Jorge Chaves International Airport- Lima Peru.
I sit here at the gate still in total awe not believing what just happened and were I’m about to be in a few hours…….
One would think, as I did, that the Peace Corps service is going to go smoothly as planned. Though several of us have never been to the country of which we are serving in, we get a general ideal of what we expect and what we want to make out of it. For the most part that can be some what true. But for me I tell you that it has been the most challenging experience ever. During the past few months, on top of all the robbery experiences I’ve been a victim of and other issues I’ve encountered in my site it's made me quite uncomfortable having to stay there. With out going into greater detail I have decided to change sites. I spoke to my supervisor and country director and explained the situation and tribulations I’ve been having. The meeting went well and I was granted a site change for the upcoming month. UNFORTUNATELY last month, Thursday March 20th as I decided to take an innocent overnight trip into my capital city of Trujillo to pick up some mail and run other errands, I find my self being a victim of yet another and more extreme theft experience. Friday afternoon; as I prepare to get on the bus and journey though the hour and a half trip back to my town I turn on my cell to receive several shocking text informing me that my house was broken into and all my belongings were gone. Having a “bit” of anger already accumulated in me by my past experiences, I could not believe what I was reading. But i confirmed the robbery by others trying to get a hold of me also via text. Not being able to call anyone in my community to get more detail, I did not know what to expect as I rushed to my house. When I arrived, my counterpart which is also my neighbor was waiting for me. We walked into my house to find out that in fact they had taken almost everything I owned….. from fridge, radio, DVD player, bicycle, to my passport and other important documents. “Luckily” they did leave me a few pairs of jeans and some shirts for me to wear. At this point I still could not believe it. WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING??!!??!!
Believe it or not, having to leave my community because of such calamity this past week was quite saddening for me and my fellow neighbors. But in reality I am really glad to get out and start fresh; new community new Peruvian culture. It’s going to be a complete different experience compared to the life I was living on the coast. So after all this mess that’s when I decided that I need a break from it all. And what better place to do it than in the superb south Florida beaches?!?!
I need the time to spent with my family and make sure I still have the strength needed to complete my service. For now I just need to be back at home and eat as much Taco Bell and Chipotle as possible and prepare my self mentally and physically to be living in the Andes for the next year and a half where all they eat is potatoes for all three meals. I will be keeping everyone posted as far as where I will be residing and what my new address will be.
