Back and Busy

Since my arrival back in Perú, I've been very busy.  Luckily, my projects seemed to have maintained steam, and I was able to jump right back into the swing of things.

Shortly after my return, I spent just under a week in Lima at a Project Design and Management workshop hosted by the Peace Corps.  

For these particular meetings, Peace Corps Volunteers were able to bring a member from their communities.  These selected participants were motivated persons with whom the volunteer wished to coordinate a future project.  The objective was then to further develop this project in order to have a great chance of success when they returned to their sites.

I chose to bring a worker from the local municipality with whom I've had past success.  He felt very privileged to be part of the workshop, and thus our results had a favorable outcome.  Our project (which has yet to be implemented) was to design a mentor/intern program for local youth interested in pursuing a career in tourism.  It seems like a plausible project; so, we'll see what the future brings.

Before I begin to further develop the previously state

d tourism project, I working on vocational courses to all high school seniors in the local public schools.  We have effectively begun in two of the four schools, and have solicited money for the remaining two.  The goal is to have implemented the five session course to approximately 400 students by the end of July.  That's pretty much the biggest thing I have planned for the next couple of months.

Of course, a volunteer is always working on side-projects; and I've got some interesting ones popping up.  I have begun to work with local tourism agencies and business.  A union has been formed and people seem to be willing to put forth some effort in regards to improving the local tourism economy.  To this same group, I've begun to teach English classes.  It's been a nice change up to work with adults.  More so, I was able to tag along on a day trip to one of the local tourist destinations free-of-charge.  Now, how could you pass that up?

I've also been spending some time at a local school for handicapped children once or twice a week.  This is just something to do in my down time.  They're a great group of kids and the professors appreciate the help.

I gecko has managed to enter my room.  I've decided to let him stay.  My place isn't all that big, but I'm pretty sure there is room for the two of us.  Now, if only Walter (that's his name) can keep the bug population down!

Perú recently celebrated that "Día de la papa".  Yes, that's right...a whole day to express potato appreciation.  Perú is home to over 3000 types of potatoes.  And, if you think I have some sort of agenda to try them all, well, you're mad.  I think I've already eaten more potatoes while I've been in Perú than I have in my entire previous life.  All that said, the displays of potato variety were actually pretty consuming (sorry about that).