfortunately that had not happened, thought I would have more time, and yes, I do. It’s just that I have to catch up on other things that actually have dead lines. Something I never thought I was going to have to do once here.
So let me start by sharing a few experiences and things I’ve done through out my first three months at site……….
October: Spring time is here, my favorite season. Well at least back in the states because it meant my birthday would be coming up. Not this time. It’s typical here to celebrate spring with a yearly parade. It's presented in the capital of Trujillo. A few volunteers from the department of La Libertad (The Liberty) and I went to check out this spectacle that everyone talked about. It ended up being a parade well choreographed. Some floats were really creative and some not so much. At bit, there were some international beauty queens that seemed to misinterpret their country, something you’d had to see to believe. Over all the parade was very entertaining, I’m sure I would have enjoyed it more only if I had not gotten my CELL PHONE STOLEN!! Snatch, right out my by back pack…. For me that’s theft experience number two. Fortunately PC sent me a replacement cell phone that same week with the same number and all, so you all can still NOT call me on the same number, jaja! I’m still waiting for the big one several Peace Corps volunteers go through. I’m not talking about getting an expensive laptop stolen, b/c we already know I experienced that one. I’m talking about the assault/beat down just for one or possibly both of my shoes, hat, and if they're lucky my wallet. OK, that may be a little extreme, but it sure happens with frequency to PC volunteers. That’s just one of several risks we put our self through just to be a volunteer.
Here in Peru it is not customary to celebrate the lively holiday of Halloween. Only the upper class city residents go out and make a night out of it. So I spent the night with one of the artisans I work with and his family. They were very curious as so how Halloween is celebrated back home. I shared some of my many scary stories I experienced as a child and kept my experiences as an adult going to Halloween parties to a minimum.
Through out the month of October, other than working and hanging out at the shop, I’ve been attending meetings with youth from my community and teaching them leadership skills. The same group has also been invited by a Peruvian Congressmen to help him with a toy drive this Christmas. I will also be assisting with the toy distribution next week here in my community and also in coastal towns near by.
Something with a bit of importance that happened in October was the celebration of the”Virgen del Rosario” (St. Rosary). I participated in an eight mile run that began the festivities. Prior to the run I had a little discomfort in my right knee but nothing that would concern me till the day of the race. I won’t get into greater detail about it but I ended up running and finishing the race in an hour twenty. By the end of the race I was no longer able to bend my knee. It was hurting with great pain, that’s when it began to concern me. I knew I was in great condition to attempt such race. I ask my self, what could it be? Two weeks later I attended an artisan fair at the US Embassy with the artisans I work with. While there, I spoke to the Peace Corps doctor. After having an MRI done and analyzed the results here, then in Washington, it concluded being a minor cyst. They said I could wait two years and finish my service but with no strenuous sporting activities or I could get the surgery done sometime soon. Since I don’t want to wait around with the pain in my knee for two years, I decided to get the surgery. I will find out when and where the surgery will take place early next month.
November: About three weeks ago the Peru 11 group (the group I flew down with and trained for three months) completed the first three months of service. Yes, we know it’s not much compared to how much we have left (21 months). After three months each PC group gets together again in a meeting called reconnect. Not only did we celebrate and shared all our experiences so far but we also had sessions with several PC staff. It was nice to hear what some people are going through and a great opportunity to share ideas for future projects in my town. Reconnect was held in a mid-size town on the beach called Pacasmayo. The first day there I was playing in a game of American football, concluding in a sprained ankle. Nothing serious but it impaired my plans to rent a surf board and catch a few waves. Coincidentally, reconnect was held during the same week as thanksgiving. We were able to enjoy a wonderful thanksgiving lunch on Wed. since it was the last day of our sessions. So everyone was ready to hit the road and enjoy the rest of the week that was given to us as free vacation time. Myself and three other volunteers, Nate and his wife Milene, and a new volunteer that transferred here from Bolivia (since Peace Corps program no longer exist in Bolivia due to political reason) we all headed even further north to Mancora. Mancora is a Beach town about two hrs. south of the boarder of Ecuador. The weather was perfect, the food was awesome and the swelling in my ankle had gone down enough for me to enjoy the swells of the ocean. So I went out for a few rides and also gave the other surfing-virgins a few lessons. All-in-all, a great week!!
I enjoyed Mancora so much I will be accompanying several volunteers for the welcoming of the New Year! My way to celebrate…. Beach, beer, and
As far as Christmas goes, I will take it easy and enjoy the festivities here in my town and enjoy whatever exquisitely exotic foods they prepare.
While on the topic of surfing, I began giving surf lessons to the kids on Trujillo’s main beach called Huanchaco. Its one thing I really wanted to do as a volunteer and its already happening. Unfortunately I’m not giving lessons here in my own town due to the fact that the water is quite choppy and there are no shops to rent out boards from. Once the kids start their summer break I will bring a few of them down with me and give them lessons. I was able to meet a great owner/instructor of a surf shop. They provide the boards, wetsuits, tamales and drinks for after the sessions, at no cost at all…. Including me : )
On a final note, I’d like to say that everything out here isn’t going as easy or great as it may sound. I have had my times where I question what I am doing; I’ve had my ups ands downs, from dealing with culture shock and having to adjust not being able to be my complete self in order to succeed as a volunteer. These are all things also included in our extensive training, but in reality you learn it while in the field. Its great having such a great PC support system here in Peru to get you through those though times. No worries, I’m sticking through it and enjoying this rollercoaster experience, no matter how many worms I poop out (no, that has not happened to me yet).
Happy Holidays to everyone and don’t forget to welcome this New Year with a great spunk!
P.S. I just reopened my guitar bag……

LET MY SERVICE BEGIN!!!

I really don't even know where to start from. So much has happened this past month, it has been hard to keep track of it all. I do have lots of good news and some bad news. Ill start off by informing everyone what I've been up to in the past month.....
About 3 weeks ago we were given our site assignments. It was a day full of excitement and anxiety since we were being told where we were going to be placed in Peru for the next 24 months. As i mentioned in the last posting, I was hoping to be placed near the coast. Having visited the Andes, I kinda new I would not be comfortable there. Luckily, I've been placed on the coast, near the capital, Trujillo. I'll be living 2hrs. from Trujillo. My town is called Magdalena de Cao. For those of you National Geographic’s fans, there are two articles written about the town. Both full of information regarding the ruins that are near by. It also informs everyone about the recent discovery of a mummy that's about 1800yrs. old. Currently, the mummy is not ready for display. They are still cleaning her up a bit and building a museum that should be ready to display her by the end of this year. I’ll get to more details about my town in just a few. That same weekend we were given our site location we got to go visit it and stay there for an entire week. When we all returned to the training center, it seemed as if though everyone was satisfied with the site they have been given.... almost everyone. As we got back we were informed that one of the aspiring volunteers was not longer going to finish the training
for the Peace Corps. Sad news to all but at least he realized it before he was a year into
his service. Good luck Kev!! Also, that same day I got back from my site visit, I was informed that my laptop was stolen from my house, since I had not taken it with me, trying to prevent such thing. Long story short, it ended up being my host brother that took it, along with a key chain. Luckily, I was able to get my laptop back. Unfortunately, they had erased all my info that i had saved up and installed WindowsXP in español. Three weeks later, I've finally installed the operating system suitable for me, but still working on small details in order for it to work like it did before. I guess i got lucky to have gotten my laptop back, could have been worse. To add on to that, I had to have an emergency evacuation from the house and move to another volunteers house. I stayed there for 2 weeks, pack again, then move to Magdalena de Cao. Can someone say STRESSFULL!?!?!
As our training has come to an end, each and every volunteer has been scattered out through Peru (except for the married ones that always stick together). We had our closing ceremony take place at our beautiful training center on Friday, August 22nd. After swearing in, we grabbed our bags and headed to Mira Flores, one of the nicest areas in Lima, and enjoyed the last time all the volunteers would be together until Reunite, which will be for thanksgiving... can't wait for that. So now we're here all alone and begging this wonderful experience every ex Peace Corps volunteer says they have. This past week hasn’t been so bad for me. I am what considered a replacement volunteer. I have replaced a volunteer that has been here for two years. I've been hanging out with Kevin all week, till now, since he has now finalized his two year service. Kevin has been a crutch for me this past week. He's shown me the community, introducing me to the important people, and has shared some inside detail that's always nice to know. Now the rest of the path is up to me to decide on how i want my experience to be. The counter part they have assigned me to is an artisan group call Red Artesanal Cal Viejo. They primarily work with wood. They make a variety of products, from jewellery boxes to clock frames and replicas of sculptures found in the ruins near by. I will be assisting them in topics such as Marketing, Tech support and the tourist in the area. Aside from that, i will hope to be working with the local schools, and the Mayor of the town. Possibly coordinating summer activities and learning.
In order for you to get a better idea of Magdalena de Cao, here are a few stats: Its composed of about twelve hundred habitants. It has a really small junior and high school, one police station (I got lucky with that one), and one really small health post. Haven’t had a chance to pay them a visit, but will do soon, who knows what kind of business assistance they may or may not need. We are surrounded by acres and acres of sugar cane. Though we are on the coast, and just like San Diego, it can be very desserty here, I feel lucky because its flat, but mountains at the horizon, and lots of green do to the sugar cane fields. The first day I drove into this town, I felt as if though I were in PA. Replace corn fields with the sugar can that is. I am currently living 2 miles from the oceans shore. It’s a perfect distance to go for a run (sorry Pearl, no back yard hills here). For those of you who are interested and would like to run a marathon in Peru, please let me know. It'll be the second annual Pacasmayo Marathon coordinated by a current volunteer. I've just began training for this. It will take place next summer, June or July, that’s winter here in Peru. There are other events such as the 5 and 10k if need to take it easy. There’s plenty of time to train. I'll be waiting for you!!!!
As if it couldn't get any better, I am living about an hr away from the "longest Left hand breaking waves in the world". I remember researching this from the states before i came out here, and what are the odds of me being placed so close to such perfection. Haven’t had a chance to test drive it, but once I do, I will ride you in on the experience!!!!

FBT Week!

Back again with internet access………

It’s been a completely different month compared to last month. Now that everyone has gotten to know each other quite well, their true personalities come out. So far I’m getting along with everyone; though I haven’t had too much time to hang out with some of the other people that are in the Youth Development program, some live near me and I’ve have had a chance to hang with them while not at the training center. On the 4th of July we had the day off. We all spent it together at our training center playing soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, UNO, and lots of guitar playing (I’m still not at that point). It was so nice to eat burgers and hotdogs; they even brought over some Peanut Butter for us, YUM!! You’d be surprised on how certain food products are hard to get a hold of. Ill Talk about food later on…..
Just a few weeks ago I wento to Mira Flores which is one one the nicest places here in Lima. Its known for its nice Beaches with great waves and lots of great shops including Starbucks, when I mean great shops I don’t mean Rodeo Dr. products, it more like PacSun, Sunglass Hut, and even Hooters. I went to MiraFlores to check out the 2008 Peru Surf Turnament. Quite interesting to see such an event here in Peru.

Check out some pics……



What I really want to talk about during this blog was last week’s quest. We were gone from the sat July 12 – sun. July 20. It was a week during training called Field Base Training (FBT). What FBT consist of is a week in which every volunteer goes to a site with a few other volunteers and has a set plan to work on for that week. My FBT was held in San Miguel, located in the Districs of Cajamarca. Driving from Lima to San Miguel, it took 23 hours. Though the bus we took was one of the best here in Lima, it tops grey hound completely, we were driving on dirt roads and lots of cliff side mountain trails. Now you can imagine how I felt after we got there. Not only was I already having stomach problems, but add to that a bumpy road, winding mountains and 3000 meters above sea level (bout 9,900 Ft) yeah, you know what happens next. LOL!!! I’m glad I can laugh about it after wards.
Our FBT started on Monday and went all the way though Thursday. In San Miguel, there were only 9 of our business volunteers. We got divided into 3 groups to teach at in institute. At this institute they took a 5yr. program on becoming teachers, all HS grads. Our objective at this institute was to teach business and how entrepreneurship works. We covered during the week, several topics dealing with entrepreneurship, marketing, finance ect. Though it may seem like much to teach in 4 days, we only had to cover the basics and give them a general idea on how that material works in the business field. The best part of teaching all of this was that, we were able to provide them with a loan in order for them to create an informal mini business on the last day. They only had 24 hrs. to start selling their product or service. At the end of the business day, each group/business had to return the loan amount plus the interest applied. To give an example of what the businesses were: a few sold Blended Juices, Rice Pudding, while others sold Arroz con Pollo, Seviche, or Cui Frito (fried guiney pig).

GUINEY PIG ANYONE?!?!

Aside from all the teaching and businesses that we were working on, I was approached during mid week and asked if it were possible for me to give a speech to the institute plus invitees, in regards to Alcoholism and the effects on the economy. Yes, my reaction exactly!?!?! The person the approached me found out that I have an Economics degree from the states. Therefore, “I must know everything there is about Economics”. To make this long story short, I end up giving this speech with a panel of four. A Priest, a Doctor, a Lawyer and yes, my self, the ECONOMIST!!! Its was very quick and brief, I was sort of, somewhat prepared. I just didn’t have time to get nervous since it happened all so fast.

So after FBT in Cajamarca, we take a six hour bus drive to the coast. We stay for two days in a city called Trujillo. It’s not as quite as large as Lima but it’s an awesome city. Great beaches and delicious food!! About 8 of us rented surf boards and surfed all afternoon, I tried giving my best surf lesson possible, but I must admit the waves were kind of big for beginners. In Trujillo we spoke to a few volunteers that are currently living near by, we were able to ask several questions in regards to there volunteer experience. I’m praying and crossing my fingers they place me on a coastal site. Ill find out next Friday where ill be spending the rest of my two years at : ) STAY POSTED!!

First Month in Peru

I know everyone has been curios as to what I have been doing for the past four weeks. First of all I apologize for those whom I haven’t been able to respond promptly. Truth is, internet access isn’t easily accessible as it is in the states. Also, I’ve been super busy with training. Through out this blog, you will be able to read about my status as far as what I am currently doing and what kind of project I will be working on.
As several of you know by now, I am currently going though what is called Pre-Service Training before we head out to our individual sites and begin our Peace Corps volunteer service. Our training schedule is quite extensive. For now, a typical day consist of waking up at 6:45, taking a freezing cold shower, then heading out to our training site. Through out the week we have several lectures on health, cultural differences and how to adapt to the culture shock we are going though or will go through. But mainly, training consists of business training. We discuss several topics consisting of Small business development, how to promote a business within the community, and how the business can be maintained for it to be self sustainable in the long run. We have also worked on small projects through out the community and have gone on a few trips to an institute, an agricultural university, and an association of a small business district. Several ex-volunteers have work on projects dealing with agriculture, fish farming, bee keeping, artisans and many more. We still don’t know where, or with what we will be working on, until our 9th week in training. I’m hoping to be some place near the coast, and as far as with what, I would like to work with animals….. but I’ll have to wait and see.
Ok, so enough with the technical stuff, I’m sure you want to hear about my living situation and about all the other volunteers. I’m living in a house with great host parents; my host mother cooks great food which is packed daily for my lunch. I have 3 brothers, all which make me feel super welcome in their household and are very accommodating. In my neighborhood I have 13 other volunteers that live here. We live about 10 minutes away from our training site. We typically all take the bus there and back, unless we stay to have a beer or two. A few nights a week we gather a team of us ‘Gringos” and play a soccer match against the Peruvians. As of yet, we have not lost. I guess it b/c we are playing against the 14 y/o’s. J/K, all ages are welcome. Other than playing soccer, on Monday nights, we started a group of about 15 of us who purchased guitars to learn how to play. We figured, we will be here for 27 months, which gives us ample time to learn. It’s my second time attempting this, so I better learn it this time. Life in the states can get so hectic and busy, I never had an opportunity to master the guitar. . I’ll be updating you on how these lessons are going……..