Message from the Andes
December 11, 2008
Dear Constant Readers,
The past few weeks have been a bit like being on a boat going through a mix of rapid waters and then calm stretches, always headed down a river where you can’t really see around the bend.
Two weeks ago I was sworn into the Peace Corps, so I am no longer a PCT (Peace Corps Trainee) but now officially a PCV (~ ~ Volunteer). After swearing in, all 47 of us said goodbye to our host families in Chaclacayo and headed off to Lima where we would be over-nighting and then catching our bus to wherever we were destined travel to. Most of the people decided to hit some clubs and party to celebrate the last night we would all be together before going off to start work. I opted out of this, however. I have been learning for years that no matter how hard I try, I am almost never comfortable in large, loud, party settings. Somewhat to my dismay, I’ve discovered I don’t even like staying up late anymore. I used to feel guilty that I would be missing out on something, but I’ve figured out that I just am not in my element and for me, not missing out on anything if I don’t go out.
I was one of the people set to leave the next day, but not until the end of it, so I got a chance to say goodbye to most of the people heading out before me. Until then, I spent much of the time just walking around in Lima.
Fourteen hours or so after departing Lima, we arrived in Piura where Patrick and I stayed a night, and then caught a bus up to our sites to drop off all of our luggage. For all the traveling I’ve done, I have never learned to travel light. I suppose I’ll have plenty of time to practice these next two years, and I know I’ll be leaving plenty of clothing behind when I come home in 2010.
As we had a meeting in Piura soon, we turned right back around the next day and headed back to the city, where we met a lot of the volunteers in the Piura region who had also gathered for the meeting. However, all the traveling and lack of rest and early mornings left me exhausted and I fell ill for a few days, so I ended up staying in Piura a day longer than intended to rest, but in fact it was exactly what I needed.
Now that I’m at my site, I’m gradually adjusting. I’ve had a chance to learn a little bit more about Rinconada, for example the population is a little over 500, and I’ve had the chance to do some exploring in the town. As it is only the end of my first week, I am taking things slow. However, I consider myself doing successful work just be trying to be out in the public and getting to know the people, as a large part of being a PCV is simply encouraging a cultural exchange between the USA and the community. Sometimes this is not always a pleasant experience. You are constantly stared at, for example. People often want to try a few stock phrases of English out on you, usually “Hello” or “Good morning” and for some reason, one that I have never been able to quite put my finger on, being addressed in English by a stranger makes me uncomfortable. But being in the Peace Corps isn’t about always feeling comfortable. The fact is for me, I’ve always been uncomfortable when I’ve visited Latin America (although, I admit, it is limited only to Mexico, Peru, and to a lesser extent Belize and Honduras). I don’t know why, I’ve just never quite felt “at home” even after spending a considerable amount of time here. I also have always had a tough time adjusting to Spanish, the same way some people have enjoying German, for example. (I thought I’d be placed in a Quechua-speaking site and learn another language.) However, I’ve come to the conclusion that one does not need to love either the language nor feel at home in the host culture to still have a meaningful two years of service in this organization. What’s more, I cannot be sure I would be feeling all that different were I in another place in the world doing this job. I’m sure there are places better suited, and places worse suited for me. But it is more about working with what you have and making the most of that.
I have been making friends with the nurse and the tech assistant at the medical post, which is where I am writing this entry at the moment. For the past week there has been no electricity in my house so all of my reading and writing (long-handed) has been done by day-, flash-, and candlelight. It is by this method that I have read “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and “The Kite Runner.” I discovered that there is indeed cell phone service within an hour and a half’s walk up a mountain side. For the first time for me, I found a living scorpion, which I thought was really fascinating and not nearly as disgusting as a spider. I was never raised a farm, so I never grew up around many animals. Therefore I find observing, and at times catching, ducklings and chicks to be a fun pastime as well.
Tomorrow I’m off to Piura to buy some more items for my room, check my email, and post this entry. As I probably won’t be back before Christmas, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays!
Hope all is well!
Tristan
PS - This will mean something to only a few people, but this has been the most relaxed year of my entire life. Consider this a thank you, to you few. :-)
Dear Constant Readers,
The past few weeks have been a bit like being on a boat going through a mix of rapid waters and then calm stretches, always headed down a river where you can’t really see around the bend.
Two weeks ago I was sworn into the Peace Corps, so I am no longer a PCT (Peace Corps Trainee) but now officially a PCV (~ ~ Volunteer). After swearing in, all 47 of us said goodbye to our host families in Chaclacayo and headed off to Lima where we would be over-nighting and then catching our bus to wherever we were destined travel to. Most of the people decided to hit some clubs and party to celebrate the last night we would all be together before going off to start work. I opted out of this, however. I have been learning for years that no matter how hard I try, I am almost never comfortable in large, loud, party settings. Somewhat to my dismay, I’ve discovered I don’t even like staying up late anymore. I used to feel guilty that I would be missing out on something, but I’ve figured out that I just am not in my element and for me, not missing out on anything if I don’t go out.
I was one of the people set to leave the next day, but not until the end of it, so I got a chance to say goodbye to most of the people heading out before me. Until then, I spent much of the time just walking around in Lima.
Fourteen hours or so after departing Lima, we arrived in Piura where Patrick and I stayed a night, and then caught a bus up to our sites to drop off all of our luggage. For all the traveling I’ve done, I have never learned to travel light. I suppose I’ll have plenty of time to practice these next two years, and I know I’ll be leaving plenty of clothing behind when I come home in 2010.
As we had a meeting in Piura soon, we turned right back around the next day and headed back to the city, where we met a lot of the volunteers in the Piura region who had also gathered for the meeting. However, all the traveling and lack of rest and early mornings left me exhausted and I fell ill for a few days, so I ended up staying in Piura a day longer than intended to rest, but in fact it was exactly what I needed.
Now that I’m at my site, I’m gradually adjusting. I’ve had a chance to learn a little bit more about Rinconada, for example the population is a little over 500, and I’ve had the chance to do some exploring in the town. As it is only the end of my first week, I am taking things slow. However, I consider myself doing successful work just be trying to be out in the public and getting to know the people, as a large part of being a PCV is simply encouraging a cultural exchange between the USA and the community. Sometimes this is not always a pleasant experience. You are constantly stared at, for example. People often want to try a few stock phrases of English out on you, usually “Hello” or “Good morning” and for some reason, one that I have never been able to quite put my finger on, being addressed in English by a stranger makes me uncomfortable. But being in the Peace Corps isn’t about always feeling comfortable. The fact is for me, I’ve always been uncomfortable when I’ve visited Latin America (although, I admit, it is limited only to Mexico, Peru, and to a lesser extent Belize and Honduras). I don’t know why, I’ve just never quite felt “at home” even after spending a considerable amount of time here. I also have always had a tough time adjusting to Spanish, the same way some people have enjoying German, for example. (I thought I’d be placed in a Quechua-speaking site and learn another language.) However, I’ve come to the conclusion that one does not need to love either the language nor feel at home in the host culture to still have a meaningful two years of service in this organization. What’s more, I cannot be sure I would be feeling all that different were I in another place in the world doing this job. I’m sure there are places better suited, and places worse suited for me. But it is more about working with what you have and making the most of that.
I have been making friends with the nurse and the tech assistant at the medical post, which is where I am writing this entry at the moment. For the past week there has been no electricity in my house so all of my reading and writing (long-handed) has been done by day-, flash-, and candlelight. It is by this method that I have read “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and “The Kite Runner.” I discovered that there is indeed cell phone service within an hour and a half’s walk up a mountain side. For the first time for me, I found a living scorpion, which I thought was really fascinating and not nearly as disgusting as a spider. I was never raised a farm, so I never grew up around many animals. Therefore I find observing, and at times catching, ducklings and chicks to be a fun pastime as well.
Tomorrow I’m off to Piura to buy some more items for my room, check my email, and post this entry. As I probably won’t be back before Christmas, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays!
Hope all is well!
Tristan
PS - This will mean something to only a few people, but this has been the most relaxed year of my entire life. Consider this a thank you, to you few. :-)
posted by Tristan | 5:09 AM
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