Deep thoughtssss

Doubt is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. To doubt is to feel uncertain about something. Many of the volunteers in Peace Corps deal with doubt almost daily. Doubting whether or not this job is the right job for them. Doubting whether or not their artisans are going to show up for the meeting that night. Doubting whether or not their cell phone is going to stay connected for that very important conversation with their best friend. Even doubting whether or not their intestine will ever produce anything solid. Doubt riddles the lives of volunteers sometimes to the point of no return. However, for those who have made it this far, doubt has failed to pierce our motivation or state of certainty. On the contrary, doubt seems to have made us even stronger. Now when one looks upon a doubtful situation, he or she looks deeper. Instead of giving up, he or she works harder. Because, really, who can predict the result of a doubtful situation.

Being on the verge of a half a year in Peru, I have doubted many things. However, I have come the revelation that when one faces a doubtful situation there are two choices: to push on through even though the result is not certain or to give up and turn around because the result is unknown. After almost six months in Peru, I believe one must work even harder and look even deeper at an uncertain situation. The easy way out is to give up and move back to something more comfortable, more certain. However, people can only grow and be made stronger when they are taken out of their element. Sports analysts identify the best players in history based on their performances in adverse conditions, or when there exists much uncertainty on the outcome of the game. Even if that player fails in that instance of uncertainty, the player comes away with much more knowledge and many lessons learned. This relates to the Peace Corps. All of us are in situations where the outcomes, among many things, are doubtful and uncertain. From time to time, we fail, and we fall hard. However, the skills and knowledge we draw from those experiences is what makes it all worth it.

What Am I Up To?
Jus thought I had to write something a little insightful at the half-year mark. It’s pretty crazy to think I’ve been here for a half a year, 6 months, 26 weeks, 182 days. However, I’m still here which is the important thing. Yesterday, I got back from Reconnect/Thanksgiving Vacation. It was definitely a much-needed break from my site. It was great to see everyone. We got to have a Thanksgiving lunch the day before Thanksgiving which was delicious. In addition, we were sitting on a porch overlooking the beach for this lunch which was cool, but didn’t really have that Thanksgiving charm of a cold Thanksgiving day. I must give Steve, the volunteer who organized reconnect a lot of credit. Pacasmayo was a great place to have reconnect and I plan to be back in July for the marathon. Reconnect was a great time to see what everyone else was up to and just to hang out with everyone once again. The coolest thing about Reconnect was how it seemed as though everyone still got along just as well even after three months. After reconnect we went to Huanchaco which is a beach town right outside of Trujillo. This town had a bit more to do and eat which was nice. All in All, reconnect was great and I feel more energized to work in my community again. I have already scheduled a meeting with the woman in charge of turismo vivencal. Since the tourism season starts in March or April, we really need to prepare and get organized. My classes are continuing as well. Right when I got back people were asking me about when the classes were going to start up again which was nice to see. It’s rather motivating when one sees people taking an interest in things because that doesn’t often happen here haha. Anyways, next week begins the ferias here in the canon. Basically, it starts in Chivay, the provincial capital and moves its way down the canyon through every town. We have ours the first week in January. It should be lots of fun.