Happy New Year!! Everyone have their yellow underwear on for good luck? Or is that just a Peruvian thing? The markets switched from red and green garlands to a sea of yellow ribbons, necklaces, glasses, and of course, yellow underwear of every imaginable variety and level of indecency. I settled for a moderate pair, no lace. Hope they bring me luck this year. I certainly am going to need it.
Although life in site has been pretty smooth so far, the first month in Sacsa has still been a real challenge. There is a lot to get adjusted to, most of all the incredibly slow pace of life. The first three months or so are dedicated to getting to know the community, rather than starting any projects, which means I spend a lot of time wandering around aimlessly or sitting on a log outside my house reading a book. This strategy actually works pretty well for starting conversations with the neighbors, since everyone is very curious about the fact that I actually read for FUN. People always ask if I am working, and since I started reading "The Ground Beneath Her Feet," which is thick and hard-covered, several people have asked if they could borrow my Bible.
Christmas was also an interesting experience. There were a few parties in town, but mostly on the days between Christmas and New Year's. On Christmas itself there was a bit of dancing (and a lot of drinking) at the school, and I got my first chance to embarrass myself dancing in front of half the town. Then we ate some paneton, which is like an oversized, super dry muffin studded with red and green candied fruit and raisins. Not my favorite holiday treat, and I have eaten it either for breakfast or dinner or both every day for the past two weeks. Reason #1 I am glad the holidays are over. I am looking forward to moving into my second month in Sacsa without the pressure of the holidays hanging over my head, and hopefully getting started with some little projects to keep me busy. My current initiative involves encouraging my little sisters to brush their teeth. Starting small.
Happy holidays to everyone!
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2 comments:
Hi callie, i just finished reading through your blog. sounds like you're having a great time. i just finished up peace corps in paraguay about a month and a half a go and am now traveling the south america circuit. was wondering if you had any travel suggestions. oh my name's taylor by the way.
well, any help would be apreciated, hope you enjoy yourself out there.
thanks
taylor samuelsen
rpcv paraguay
Hey Taylor- Ancash Peru has a lot of good trekking, but it is the rainy season so not a great time to visit. Iquitos is the must-see jungle site, and although I haven't been yet, a lot of pc Peru volunteers go. I also hear Arequipa in the south of Peru is supposed to be pretty spectacular. You might want to check it out. Enjoy your travels!
Callie
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