Sooo, as many can imagine, there are a few cultural differences between my Peruvian friends and myself. I think the biggest difference in opinion we’ve had so far has been what exactly is causing me to be sick. Of course, both times I have been sick diarrhea has accompanied it. Therefore, me, being raised in a society where we go to the doctor almost every time we’re sick, assumed it to be something I ate or the water. This should seem a very logical assumption to everyone back home. My host parents on the other hand believed it to be the wind. Now, I know most Peruvians in the Sierra have beliefs that the cold pretty much causes every sickness but the wind? I really wasn’t expecting that. It was hard to sit there and just nod my head at the notion that the wind could be causing diarrhea, (unless there is a new study I am unaware of) but I did nonetheless. I like to think that what I did was demonstrate, what employers nowadays like to call, cultural sensitivity by not evoking my own views on them. We could laugh at them and call them even stupid. However, it’s really not their fault. These beliefs and views have been passed down generation to generation. Not until recently has there actually been a doctor in my town let alone transportation to get out of my town to a doctor. We can really just chalk it up to ignorance. People in my town truly have confidence in herbal remedies which do not require pills or antibiotics. To me, this is interesting and I’m willing to try them out. Anyways, this is just one of the cultural differences I have come to find here in my town.
On the work front, I had my first entrepreneur club meeting last night. It was actually lots of fun. Six people came but six is better than zero. All of them were pretty into it towards the end and I hope to see them back next Monday.
Also, we recently just started another town soccer tourney two Sundays ago. I’m currently playing on a different team called Juvenil Sombra which literally means Shadow Youth (fittingly, we wear black jerseys). The first game I couldn’t make which we lost 1-0. The second game was this past Sunday against Olympia. We won 4-1. I scored two goals. Felt really good to score goals. So here are the current standings:
1. Union Talleres 4
2. Juvenil Sombra 3
3. Colegio 1
4. Olympia 1
Top two teams move on to play in the town’s aniversario in January against some teams from Arequipa. Exciting!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
OBAMA!!!
It seems as though it has been a very long time in coming but Barack Obama is finally the U.S. President. I remember during the primaries my roommates and I would stay up on Tuesdays to see the results come in when he was still running against Hillary even though we had case studies do for Finance the next day. What is really more important? I think this is the first time I have confidence in the President. I realize that there will be let downs throughout his presidency, as nobody is perfect. However, I have a sense of security now. Also, it’s nice to be in a foreign country now and not have to field questions regarding Bush. Most Peruvians feel good about Obama as well. Another cool thing about Obama becoming President is the fact that he will be the first African-American President. This by no means signifies that racism is gone in our country. However, it gives me personally more confidence that our country is moving past the racism that has so long plagued our nation. Living in Peru, I experience even more racism than in the US. Therefore, it’s nice to see that one country is trying to get it’s act together. I don’t foresee that happening anytime soon for Peru.
Anyways, here in Peru things are pretty calm. Most things that used to be exciting, weird, funny or strange are rather normal to me now. Some things still bother me, but that will continue throughout the whole two years. Right now, I’m really trying to start computer classes at our secondary school. I have been trying, with the help of the municipality and my host dad for about a month and a half now. One would think something so beneficial to the community would not be so difficult or take so long. However, the Director of my secondary school has been extremely difficult. I think we have met with him about 15 times and everytime we meet with him he has another request for us to fulfill. The municipality hired a technician to fix about 10 broken computers first. Then, the municipality bought a stabilizer for the computers in case the electricity goes out. After that, I had to deliver a detailed schedule and plan of my classes. Now, he wants something called a “convenio” which in English literally signifies an agreement. So, I wrote something up for him which he did not approve of and proceeded to show me an example of what he wanted. Which was about a seven page document. A seven page document to have computer classes? Furthermore, he would not let me sign the agreement without a stamp which had the Peace Corps logo. My signature would not do. I think this is the first time I got really annoyed at someone here in my community. I’m a very easy going person and patient but after a month and a half of playing games I had about had it. I had to seek out a Peruvian intervention. Right now we are waiting on the municipality to come with us to the secondary school. It’s best for the Peruvians to handle the icky situations than you personally so that your reputation in the community remains in tact. However, it is sometimes very hard to let go.
Other than that my entrepreneur club will be starting this coming Monday. In addition, the volunteers down on this side of the canyon are looking to give a charla regarding turismo viviencial. Turismo viviencial is a form of tourism where the tourist comes and stays in a family’s house here in Lari for a couple of days and does all the activities that the family does (aka going to the chacra, eating with the family, seeding, etc.). It ends up being a lot cheaper for a tourist from the US or Europe and a lot more unique. On the flip side, the people of the town are getting a lot of money in their eyes. So, it’s a win win situation. My town is lacking any sort of association or organization in this field even though their our houses which are suitable.
I think that’s all. I only have two weeks until I travel up to Trujillo to meet up with the rest of the volunteers in my Peru 11 group for reconnect. It will be really exciting to see everyone again. However, the trip is about 31 hours or so from my town here in Arequipa in bus. Hahahahahaha. Until next time.
Anyways, here in Peru things are pretty calm. Most things that used to be exciting, weird, funny or strange are rather normal to me now. Some things still bother me, but that will continue throughout the whole two years. Right now, I’m really trying to start computer classes at our secondary school. I have been trying, with the help of the municipality and my host dad for about a month and a half now. One would think something so beneficial to the community would not be so difficult or take so long. However, the Director of my secondary school has been extremely difficult. I think we have met with him about 15 times and everytime we meet with him he has another request for us to fulfill. The municipality hired a technician to fix about 10 broken computers first. Then, the municipality bought a stabilizer for the computers in case the electricity goes out. After that, I had to deliver a detailed schedule and plan of my classes. Now, he wants something called a “convenio” which in English literally signifies an agreement. So, I wrote something up for him which he did not approve of and proceeded to show me an example of what he wanted. Which was about a seven page document. A seven page document to have computer classes? Furthermore, he would not let me sign the agreement without a stamp which had the Peace Corps logo. My signature would not do. I think this is the first time I got really annoyed at someone here in my community. I’m a very easy going person and patient but after a month and a half of playing games I had about had it. I had to seek out a Peruvian intervention. Right now we are waiting on the municipality to come with us to the secondary school. It’s best for the Peruvians to handle the icky situations than you personally so that your reputation in the community remains in tact. However, it is sometimes very hard to let go.
Other than that my entrepreneur club will be starting this coming Monday. In addition, the volunteers down on this side of the canyon are looking to give a charla regarding turismo viviencial. Turismo viviencial is a form of tourism where the tourist comes and stays in a family’s house here in Lari for a couple of days and does all the activities that the family does (aka going to the chacra, eating with the family, seeding, etc.). It ends up being a lot cheaper for a tourist from the US or Europe and a lot more unique. On the flip side, the people of the town are getting a lot of money in their eyes. So, it’s a win win situation. My town is lacking any sort of association or organization in this field even though their our houses which are suitable.
I think that’s all. I only have two weeks until I travel up to Trujillo to meet up with the rest of the volunteers in my Peru 11 group for reconnect. It will be really exciting to see everyone again. However, the trip is about 31 hours or so from my town here in Arequipa in bus. Hahahahahaha. Until next time.
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