My Peruvian Brothers

This is a picture of my two Peruvian brothers that I live with. Juan Manuel (22) and Leonardo (20) are really fun and have included me in their group of friends. It was really easy adapting to a new community with the support of my new family. They are wonderful and make me feel like family. In fact they have put a framed picture of me in thier living room and call me their eldest son.

I really like the fact Peace Corps Volunteers in Peru are required to live with families. I couldn´t imagine living alone once I have had the experience living with a family from another culture. My spanish and acceptance into my community has rapidly excelled because of this.

Miss Peru...Just kidding

A couple of days ago I went to a pagent with my Peruvian brother Juan Manuel to cheer for his girlfriend Moyra. Moyra was chosen to compete among her classmates at their French Language Institute. As you can see Moyra came out on top! She also speaks French and English very well.

Under 17 World Cup Extravaganza

Yesterday we brought approximately 300 kids to the world cup that Peru hosted this year. I learned a valuable lession that day. For the first time in my life I felt like the world´s most famous athlete or celebrity. It all started when approximately 10 or 15 kids came up to me and asked me for my email and autograph, me being the kind of person that can not say no to kids I gladly volunteered to sign a few autographs while I had a huge smile on my face. I thought, ¨This is cool¨ wow I have admirers. Well over time after signing dozens of autographs the word must of spread to all the kids and teenagers in my section that the gringo over in the white hat is famous soccer player from the United States.

At half time the kids once again came up for autographs but this time it was different. The number of kids multiplied and multiplied to the point where I was getting nervous and started to freak out. The number of kids around me at my seat must have been well over fifty kids and the numbers were growing by the minute. I even had some adults come for autographs. At that point several security officers came and starting breaking up the crowd and asked me not to sign anymore.

The rest of the game I had two security officers stand by me so the isles could be cleared and so I could watch the game. I still don´t know who played and who won. Let me know... I guess the lession I learned is that being a celebrity for one day would be fun but not everyday. So far in the Peace Corps I have felt like a celebrity, or a complete idiot. For the most part I like the attention but it gets old when I walk down the street and I feel like everyone watches every move I make.

Working with the Peruvian National Police

Every PC volunteer in Peru works with a counter-part agency. Some work in artisan associations, some work with schools, some work with NGOs, and some work with misitries of health. I got matched up with the National Police. Every Saturday about 30 children come to the station to get fed, play and learn to improve their lives. The program is called Colobri which means hummingbird in spanish. Many cities are using the program to help street kids find better alternatives to drug use, prostitution, and crime. Colobri in Piura is doing wonders. The police have told me that crime rate is going down and the kids who joined the program when they were younger are now finding jobs and living a much better life compared to the kids who stayed on the street. Since I am new to the program I will be explaining more and more about my work in future entries.

Melissa, Noah, and Jane

This photo was taken at one of our many kareoke parties during training. Jane and I sang 80s music and acted like idiots. Many of our Peruvian friends would come to our parties and watch all of the gringos make fools of themselves. I think we were a main source of entertainment in Santa Eulalia.

Goverment Palace in Lima

This picture is a picture of a palace where President Toledo lives in downtown Lima. The top flag is the national flag and the lower rainbow flag represents the Quechuan speaking people that live in the high-lands of the Andes.

During winter (U.S. summer), Lima is cool and always cloudy with afternoon showers. The summer however, is the complete opposite. A lot of people in Lima during the summer head to the beaches in Lima to surf or pack up their bags and head to northern Peru where the water is warmer.

My first impression of Lima was that it was too big, too dirty, and ugly, but once I traveled and got to know the city better I discovered many very beautiful areas. My favorite district is called Barranco. This bohemian district is very quaint with many old houses and has an artsy feel. There are lots of artists, poets, and street performers on many of the street corners. Another area I like is called Miraflores. This is the buisness district with modern buildings and beautiful parks. It also has a killer nightlife and great cafes and restaurants.

My host family in Santa Eulalia

Carmen (mom), Melissa (sister), Fidel (dad), and Gian Carlos (brother-not pictured) at the host-family appreciation party. I had a great family experience during training. Carmen and I always played pranks on each other. One of my favorite family experiences was when Carmen, Melissa, and I had a full scale water fight in the house. We were all soaking wet and water was running down the staircase! I remember thinking that this would never happen in the states. Melissa and I became good friends as-well. Melissa was always studying for her medical school exams and I was always annoying her. I did not see Gian Carlos much becuase he was usually playing soccer with his friends. The wierd thing about Gian was that although he was a typical skinny 15-year old, that boy could eat more food that a fat man. It was common to see him eat 3 or 4 oranges and then switch over and eat 3 or 4 bananas. I always called him mono, which means monkey in spanish. Fidel, my host dad and super cop, was an interesting fellow. He and I had many discussions over politics and the terrorism that occured in Peru during the 80s and 90s. I still keep in contact with my host family and miss them a lot.

Peace Corps Swearing-in Ceremony

After ten weeks of training we finally made it. This picture is of Enrique (our security officer) and myself at our swearing-in ceremony in Santa Eulalia. The ceremony was really exciting because it was the day we officially became Peace Corps volunteers. We also got to meet the U.S. Embassador to Peru and other special guests. Though we were very exited to leave Sta. Eulalia and head to our sites, it was sad to say good-bye to our host families.