We're All In Training

As I prepare for the big climbs which are rapidly approaching, I am in high hopes that my training regiment has been sufficient.  From the early morning "prison workouts" to the evening jogs at high altitude, I sincerely hope that I will have what it takes to push on to the summits.  The training has been fairly enjoyable as I am blessed with magnificent views looking down at my site from afar.

I've found, however, that I'm not the only one in training.  

I recently hosted a group of Peace Corps soon-to-be Volunteers in my site.  Just as I w

as in training one year ago, this latest batch of do-gooders is currently undergoing their fairly monotonous three months of training in Lima.  However, for one week, they were allowed to break free from the arduous grips of the Training Center in order to have their Field Base Training.  Half of this group recently spent a week in and around my site gaining insight into the life of an actual Peace Corps Volunteer.

In fact, it was a pleasure to host this gang.  Not only was I able able to share the knowledge which I have accumulated throughout my service, I was also benignly reminded of just how far I have come myself.  Indeed, I found their questions and concerns indistinguishable from the ones I held during my time in training.  However, now I am the person providing the consoling remarks; reminding them, that Peace Corps is indeed far much more than the life they know in the Training Center.  

Just as I have been rigorously training to climb mountains, these new recruits are trying their hardest to prepare themselves for a successful service.  I hope that their training pays off as well.

I also hosted a group of high school students who were on a sort of social learning Sumer vacation type of trip.  To be honost, I was not too impressed.  Unfortunately, it seems as though this group was not truly resolved in cultural exchange nor social service.  Truth be told, they were an embarassment to myself and a poor representation to the United States in general.  Their lack of respect for the culture and an understanding for impoverished living inhibited them from obtaining a positive experience.  Perhaps they need a little more training.

Beyond the time I have been passing in preparation for the climbs, I have also made some huge leaps in lifestyle changes.  I am proud to announce that I have introduced an electronic shower head into my life.  That gushing glacial water most definitely will wake me up, but it is far from comforting.  From now on (as long as I have electricity at that particular time) I will be showering with a much more sultry experience.  

I have also constructed a "water evaporation cooler".  This fairly simple device involves the combination of two clay pots, sand, water, and a wet towel.  Now, I can buy broccoli at the Sunday market and it easily lasts five days.  Sure, it's no refrigerator.  However, extending the life of produce has definitely been a welcomed addition to my life here.

As far as projects go, I have continued working on the vocational classes with local high school students.  Thus far, I am quite satisfied with the results.  Also, I have completed my first large-scale vegetable garden.  This particular project was conducted at a local school for kindergarten students that is known for catering to some of the poorest children in town.  Needless to say, many of these students are also fairly malnourished.  However, with the help of a representative from the local Ministry of Education, a nutritionist, and the director of the school, we organized the parents to put in a few days of work at the school; transforming a once worried portion of the school's property into a first-rate vegetable garden.  To top it all off, the nutritionist and myself conducted a couple of nutrition seminars with the parents to help educate them on the importance of incorporating vegetables into their diets, and how to properly prepare them.  

I know it may seem petty, and prehaps a bit ridiculous to imagine that a person wouldn't understand the importance of vegetables.  However, these are educational elements which we have been fortunate enough to have been surrounded with our whole lives.  Perhaps, the next generation here in my site will also retain this information.  In the meantime, such negligible items will have to be carefully elucidated.  

Is this a job or a lifestyle?

This is a question that has been hitting me pretty hard as of late.  I mean sure, technically, this is a job.  Obviously, the pay isn't so great, nor do I have set hours.  However, I do have objectives, I have my bosses, and a pretty inclusive healthcare package.  More so, it's work; my days can be just as long and stressful as the next persons - if not more so.

The boundaries of my office are drawn up by my health that day, the weather, and how far I'm willing to go.  Do I have the patience?   Is that person or group going to show up?  All of which are considerably unpredictable factors.

More so, if this is a job, then it seems to fit very well into my lifestyle.  Thus, I suppose that the title "The toughest job you'll ever love" fits perfectly.  Nice job Peace Corps advertising team.

On other notes, things are moving along quite well these days.  My visit to the US about three months ago feels like a momentary blip in my memory.  As great as it was, it kind of threw me out of my standard practices.  And, now that I've recovered, I've been pretty busy distracting myself with work related causes.

I have been spending a lot of my time helping out at a local school for children with disabilities.  I will refrain on commenting on any personal predispositions in regards to how a developing nation handles children suffering from such complications.  However, I have found that my time spent there has provided me with some of the most rewarding experiences of my service thus far.  To be honost, I haven't achieved any great successes in regards to execut

ing outstanding projects there.  I fear that an entire culture needs to adjust before one could opulently solicit the appropriate changes.  However, I am always  received with ardent hugs from the young children and grateful smiles from the administrative staff.  These factors alone are more than enough to keep me coming back.  In fact, I believe that I get just as much (if not more) from my encounters with these children than what I provide for them.

The only actual "project" that has materialized in that particular school is a small vegetable garden.  My hopes are that within a few months, the children will be sent home with vegetables.  Now, if only I can convince their parents to introduce them to the dinner table...

I have also been working diligently on giving vocational courses to all high school seniors in and around my site.  This project seems to be going well.  Unfortunately,  the school system in the area fails to expose their students to a life after graduation.  I'm hoping to implant a few considerations in the minds of these students.  

I have also been preparing for the arrival of Perú's newest volunteers who will be coming up to visit me later this month as sort of a "in field practicum".  They are currently in Lima undergoing their training (as I was one year ago), and this will give them an opportunity to see what life is like outside the training center.  In addition, there is a group of high school students from various parts of the US who will be joining me in my site for a week as a sort of "service learning" experience.  

On a personal level, I have committed to climbing two mountains at the end of this month.  Therefore, I have been doing a great deal of training in order to prepare.  One of the climbs will be well over 20,000 ft, and should prove to be quite difficult.  On the upside, training means that I have visited many of the summits on the lower mountains surrounding my community.  Have you ever gone for a jog at 10,000 ft?  

I also 

took a couple of personal days and went down to a small beach town where I (and several other Peace Corps Volunteers) helped a fellow volunteer who had organized a marathon in his site.  Let's be honost, I really just wanted to mee

t up with some friends that I haven't seen in awhile, and spend some time on the beach, more than anything.  Plus, I had some close friends who were running their first marathons, and I wanted to cheer them on.  However, the marathon itself was a great success; and it looks like it will turn into an annual event.

All that said, life's been good.  I really have been finding it hard to distinguish between what is work-related and what is personal-time as of late.  That's the beauty of the situation I have going here.  The stresses I encounter are just as likely to stem from daily living as from my projects.  Just as well, I guess I don't really get to "go home" at the end of the workday.  However, my job seems to be pretty accommodating to my lifestyle, and I guess I'm happiest when the two are combined.  When I walk out the door in the morning I am uncertain of expectations; but I do expect to try my best as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  In the end, I suppose the title of job or lifestyle doesn't really matter.  What matters most is just making the most out of this life.  After all, no matter what your thoughts are on afterlife, the one you are living is most  definitely guaranteed.  

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).

My Trip To America...The North One

So here I am, right back atchya from Perú.  My trip to the US was great!  But, very quick; VERY QUICK!  

As most of you know, I returned home to act as a groomsmen in the Kalluas-Ashcroft espousal.  The ceremony, dinners, and reception where absolutely spectacular.  This was my first actual "participation" in a wedding ceremony ever, and it was a privilege to travel the distance to participate in the union of two very good friends.  To elaborate, the groom and I have attended school together since...well, since kindergarten when you first attend school.  More so, we were freshmen roomates in college, and I was a "foster roomate" our sophomore year when the two started dating (my actual roomate at the time had a severe snoring affliction and I took up living with friends during the night).  

Yes, in all of the photos, I am quite distinguishable as the person who returned from the Peace Corps to partake in the wedding.  But, hey, what's a wedding without having "that guy" as part of the ceremony, right?  One day, when they procreate, their child will point to me in the pictures and ask "Who is that guy?", and they will say "Well, that's crazy uncle Frank!".  And, believe me, one day I will make a great "crazy uncle Frank".

The night of my return, Minnesota received a nice little snowfall; which is rare at the end of April.  In fact, I think I might have been the only person in the whole state who was happy to see it!  For me, it was quite nostalgic; the only snow I ever see is on the tops of the mountains about 2000 meters (6560 ft) above me.  

In addition to celebrating the lifelong union of two very good friends, I also celebrated my personal reunion with friends, family, and a former life.  Sounding cliché, I know, I find it hard to put words to my sentiments of that time.  I've had innumerable moments down here in which I've longed to speak with, embrace, or pass time with my loved ones.  Most people fail to appreciate how much they depend on their social networks in challenging times.  The Peace Corps can be absolutely congested with such moments.  But you learn to persevere independently; which can make one weary.  I believe that my personal relationships and experiences are beyond enviable; and this is not something I take for granted.  Finally, I was able to see, speak with, and hug the hell out of the people with whom I've have spent nearly a year without.  Please, at my request, be sure to inform the ones you love, that you do in fact love them; there is never an inappropriate time for this.  Even (and especially) when you're living on the top of the world, you should come down and express your gratitude to those who helped you get there.

On much lighter notes, my trip to The States served as a reminder of the oddities to which I have become accustomed.  For example, while in The States, I went to the market (I believe you still refer to those as "grocery stores"), and I happened to notice that those working not only wore gloves and kept the food in refrigeration devices, but that there were also no flies hovering over everything.  I noticed that eggs were white, and they did not have goopy-feathery-slime attached to them.  I noticed that roads were smoothly paved with asphalt and that public transportation was comfortable (in comparison, anyway).  I noticed that everywhere I went people had a clean and functional bathroom (with complimentary toilet paper).  However, the most brilliant thing that I saw all-together was something that I think people in The States take for granted...I saw success, happiness, and diversity.  

That last point really rings true for me.  Daily, I watch and hear as people talk about me and my physical characteristics.  In all honesty, I can't blame them.  For, I am a completely different color, with strange hair and eyes, I stand about a foot taller than most, and yet I can speak their language and am partaking in the same daily routines.  However, I was helping a great friend of mine return his U-Haul truck when we stumbled upon a store full of customers of Asian, Middle Eastern, European, Latin, and African decent.  They were all there, for similar purposes, and not a single one of them commented to one another about how strange the others looked.  It's such diversity that makes the beauty of the World.  To encounter such diversity is why people set forth on travels in the first place.  But, here it lies directly in front of us, and often unappreciated.  Before my most recent experiences, this was something that I failed to find so significant.  However, now, more than ever, I see the beauty that is the distinguishing characteristics of our backgrounds.  America (as it is supposed to be), is the land of the free, diverse, and of opportunity.  We must never let the negative aspects of globalization and the media persuade us otherwise.  To live in such close proximity with incomprehension of our differences is beyond ignorance, it's mere foolishness.  Let's learn from our neighbors.  Afterall, we're all in this together.

Healthy Gringos...Road Trip!

Greetings, greetings, greetings...and just think, in a few days, I will be giving salutations to some of you in person.  However, to relieve myself of some redundant explanations, I'll give you a quick update of what I've been doing around these parts in that last few weeks.

Myself, in collaboration with the other volunteers in my department, have been traveling all over the department conducting a theatrical performance in each of our sites.  And, in between, we even made a stop at some ancient ruins of the per-Inca society

 of Chavin de Huantar.  Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say we're ready for Hollywood, but as far as performances in a foreign language go, I would say we did pretty well!  So well in fact, that we were treated like celebrities...autographs, pictures, and the whole works.

Our little burlesque had a very serious message, but of course, we kept it comical.  In addition to sharing an important  message, this endeavor proved to be an excellent opportunity to visit one another's sites and get to know the people, projects, and area in general.  More so, I found it to be a great bonding experience for all of us.  I still maintain the belief that you can't really know somebody until you have traveled with them.  And, well, I guess I've gotten to know a few people a little better.  Let's just say, that we did more than our fair share of waiting for busses.

The message we were sharing with the people from our communities was gender equality.  Generally speaking, this subject is rather closeted in this area.  So much so, in fact, that most of the people in our communities strictly follow stereotypical gender roles.  Men, for example, are the breadwinners.  They feel obligated to do the "manly" things like work the fields and bring home the bacon, so to speak.  Meanwhile, the women do the cleaning, the child rearing, and often feel restrained in pursuits of their dreams.  In some cases, the matter is so deeply rooted that women haven't even been given the opportunity to learn Spanish and only communicate in Quechua.   In my opinion, this is a tremendous setback in the overall development and well-being of a country and its people.  Therefore, we set off with the mission to educate via satire how men can easily help out around the house, and how females are just as capable as men in both physical and intellectual capacities.  

I won't go into the details of our production, but I will let you know that I played the role of "Huascar", the profound and wise mountain (named after Huascaran, the highest mountain in the area, and the World's highest tropical mountain).  More so, I will apprise that there was a bit of cross-dressing and role reversal conducted by other members of the team.  

Overall, everything went swimmingly.  Most interesting to me were the faces of middle aged men in the audience when we reinforced the fact that they too can cook, clean, and assist with the children; some didn't seem to enthused about that little newsflash.  Nonetheless, the youth definitely got the message.

Oh Peace Corps!  You never cease to send me down previously unexplored personal paths!  I've determined that development work is best conducted when oneself steps outside-of-the-box in order to help others step out of theirs.