Que tal, patas?
I have discovered a restaurant with WI-FI. Not just any restaurant, but a restaurant with a piano bar. And by "piano bar" they mean an old man playing Frank Sinatra's "My Way" on a keyboard. Ahh, I'm home. (In fact, I'm there RIGHT NOW).
Guess what? I only have six more weeks left in Peru. That means this will likely be the penultimate email. Weep, wail... mourn the end. (If you're still reading.)
The news is: I'm finished my holiday and back at work! I'm less excited about it than that exclamation point might suggest. But I'm staying positive because "a positive thought cannot be denied", as I learned from Ali's song & dance therapy group on Living Lohan yesterday. Oh, the lessons to be learned from reality television.
What did YOU guys do on your vacations? The rules are response are these:
1) Respond cryptically!
OR
2) Ignore rule one and just tell me what you did.
I traveled around the southern part of the country, and visited all the places you're supposed to visit. People are the most interesting part about traveling. So here are four of the most interesting characters I ran into:
1) LIMA: ANTI-PERUVIAN PERUVIANS
I often find myself in questionable situations when traveling. This vacation was to be no exception. Spent my first day out of Chiclayo in the home of probably very corrupt congressman and his family in Lima. This congressman was a Fujimori-ist, which is enough to qualify him as a suspicious character. (Fujimori is the ex-president, accused of human rights abuses and corruption, currently serving jail-time. Credited with stamping terrorists groups out of the country, but also with policies of forced sterilization and death squads). How did I end up there? Good question. I kept asking myself that all through our roast chicken lunch. And willing time to pass quickly so I could get the hey out of there. Apart from tirades about all the people responsible for Peru's problems, this congressman was just ripping on North Americans and our addiction to consumption. "North Americans just consume and consume. They hear about a new flatscreen TV and immediately buy it to replace their almost identical one, while we poor Peruvians are struggling to survive, down south." I couldn't argue with him. But when we pulled up to his house (this discussion took place in his office), I was caught totally off guard. Based on his earlier preaching, I was shocked to see that his house was nicer than anything I've ever seen in Canada and that he had his very own giant flat screen TV proudly displayed in the livingroom. Not to mention two SUVs and a motorcycle. Um, "we poor Peruvians"??? Uh-huh...
Which brings me to how I ended up there: his deluded nephew. I'd made the acquaintance of Jean-Phillippe a couple weeks ago, during a weekend trip outside of Chiclayo. J-P was obviously struggling with an identity crisis of his own. Within 3 hours of our trip together, he'd started ranting about the "lazy, drunk Peruvians." This was right after he'd just finished telling me that he was unemployed and had spent the whole weekend drunk. And he may have a French dad, but he was born and raised in Peru. Which in my books, qualifies him as one of those "Peruvians" he seems to resent so much. When he starting joking that Peru needs a Pinochet to get murder all the "bad people" in the country, I decided that I definitely needed to drop him. Because I was on the verge of murdering HIM. What a goon.
So after spending a day with him and his bizarre uncle's family, I peaced out and continued on my own. But it reminded me of one of the trends that I've been noticing. Peruvians are very critical of Peruvians. Over the past few months, I've had several Peruvians tell me that you can't trust Peruvians. What's up with the anti-patriotic language?
2) CUSCO: AMERICAN BIKER
A couple of days into Cusco, I randomly ran into a friend I'd made about two weeks before in a part of the country about 40 hours away. What are the chances? Anyway, he is supercool and I should have written about him before, because I think his journey would interest a lot of people. He's doing a solo motorcycle trip down the Americas; he started in Connecticut, and is en route to the tip of the continent. He didn't even know much about motorcycles before he started; just bought a bike and had a family friend give him a few mechanic lessons. Between this guy, and the McGillians who have/are doing epic bicycle trips across the US, I am inspired. Although I think I need to find my very own (less physically demanding than a bike trip) epic journey. Anyway, it was nice to run into him again and get caught up on his adventures, like recently evading a bribe-asking police officer, which you can read about in his blog, if that's the kind of thing that interests you: jeffs9thsemester.com
3) ALSO CUSCO: TAIWANESE COLLECTIVIST
Cusco is about 80% tourist population, so I got to meet people from lots of different places. I had a really interesting conversation with two Taiwanese people about collective/individualist societies. The girl, Ling Ling, was living and studying in the US. The guy, Massimo, had been traveling on and off for the past 10 years. He said he was ready to go back to "reality" and get a "real, respectable job" where he'd make lots of money, and join the majority, because there is no joy in being different, and what's the point of life if you're not like anyone else? Massimo kept telling Ling-Ling that she was not "Asian" because she embraced individualism, as if it were a terrible thing. It was a very different conversation from the self-righteous and self-congratulatory one that I usually have with backpackers, when we pat each other on the back for choosing life paths less travelled (Not that I've chosen a life path by any means. But, lucky for me, refusal/inability too choose one also wins approved).
Obviously, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be part of the majority; I think everyone finds happiness in community somewhere. And even if we backpackers feign to be independent, the fact that there is an identifiable group called 'backpackers' means that we/they have found community in some common ideals (I'm still unclear on my relationship to the backpacker group, but more so for practical reasons, since I prefer NOT to be constantly moving and I hate living out of a backpack). Anyway, I think most people in Western culture, where we worship individualism, would have some trouble with his position. But it was particularly interesting, coming from someone who had actually separated himself from the majority by dropping out of school and traveling for so long. And who was now making a conscious decision to return and disappear in the fold.
4) TITICACA: ANOTHER DIPPY HIPPIE
Onward to the Isla del Sol, the birthplace of both the sun AND inca culture (pretty big deal). Paradise. Actually, not too different from the Canadian west coast, except the altitude is 4000m and it's on a lake instead of ocean. The clouds were mesmerizing. Took a meditation day for myself, and walked the whole island. To the northern tip, to find more ruins and sacrifice table. Then back, through rolling hills and small villages.
Met another dippy hippie (Chilean this time), who went on and on about the energies of the island and the alien battleship that is sitting in the centre of the Earth. But something about his Grand Journey was amiss.
Diego: "This island is my place, maaaan.... you know.... I just got here and was like, yeah man, I'm home.... so I stayed. And I'm still here. I can't believe I'm stillll here! Seriously man, it's been a real journey. I just know this is where I'm supposed to be right now. It's sooo awesome maaaan, schedules and itinerary don't exist for me. I'm just HERE. You know? And there's nowhere else I have to be."
Amy: "Wow, sounds like you've really found your place. You probably know the island like the back of your hand by now - how long have you been living here?"
Diego: "FIVE DAYS, maaaan! Can you believe it?"
Uh, yes. Of course I can believe it. No offense, DUDE, but there is nothing extraordinary about spending 5 whole days in one place. Unless that place is the moon or maybe some inhospitable desert where you were abandoned with no food or water. Or the Arctic, with no clothes. He later let slip that in only three days, he was heading back to Chile to do some paperwork. Uh, what happened to ZERO itinerary, maaaaan?
Also, after mentioning my love of history, he had some great book recommendations. "There's this incredible book about the history of Jesus, man, you should read it. It details his entire life story."
"Oh yeah? But everything about Jesus is speculative, right...?"
"Yeah, but you know how the Bible just has the very beginning of his life and the very end? This has EVERYTHING."
"WOW. That's quite impressive! What sources does the author use?"
"Oh, he interviewed TONS of people. Lots of sources. People who've talked to angels and stuff, and the angels told them what the real story was. Man, it's awesome."
"Uh-huh?..."
OTHER THINGS I DID ON VACATION
- Discovered that I can understand Portuguese, even though I've never spoken a word of it in my life.
- Visited Machu Picchu at 5am. It was grand! Even if it was foggy and rainy. Especially because it was foggy and rainy.
- Got back to Cusco from Machu Picchu at 11:30pm on Christmas Eve, to crazy street parties and anarchist-style burning of anything/everything. At midnight, safely sipping hot chocolate from my hostel on a hill, I had a panoramic view of thousands of fireworks going off across the whole city. Breath-taking.
- Sandboarding! Yes, just like snowboarding, on in the middle of the desert down giant sand dunes. Most fun to go straight down on your belly.
- New Year's in Arequipa: saw a monkey riding a dog. Ate cow heart on the street (don't judge me! It was an accident!). Stumbled upon a Peruvian cover band playing Pearl Jam and Metallica.
Wow, these emails just get longer and longer, eh? Sorry about that.
As always, I'm looking forward to hear what you've been up to. So write back!
Looking forward to being reunited,
Amy
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Monday, December 15, 2008
What I learned in Mancora
Hello again!
First - all of your responses to my questions were WONDERFUL. Particularly the dream/nightmare ones. I didn't realize how nuts you are. Really. Nuts.
I'm back from my visa-refreshing vacay. It was a much needed break from my 'unhappy place' in Chiclayo. I'd fallen into a depressing funk here and with all the work drama, I needed out. I'd say I met almost as many people in those two weeks than I've met in the entire 3 months in Chiclayo. It was a wonderful learning experience. It's funny - while I'm in Chiclayo, I'm counting down the days to go home. But as soon as I'm out, I'm brainstorming strategies to come back to Latin America - work in a hostel, teach english... there must be a way.
Anyway, I spent my time first in Mancora, Peru, then on to Vilcabamba, Ecuador. I won't spend any time talking about Vilcabamba, because while it was absolutely enjoyable, it was a total tourist experience that's not really worth sharing or reading. A very fun and wonderful place (it's called the Valley of Eternal Youth because people regularly live past 100 years old), but my experience in Mancora has made a much greater impression on me.
Hope you don't mind - this will be a more seriously themed email than usual.
MANCORA
I was totally excited to go to Mancora, a famous surf town on the Northern coast of Peru. I'd heard there were tourists and I was looking forward to finally being able to fully communicate with people. My spanish is pretty great now, thanks to Necessity. But subtleties are lost in translation... and I was looking forward to being able to say exactly what I mean.
However, thanks to being immersed in Peruvian culture for 3 months, I turned into a bit of a weirdo and forgot how to make friends in english. Okay, not entirely true. But for some reason, I felt a lot more comfortable hanging out with locals than the tourists, who I found myself eyeing suspiciously from a distance for a while.
A Colombian named Paola took me under her wing and introduced me to her posse of artisan buddies. She knew the town well because she'd lived there 2 years ago and was just back visiting, to sort some things out with her schizophrenic American baby daddy.
Three reasons why Paolo is one of the most intriguing people I've met in my life:
- Has a child with a 60-year-old schizophrenic American (who I met, and who at one point accused me of being part of a communist conspiracy)
- When you ask her how many children she has, she responds "Three living, one dead." (she's only 29, but looks 22)
- Daughter of an ex-mayor of Medellin, drug-trade-capital of Colombia / infamous Pablo Escobar's turf
Anyway, my most memorable night in Mancora was spent with Paola and three Colombian refugees, who at the moment were settled in Mancora but were obviously nomadic. Peter Pan's lost boys. One was even wearing a single feather earring. I think they were all around 19 years old. We spent the night sitting out on their deck, playing music (uh, me listening) and drinking. At one point, the boys started playing a really beautiful, hopeful Colombian folk song, about what a wonderful life it will be when the war is over. Paola sang. I don't know when it happened, but she just started weeping. The boys didn't say anything, just watched her and played. When she got to the end, she pleaded, "otra vez.. otra vez... " (again... again...). They played the song three times in a row and she wept and sang the whole way through. "It's not true. It never came true," she said at the end. Earlier that day, she'd explained to me that being Colombian means something complicated. For her, it means that when she thinks back on all her childhood friends, she knows that most of them are dead - and the ones who aren't, are the ones who got out of the country and are living abroad. I've met a few Colombians in my life, but none have ever offered so much to me. I truly feel indebted to Paola for that. The whole time I spent with her, she called me "niña" (aka little girl). Normally, if a 29-year-old called me little girl, I think I'd be a bit peeved. But I'm pretty sure Paola has about 45 years of life experience on me, so it didn't bother me.
Through Paola and Carlos, the owner of my hostel, I also met a bunch of the local artisans. They were all really wonderful, good-hearted people, but hanging out with them for just 3 or 4 days allowed me see an ugly side of their town. Mancora survives entirely on tourism. And not cultural tourism like Macchu Piccu attracts, but party tourism. It's always a fiesta in Mancora. Europeans and North Americans come to Mancora, spend every night drinking and smoking, and then go back to their normal, ordered lives. But Mancorians are living in the 'escape'. I think everyone I met was struggling with alcoholism or drug abuse. Although I shouldn't say 'struggling' because they all just accepted it as normal - as part of everyday life. I'd be sitting on the beach, drinking a beer with a friend - and look over, and he'd be shooting up. One time at 10am I asked Carlos if he was drunk. "Of course!" he said with laugh. I'm starting to see that economics really is the driving force of history, of the human experience. Because what's the alternative for a town whose economic survival depends on this kind of activity? Is living in poverty any better?
Anyway, after four days in Mancora - despite meeting some really good-hearted people - I was ready to leave. I don't want to give the impression that it as a totally depressing place - you should visit if you're ever in the area! But these less fun experiences had the greatest impression on me.
OTHER NEWS
Since coming back to Chiclayo, things are looking up. I'm still surviving on the afterglow of happiness from exploring other parts. My boss never came back from his month-long vacation (I think he'll finally be in on Monday), so I've been alone in the office. Which suits me fine.
I've also been in close contact with my Canadian boss and we're discussing a potential research project that I'll be getting started on soon, that I'm SUPER excited about. It's a project that my boss was intending to do himself, before he broke his back and changed his plans about traveling to Peru. But now I get to do it! I'll be interviewing people involved in the "solidarity economy" (aka social economy), a really awesome alternative to neo-liberal globalization. AND, if funding is secured, I may get to FLY to other parts of the country to do some interviews (ahem. first ever 'business' trip.) It's exactly the kind of work I like to do - leaving the office, talking with people, writing... so I'm pretty ecstatic. Not to mention my excitement about the theme. I've read a lot about the solidarity economy, but I found the best explanation in an interview that my boss did with Roberto Lay, a community-organizer in Tarapoto, in the jungle. He's a pretty important guy - some of the documents he wrote testifying to Fujimori's government's involvement in the drug-trade were used by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. And I - me - might get to the jungle to talk with him. Anyway, for those who can read Spanish, I've attached the article. It's an interesting read. I couldn't sleep after reading it, I was so excited. I've also attached a shorter English summary, but it's not quite as great.
Anyway, one more week until CHRISTMAS vacations!! Heading to Cusco then.
Miss you all... HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
First - all of your responses to my questions were WONDERFUL. Particularly the dream/nightmare ones. I didn't realize how nuts you are. Really. Nuts.
I'm back from my visa-refreshing vacay. It was a much needed break from my 'unhappy place' in Chiclayo. I'd fallen into a depressing funk here and with all the work drama, I needed out. I'd say I met almost as many people in those two weeks than I've met in the entire 3 months in Chiclayo. It was a wonderful learning experience. It's funny - while I'm in Chiclayo, I'm counting down the days to go home. But as soon as I'm out, I'm brainstorming strategies to come back to Latin America - work in a hostel, teach english... there must be a way.
Anyway, I spent my time first in Mancora, Peru, then on to Vilcabamba, Ecuador. I won't spend any time talking about Vilcabamba, because while it was absolutely enjoyable, it was a total tourist experience that's not really worth sharing or reading. A very fun and wonderful place (it's called the Valley of Eternal Youth because people regularly live past 100 years old), but my experience in Mancora has made a much greater impression on me.
Hope you don't mind - this will be a more seriously themed email than usual.
MANCORA
I was totally excited to go to Mancora, a famous surf town on the Northern coast of Peru. I'd heard there were tourists and I was looking forward to finally being able to fully communicate with people. My spanish is pretty great now, thanks to Necessity. But subtleties are lost in translation... and I was looking forward to being able to say exactly what I mean.
However, thanks to being immersed in Peruvian culture for 3 months, I turned into a bit of a weirdo and forgot how to make friends in english. Okay, not entirely true. But for some reason, I felt a lot more comfortable hanging out with locals than the tourists, who I found myself eyeing suspiciously from a distance for a while.
A Colombian named Paola took me under her wing and introduced me to her posse of artisan buddies. She knew the town well because she'd lived there 2 years ago and was just back visiting, to sort some things out with her schizophrenic American baby daddy.
Three reasons why Paolo is one of the most intriguing people I've met in my life:
- Has a child with a 60-year-old schizophrenic American (who I met, and who at one point accused me of being part of a communist conspiracy)
- When you ask her how many children she has, she responds "Three living, one dead." (she's only 29, but looks 22)
- Daughter of an ex-mayor of Medellin, drug-trade-capital of Colombia / infamous Pablo Escobar's turf
Anyway, my most memorable night in Mancora was spent with Paola and three Colombian refugees, who at the moment were settled in Mancora but were obviously nomadic. Peter Pan's lost boys. One was even wearing a single feather earring. I think they were all around 19 years old. We spent the night sitting out on their deck, playing music (uh, me listening) and drinking. At one point, the boys started playing a really beautiful, hopeful Colombian folk song, about what a wonderful life it will be when the war is over. Paola sang. I don't know when it happened, but she just started weeping. The boys didn't say anything, just watched her and played. When she got to the end, she pleaded, "otra vez.. otra vez... " (again... again...). They played the song three times in a row and she wept and sang the whole way through. "It's not true. It never came true," she said at the end. Earlier that day, she'd explained to me that being Colombian means something complicated. For her, it means that when she thinks back on all her childhood friends, she knows that most of them are dead - and the ones who aren't, are the ones who got out of the country and are living abroad. I've met a few Colombians in my life, but none have ever offered so much to me. I truly feel indebted to Paola for that. The whole time I spent with her, she called me "niña" (aka little girl). Normally, if a 29-year-old called me little girl, I think I'd be a bit peeved. But I'm pretty sure Paola has about 45 years of life experience on me, so it didn't bother me.
Through Paola and Carlos, the owner of my hostel, I also met a bunch of the local artisans. They were all really wonderful, good-hearted people, but hanging out with them for just 3 or 4 days allowed me see an ugly side of their town. Mancora survives entirely on tourism. And not cultural tourism like Macchu Piccu attracts, but party tourism. It's always a fiesta in Mancora. Europeans and North Americans come to Mancora, spend every night drinking and smoking, and then go back to their normal, ordered lives. But Mancorians are living in the 'escape'. I think everyone I met was struggling with alcoholism or drug abuse. Although I shouldn't say 'struggling' because they all just accepted it as normal - as part of everyday life. I'd be sitting on the beach, drinking a beer with a friend - and look over, and he'd be shooting up. One time at 10am I asked Carlos if he was drunk. "Of course!" he said with laugh. I'm starting to see that economics really is the driving force of history, of the human experience. Because what's the alternative for a town whose economic survival depends on this kind of activity? Is living in poverty any better?
Anyway, after four days in Mancora - despite meeting some really good-hearted people - I was ready to leave. I don't want to give the impression that it as a totally depressing place - you should visit if you're ever in the area! But these less fun experiences had the greatest impression on me.
OTHER NEWS
Since coming back to Chiclayo, things are looking up. I'm still surviving on the afterglow of happiness from exploring other parts. My boss never came back from his month-long vacation (I think he'll finally be in on Monday), so I've been alone in the office. Which suits me fine.
I've also been in close contact with my Canadian boss and we're discussing a potential research project that I'll be getting started on soon, that I'm SUPER excited about. It's a project that my boss was intending to do himself, before he broke his back and changed his plans about traveling to Peru. But now I get to do it! I'll be interviewing people involved in the "solidarity economy" (aka social economy), a really awesome alternative to neo-liberal globalization. AND, if funding is secured, I may get to FLY to other parts of the country to do some interviews (ahem. first ever 'business' trip.) It's exactly the kind of work I like to do - leaving the office, talking with people, writing... so I'm pretty ecstatic. Not to mention my excitement about the theme. I've read a lot about the solidarity economy, but I found the best explanation in an interview that my boss did with Roberto Lay, a community-organizer in Tarapoto, in the jungle. He's a pretty important guy - some of the documents he wrote testifying to Fujimori's government's involvement in the drug-trade were used by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. And I - me - might get to the jungle to talk with him. Anyway, for those who can read Spanish, I've attached the article. It's an interesting read. I couldn't sleep after reading it, I was so excited. I've also attached a shorter English summary, but it's not quite as great.
Anyway, one more week until CHRISTMAS vacations!! Heading to Cusco then.
Miss you all... HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Juicy Gossip
You have been selected to receive the fun email. Some people, like my parents and Aunt Harriet did not make the cut. But I finally have some juicy gossip worth sharing, that I think is more fun than reading about exercise-avoiding Peruvians. This is dedicated to Katherine, who asked for it.
Unfortunately, there has been no action in Chiclayo (thus the lack of earlier juicy gossip emails). Everyone is short and chubby and, I don´t know, I just don´t really feel like making out with them. Instead, I spend most of my time with my best friend William. But to avoid any awkward ¨i´m not interested in you´´ convo, I made up a Canadian boyfriend, so he´d keep his distance. For the most part, it worked pretty well. Until recently. Just before leaving Chiclayo he sent me a text message of an shocking variety. He speaks no english, but wrote: ´´you are special woman. sabia que nunca lo iba a decir, pero te quiero mucho. bye.´´ That spanish part translates to something like ´´i could never say it, but i really like/love you.´´ Geez louise, William. So... fun gossip, but now I need to find a new best friend I think.
So after being lonely in Chiclayo for so long, I was ready to go crazy on vacation! Which made for more hilarity. First of all, I was looking sooo forward to seeing other foreigners and speaking english again. But I think I turned into a total weirdo after being only with Peruvians for so long, because I forgot how to make friends in english and pretty much only hung out with the local artesans in this surftown called Mancora on the way to Ecuador. One was this crazy hippie (shirtless, shoeless, dredful) who I consider to be literally crazy. He kept talking about his past lives as a samurai, gladiator, inca, blah blah. Also fun topics: his special powers, UFOs, and messages in the stars. So obviously I asked him what colour my aura was. He said he could see it if we did a reiki session (wikipedia explanation here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reiki ) . So he starts with the reiki (which actually might not be the bullshit I assumed it was; it felt like there was some kind of magnetic force cursing through my body), which turns into making out. And when I was like, ´´yeah okay that´s enough´´ (because MOing with crazies doesn´t really do it for me either), he got really upset because I ´´stole his energy.´´ Then he acts all exhausted/drained the rest of the night. I´m not even making this up. What a lunatic. AND I still don´t know what colour my aura is.
Unfortunately, I have to go back to my ´´unhappy place´´ tomorrow. Chiclayo can continue feasting on my soul. But only for a short time because then I get Christmas vacations and will get to do some travelling again! Which hopefully means more silly encounters like this one.
Peace and love,
Amy
Unfortunately, there has been no action in Chiclayo (thus the lack of earlier juicy gossip emails). Everyone is short and chubby and, I don´t know, I just don´t really feel like making out with them. Instead, I spend most of my time with my best friend William. But to avoid any awkward ¨i´m not interested in you´´ convo, I made up a Canadian boyfriend, so he´d keep his distance. For the most part, it worked pretty well. Until recently. Just before leaving Chiclayo he sent me a text message of an shocking variety. He speaks no english, but wrote: ´´you are special woman. sabia que nunca lo iba a decir, pero te quiero mucho. bye.´´ That spanish part translates to something like ´´i could never say it, but i really like/love you.´´ Geez louise, William. So... fun gossip, but now I need to find a new best friend I think.
So after being lonely in Chiclayo for so long, I was ready to go crazy on vacation! Which made for more hilarity. First of all, I was looking sooo forward to seeing other foreigners and speaking english again. But I think I turned into a total weirdo after being only with Peruvians for so long, because I forgot how to make friends in english and pretty much only hung out with the local artesans in this surftown called Mancora on the way to Ecuador. One was this crazy hippie (shirtless, shoeless, dredful) who I consider to be literally crazy. He kept talking about his past lives as a samurai, gladiator, inca, blah blah. Also fun topics: his special powers, UFOs, and messages in the stars. So obviously I asked him what colour my aura was. He said he could see it if we did a reiki session (wikipedia explanation here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reiki ) . So he starts with the reiki (which actually might not be the bullshit I assumed it was; it felt like there was some kind of magnetic force cursing through my body), which turns into making out. And when I was like, ´´yeah okay that´s enough´´ (because MOing with crazies doesn´t really do it for me either), he got really upset because I ´´stole his energy.´´ Then he acts all exhausted/drained the rest of the night. I´m not even making this up. What a lunatic. AND I still don´t know what colour my aura is.
Unfortunately, I have to go back to my ´´unhappy place´´ tomorrow. Chiclayo can continue feasting on my soul. But only for a short time because then I get Christmas vacations and will get to do some travelling again! Which hopefully means more silly encounters like this one.
Peace and love,
Amy
Struggling
Hello, you.
Writing these emails has been a great time-killer for me. At this time, I'm sure many of you are looking for distractions from midterms or work. Or you maybe you're just bored. So I'd like to return the favour. Please feel free to kill your own time by answering any/all of the following questions:
1) If you could elect anyone (excluding yourself) as LEADER OF THE WORLD, who would you choose?
2) What happened in your most memorable dream/nightmare?
3) You open your front door to find a baby in a basket. What do you secretly name it before bringing it to Child Services?
4) What has been humankind's greatest achievement?
5) Hit me with some gossip. Preferably about yourself, but not necessarily.
Now, back to MY therapy:
I'm still kickin' it in Peru. Ridiculous things still happen every day.
- Went to a Peruvian rock concert. Was very excited about finally seeing some live music in a town that generally does not support the arts in any form. Regretted my decision about 1 hour into it. Would have to wait 9 more hours, squished up against strangers and unable to move my legs or eat or go to the bathroom. While listening to Peruvian rock.
- Moved into a new apartment. Which is glorious. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and dining room/ living room all for the very reasonable price of $200/month.
- Almost got trapped into living with Carmen (the one who asked me to make her lunch every day). Before moving into the new place, my boss was asking me how I felt about it. I said I was really looking forward to it - I've never had my own apartment before. He looked shocked (and a bit afraid). I explained that I'd always lived with friends in the past. "Carmencita! You have to move in with Amy!" Carmen suddenly got this look on her face like, "...YES!" Luckily this time, I vetoed right away and said that I was really looking forward to living alone.
- Moved into my new apartment only to learn that I wasn't allowed to plug in the fridge because it uses too much energy and we share the energy bills. Spent a week or two awkwardly wrapping cold clothes around my milk and storing them in cool corners of teh cupboard. Bought a secondhand mini-fridge.
- Had an party to inaugurate my new digs. Cooked some "Canadian" food. Chocolate banana bread blew their minds.
- English names are surprisingly popular here. I'd say they're almost more common than Spanish names. I run met several people with the names Jhonnys (their spelling mistake, not mine), Gladys, Ruth, Shirley, William (not Guillermo), Edward (not Eduardo), and Aaron. Inexplicably, the most popular name of all? Percy.
- Remember when I told you about how Renato so slyly retracted his request to share the office by using the old "4th floor no good" excuse? I don't know about you guys, but I thought it was a total load of bologna. Turns out, I was too quick to call him a liar; I seem to have encountered a true cultural difference here. A few weeks ago, I accompanied my Peruvian family (who I lived with the first month) on a trip to Huaraz. Huaraz is GREAT. It's an outdoor wonderland. Despite all the opportunities for physical activity, my family was having none of it. We arrived at the hostel that Roger, my Peruvian Dad had in mind. We started climbing the stairs to check out the rooms and had gone one and a half flights. "Hold on. What floor are these rooms on???" "The 4th floor, sir." "What??? That's too high." So we went back down the stairs, got in a cab, and visited two more hostels before settling on one that pleased him. I asked Elena (Peruvian sister) what the deal was. She was just like, "oh, too many stairs to climb," as if it was totally logical. What the hey? Also, anytime we have to go somewhere 5 blocks away from work, there is no question that we take a cab. So be prepared - I´ll have extra padding when I come home.
- Have been dealing with some ridiculous office drama. Won´t get into the details now, but I have become very aware of the acute need for human resources in the NGO world. Since starting, 2/4 of the people I work with have quit. There have been email wars back and forth between my boss and coworkers where they use sentences ending in this many question marks: ??????????????????? Obviously sent in mass email form, so I get the gossip. Needless to say, it is a very unpleasant work environment and I´m counting the days until I get to peace out of there.
- Made friends with some artists and went to the opening of the FIRST EVER art gallery in Chiclayo. Even though Chiclayo is not my ´´happy place´´, it´s a pretty exciting time to be here from a development point of view. As a really young urban centre, development has been almost entirely concentrated in commerce (aka boring). We´re at a point now where all levels of business formalization co-exist. Within a three block radius are independent farmers selling their fruit on the street, indoor markets where you can buy pirated dvds from rented booths, and a huge outdoor market where you can get everything from fresh fish to haircuts. Within the last 10 years, more expensive formal businesses began filling the streets, like bakeries and clothing stories. And only 3 years ago came the supermarkets, malls, and Walmart-esque superstores. There is even a Starbucks opening the mall soon. Wonder how much longer the street vending farmer will be able to survive... (but that´s where my disfunctional NGO comes in!) Anyway, arts/culture have been completely neglected, despite the area´s rich history. So this art gallery opening is a huge deal, and from my point of view, marks Chiclayo´s entry into a new stage of growth. Maybe in 5 years Chiclayo will be a fun place to live!
Anyway, I have been totally negligent in writing group emails (partly because of the work drama, partly from spending a lot of time outside of the office, and partly from new office rules that prohibit anyone from being in the office during non-work hours, including lunch when I would normally right. So internet access has been diminished). But I am now at the half-way mark of my stay here and have many many more things to tell you! For example, at the moment I´m in Ecuador! My visa expired in Peru so I had to leave the country and get to do some tourism for a week. Much more has happened in this week that my entire stay in Chiclayo so I think that may call for another email next week. I promise the next one will be better; I´m at an expensive internet cafe right now and there´s no time for editing.
Love and kisses,
Amy
PS: In the meantime, enjoy this totally illogical list of items that you are prohibited from mailing to Peru:
Prohibited Items
In addition to items considered non-mailable matter by the Canada Post Corporation Act & Regulations (see chapter "Non-mailable Matter"), the following are prohibited:
Absinthe or similar beverages
Baby-feeders with tubes
Banknotes, coins, jewels, securities and other valuables
Bees
Calendars
Camping goods
Cartographic or geographic items misrepresenting Peru and its borders
Ceramic products
Contraceptives
Drinks manufactured under the brand name "Pisco"
Firearms
Flowers, artificial, and interior ornaments
Foodstuffs
Furs and fur clothing
Household articles of iron, steel, copper or aluminium
Leeches
Linen, household
Office supplies
Organochlorinated pesticides, their derivatives and components
Parasites and destroyers of noxious insects
Pesticides
Perfumery, soaps, cosmetics
Pyrotechnic products
Pictorial novels and short stories featuring violence
Plants or parts of plants
Playing cards
Publications of a seditious nature
Salt
Silkworms
Sound recordings and products
Stationery
Tobacco products
Toys known as "Yoyo Loco" or Yoyo Chino"
Travel articles
Used clothing and shoes
Used tires
Wooden utensils.
Writing these emails has been a great time-killer for me. At this time, I'm sure many of you are looking for distractions from midterms or work. Or you maybe you're just bored. So I'd like to return the favour. Please feel free to kill your own time by answering any/all of the following questions:
1) If you could elect anyone (excluding yourself) as LEADER OF THE WORLD, who would you choose?
2) What happened in your most memorable dream/nightmare?
3) You open your front door to find a baby in a basket. What do you secretly name it before bringing it to Child Services?
4) What has been humankind's greatest achievement?
5) Hit me with some gossip. Preferably about yourself, but not necessarily.
Now, back to MY therapy:
I'm still kickin' it in Peru. Ridiculous things still happen every day.
- Went to a Peruvian rock concert. Was very excited about finally seeing some live music in a town that generally does not support the arts in any form. Regretted my decision about 1 hour into it. Would have to wait 9 more hours, squished up against strangers and unable to move my legs or eat or go to the bathroom. While listening to Peruvian rock.
- Moved into a new apartment. Which is glorious. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and dining room/ living room all for the very reasonable price of $200/month.
- Almost got trapped into living with Carmen (the one who asked me to make her lunch every day). Before moving into the new place, my boss was asking me how I felt about it. I said I was really looking forward to it - I've never had my own apartment before. He looked shocked (and a bit afraid). I explained that I'd always lived with friends in the past. "Carmencita! You have to move in with Amy!" Carmen suddenly got this look on her face like, "...YES!" Luckily this time, I vetoed right away and said that I was really looking forward to living alone.
- Moved into my new apartment only to learn that I wasn't allowed to plug in the fridge because it uses too much energy and we share the energy bills. Spent a week or two awkwardly wrapping cold clothes around my milk and storing them in cool corners of teh cupboard. Bought a secondhand mini-fridge.
- Had an party to inaugurate my new digs. Cooked some "Canadian" food. Chocolate banana bread blew their minds.
- English names are surprisingly popular here. I'd say they're almost more common than Spanish names. I run met several people with the names Jhonnys (their spelling mistake, not mine), Gladys, Ruth, Shirley, William (not Guillermo), Edward (not Eduardo), and Aaron. Inexplicably, the most popular name of all? Percy.
- Remember when I told you about how Renato so slyly retracted his request to share the office by using the old "4th floor no good" excuse? I don't know about you guys, but I thought it was a total load of bologna. Turns out, I was too quick to call him a liar; I seem to have encountered a true cultural difference here. A few weeks ago, I accompanied my Peruvian family (who I lived with the first month) on a trip to Huaraz. Huaraz is GREAT. It's an outdoor wonderland. Despite all the opportunities for physical activity, my family was having none of it. We arrived at the hostel that Roger, my Peruvian Dad had in mind. We started climbing the stairs to check out the rooms and had gone one and a half flights. "Hold on. What floor are these rooms on???" "The 4th floor, sir." "What??? That's too high." So we went back down the stairs, got in a cab, and visited two more hostels before settling on one that pleased him. I asked Elena (Peruvian sister) what the deal was. She was just like, "oh, too many stairs to climb," as if it was totally logical. What the hey? Also, anytime we have to go somewhere 5 blocks away from work, there is no question that we take a cab. So be prepared - I´ll have extra padding when I come home.
- Have been dealing with some ridiculous office drama. Won´t get into the details now, but I have become very aware of the acute need for human resources in the NGO world. Since starting, 2/4 of the people I work with have quit. There have been email wars back and forth between my boss and coworkers where they use sentences ending in this many question marks: ??????????????????? Obviously sent in mass email form, so I get the gossip. Needless to say, it is a very unpleasant work environment and I´m counting the days until I get to peace out of there.
- Made friends with some artists and went to the opening of the FIRST EVER art gallery in Chiclayo. Even though Chiclayo is not my ´´happy place´´, it´s a pretty exciting time to be here from a development point of view. As a really young urban centre, development has been almost entirely concentrated in commerce (aka boring). We´re at a point now where all levels of business formalization co-exist. Within a three block radius are independent farmers selling their fruit on the street, indoor markets where you can buy pirated dvds from rented booths, and a huge outdoor market where you can get everything from fresh fish to haircuts. Within the last 10 years, more expensive formal businesses began filling the streets, like bakeries and clothing stories. And only 3 years ago came the supermarkets, malls, and Walmart-esque superstores. There is even a Starbucks opening the mall soon. Wonder how much longer the street vending farmer will be able to survive... (but that´s where my disfunctional NGO comes in!) Anyway, arts/culture have been completely neglected, despite the area´s rich history. So this art gallery opening is a huge deal, and from my point of view, marks Chiclayo´s entry into a new stage of growth. Maybe in 5 years Chiclayo will be a fun place to live!
Anyway, I have been totally negligent in writing group emails (partly because of the work drama, partly from spending a lot of time outside of the office, and partly from new office rules that prohibit anyone from being in the office during non-work hours, including lunch when I would normally right. So internet access has been diminished). But I am now at the half-way mark of my stay here and have many many more things to tell you! For example, at the moment I´m in Ecuador! My visa expired in Peru so I had to leave the country and get to do some tourism for a week. Much more has happened in this week that my entire stay in Chiclayo so I think that may call for another email next week. I promise the next one will be better; I´m at an expensive internet cafe right now and there´s no time for editing.
Love and kisses,
Amy
PS: In the meantime, enjoy this totally illogical list of items that you are prohibited from mailing to Peru:
Prohibited Items
In addition to items considered non-mailable matter by the Canada Post Corporation Act & Regulations (see chapter "Non-mailable Matter"), the following are prohibited:
Absinthe or similar beverages
Baby-feeders with tubes
Banknotes, coins, jewels, securities and other valuables
Bees
Calendars
Camping goods
Cartographic or geographic items misrepresenting Peru and its borders
Ceramic products
Contraceptives
Drinks manufactured under the brand name "Pisco"
Firearms
Flowers, artificial, and interior ornaments
Foodstuffs
Furs and fur clothing
Household articles of iron, steel, copper or aluminium
Leeches
Linen, household
Office supplies
Organochlorinated pesticides, their derivatives and components
Parasites and destroyers of noxious insects
Pesticides
Perfumery, soaps, cosmetics
Pyrotechnic products
Pictorial novels and short stories featuring violence
Plants or parts of plants
Playing cards
Publications of a seditious nature
Salt
Silkworms
Sound recordings and products
Stationery
Tobacco products
Toys known as "Yoyo Loco" or Yoyo Chino"
Travel articles
Used clothing and shoes
Used tires
Wooden utensils.
Peru Shenanigans
Hola amigos!
I've been in Peru for almost a month now. It's had it's ups and downs. As per usual, I opt for list-format:
MAIN CHARACTERS
Renato - boss
Carmen - Renato's asst - second-in-command
Pilar - housemate/co-worker
DOWNS
- I'm living in the Hamilton, ON of Peru. Between my house and work is a short, dusty highway littered with factories, unfinished and degenerate buildings, vultures, and ...litter.
- My spanish sucks. I sound like Tarzan a lot of the time.
- It's hard to make friends when you sound like Tarzan.
- I have nothing to do at work, despite offering several proposals for potential projects.
- Between the underdeveloped social life and being idle at work - I'm going crazy.
UP:
- I can still recognize the hilarity of my situation.
FUNNY STORIES
1. Work-related:
a) A week after my arrival, the four people at my office presented me with a "Welcome Workshop". Apart from the expected introduction to their roles/responsibilities and the mandate of the organization, we were each required to share our happiest and saddest experiences in life, our hopes and fears, and then go around and decide who has the prettiest smile/hair, etc. Somehow I don't think this would fly in Canada. Oh well, I won prettiest eyes!
b) [Context: I've been living with Pilar and her family. But I'm moving to my own apartment this week, as I'd always planned. My co-workers are very impressed with my inclination toward independence. Also: COPEME's office is one tiny room (2 desks for 5 people) that they rent from one of their member NGOs (IDESI).]
One day, Renato brought up a great idea. "COPEME needs to follow Amy's example, and become more independent! We need more office space, and we need to end our dependence on IDESI. So Amy, how about this: we will move the office into your new apartment, and then you'll only have to pay half the rent! What do you think?!" I was so shocked that he would even suggest moving the office into my apartment, that I was like, "uh...great idea?" Uh-oh. Later, Pilar brought it up with me so I shared my doubts and told her that I wanted to re-open the discussion with Renato. But I think she did my dirty work for me and told Renato. The next day, Renato opened the discussion: "Amy. We changed our mind. Your apartment is on the fourth floor - that's too high. We prefer second floor office space. So nevermind, we don't want your apartment." Problem solved.
c) A couple days ago, Carmen presented me with a proposal: she wants to pay me to make lunch for her everyday. Even though she can buy a two course meal and fresh juice down the street for $1.50. Huh?? I told her I don't cook at lunch, but if she really wants, she can try eating my sandwiches for a week and see if she wants to keep going. I don't think she'll like it. I'm just going to make PB & J sandwiches ALL WEEK LONG.
2) Went to a business fair at the university with some beekeepers one day. A student gave me a book of poetry he'd written, entitled "Lagrimas Rotas" - translates to "Broken Tears". Emo kids are taking over the world.
3) Found out what propoleo is (a mystery apiculture product - marketed by beekeepers). Comes in a eyedropper bottle and apparently treats anorexia, anemia, diabetes, herpes, and MORE! Still mysterious. I'm taking orders - $3 per bottle.
4) Accidentally ate either cow udder or tongue. Either way... GROSS!
5) Ate honey straight from the comb. Delicious. Still have yet to try the mangos.
6) On tuesday I'm going to facilitate a Business Game for Renato's Administration students at the university. Look at me! I have a history degree and I'm helping teach a business class! And half the kids are older than me! So backwards. I also have BUSINESS CARDS. They look very professional and say I'm an "Asesor en D.E.L." - aka - "Community Economic Development (CED) Assessor". LIES! LIES!
7) People hear have oddly varied taste in American(/Canadian) music. Bryan Adams is HUGE. I met someone who went to a Whitesnake concert. Carmen doesn't speak english, but knows all the words to "Beautiful" by James Blunt (can't even escape JB in Peru).
8) About 3 groups of adolescents per day will shout "Hello!" to me, then laugh hysterically because they made a funny. Isn't english hilarious?
FAVOURITE ANECDOTE: Went out dancing with Pilar and some of her friends to the discoteca one night. I was trying to figure out the group dynamic, and decided that Lucy and Mario were dating, because they were holding hands all the time and dancing very closely (some might call it 'dirty'), and at one point, Lucy was running her fingers through Mario's hair WHILE they were dancing. Definitely seemed like lovers. But then Lucy got equally touchy with their other friend, Nayo. Hmm... That mixed things up. THEN I found out that all three are COUSINS! For real.
Peruvians are weird.
What have you been up to? Do tell! I have lots of time to read emails at work. When I get to use one of the desks.
Much love,
Amy
I've been in Peru for almost a month now. It's had it's ups and downs. As per usual, I opt for list-format:
MAIN CHARACTERS
Renato - boss
Carmen - Renato's asst - second-in-command
Pilar - housemate/co-worker
DOWNS
- I'm living in the Hamilton, ON of Peru. Between my house and work is a short, dusty highway littered with factories, unfinished and degenerate buildings, vultures, and ...litter.
- My spanish sucks. I sound like Tarzan a lot of the time.
- It's hard to make friends when you sound like Tarzan.
- I have nothing to do at work, despite offering several proposals for potential projects.
- Between the underdeveloped social life and being idle at work - I'm going crazy.
UP:
- I can still recognize the hilarity of my situation.
FUNNY STORIES
1. Work-related:
a) A week after my arrival, the four people at my office presented me with a "Welcome Workshop". Apart from the expected introduction to their roles/responsibilities and the mandate of the organization, we were each required to share our happiest and saddest experiences in life, our hopes and fears, and then go around and decide who has the prettiest smile/hair, etc. Somehow I don't think this would fly in Canada. Oh well, I won prettiest eyes!
b) [Context: I've been living with Pilar and her family. But I'm moving to my own apartment this week, as I'd always planned. My co-workers are very impressed with my inclination toward independence. Also: COPEME's office is one tiny room (2 desks for 5 people) that they rent from one of their member NGOs (IDESI).]
One day, Renato brought up a great idea. "COPEME needs to follow Amy's example, and become more independent! We need more office space, and we need to end our dependence on IDESI. So Amy, how about this: we will move the office into your new apartment, and then you'll only have to pay half the rent! What do you think?!" I was so shocked that he would even suggest moving the office into my apartment, that I was like, "uh...great idea?" Uh-oh. Later, Pilar brought it up with me so I shared my doubts and told her that I wanted to re-open the discussion with Renato. But I think she did my dirty work for me and told Renato. The next day, Renato opened the discussion: "Amy. We changed our mind. Your apartment is on the fourth floor - that's too high. We prefer second floor office space. So nevermind, we don't want your apartment." Problem solved.
c) A couple days ago, Carmen presented me with a proposal: she wants to pay me to make lunch for her everyday. Even though she can buy a two course meal and fresh juice down the street for $1.50. Huh?? I told her I don't cook at lunch, but if she really wants, she can try eating my sandwiches for a week and see if she wants to keep going. I don't think she'll like it. I'm just going to make PB & J sandwiches ALL WEEK LONG.
2) Went to a business fair at the university with some beekeepers one day. A student gave me a book of poetry he'd written, entitled "Lagrimas Rotas" - translates to "Broken Tears". Emo kids are taking over the world.
3) Found out what propoleo is (a mystery apiculture product - marketed by beekeepers). Comes in a eyedropper bottle and apparently treats anorexia, anemia, diabetes, herpes, and MORE! Still mysterious. I'm taking orders - $3 per bottle.
4) Accidentally ate either cow udder or tongue. Either way... GROSS!
5) Ate honey straight from the comb. Delicious. Still have yet to try the mangos.
6) On tuesday I'm going to facilitate a Business Game for Renato's Administration students at the university. Look at me! I have a history degree and I'm helping teach a business class! And half the kids are older than me! So backwards. I also have BUSINESS CARDS. They look very professional and say I'm an "Asesor en D.E.L." - aka - "Community Economic Development (CED) Assessor". LIES! LIES!
7) People hear have oddly varied taste in American(/Canadian) music. Bryan Adams is HUGE. I met someone who went to a Whitesnake concert. Carmen doesn't speak english, but knows all the words to "Beautiful" by James Blunt (can't even escape JB in Peru).
8) About 3 groups of adolescents per day will shout "Hello!" to me, then laugh hysterically because they made a funny. Isn't english hilarious?
FAVOURITE ANECDOTE: Went out dancing with Pilar and some of her friends to the discoteca one night. I was trying to figure out the group dynamic, and decided that Lucy and Mario were dating, because they were holding hands all the time and dancing very closely (some might call it 'dirty'), and at one point, Lucy was running her fingers through Mario's hair WHILE they were dancing. Definitely seemed like lovers. But then Lucy got equally touchy with their other friend, Nayo. Hmm... That mixed things up. THEN I found out that all three are COUSINS! For real.
Peruvians are weird.
What have you been up to? Do tell! I have lots of time to read emails at work. When I get to use one of the desks.
Much love,
Amy
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Arrival in Peru
Dear goobers,
Time for another concise update from yours truly. But...
Business first. I realize mass emails can be less than appealing and you may want to be removed from my list of friends. I totally understand. So, could those of you who DO want to keep receiving updates / stay in contact, please respond to this email in some way. No need write anything long/special. You could just hit reply and say "keep me!" or "I want to stay friends!" or "let me keep creeping!" Those who don't respond will be eliminated from my friend list FOREVER. No hard feelings, we'll reconnect some day, some how. Now, onward!
So, quick recap: I got a CIDA internship working with the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) in Victoria and with COPEME (too long to spell out) in Peru. The training with the Canadian org lasted six weeks, and I just finished there. Now I've finally arrived in Peru and will be here for 6 months (there'll be an option to renew/continue for another 6 months to a year, but let's just wait and see if Peru is all it's cracked up to be before making any drastic decisions).
Highlights from the magical land of Victopia, where everyone is wholesome/healthy/happy/kind:
- Sat next to a weepy girl on the plane. Did not ask what was the matter.
- Stood next to a worried old man while he yelled cautionary "wait! what are you doing?!"s at his lady-friend, as she J-walked across a street with zero cars in sight. "She's an independent lady!" he boasted to me.
- Settled in to my new home in a UVic cluster house.
- Learned that it's uncool to say I'm living in a cluster house. You have to say "I'm living in cluster" or else you're a big loser. Learned this a few days before leaving, after living in a cluster house for 5 weeks. Am thoroughly embarrassed.
- Played with about 2700 bunnies.
- Got an extra immunization (Yellow Fever), even though I don't need it. Internship budget = free immunity!
- Visited the enchanted island of Galiano TWICE. Galiano sub-category:
- Witnessed bioluminescence for myself. Yes, it's real.
- Made tie-dye.
- Went swimming in the ocean and got attacked by a crab.
- Went to a training sesh in Vancouver, hosted by CIDA. Stayed in a palace of a hotel room, by myself: one room with two beds and a tv, another room with two couches, a desk, mini kitchen area, and ANOTHER tv. Had a bath.
- Feasted at Patricia's house on french toast with ice cream, berries, and maple syrup. Breakfast of champions.
- Chatted with a Christian youth minister who was scandalized by "Oprah's pretend religion." She bought me ice cream. Did not tell her that I am seriously considering joining the Church of Oprah.
- Floated down the Cowichan River in a floaty pool toy. While waiting to be picked up after several hours of tubing, guessed the EXACT time, to the minute. 6:13pm. Felt like a champ.
- Nearly burned down my cluster house trying to boil water. My pot melted in several spots. Became an avid believer in stainless steel over non-stick kitchenware.
So those are some of the highlights of my Victoria experience. Other than that stuff, work was great, but probably boring to talk about here. My main project was developing a report on community economic development (CED) activity in the province, which will be published this Fall. So I got to talk to some neato peeps on the phone with really innovative, alternative ideas about economic development. I've decided that I will move back there sometime, after Peru. I think Victoria suits me.
Still don't know too much about the Peru job, even though I started work today. And I am at work right now... clearly working hard. Here's what I do know:
- I work in Chiclayo, a city "better known as a commercial and banking centre than for its culture," according to a guidebook. Hmm.
- I live in Lambayeque, a mini-Chiclayo about 12k away. I live with one of the the three people with whom I work.
- I am the only english speaker for miles and miles. Spanish fluency: here I come!
- I THINK my job is to facilitate in workshops for mangos, beekeepers, and artisans (ie the micro-entrepreneurs) to help them become more productive/competitive. And also convene conferences to get local leaders involved in supporting CED. Won't know until I actually start doing stuff other than reading.
- There is good surfing near Chiclayo. New hobby!
- New ambition: make friends with someone with 1) a car 2) a surfboard 3) a pretty smile.
Anyway, that's about it. I got a cell phone today too! So if you want to contact me, although I imagine it's expensive unless you're using skype (in which case you can also call my skype name - amy.smart) the number is: peru country code (051) lambayeque area code(074) 9797.05.30.7
LOVE,
Amy
Time for another concise update from yours truly. But...
Business first. I realize mass emails can be less than appealing and you may want to be removed from my list of friends. I totally understand. So, could those of you who DO want to keep receiving updates / stay in contact, please respond to this email in some way. No need write anything long/special. You could just hit reply and say "keep me!" or "I want to stay friends!" or "let me keep creeping!" Those who don't respond will be eliminated from my friend list FOREVER. No hard feelings, we'll reconnect some day, some how. Now, onward!
So, quick recap: I got a CIDA internship working with the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) in Victoria and with COPEME (too long to spell out) in Peru. The training with the Canadian org lasted six weeks, and I just finished there. Now I've finally arrived in Peru and will be here for 6 months (there'll be an option to renew/continue for another 6 months to a year, but let's just wait and see if Peru is all it's cracked up to be before making any drastic decisions).
Highlights from the magical land of Victopia, where everyone is wholesome/healthy/happy/kind:
- Sat next to a weepy girl on the plane. Did not ask what was the matter.
- Stood next to a worried old man while he yelled cautionary "wait! what are you doing?!"s at his lady-friend, as she J-walked across a street with zero cars in sight. "She's an independent lady!" he boasted to me.
- Settled in to my new home in a UVic cluster house.
- Learned that it's uncool to say I'm living in a cluster house. You have to say "I'm living in cluster" or else you're a big loser. Learned this a few days before leaving, after living in a cluster house for 5 weeks. Am thoroughly embarrassed.
- Played with about 2700 bunnies.
- Got an extra immunization (Yellow Fever), even though I don't need it. Internship budget = free immunity!
- Visited the enchanted island of Galiano TWICE. Galiano sub-category:
- Witnessed bioluminescence for myself. Yes, it's real.
- Made tie-dye.
- Went swimming in the ocean and got attacked by a crab.
- Went to a training sesh in Vancouver, hosted by CIDA. Stayed in a palace of a hotel room, by myself: one room with two beds and a tv, another room with two couches, a desk, mini kitchen area, and ANOTHER tv. Had a bath.
- Feasted at Patricia's house on french toast with ice cream, berries, and maple syrup. Breakfast of champions.
- Chatted with a Christian youth minister who was scandalized by "Oprah's pretend religion." She bought me ice cream. Did not tell her that I am seriously considering joining the Church of Oprah.
- Floated down the Cowichan River in a floaty pool toy. While waiting to be picked up after several hours of tubing, guessed the EXACT time, to the minute. 6:13pm. Felt like a champ.
- Nearly burned down my cluster house trying to boil water. My pot melted in several spots. Became an avid believer in stainless steel over non-stick kitchenware.
So those are some of the highlights of my Victoria experience. Other than that stuff, work was great, but probably boring to talk about here. My main project was developing a report on community economic development (CED) activity in the province, which will be published this Fall. So I got to talk to some neato peeps on the phone with really innovative, alternative ideas about economic development. I've decided that I will move back there sometime, after Peru. I think Victoria suits me.
Still don't know too much about the Peru job, even though I started work today. And I am at work right now... clearly working hard. Here's what I do know:
- I work in Chiclayo, a city "better known as a commercial and banking centre than for its culture," according to a guidebook. Hmm.
- I live in Lambayeque, a mini-Chiclayo about 12k away. I live with one of the the three people with whom I work.
- I am the only english speaker for miles and miles. Spanish fluency: here I come!
- I THINK my job is to facilitate in workshops for mangos, beekeepers, and artisans (ie the micro-entrepreneurs) to help them become more productive/competitive. And also convene conferences to get local leaders involved in supporting CED. Won't know until I actually start doing stuff other than reading.
- There is good surfing near Chiclayo. New hobby!
- New ambition: make friends with someone with 1) a car 2) a surfboard 3) a pretty smile.
Anyway, that's about it. I got a cell phone today too! So if you want to contact me, although I imagine it's expensive unless you're using skype (in which case you can also call my skype name - amy.smart) the number is: peru country code (051) lambayeque area code(074) 9797.05.30.7
LOVE,
Amy
Eurotrip
Dear friends and lovers,
Wondering what I´ve been up to lately and what my future plans might be? Today´s your lucky day! I´ve been pretty busy these last few weeks with rare internet access, so apologies to those of you who sent personal messages and never got a response.
As many of you know, I´ve been spending the last few weeks in Europe. Here are some highlights (minus the sightseeing and general travel stresses that everyone experiences and you probably aren´t interested in hearing about):
- Got robbed in Barcelona by some goons
- Stressed out a little about having no passport / cash / bank cards / ID... luckily had Gregor by my side for support
- Saw an old man dancing in the street
- Got pooped on by a pigeon
- Saw the Magnetic Fields in concert
- Slept in until 5pm one day
- Learned that consulates are always on vacation, after having to stop by one in Barcelona, Toulouse, and finally the embassy in Paris to get a new passport. New ambition: work at a consulate.
- Miraculously met Koji on a random train platform. Koji had been lured into some stranger´s car after he missed his first train and, incredibly, was not murdered.
- Becky and Thibauts wedding in the south of France... AWESOME
- Had to make a toast in french... TERRIFYING
- Got Aunt Harriet to talk about her neighbour Anne Baldwin (``that woman would break my knees to get my husband...``)
- Reconnected with childhood friend Pau, who left Toronto in grade 3 but somehow got an invitation to Becky´s wedding
- Went hydrospeeding, IE boogie boarding down rapids with helmets and padding on
- Went to Paris with Koji, where we met up with Chessi
- Declined to participate in a treasure hunt with slimy Jacques, whose appt we were subletting
- Got a job offer and changed life plan (more on that in next section of email)
- Ate copious amounts of baguette and cheese
- Drank champagne on the Eiffel Tower
- Stayed in a themed hotel in Rotterdam (ours was South America!)
- Enjoyed the coffeeshop culture of Amsterdam
Now I´m in Cologne, Germany and will be flying home to Toronto tomorrow (the 15th). But... I´ll be leaving again the next day! This is the life plan change that I mentioned. I am especially sad that I didn´t have to opportunity to give any of you a proper goodbye, particularly the Torontonians, who I had expected to be spending the next few months with.
About two months ago I applied to a job, but withdrew mý name from consideration after I learned that there was a training period that conflicted with the wedding/travel plans I´d already made. BUT THEN, while in Paris, I got an email from them, saýing they still hadn´t found someone suitable for the position, so they´d let me begin training later. WOOT. Amy = employed!
Special thanks to Katherine, Julie, Emer, and Becky for being on team Employ Amy. I am especially grateful for your letters of reference, job tips, and resume / cover letter advice.
To be honest, I don´t know too much about the job at the moment, so I´ll let you know what it´s all about once I´ve started. But for the first few weeks I´ll be training in Victoria BC with CCEDNet (Canadian Community Economic Development Network). Then I´m off to PERU for about 6 months to work with COPEME (El Consorcio de Organizaciones Privadas de Promocion al Desarollo de la Micro y Pequena Empresa... in english more or less: the Consortium of Private Organizations Promoting the Development of Micro and Small Enterprises). My title will be either ´´Technical Support and Training Officer´´ or ´´Political and Associative Promotion and Support Officer´´. Big words!
So just for for your records, in case you want to visit/contact me, here are my plans:
July 15 - Fly to Toronto
July 16 - Fly to Victoria
August 25 (?) - Fly to Peru
February/March - Come home!
And please do visit and/or email! I´ll be lonely without any of you!
Peace and love,
Amy
Wondering what I´ve been up to lately and what my future plans might be? Today´s your lucky day! I´ve been pretty busy these last few weeks with rare internet access, so apologies to those of you who sent personal messages and never got a response.
As many of you know, I´ve been spending the last few weeks in Europe. Here are some highlights (minus the sightseeing and general travel stresses that everyone experiences and you probably aren´t interested in hearing about):
- Got robbed in Barcelona by some goons
- Stressed out a little about having no passport / cash / bank cards / ID... luckily had Gregor by my side for support
- Saw an old man dancing in the street
- Got pooped on by a pigeon
- Saw the Magnetic Fields in concert
- Slept in until 5pm one day
- Learned that consulates are always on vacation, after having to stop by one in Barcelona, Toulouse, and finally the embassy in Paris to get a new passport. New ambition: work at a consulate.
- Miraculously met Koji on a random train platform. Koji had been lured into some stranger´s car after he missed his first train and, incredibly, was not murdered.
- Becky and Thibauts wedding in the south of France... AWESOME
- Had to make a toast in french... TERRIFYING
- Got Aunt Harriet to talk about her neighbour Anne Baldwin (``that woman would break my knees to get my husband...``)
- Reconnected with childhood friend Pau, who left Toronto in grade 3 but somehow got an invitation to Becky´s wedding
- Went hydrospeeding, IE boogie boarding down rapids with helmets and padding on
- Went to Paris with Koji, where we met up with Chessi
- Declined to participate in a treasure hunt with slimy Jacques, whose appt we were subletting
- Got a job offer and changed life plan (more on that in next section of email)
- Ate copious amounts of baguette and cheese
- Drank champagne on the Eiffel Tower
- Stayed in a themed hotel in Rotterdam (ours was South America!)
- Enjoyed the coffeeshop culture of Amsterdam
Now I´m in Cologne, Germany and will be flying home to Toronto tomorrow (the 15th). But... I´ll be leaving again the next day! This is the life plan change that I mentioned. I am especially sad that I didn´t have to opportunity to give any of you a proper goodbye, particularly the Torontonians, who I had expected to be spending the next few months with.
About two months ago I applied to a job, but withdrew mý name from consideration after I learned that there was a training period that conflicted with the wedding/travel plans I´d already made. BUT THEN, while in Paris, I got an email from them, saýing they still hadn´t found someone suitable for the position, so they´d let me begin training later. WOOT. Amy = employed!
Special thanks to Katherine, Julie, Emer, and Becky for being on team Employ Amy. I am especially grateful for your letters of reference, job tips, and resume / cover letter advice.
To be honest, I don´t know too much about the job at the moment, so I´ll let you know what it´s all about once I´ve started. But for the first few weeks I´ll be training in Victoria BC with CCEDNet (Canadian Community Economic Development Network). Then I´m off to PERU for about 6 months to work with COPEME (El Consorcio de Organizaciones Privadas de Promocion al Desarollo de la Micro y Pequena Empresa... in english more or less: the Consortium of Private Organizations Promoting the Development of Micro and Small Enterprises). My title will be either ´´Technical Support and Training Officer´´ or ´´Political and Associative Promotion and Support Officer´´. Big words!
So just for for your records, in case you want to visit/contact me, here are my plans:
July 15 - Fly to Toronto
July 16 - Fly to Victoria
August 25 (?) - Fly to Peru
February/March - Come home!
And please do visit and/or email! I´ll be lonely without any of you!
Peace and love,
Amy
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