I´M BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER...

I'M BACK!! After a more than a one year hiatus I am back to write about the major experiences that have occurred in the past year starting in February with my birthday in Mancora. After spending 10 hours in a car I finally arrived in Mancora ready to celebrate my birthday. Although celebrating your 24th birthday has no rewarding benefits like 21 nor 25 (rent a car baby!) it was a nice opportunity to see some friends like Melissa, who I had not seen in ages. For my birthday night my friends and I went to this amazing steak and burger place that would have satiated even King Leonides from 300. Following dinner we all went to a bar/dance place on the beach. While the night seemed to be going well I did not realize that the 3 stooges would be in control of the local police force that night and would be hell-bent on messing with foreigners...Consequently, when the local police force entered the bar like SWAT members I knew I was in trouble, especially since I was sitting down with 3 girls (they must have thought I was gay or a narcotraficante). After doing their occular examination of the crowd they scoped in on me and came over asking to see my identification. Now to tell you, in Peru, going out with your passport is as smart as taking a ride from a stranger in a gang neighborhood. You are just asking for trouble! Accordingly, I said a remark to the police officer, explaining why none of us had our real passports with us at the club. I did not realize this would be taken as lip and would result in me spending 2 hours of my birthday in the Mancora police station along with other foreigners whose only crime seemed to be their light skin and lack of passport (in hand). Now I know why N.W.A was so mad at police..

Following my birthday ordeal I was really hoping for no hiccups in Tumbes for Lindsey's Birthday. However, true to the flow of this writing something was bound to make it interesting. While the afternoon passed blissfully, spending time on the beach and drinking wine together, we did not realize that mosquitoes were gathering forces to bring a night assault on our room. Consequently, we spent dusk to dawn killing the recently fattened mosquitoes who splat against the walls creating a crimson canvas. After the massacre had subsided, we had to make a quick exit to her site in order to meet her family who unbeknownst to her was planning a surprise birthday party. The surprise party, which entailed my best efforts of distracting Lindsey from wanting to go back to her house, was largely a success (other than my acute dehydration and her raging migraine) and truly showed the mark she has made on her family.

In April Lindsey and I went to Arequipa, the one department that I could definitely see myself residing in without too much difficulty. Not only does it have decent mexican food but also amazing crepes, which made me not want to make fun of French people so often. After eating spaghetti without sauce in site for such a long time, crepes and burritos were heavenly. In addition to the food, the city of Arequipa and surrounding countryside are very picturesque...reminds me very much of the European countryside. Wow I am so cultured.

Following our trip to Arequipa it was time to get back to Sicchez in order to celebrate my sister's Quincinera. While the Quincinera seemed doomed for failure it past without a glitch. The only issues I had with the party was some of the kids provocative dancing. I now understand why some parents demand space "for Jesus" at school dances. Man some of these kids were dancing so seductive that I was not sure if I should turn away or give them protection. This one kid in my town Alexis danced so close to my sister that I could not help thinking do I need to be the over protective adult in this situation and ask him to back off a little. However, thankfully I did not say anything and my urge to go sleep prevented me from seeing too much more...

In June, Sicchez celebrated the High School's Anniversary and the festival of San Pedro. The High Schoolh anniversary, which occurred in Lambeau Field temperatures, was very entertaining and made me realize how little time left I had in the country. While shivering and trying to gain warmth by drinking hot cañaso (pure alcohol-death) I could not stop thinking how time had gone so fast and how in a matter of months I would be back in my house by a fire instead of drinking want amounted to fire in my mouth. After the school anniversary, I had time to be a Siccheño and make conserva, a combination of yuca, sweet potatoes and some other ingredients that are completely evading my mind. While the process of making conserva seemed simple, stirring a pot with all the ingredients in it for a unspecified amount of time, it definitely was not. Not only do you have to deal with the repetitive nature of stirring ingredients around and around for 5 to 10 minutes but you also have to persistently shield yours eyes from the vapor, which can only described as the sensation brought on by cutting onions for a banquet of 50 people (not that I have done that but that's what I imagine is the feeling). NOT A WALK IN THE PARK! However, as a proud man I could not stop stirring or complain for fear that my manhood would be put into question. One can not think of many things worse...

After preparing conserva for San Pedro I headed off to Chachapoyas with a bunch of volunteers in order to see the Kuelap fortress and the 3rd highest (supposedly) waterfall in the world, Gocta. Both sites were amazing and definitely worth the 10 hour drive through narrow/steep passes. Thankfully I never had to experience a bus crash like some volunteers on their way back to Chiclayo...apparently they got rear-ended by a drunk driver and luckily hit the guard rail instead of flying off the cliff. I think that is why I always prefer to fly here in Peru...a lot safer. Following my trip to Chachapoyas I headed back to site unaware of all the craziness that was coming up ahead for me. Not only did I have to deal with a maestro that abandoned my project after only finishing one but also a breakup with my girlfriend that was not expected. Thankfully, however I have at least resolved my kitchen stove project issue, which actually seems to be working better with a new maestro. Hopefully this continues to be the case and the rest of my service ends without anymore glitches... I can only hope.

Veniendo de las calles de Sicchez (coming from the streets of Sicchez)

To all those that follow my blog I apologize that my entries have more spaced out than New Jersey Nets victories. In the past two months, Anne Barry (a fellow UA alumni and Peace Corps Volunteer) visited my site, I celebrated my 23rd birthday, my town held their annual carnival celebrations and I had the chance to go to Zorritos, a beach town in northern peru.

Anne Barry´s visit, which lasted through my birthday and Sicchez´ annual carnival celebrations, was an amazing time that ended way too soon. Although she spent only a week and a half in Sicchez, I believe every man in my site was preparing marriage proposals. My socio, who had met Anne previously, had the biggest smile on his the day I informed him of her impending arrival and could not contain himself from constantly smirking at me when we were all together (his desperation desperation definitely brought a smile to my face). During my birthday, which happened in the municipality he danced more (with Anne) than John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. It truly amazed me...I mean I know he wanted to lose weight but I didnt realize he wanted to lose 10 pounds in one night!

Speaking of my birthday night..talk about unforgettable. Which started out as a typical Peruvian fiesta with beer, shots and dancing, quickly transformed into a strip show where all the girls were forced to dance provocatively in front of me. Sitting down in a chair, the enfermeras (nurses), began to un-do my shirt buttons and sing happy birthday in spanish. Lets just say I wasnt expecting that...Following my strip down and the provocative dancing, I blew out my canfles and went back to dancing until around 1 o´clock when we were foreced to leave...

Following my birthday the whole town of sicchez got together to celebrate carnival, which encompassed alot of drinking, eating and throwing flour on each other. For whatever reason every kid in my town decided to join together against Anne, forcing her to run for her life and evade the little Peruvian gremlins that chased after her until the bitter end. While she did her best to evade them, Anne left the party looking like a chimnea sweeper (however in this case covered in white powder). I even felt bad for her and had to tell the kids to stop picking on her! To say that I didnt laugh at the look of her though would be a lie!

Maybe thats what she gets for stealing my possible site on the beach....

Following all of February´s celebrations, I got back to work (don´t worry...not too hard Dad) before heading to Zorritos, a beautiful beach on the northern coast of Peru. Although I only got to spend 3 days on the beach it was definitely worth the 11 hour drive from my site. Well, maybe not for my site mate who got attacked by a group of dogs while she strolled on the beach...

Well in upcoming news, Nick, one of my best friends and former college roommate, is traveling to Peru and we are going to meet in Piura before heading to the popular beach spot, Mancora. Nick and I will be meeting many other volunteers in Mancora for Semana Santa before heading back to my site for a bit...

By the way mom I showered two days in a row for the first time since arriving in Peru!

Saying whats up to the homies....

Although I have not updated my journal in almost two months things in my site are finally beginning to improve. The relationship that I have developed with my host family since arriving in Sicchez has relinquished any and all desires I might have had about returning to the states. While life in a foreign country (be it a 3rd world country) remains difficult, I have finally become accustomed to the relaxed lifestyle and the inexcessability of goods/items that I once took advantage of in the states internet access, Directv, phone service...on my parents dime of course...and a variety of foods). In exchange for the technological services that I once viewed as second nature are the stories of my sister, the books from the Piuran library (& books sent by family members) and the phone calls from people close to me. While not having reliable internet access, satellite television and phone service inhibit´s ones ability to stay in contact with news and more importantly friends and family, the electronic limitations of my town have not (yet) been the source of much frustration.

Its Not an Adventure till you go to a Peruvian Jail

This past monday my host dad, sister and I decided to go to Ayabaca, a small city high in the Piuran sierra so that I could conocer/see the regional capital for the first time since arriving in Sicchez. Although I knew that the climb to Ayabaca would be strenuous, I had no idea that it would be 5 hours of military style marching with limited breaks. After about 3 hours of hiking the Peruvian Mount Everest, I thought my heart was going to beat itself right out of my chest. Moreover, delirium took over the last part of the hike as I started to imagine Ayabaca as a Peruvian Mecca, complete with fountains of gatorade and an endless assortment of food. Obviously both cant be found in the Piuran sierra no matter how far globalization has come...However, thankfully our journey up the mountain came to and end 5 hours later in the form of a magical mototaxi that brought us to the center of the city (Plaza de Armas). Upon reaching the Plaza de Armas I found the nearest bench and began to count my blessings (during my delirium I would find myself dangerously close to walking off the edge of the trail...which would have consequently resulted in one less PC volunteer in Sicchez). After regaining my senses my host dad informed me that we would be going to visit his brother in the Peruvian jail in Ayabaca. Although many people would take a pass on entering a jail (be it foreign), I thought it would be a great story to tell, not only in my blog, but also to my kids and grandkids (I mean how many people can say they have visited a foreign jail). After walking another painful twenty minutes (at this time my feet felt like the were going through the wood grinder like in the movie Fargo) we finally reached the prison, whereupon we knocked on this big metal door, which reminded me of the giant gate in the Wizard of Oz. As a result of which a Peruvian prison guard opened a small hatch to enquire the reason (especially my reason) for us being at the gate. After informing them that we came to see one of thier inmates and that I was not hopped up on drugs, they allowed us to enter the premises. Although I was a bit scared (my only knowledge of prisons in Peru comes from Locked Up Abroad and in the episode I watched they showed the notorious prison in Lima, where stabbings and murders are more common place than my bowel problems...) all my worries vanished when I realized that this particular prison had to have been constructed for the Martha Stewarts of Peru. Not only did the inmates not have to wear uniforms but they also were allowed to hang out freely with the guards and host cock fighting matches in the yard. In fact, my first experience watching two male chickens fight was in this particular prison! Following the cock bloodbath (no cock died, however there was definitely some blood spilled), I offered to take my family to a restaurant where I suggested that they order whatever thier hearts desired...Although I though this would not be noteworthy event, my sister´s mannerisms made me realize how sheltered she really is from the urban world. In fact, upon arriving to the restaurant my sister would not walk in the door. Whether it be from the embarrassment or fear she just would not enter. I actually had to give her a gentle push and some words of encouragment to get her to enter the restaurant. Although I am not sure what caused this change of character (she is always extremely loud at my house especially among her friends) it did trigger a realization that this could have been her first restaurant experience (there are no ´real restaurants´- only houses that serve food as a side income- in our town). While I hope this was not the case, her reaction made me realize how truly blessed I am because there are so many people in the world who have never gone to a restaurant and been able to choose what they wanted to eat...Oh how truly blessed I am to have beenn born in the first world and to a set of parents that have always been able to provide for me...probably too much in some instances...

Well until the next blog (or I should say until I get internet again...internet in my site is as hard to come by as a day without soup in my family...) I wish everyone the best and I would like to send an early birthday wish to my old roommate Brett "Big Country" Jackson...Happy birthday Hank...

A Memorable Night

About three weeks ago (yeah havent wrote in my blog for awhile) i had quite a memorable experience...After not being able to eat dinner because my stomach was full of gas (sign of impending diarrhea) I went to the bathroom with the intention of relieving the over-exploding feeling in my stomach. After being satisfied with what came out I thought I was in the clear for the night. Oh how wrong was I...After sleeping for about 5 hours I woke up with a feeling that I needed to take a piss, however in a matter of seconds it changed to a sensation, which i couldn´t have dsecribed until now. Although I have been close to pooping my pants in Peru (one time being on a bus trip from La Agraria in Lima back to the training center in Chaclacayo) this night was a BARN-BURNER which forced me to run with my pants partially down, preventing any possibility of joining the 70 percent club (70% of PC Peru volunteers poop their pants in their 2 year experience). Lets just say the prairie dogs were trying to find a new home! Thankfully I reached my smelly ass latrine before letting the dogs out...Once reaching the porcelain or in this case 3rd world latrine, God all I could do was laugh and count my blessings. While this would not be the only trip to the bathroom that I took that night, it would be and will be the closest near icky situaton that I have had to deal with...

On another note (and I am sorry that I continue to write bathroom stories) since arriving in Sicchez, following a short trip to Piura, I have been quite restless. Although watching the Office and reading multiple books (I have finished two books of 300+ pages in a week) has taken up time I have realized that next year during vacaciones utiles (summer vacation) I will definitely make a more concerted effort to make plans in the form of history and cine classes...

Winter, Rain and Screwed Up Priorities

I can finally say that the winter has come, Sadly...The last 5 days Sicchez has been drenched with rain forcing most people to stay in doors or on their porches. This has forced me to change my plans of doing house visits in Las Vegas, the farthest Caserio from Sicchez, because the thought of walking back in the rain 2 and a half hours doesnt seem to appealing. Although I had planned to do house visits in Las Vegas before the rain had come, my socio told me that he would not be able to accompany me due to his profound amount of work he still had to do before leaving for Christmas vacation...Little did I know his overwhelming amount of work included a trip in the ambulance (supposedly only for emergencies...at least thats what he told me 3 days earlier) to a forested area an hour away from Sicchez to cut/pick out a christmas tree...I guess our work in the health center finding out what is wrong in the different caserios (towns) had to wait...

Well it seems that this week I am just going to have to do the house visits in the nearest caserio with a different socio from that town due to the rain and my socios early trip to Ica...hopefully it goes well...

Piura City, Health Clinic and La Bicicleta!

After writing in my blog about two weeks ago I had the chance to travel back to Piura City to meet other volunteers and feel like an adult once again! For the first time since arriving in Peru I had the opportunity to choose where and when I wanted to eat. What a concept! I never thought I would be so content to watch tv and go on the internet...wow the things that make me happy now! Following my rendeavous in Piura I returned to Sicchez for what would turn out to be quite an interesting couple of weeks. While my first couple of days consisted of giving charlas (informational sessions on health-in spanish of course) and teaching english to the secondary school kids, the upcoming sunday would really show me how funny Peru can truly be...That sunday at a free health clinic in town, orthodontists who had arrived from Trujillo in order to inform the public on dental health and make free teeth cleanings (also extracted some teeth from some unlucky Peruvians), decided to hand out vast quantities of candy. While the orthodontists handed out candies, I couldnt stop thinking, this is why 99% of all adults in my town have cavities. Moreover, I just couldnt stop laughing at the fact that no one in my health post thought this was ironic. I guess they are just used to the irony and seemingly senseless promotions that occur in Peru!

Following the health promotion clinic I got my first call from my parents, which was amazing and quite entertaining. While talking to my parents really brightened my day, the fact that I had to dodge falling drunk guys like heat seeking red turtle shells in a game of battle mode in mario cart racing made the conversation truly noteworthy. As I was talking to my parents I had the privilege to watch one old guy fall straight to the ground and another guy come up to me with a druken stupor, begging me to drink with him....Sadly this is something I am going to have to get used to due my towns insistence on getting completely hammered basically every sunday. Its so bad that after lunch I dont want to leave the house because I fear/know I will have to consume large quantities of cuñaso with 40/50 year old Peruvian (slurring) men.

Following the escapades of Sunday I was once again struck by the diarrhea bug. Although it lasted only one day and wasnt too painful, I did have to stay in the house most of the day in order to regain back my energy. Lets just say that I went to the bathroom twice in the morning and stayed in their for 30 minute durations while every liquid and solid mass flew out of my body like its freedom relied on the velocity it came out...Sadly I was almost impressed how much left my body! I apologize to those with weak stomachs and vivid imaginations, however i believe that these bowel problems of mine are quite funny after the fact...