Saturday, June 26, 2004

June 25, 2004
I took my time getting ready this morning. Probably shouldn’t record this but I am going to write it anyway. I have not taken a shower since I left the hotel 3 weeks ago. I know that sounds disgusting. To clarify my hygiene habits: it is too cold to stand under that freezing water! So, I take a sponge bath every morning. Needless to say… no shaving.

At work, my counterpart took me for a walk around El Milagro. We walked by the state penitentiary that is next door, the only jail in Trujillo where both men and women are housed. She explained that innocent people are held in prison until they are proven guilty; opposite of the system we have in the USA. (Yet, another reason to be thankful!) Also, if you want to visit a prisoner, women must wear a skirt and they give every person a full-body check to prevent someone bringing in weapons, etc. I am assuming that means that they can’t afford a metal detector. We ventured on our way, down streets of pure sand, filled with garbage. You can see personal ‘landfills’ where the families bring their collectibles to their homes to guard them; if not their things will be robbed. Robbery is extremely common. Each family has a pack of dogs that protects their property, whether that means their houses, their pigs, or their garbage. I have to be extremely careful with my things while I am in El Milagro, for at any moment a kid might decide they want it. But as a way for me to understand this lack of values, I must remember that these children and families are struggling to survive. I believe I might steal too under those conditions. We continued on our walk and talked of many subjects. She explained that there are 3 types of families that live in El Milagro: families that live in the landfill in plastic houses, those that live in plastic/whatever material outside the landfill and work in the landfill, and those that live in cement houses outside the landfill. Those families with the cement houses mostly raise pigs; pigs that graze freely in the landfill. Another problem she mentioned (which I have noticed by working with the kids) is that many of the kids are developmentally delayed, a side effect of their lack of nutrition and stimulation as babies/children.

I had lunch with my family, and then returned to El Milagro where I played and drew with my favorite group of girls. After work we visited some of the ladies of the communities who had developed a couple of small businesses, one selling ducks and the other has opened a small market. YMCA encouraged them to start these projects.

June 24, 2004
Around 9:00 this morning the carpenter came to hang a curtain on my bedroom window. This entire house is made out of cement, so to get a nail into the wall it takes a big drill. My mom sewed me a cute little blue curtain for my window, so now I can take the piece of construction paper down I was using for privacy. Tuesday night, I moved down to a room on the second floor. It is a bit warmer in this room and I have my personal bathroom. I am slowing getting it organized. I bought a new wooden table for 30 soles, which is less than $10 bucks. You can’t beat it.

I got to El Milagro at about 11:00. We cleaned up the office a bit and reorganized the kid’s library. I was back home by 2:00 for lunch. I am still getting lots of veggies and fish. Yeah!

Tonight, my brother and I went to town to shop for me a bookcase. He also had to buy his bus ticket to Lima, he goes there every weekend to attend classes; he is working on his masters in engineering. The market is dangerous to visit at night and that is where the cheapest furniture is, so we are going to come back this weekend. For supper, we ate ‘antecucho’ – cow’s heart. It was fantastic. Tasted like a great steak! We also stopped by the supermarket then we headed home.

Still haven’t paid a dime to live here or to eat lunch here. Who knows?

June 23, 2004
I made my way to work around 9:30. I am supposed to be there at 9:00 or at least that is when they say the center opens, but nobody is ever there before 9:30, so that is when I show up. Suits me fine, I am always late. I played a game called ‘leader of the band’ with the kids after a workshop on how to care for guinea pigs. They seemed to enjoy it. I also announced that I would be starting English classes next Friday. The kids are constantly asking me how to say various words in English. I hope to be able to incorporate some other activities into my English classes, like team building, songs, games, and sports.

I didn’t make it home for lunch until 2:00 today and my family was worried. I had told them 1:00, so they had already called my cell phone and was getting ready to come looking for me. That brings me to a good topic: my family. They are so great! I eat lunch with them everyday and they love to show me around Trujillo. What impresses me is that when they say they are going to do something, they really follow through with what they say they are going to do. I had the impression that Peruvians were bad to be the opposite. They also seem to really care about me and take good care of me. I feel like we have a lot in common and that I can relate to them. They really value education. My dad has two jobs: he is a professor at a night school for adults who want to continue their education and an economist at a sugar factory. My mom stays home, cooks, and is a great seamstress. She makes all my dad’s clothing.

At 5:00 this afternoon, I met my coworkers in downtown to buy a baby gift for my counterpart. She just had a new baby girl on Saturday and we bought her a gift then visited with them.

June 22, 2004
I went into town to check my mail and received 3 packages. This makes my day!

My dad invited me to his sister’s house for lunch. It’s her birthday. I felt a little like I was intruding, but the family was super nice. My dad always looks out for me – he introduced me to everyone, keep my glass filled with coke and made me take a photo with him and his sister. He is such a funny guy, too. He is always teaching me new slang or telling me a joke.

I headed to El Milagro for the afternoon session.

June 21, 2004
I got up late this morning. It was great to sleep in. I went with my mom and dad to see their house that they have in downtown Trujillo. It is in a really cute area and is very nice, 6 bedrooms all with bathrooms, 3 floors, and ceilings with chair railing that is gorgeous. My family is definitely doing ok financially, they don’t have many modern conveniences like cable tv, hot water, their own car, but they are comfortable.

At 3:00, Angela and I took the combi into town again for the weekly meeting at the YMCA office. Except that we couldn’t find it and had to call them to get us. I told the group that I would like to organize some kind of sports activity in El Milagro, like a soccer tournament or mini Olympics and also I would like to start English classes. They were excited to hear about my ideas.

Angela and I had dinner in town at the supermarket (they have a pseudo-Starbucks upstairs) and returned to our houses. When I got home, my sister and neighbors were on the front patio chatting. I asked my sister about accompanying me to the university library and she said that there is going to be a protest by the students tomorrow, so we will have to wait. I ended up talking with them until 2:00 in the morning. They were teaching me Peruvian slang and I told them all about the states. It is crazy how Peruvians are under the impression that the USA is a utopia, where there’s no violence, no corruption, no poverty. Granted I would have to agree our situation is better, but we have our share of problems too.

June 20, 2004
I did some great shopping today. My site mate and I headed to Trujillo for some great things like a blanket and a table. We ate lunch at a typical Peruvian restaurant, where I had some indistinguishable meat that was very tasty. We went to a very shady area of town for shopping. Someone told us that is where to get the best blankets, we went. In fact, while we were there I think I witnessed a pick pocking incident. A kid just ran up to this guy and grabbed what he had his hand. The lady with the guy screamed ‘robber’ but nobody even flinched. It happened so quick I wasn’t really sure that was what I had seen.

I have heard that you can compare being a volunteer to wearing a bunny suit everywhere you go. People look at you, some laugh, and others think you are crazy. That is how I feel here. Living in a fish bowl where everyone watches what you do. Good points, people remember you. If I visit a store more than once, they mention it. Others know my route home better than me and tell me where to get off the combi. Bad points, a million questions from everyone when you just want to continue on your way, the money changers who hang out in the streets haggle you for dollars, and you just can’t blend in, even though you want to so bad.

We returned to my house and my dad invited us to tea and bread. He is so sweet. He just loves to talk with us. My whole family walked Angela home. They had never been to Winchanzao, how crazy is that? So, we all took the walk there. After we got back home, my dad sat me down and told me he wanted me to feel at home and to come to the family with any problem/doubt I encountered. He said on Tuesday we could sign the lease. So far, I still haven’t paid anything for my rent. I feel so lucky to be here, in a home that is so welcoming and protecting. God is looking out for me.

June 19, 2004
Thought I would start this entry with a description of my daily routine, just to take note of it, because it is quite different from my previous life at home in the states.

I wake up at about 7:30 am, I still let my alarm go off at least 5 times and I just continue to push snooze. I plug in my water boiler for my bath. (Picture a plastic pitcher with a plug-in that boils water.) I grab my shower caddy with all my essentials, my hot water, and head to the bathroom. I first wash my hair with the shower, but only get my head wet, because the water is freezing. I bucket bath with the hot water. Brush my teeth (with the water out of the tap, they tell us not to…), return to my room to iron my clothes on my bed, and then get dressed. Then I boil more water for my instant coffee/tea. As I wait for this to cool, I head downstairs and across the way for some fresh bread for my breakfast. There is a little old lady who sits daily with her fresh bread, just on the corner. I return to my room, for some jelly and butter sandwiches and maybe some fruit.

Around 9:00, I head to the street to catch the combi for my ride to El Milagro, $.50 and it takes about 5 minutes to get there. I walk the couple of blocks from the highway to the YMCA center and inevitable there are a couple of kids who meet to walk with me. At the center, the first thing we all do is greet each other with a ‘buenos dias’ and a kiss on the cheek. You greet each and every person in this manner, young and old. We then open up the office and get things ready for the day’s activities; that may mean sweeping the center or rearranging the tables to make room.

Around 1:00, we start to close the center for ‘siesta’; it usually takes until 1:30 to get out of there. I return to my house for lunch. I eat with my family and my mom is a great cook. After lunch, sometimes I may return to El Milagro for the afternoon activities from 3:00-6:00. If not, I may head into Trujillo for groceries or hang out with my family or visit my site mate.

Around dark, I head to the internet café. Afterwards, I head to my room for the evening. I have bought several DVDs, which I may watch, read, or listen to music. For supper, I usually just eat something in my room or in the park where they sell some really great fried chicken and fried potatoes (I can’t do that too often, but it sure is good!) My volunteer pals in Piura may call and we’ll chat for a while. Around 9:00, I am usually beat. Speaking Spanish all day is very mentally exhausting, so I turn in.

That’s a day in the life of this volunteer serving in Trujillo, Peru.

June 18, 2004
I went this morning with my family to their other house inside the city of Trujillo. The father says that they have been planning on moving there for 2 years now. He says that I can live in either place. I told him I would live where I am for the time being. I ate lunch with my family. The meals are much more balanced here. I have at least 2 servings of vegetables and one meat, which is so much better than before. The dad has been so nice to me; he is very interested in my culture and continues to praise my Spanish. He is a professor at a high school and works a second job at a sugar factory. All the kids of the family attend the university and the mom stays at home. There is a 92 year old grandmother living next door too; she is so cute, but can’t hear a thing.

It is really crazy how everyone just wants to go the USA. Everyone I talk with has a friend or family member that is living there. Even my dad here can’t imagine that jobs are hard to come by in my home too. I have to admit, things aren’t nearly as bad in the USA, as they are here. I am so lucky.

As for my work in El Milagro, I am learning more about how things run. My counterpart gave the same workshop that we gave at the town meeting to the mother’s group. The mother’s group calls themselves the ‘Dream Recyclers’, which is catchy since they also work as recyclers in the land fill. I mostly just hung out with the kids and talked with the mothers.

Saturday, June 19, 2004

June 18, 2004
I went this morning with my family to their other house inside the city of Trujillo. The father says that they have been planning on moving there for 2 years now. He says that I can live in either place. I told him I would live where I am for the time being. I ate lunch with my family. The meals are much more balanced here. I have at least 2 servings of vegetables and one meat, which is so much better than before. The dad has been so nice to me; he is very interested in my culture and continues to praise my Spanish. He is a professor at a high school and works a second job at a sugar factory. All the kids of the family attend the university and the mom stays at home. There is a 92 year old grandmother living here too; she is so cute, but can’t hear a thing.

It is really crazy how everyone just wants to go the USA. Everyone I talk with has a friend or family member that is living there. Even my dad here can’t imagine that jobs are hard to come by in my home too. I have to admit, things aren’t nearly as bad in the USA, as they are here. I am so lucky.

As for my work in El Milagro, I am learning more about how things run. My counterpart gave the same workshop that we gave at the town meeting to the mother’s group. The mother’s group calls themselves the ‘Dream Recyclers’, which is catchy since they also work as recyclers in the land fill. I mostly just hung out with the kids and talked with the mothers.

It is so great to be able to prepare my own food. I have gotten into a hot tea habit too.

June 17, 2004
My family took me to the big market in our community today. It is about 5 blocks away and has anything you can think of. I have been eating lunch with my family, but I haven’t even paid my rent yet. I told the dad a couple of days ago, that I need to pay, but he doesn’t seemed concerned. I guess I will just wait until he asks.

Today in El Milagro, we did home visits. What an experience. I can’t really even explain it. Imagine a land fill, then imagine families and animals (dogs, pigs, burros) living there in whatever they can find to make walls (mattresses, plastic, wire, bags). The odor is horrendous. The YMCA has implemented a latrine project, so there are outhouses sporadically amongst the houses. At 5:00pm every afternoon, the families take their pigs to the landfill to eat. These pigs are humongous. The families are raising these animals to sell, but they can’t sell them in Peru. Of course, the pigs carry disease because of what they eat, so these families go to the Ecuador border and sell them there. I was once again astounded at the extreme level of poverty that these people are living in.

Not feeling so well tonight, must be something I’ve eaten. I was asleep by 8:00pm.

June 16, 2004
I did some much needed grocery shopping today. I made some great finds like: Equal sweetener, Campbell’s soup, and even Romen noodles. I dropped some laundry off at the laundry mat – not cheap, but it is just so hard to hand wash jeans. So, the other half I will hand wash here.

I went to work in El Milagro at 3:00. I attended a community meeting with my counterpart. She held a workshop on advocacy. The YMCA in El Milagro, functions a lot like Family Connection does at home. They serve as a community resource where kids are mentored and tutored, families receive counseling, health fairs are organized, and community meetings are held. I was able to see the main plaza and the church and we also visited with some families of the community while we were there.

I introduced myself to the mini market owner and the guy who cuts hair here where I am living. They were nice and warned me to be careful getting off and on the bus from certain areas, there is a history of robbers.

June 15, 2004
I got up this morning and packed my things to move to my new house. I ventured to the market to find some breakfast – bread and mandarins. Around 11:00 am, my counterpart showed up and we moved all my stuff. My family took the news well; my counterpart told them I had to move because Peace Corps wanted us in separate communities.

My new family is nice. There are 3 kids (21, 24, 26 years old), their parents and they rent out the 2nd and 3rd floor rooms. I am in a room on the third floor. My neighbors are a young married couple and a single 21 year old. The oldest son of the family is 27 and he has been a real help to me. He helped me move in and put up my bed; he took me for a tour of the neighborhood, and even helped me get a bus into town. He has studied English and wants me to tutor him. I went into Trujillo to go to the supermarket, but it was closed. I am figuring out that most things close here around siesta time of 1-4pm. I will be eating lunch with the family but I want to cook my own breakfast and dinner. I pay $100 soles a month for rent. That is like $35 American dollars, you can’t beat it.

I made my first visit to El Milagro today. I prepped myself for the shock of it all and I have to admit that it wasn’t such a shock at all this time. All the kids were happy to see me. My counterpart gave me a set of keys to the building and went over the objectives of the YMCA in El Milagro. They are doing so much! They have a full-time social-worker, a full-time psychologist, a part-time teacher, and several volunteer college students who all do programs/activities in the center. There weekly schedule is packed full of workshops, therapy sessions, activities. It is all a little intimidating, but I can see where I can bring some of my skills to the table. I told them I was interested in doing sports activities with the kids (which they lack), team building activities, and a paper making project and they seemed excited that I had some new ideas. In fact, they wanted me to hop right in the schedule for this week. I had to try to explain that I am still in the adjustment phase and would need some time to observe and learn about the culture and way things work.

I told my counterpart that I didn’t even know how to take the bus or where to shop for things like laundry soap, so before I jump into work, I need to feel organized and settled in at home. She was great and immediately took me to town. We bought me an electric hot plate, a dish, a fork, a knife, a spoon, Tupperware, and a bucket to wash my clothes. She gave me a tour of Trujillo on the way. We also decided that I would only work the afternoons this week, so I could get more settled in.

I am feeling more and more confident with my Spanish. My new host family dad told me I speak better Spanish than he does, I know he was kidding, but it does feel good to be able to communicate and share ideas with others in another language.

I don’t think I picked up lice from my sister. Thank goodness!

June 14, 2004
I returned to the house I found by the internet cafe to see about moving in. The dad of the family says all is good for me to move in, so I believe I will just do it. God is telling me this is where I should live, so I am going to follow his advice.

At 4:00, we visited the new YMCA office; the building is brand new and very nice. It is in an area of town that is pretty shady. They don’t even have water, electricity, or telephones and they can’t move in until they do. So, it will probably be forever until that all is ready. We had a YMCA staff meeting at the temporary office. It was quite overwhelming; they want us to start doing activities immediately. Peace Corps tells us to take 3 months to get settled in before we start any projects. Also, they want me to be in the center in El Milagro, 6 days a week, 9:00-6:00 with a 2 hour lunch. That is like a full-time job!

I am worried about how my current family will take the news that I am moving out. Hopefully, everything will work out. I am learning so much, but the lessons are tough ones. To not be liked or to be liked or to stand out wherever you go, simple because of your skin color is harsh.

June 13, 2004
I had a bad night last night. I couldn’t sleep because I am so worried about my living situation. I keep praying, but I just can’t shake my anxiety. I bought some things today for my family, like milk, bread, fruit, and rice.

I met the missionary family for lunch at a golf club in Trujillo. I met their children, visited with them at their house, and afterwards, we again looked for housing. I think God put them in my life for a reason. What a coincidence to be able to know them here in Peru.

June 12, 2004
This area of Trujillo where I am living doesn’t have police, so it is pretty much self-patrolled. People are extremely worried about being robbed. I have been warned several times about it. This common opinion is that if you are stupid enough to allow your stuff to be stolen, then so be it.

This being a ‘rich’ foreigner thing is tough. I so obviously have so much more than they do, and it makes things so difficult.

I went to the YMCA center of Winchanzao to a leadership workshop, but nobody showed up. However, I did chat with another YMCA volunteer, she’s Peruvian and lives in Winchanzao. I have yet to visit El Milagro. I ate lunch at a little house and the family was super nice. This house is a couple of doors down from the house I want to move into to. They said they would give me 3 meals a day for $6, when I move.

I met the missionaries that I had been corresponding with via email. What a nice couple! They helped me for a room to rent in some nice areas of Trujillo.

June 11, 2004
I had a weird night last night for sure. I had absolutely no privacy. I am still sleeping in the same room as my sister. Even though I was writing in the living room, my mom just turned off all the lights said to get in the bed. So we went to our bedroom and she said I could use her bedroom if I wanted to change. There are no doors on either of the 2 bedrooms. Something has to give! Oh, yeah, my sister has lice. I helped my mom pick the nits out of her hair this morning. My mom says its something she has to do every morning. I realize we are supposed to compromise as volunteers, but this is too much. I have to look for somewhere else to live ASAP. My sanity depends on it. Who’s going to look out for me if I don’t?

I tutored the neighbor in English a bit this morning, before I headed to the internet café, a couple of blocks from Winchanzao. I asked the attendant in the internet cafe if she knew of any place for me to live. What do you know? She says she rents a room from a family close by and that they have a room with bathroom that is available. The room is clean and nice, totally cute and only $100 per month. I have to wait until Sunday to talk with the father about the logistics. But I think this is definitely an option for me.

On a good note, our counterpart really seems to understand our roles as volunteers and the importance of being happy where we live.

I am so scared! What am I scared of? Being lonely, I think. I know that this pace of life will take some time to get used to and some adjustments on my part. I really haven’t had to be truly on my own. I will have to fill my days with activities. I can get a membership at a gym. I will be able to cook my food in my new room. I can read and I could get a Spanish tutor. I could make jewelry, sew, paint, or draw. See, I have lots of activities to keep boredom stay away.

Secondary projects I would like to tackle are: teaching English, youth group for Niyelo activities, reading group.

I am thinking about the 2 years before me and it seems like an eternity. I just hope to make this place my home. I know that just means putting myself out there and getting involved. I just want everything to happen quickly and naturally. Patience, I keep telling myself.

When I returned from Trujillo, my family had rearranged the house. The sister’s bed is now in the parent’s room. We had supper or bread and coffee. That is all they seem to ever have for supper. I think financially this family is suffering. It puts me in such a tough situation. I know any number of churches would happily donate to this poor Peruvian family. It would be a temporary fix, one that is not sustainable in the long run. I could I help this family help themselves? That is the real goal of a volunteer.

June 10, 2004
Wow. Here I am in my new home. I am with the same family I stayed with during my site visit. Granted they are very nice, sweet in fact, but this home is pretty rough. As long as I have my own space, I will be fine. The arrangement for me staying here is that I will make repairs on the house in place of rent. In the first 10 minutes, my mom showed me the things that she wanted me to fix or install like: a window, door, and bathroom. The dad even sat me down and said he needed a pair of eye glasses that cost $200. Definitely, not the foot I wanted to start off with in my new home. Peace Corps warns us that people will think we are made of money because we are from the USA. At this point, I am sharing a room with my sister. Hopefully, they will clean out the room so I can have it to myself. They do have a refrigerator here, but like in Santa Eulalia, it is unplugged (I think that is to conserve electricity, but what good is it?) Good things about this home: a flush toilet with a seat, water, electricity, telephone – so all and all I will be ok. Bad things: extremely close to other volunteer (about 2 blocks), no privacy, money issues.

I am having the urge to cry, but hopefully I can hold out. As for my work in El Milagro, I have to get myself prepared for my work there. I know it will be a shocker if not, especially the first couple of days. It is a good thing to be close to Trujillo.

Our counterpart took us shopping. We bought a bed and shelf for our rooms. I am glad I spoke up for myself and told my counterpart that I wanted to live somewhere else, they were supportive. Yeah! Now I have to find somewhere else to live.

June 8, 2004
We have spent two more days in Trujillo enjoying the cafes, shopping, and cable TV. We were supposed to move into our host families today, but something came up with our counterpart, so we are going to move into tomorrow or at least that is the new plan. We also mentioned to our counterpart our concerns about living so close together and they completely understood. They said that we were living in different sections of Winchanzao, so hopefully, it will all work out.

June 6, 2004
We got into Trujillo at 7:30 this morning. Our hotel is ok; not the greatest, but it does have hot water. I slept all night on the bus. We explored the city first thing this morning. I have to admit I am very excited about Trujillo. It is a great city. There are supermarkets that have great stuff like American sliced cheese, sandwich meat, milk, and peanut butter. I was so excited! We found the post office and the bank. Also, there are some great restaurants. For lunch, we ate in a cute little café where I had a great grilled chicken salad with oil/vinegar dressing. We found lots of appliance stores and even a department store with almost anything I would need. We sat in the Plaza for a while and it didn’t take long before people just came up to us and asked us what we were doing in town. It was so funny how incredible friendly and curious people are here. After we chatted for a while, we headed to the movies. I can’t believe there is actually a cinema here. We watched the Day after Tomorrow; it was fair, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Tomorrow is another day to laze around here in Trujillo, and then on Tuesday we head to our sites and to our host families. I am very nervous. I am praying things will be ok.

Saturday, June 05, 2004

June 5, 2004
I am just hanging out in the hotel room today. I couldn’t really sleep last night. I woke up early and checked my email here at the hotel. They had a continental breakfast which was excellent. With Peru’s ways of little waste, the all you could drink, eat of my breakfast was fabulous. I took a shower, disappointingly my water wasn’t very hot, and then we headed to the beach for some shopping and lunch at Pizza Hut. It is very cold here and there’s no heat. So I have been bundling up when we head outside. I got a 10 minute massage at the mall for 10 soles; it was worth every minute of it! We don’t head out to Trujillo until 9:00 pm. Everyone else leaves earlier. It is so sad to see everyone leave for their sites. Everyone has gotten so close – going through training together, laughing & crying together. It is hard to think about not seeing everyone everyday for now on.

June 4, 2004
Swearing in today! I got up extremely early to get my luggage sent off and myself ready for the big day. With a borrowed dress and shoes and an up-do I said my goodbyes to my Santa Eulalia family. It was very sad. They have treated me so well and made me a part of their family. We left for Lima with a crowd waving us farewell from the training center. Needless to say, I was very nervous about giving my speech.

We made our way to the Peace Corps Office, then to the Presidential Palace. Our ceremony was very formal with about 200 people attending, including past volunteers, world diplomats, the US ambassador, the Peace Corps director, and of course President Toledo. I have to admit, my speech went well! I spoke just before President Toledo. Afterwards, many congratulated me on a job well done and even complemented my Spanish. There were a lot of press cameras present and we even made it on Peruvian television.

After our ceremony, we had an amazing lunch at a restaurant called Mango’s on the beach in Lima -- a complete buffet where I stuffed myself full of chicken, beef, pork, vegetables, and salad. It was scrumptious. The Peace Corps Director, Gaddy Vasquez, dined with us and he sat by me at the table -- my first experience conversing with a President Bush appointee. He told us of his experiences as a politician and his job at Peace Corps Director. Later, we checked in our hotel and just chilled out. For our last night together as a group, we headed to Miraflores with our trainers and language teachers. We had a lot of fun.

June 3, 2004
Our last day of training. We had breakfast at our trainer’s house. We cooked for ourselves: pancakes, scrambled eggs with veggies, smoothies from fresh fruit, and coffee. Afterwards, we presented our mentoring experience. At 3:00 pm, we had a party for our families. I was on the gift committee – we gave the families flowers, framed photos, and homemade candles. Also, we had a food committee (and, boy, they did a great job!), decorations, and entertainment committee. The party was a huge success. We sang a song we dubbed the CHP Blues, did a skit where we acted like our Peruvian moms, and presented the gifts. All and all it was a great end to training.

Tonight is my last night here. I dread packing! My family took me for my last dinner to a restaurant in Chosica. They are too sweet. I will miss them.

June 1, 2004
I practiced my speech for my language class today. We went to Chosica for errands this afternoon. I bought another pair of handmade sandals; thought it might be my last chance! I practiced my language interview questions with another trainee. I have had late nights everyday this week. Just not enough time in the day to get everything in and completed.