So lots has happened since the last time I posted! First of all, a little shout out to the wonderful Lauren, artsy brainiac and technological whiz, who revamped my blog! Thanks, Laur! I literally could not have done that without you…literally.
Besides my new blog design, the big news is my site placement! Yes, I have been in Peru for two months and have only just figured out where I’ll be living for the next two years. So where will all you world travelers be visiting me this Christmas, you ask? The beautiful Bolívar, Cajamarca!
I am actually super lucky because, unlike most volunteers, I got the chance to visit my site during our Field Based Training two weeks ago. That means I’ve seen the town, met the volunteer I’m replacing and my new site mate, and even have some pics on facebook. The picture above shows some students from Bolívar’s only elementary school. If you want to see a couple more, check my facebook album “Field Based Ridiculousness” and I’ve commented on most of the pics of Bolívar.
So here’s the lowdown on Bolívar…
Location: Cajamarca, Peru which is a department in northern Peru. The closest city is actually Chiclayo, the regional capital of Lambayeque, a coastal department northeastern Peru. (Again, you guys might need a map.) By “closest city” I actually mean it’s four hours away in public transportation but possibly as little as 2½ hours in a taxi…Keep in mind, however, that there is a Starbucks in Chiclayo so after a few months of loneliness up in the sierra, that 4 hours may be worth the ride.
Size: Bolívar itself has a population of 550 which is made up of about 100 families. Super small but exactly what I asked for.
Amenities: I will have electricity, plumbing, and running water though it won’t be hot. There is, sadly, no cell service but there’s a community payphone that I can use and there is some kind of semi-reliable internet in town which means we’ll be skypin’ away, I hope!
The Volunteer Situation: I am actually Bolívar’s 4th volunteer (though allegedly communities can’t have more than 3 volunteers ever). The one I’m replacing is named Michael and he used a grant from the US army to build a library…a little intimidating? Yes. Michael just finished in Bolívar but there is also a volunteer named Dave who is building a fish farm and has six more months to finish up his project. So, at least while I’m settling in, I’ll have a site mate around who knows the lay of the land and speaks English and can help me figure out how to bring furniture from the regional capital. All of that I’m pretty excited about.
So that’s that. Bolívar is the place and tomorrow evening I’ll be heading off for a week long site visit to meet my community counterparts, get to know my host family, and start wrapping my mind around 2 years here in Peru. Then we’re back to Chaclacayo for a week of final language interviews, practice community diagnostic presentations, and, at last, our swearing in ceremony. Craziness!!!!!!
And while all that is going on here, be sure that I am wondering about all that’s going on at home too! Ah, to be crammed in the middle of a Penske truck’s front seat with Dad and Laur during the long trek up to Boston! Or to share a six-pack of cold beer with Mom while we sprawl out in the sweltering heat of NYC, putting together Ikea furniture piece by piece! Or, even better, to be chasing the Brennan children around Italy, a pastry in my hand, a latte in Megan’s!
So much amazingness! I know I’m missing plenty so please keep emailing! And posting ridiculous pictures of your daily lives on facebook. Those really make me feel at home and give me a good out loud laugh in my crowded internet café…gotta love the stares you get just for being a gringa!
Well, I love you all so so so much! And am exciting to bring back LOTS of pictures from my site visit. Thanks for reading, everyone!
Much love!!
No comments:
Post a Comment