Today is one of those days that you have to step back and remember, my life doesn't revolve around technology. I laugh because when I decided to become a YAV, one of my reasons to do so was to simplify my life. Instead, I find myself writing this blog entry this morning in word because one computer, the one that has the document that I am supposed to be working on, won´t turn on and now that I´m on another, the internet isn't working on it. So, you all get my frustrations instead. Oh well, I guess a Thursday morning with my coffee and some typing is probably good for my soul. Also, to anyone who doesn´t read this blog in its actual space (google reader, etc,), check out the real site because I´m quite proud of my map that shows where I have blogged about druing this over 2 year run we have so far.
It is strange to look back and realize that I have now been here in Peru for 5 months. That is a long time and in some ways it doesn't seem real. In some ways, I feel like I just got here and in other ways, I have completely forgotten what the US is like. Whenever I meet people here, one of their first questions that they ask me (after the standard name, where from, “oh, I have a cousin in…”) is “ya has acostumbrado” or “have you accustomed yet.” My answer is always yes (well, it is “sí” but you know what I mean). I have gotten used to being here. To he heat of January. To the general lack of sunshine. To the crowded streets, dirty facades of the buildings (since there is no rain to wash them clean), to the cobradors who cannot understand what I say when I tell them where I want to go, to the prices of what things should be when they try to 
overcharge me (in my frugality, I am learning fair prices for everything and have learned to accept what I should pay and just go with that rather than ALWAYS trying to bargain something down). I love having bread and butter for breakfast and dinner and then a solid lunch in between. I have gotten used to chifa almost once a week. I have gotten used to my work schedules and am generally pretty busy. I feel at home with my family and love meal times when we are all together to laugh. In all, I have more that accustomed myself to Peru, I now am at home here.
It is kinda strange saying that because yesterday, I got my plane tickets back to the states finalized. I will be landing at SeaTac at 1:22 pm PDT on the 27th of July. I know that is almost 6 months away, and that is more than half of my total time in this country, but it is strangely tangible now. Previously, we didn't have them set and it was nice because in some ways, it really felt like I was going to be here forever. But, it is set and I have a lot left to do. In this second half of the year, I am excited to welcome 3 groups to the country and help them see why I love this 
country, to have my Callie and Scotty (sister and best friend) come and hike the Inca Trail with the YAVs in may, to keep at my jobs, to make more trips to La Oroya, be more and more connected to my workplaces, to find ways to really connect with my host family on a even deeper and meaningful way than evening soap operas and rummikube, to put down my laptop and pick up a book, to finally buy a knee brace and start running again, and just find ways that when I leave this country, I do feel like I left a part of myself here. I know that I am “acostumbrado” to Peru, but in the next 6 months, I really look forward to really trying to learn how to better become Peruvian.
How do you feel about where you live? Are you accustomed? Do you feel at home? What does home even mean to you?
On a side note, I have a fund-raising benchmark coming up. If you have a few extra bucks or something, I could really use it, just click here. No worries if you can´t. I understand that times are tight for everyone. I love you all. Thanks for reading and I look forward to sharing even more with you all.
- Door near CENCA institutional workshop in San Bartolo
- Sunset in San Bartolo
- Waterfront in San Bartolo
A couple of weeks ago I had a lab planned for my kids. Except the chemicals didn't arrive on time, I left my phone at home, the internet at school was down, and I had written some of the equations wrong on the lab. Your morning reminds me of that morning. Nothing technological went right.
ReplyDeleteI never felt at home in Spokane, but it's wierd that I'm starting to feel at home in Vancouver. I think the biggest connection for me is that in both Richland and Vancouver my home is alongside the Columbia River. I notice every time I drive next to it, no matter what the weather is it feels nice and pleasant. I'm not sure I would've identified "home" as the Columbia, but the evidence is starting to pile on me. So I think I've definitely been accustomed to Vancouver.
Thanks for the post. How have you fared with the rains in Peru? El Nino has made Spokane much milder than last winter--made it feel like Seattle. Good observations and questions in the Blog. I'll forward your arrival information to the Seattle Staff. You'll be arriving one month after U2 has their concert in Seattle.
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