Seriously… I live in the clouds. This zone is justly called a Cloud Forest; so much humidity that plants grow on power lines and roofs. My experience thus far has also had a cloudening affect on my mind. 
I don’t know how long it will be until I consider this my reality, but I do know the ups and downs of this life are definitely more varied than I had expected. I feel as though I have been in a long dream since I had arrived in Peru. This second life has been amazing in so many ways and I realize I am actually living the dream that I had for so many years by living in another country in an attempt to serve others. I don’t know how long it will be until I consider this my reality, but I do know the ups and downs of this life are definitely more varied than I had expected.
Since the last (real) post, I have done a couple interesting things. The first of which includes helping in the slaughtering… wow, harsh word… the killing (not much better) of a pig. I was invited by a community member to help in this ‘event’ as it serves as a tradition as well as a overall cultural experience here. It’s more than just the killing of the pig, in the campo, it’s a community event in which everyone takes part in and the meat along with other food components are shared afterwards as a type of celebration. For some reason, it takes place in the madrugada (early morni
ng) at 3AM. This could be for one or each of three reasons, 1) a simple precedent set by tradition, 2) it takes a whole day and many helpers to kill the pig and make all the meal preparations, or 3) The screaming of the pig will not annoy people during the day… but on second thought it has the opposite effect of people sleeping at night. First, I help walk the pig in front of the house of my friend, then a huge pot of boiling water was readied. Once the water was boiling, a group of 5 people tied up the pigs hands and feet and when the pig was secure, the butcher stabbed the pig in the chest aiming for the heart, which I was later surprised he has achieved with amazing accuracy. The blood was drained into a bin (and kept for later) and the pig slowly died. Then the hot water was used to burn off all the hair on the pigs body and helped along with knifes. After all the hair was removed, everyone began cutting the pig apart very methodically. All parts of the pig was kept. The intestines were saved to be cleaned out and used as sausage, the skins made chicharrones, and of course the meat makes everything else. For some reason, people are interested in buying the head and feet, which I guess they also prepare in a certain way? The pig parts were then weighed and reported, and the cooking began. I ate everything they gave me.
Another interesting thing that I started was teaching English and Math at vacaciones utiles, a type of summer school. I have been teaching the secondary (mid and high school kids) and been
having fun getting to know them. However this program has problems keeping kids to go to class since they go by shear will and are held by nothing. The little primary school kids, or minis as I like to call them, are super cute. I have fun playing with them. The whole school had an outing to a nearby (and beautiful) seminary where we played games and got to interact. It’s so weird to be the non-separation of church and state… something I’m not used to yet. There’s signs in the school that says “God Loves You”. Of course I have no problem with it since I’m Catholic, but I’m sure other volunteers are not too fond of this. To make a long story short, Engineering is fun, but there are definite thoughts of joining my family in the teaching thing. Oh yeah, and school is amazing! It’s nothing special in terms of it’s structure, but it overlooks a beautiful view of the surrounding green lush mountains and overlapping clouds.
I have also started doing encuestas (surveys) that are necessary for Peace Corps. I like this because I get to meet the families from the campo and many times, the offer me food or drink, which can be interesting, but I haven’t had problems eating any of it so far. I get scared that I will be full from the previous house and not be able to finish something… can be disrespectful, but so far, so good.
There have been some other interesting things that have also happened, including the issues that have come up with the building of a new water treatment facility in my site, but I will get into some interesting customs that I have witnessed thus far. These things are not necessarily restricted to Peru, but at least what I have seen in my specific community. For example, sometimes when I ask a ‘Si’ or ‘No’ question, I get a response that is ‘Si’ but while sucking in. I don’t quite understand it. It’s almost like a hiccup, but after the 50th time hearing it, I realize that that’s just something people do. Also, I live in the land of the mud right now, and my clothes definitely reflect it. How in the hell do Peruvians keep their stuff so clean… ESPECIALLY THEIR SHOES! I seriously make an effort, but after a couple minutes of walking, I have mud stains on my pants, and my shoes are noticeably dirty. Peruvians judge people a lot by their clothes and appearance and I know I get some looks and some ‘So you were in the campo huh?’ I want to say… ‘no, I just live here in the mud’. Actually that’s no so bad - next time I will say that. There’s more, but I guess I forgot right now, so I will come back to that another time.
My schedule recently has been teaching two classes in the mornings from 9-1 on Monday’s and Tuesday’s, and usually working with the JASS (Junta Administradora de Servicios Sanitario – the elected group in charge of the water) as they are transitioning to the new water system. I have been able to get close with the two engineers on the project that have had a lot of patience with me and my Spanish and have overall helped me a lot. It doesn’t feel like I’ve been doing that much, but I haven’t been home very often except for the last couple days, which I have needed. So this wasn’t the amazing post that I promised, and for that I am very sorry, but I think you will forgive me, yeah?
As for my outlook on life: it varies so much here, I cannot keep up with my own emotions. At times I feel like I am living my dream and could not picture a better way to be spending my two years (in a badass place!) and other times I feel like I am wasting my time, other people’s time, the government’s money, and being away from my family for no reason. No matter strong I thought I was, I at times encounter that fragileness that cuts to my soul where I can actually physically feel pain in my heart. I think it’s important to experience this state of being because this nakedness of comfort makes you realize your true being and what and who you really are
I don’t know how long it will be until I consider this my reality, but I do know the ups and downs of this life are definitely more varied than I had expected. I feel as though I have been in a long dream since I had arrived in Peru. This second life has been amazing in so many ways and I realize I am actually living the dream that I had for so many years by living in another country in an attempt to serve others. I don’t know how long it will be until I consider this my reality, but I do know the ups and downs of this life are definitely more varied than I had expected.Since the last (real) post, I have done a couple interesting things. The first of which includes helping in the slaughtering… wow, harsh word… the killing (not much better) of a pig. I was invited by a community member to help in this ‘event’ as it serves as a tradition as well as a overall cultural experience here. It’s more than just the killing of the pig, in the campo, it’s a community event in which everyone takes part in and the meat along with other food components are shared afterwards as a type of celebration. For some reason, it takes place in the madrugada (early morni
ng) at 3AM. This could be for one or each of three reasons, 1) a simple precedent set by tradition, 2) it takes a whole day and many helpers to kill the pig and make all the meal preparations, or 3) The screaming of the pig will not annoy people during the day… but on second thought it has the opposite effect of people sleeping at night. First, I help walk the pig in front of the house of my friend, then a huge pot of boiling water was readied. Once the water was boiling, a group of 5 people tied up the pigs hands and feet and when the pig was secure, the butcher stabbed the pig in the chest aiming for the heart, which I was later surprised he has achieved with amazing accuracy. The blood was drained into a bin (and kept for later) and the pig slowly died. Then the hot water was used to burn off all the hair on the pigs body and helped along with knifes. After all the hair was removed, everyone began cutting the pig apart very methodically. All parts of the pig was kept. The intestines were saved to be cleaned out and used as sausage, the skins made chicharrones, and of course the meat makes everything else. For some reason, people are interested in buying the head and feet, which I guess they also prepare in a certain way? The pig parts were then weighed and reported, and the cooking began. I ate everything they gave me.Another interesting thing that I started was teaching English and Math at vacaciones utiles, a type of summer school. I have been teaching the secondary (mid and high school kids) and been
having fun getting to know them. However this program has problems keeping kids to go to class since they go by shear will and are held by nothing. The little primary school kids, or minis as I like to call them, are super cute. I have fun playing with them. The whole school had an outing to a nearby (and beautiful) seminary where we played games and got to interact. It’s so weird to be the non-separation of church and state… something I’m not used to yet. There’s signs in the school that says “God Loves You”. Of course I have no problem with it since I’m Catholic, but I’m sure other volunteers are not too fond of this. To make a long story short, Engineering is fun, but there are definite thoughts of joining my family in the teaching thing. Oh yeah, and school is amazing! It’s nothing special in terms of it’s structure, but it overlooks a beautiful view of the surrounding green lush mountains and overlapping clouds.
I have also started doing encuestas (surveys) that are necessary for Peace Corps. I like this because I get to meet the families from the campo and many times, the offer me food or drink, which can be interesting, but I haven’t had problems eating any of it so far. I get scared that I will be full from the previous house and not be able to finish something… can be disrespectful, but so far, so good.
There have been some other interesting things that have also happened, including the issues that have come up with the building of a new water treatment facility in my site, but I will get into some interesting customs that I have witnessed thus far. These things are not necessarily restricted to Peru, but at least what I have seen in my specific community. For example, sometimes when I ask a ‘Si’ or ‘No’ question, I get a response that is ‘Si’ but while sucking in. I don’t quite understand it. It’s almost like a hiccup, but after the 50th time hearing it, I realize that that’s just something people do. Also, I live in the land of the mud right now, and my clothes definitely reflect it. How in the hell do Peruvians keep their stuff so clean… ESPECIALLY THEIR SHOES! I seriously make an effort, but after a couple minutes of walking, I have mud stains on my pants, and my shoes are noticeably dirty. Peruvians judge people a lot by their clothes and appearance and I know I get some looks and some ‘So you were in the campo huh?’ I want to say… ‘no, I just live here in the mud’. Actually that’s no so bad - next time I will say that. There’s more, but I guess I forgot right now, so I will come back to that another time.
My schedule recently has been teaching two classes in the mornings from 9-1 on Monday’s and Tuesday’s, and usually working with the JASS (Junta Administradora de Servicios Sanitario – the elected group in charge of the water) as they are transitioning to the new water system. I have been able to get close with the two engineers on the project that have had a lot of patience with me and my Spanish and have overall helped me a lot. It doesn’t feel like I’ve been doing that much, but I haven’t been home very often except for the last couple days, which I have needed. So this wasn’t the amazing post that I promised, and for that I am very sorry, but I think you will forgive me, yeah?
As for my outlook on life: it varies so much here, I cannot keep up with my own emotions. At times I feel like I am living my dream and could not picture a better way to be spending my two years (in a badass place!) and other times I feel like I am wasting my time, other people’s time, the government’s money, and being away from my family for no reason. No matter strong I thought I was, I at times encounter that fragileness that cuts to my soul where I can actually physically feel pain in my heart. I think it’s important to experience this state of being because this nakedness of comfort makes you realize your true being and what and who you really are
