If you know me, I love music. And I'm one of those people who can listen to a song or the same music over and over and over again without being sick of it, especially if I like the song a lot.
That's something Peruvian culture and I have in common. Peruvians don't seem to mind to listening to the same music over and over and over again. Whenever I've gone salsa dancing, I hear the same music. And this is over the past 9 months. Not just a couple months. 9 months.
My friend says I fit in here well since Peru and I have this similarity.
Over the course of my stay here, I've found Latin music that I love! And can't stop listening to. If I had a computer, I would have downloaded all of this music already and put it on my ipod, but alas it will have to wait until I get a new computer.
Michel Telo is a popular Brazilian singer here in South America (and in Spain too according to my friend!). His song "Ai Se Eu Te Pego"is really popular.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcm55lU9knw&ob=av2n
I really like it and still haven't gotten sick of it, especially since I've heard a thousand times since December.
Another song I discovered recently is also from another Brazilian singer! His name is Gusttavo Lima (he is really cute too, by the way!). His song is called "Balada Boa." Can't.....stop.....listening....to....it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYhF56heGxw&ob=av2n
I wouldn't have thought that I like music like this, but I do. It's a song from Daddy Yankee featuring Prince Royce. It's called "Ven Conmigo."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEInlYjVFzk
I've discovered how much I like Shakira! Almost every song I hear from her now, I love. Especially now that I can understand her singing and lyrics much better (although it's still hard to understand her singing because she sings the words so fast).
"Addicted to You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MntbN1DdEP0
"Antes De La Seis"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm6IXg1oEL4&ob=av2e
"Sale el Sol"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqqLoUcLX5I&feature=relmfu
As well as much more like "Loca" and "Rabiosa."
A duo that I found I like is called Jesse & Joy. I like their song "Corre." Although it is pretty sad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2hM9CLAMu4
Music makes me so happy. It's my addiction. :)
Friday, May 11, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Health
I have been sick more in these past 9 months than I have ever been probably in my whole life. Well, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but in such a short time, it's true.
I've gotten sick with stomach problems trying to adjust to the food, I've had numerous colds, etc. I even got such a bad cold, maybe it was the flu, because I had body aches and a high fever. After that, I had a lingering cough for two weeks, and at the end of those two weeks, ended up with tonsillitis.
But to be honest, those sicknesses were not as bad as this past Easter Sunday and Monday morning. The Thursday before, Nestor and I had gone to a seafood restaurant to have lunch. I was actually craving fish; I rarely do. So we had lunch and almost immediately after that my stomach wasn't too happy. Without going into details, it passed by evening, and I was thankful. Friday and Saturday passed without anything happening and I thought nothing of Thursday. Sunday came and I actually had breakfast. After that when Nestor and I headed to church, I started to feel nauseous. I just thought it was because sometimes I get nauseous in the morning and it would pass. By the time the service ended, it got a little stronger and my stomach started to hurt a little. I kept thinking that maybe it was in my mind. When they announced that there was cake and a potluck lunch, I felt repulsed by the idea of eating any of that. By the time I got lunch, I could barely eat. I steadily felt worse and worse. And by the time Nestor finished his cake, I told him that I wanted to go so I could lay down. I went to go lay down, and soon after that, the vomiting commenced. I was sick like that all night and couldn't keep anything down, not the electrolyte drink that I got, not the vomiting and pain medicine, nothing. In the morning, I was drained, not having slept all night. Nestor came over in the morning and seeing that I could barely stand insisted that I go to the doctor. The landlady at Nestor's house accompanied me to the doctor since Nestor had to go to work, which was awfully kind of her. Her friend, Arturo, drove us to the doctor and he even paid for part of my medical expenses. I had never even met him before. Such a kind guy. The doctor told me that had an E Coli infection and told me that I needed IV fluids for being so dehydrated and to inject some medicine so that I wouldn't throw that up too. I had to stay in the clinic for 3 more hours with an IV in my arm. I hate needles, and I had IV. So it was not fun. The nurse didn't do a very good job because it hurt a lot and now my arm is bruised. I'm feeling much better now and am just now able to eat almost normal food. I was on a diet of just crackers and gatorade for a couple days. Today I was able to eat bland rice and bland chicken. A little step up. I'm nervous to eat anything more than that.
So it's was an interesting end to Easter. Nestor has been sick too and still trying to get over his illness, poor guy. I hate that it's not easy for me to jump in a car and go see him to make sure he's okay. It really bothers me that I can't do that here. :( He'll be okay. At least his Aunt is taking care of him and he's not alone. I'm thankful for that.
Hopefully neither one of us will get sick anymore. I hope this last one was the last of it for me. I've never had stomach illnesses before. I'd prefer a cold over that any day.
I've gotten sick with stomach problems trying to adjust to the food, I've had numerous colds, etc. I even got such a bad cold, maybe it was the flu, because I had body aches and a high fever. After that, I had a lingering cough for two weeks, and at the end of those two weeks, ended up with tonsillitis.
But to be honest, those sicknesses were not as bad as this past Easter Sunday and Monday morning. The Thursday before, Nestor and I had gone to a seafood restaurant to have lunch. I was actually craving fish; I rarely do. So we had lunch and almost immediately after that my stomach wasn't too happy. Without going into details, it passed by evening, and I was thankful. Friday and Saturday passed without anything happening and I thought nothing of Thursday. Sunday came and I actually had breakfast. After that when Nestor and I headed to church, I started to feel nauseous. I just thought it was because sometimes I get nauseous in the morning and it would pass. By the time the service ended, it got a little stronger and my stomach started to hurt a little. I kept thinking that maybe it was in my mind. When they announced that there was cake and a potluck lunch, I felt repulsed by the idea of eating any of that. By the time I got lunch, I could barely eat. I steadily felt worse and worse. And by the time Nestor finished his cake, I told him that I wanted to go so I could lay down. I went to go lay down, and soon after that, the vomiting commenced. I was sick like that all night and couldn't keep anything down, not the electrolyte drink that I got, not the vomiting and pain medicine, nothing. In the morning, I was drained, not having slept all night. Nestor came over in the morning and seeing that I could barely stand insisted that I go to the doctor. The landlady at Nestor's house accompanied me to the doctor since Nestor had to go to work, which was awfully kind of her. Her friend, Arturo, drove us to the doctor and he even paid for part of my medical expenses. I had never even met him before. Such a kind guy. The doctor told me that had an E Coli infection and told me that I needed IV fluids for being so dehydrated and to inject some medicine so that I wouldn't throw that up too. I had to stay in the clinic for 3 more hours with an IV in my arm. I hate needles, and I had IV. So it was not fun. The nurse didn't do a very good job because it hurt a lot and now my arm is bruised. I'm feeling much better now and am just now able to eat almost normal food. I was on a diet of just crackers and gatorade for a couple days. Today I was able to eat bland rice and bland chicken. A little step up. I'm nervous to eat anything more than that.
So it's was an interesting end to Easter. Nestor has been sick too and still trying to get over his illness, poor guy. I hate that it's not easy for me to jump in a car and go see him to make sure he's okay. It really bothers me that I can't do that here. :( He'll be okay. At least his Aunt is taking care of him and he's not alone. I'm thankful for that.
Hopefully neither one of us will get sick anymore. I hope this last one was the last of it for me. I've never had stomach illnesses before. I'd prefer a cold over that any day.
Safety in Peru
Ever since arriving here in Peru, I have never had a problem with thieves nor have any of the other volunteers since I have been here. But over the past four weeks there have been 3 incidents (2 with me!).
First of all, Nestor gave me a new phone. It's called RPM, and it was nicer and cheaper than my other phone, since I could virtually call him for free and send free texts to anyone. So I loved the phone. I was going to use my personal phone that I had bought for work, and the RPM phone for personal use. But I only had the RPM phone two weeks before I lost it. I don't know whether it was from pickpocketing or my phone just fell out of my pocket. But I was leaving an area of Trujillo called Laredo to head back to La Esperanza, and I had to take multiple modes of transportation since I wanted to be cheap and only pay 2 soles home versus 15 soles. I rode one combi (which is like a van), and I'm pretty sure I still had my phone after that. I had to get off that combi at some point, so I got off and got on the micro (bus) to get home. After I got off at my house, Nestor had told me to text him to let him know I got home safely. So I searched for my phone and couldn't find it. I immediately called my phone hoping it would pop up somewhere. Nothing. Then whoever had my phone kept ending my phone call. I called continuously and finally they turned off my phone. So I called Nestor, told him what happened, and apologized profusely. I felt horrible. I was so angry with myself for losing the phone so easily. He suspended the number quickly so the thief couldn't use the phone. I have never lost a phone like that in my life. But I guess there's a first for everything.
And surprise, surprise, I was actually starting to like Sudoku! I hated that game in high school and all throughout college, but I don't know what changed, but I was liking it more. I was actually sad that I wouldn't get to play it anymore.
The second incident with me came just two weeks later. I went to one of my favorite sandwich shops in downtown Trujillo for dinner (it was only 6:30 pm!) with Nestor. The restaurant was called San Augustin Jugueria. It's a small shop and it was crowded. So people are standing close. I had my money in one pocket, and my personal phone in my other pocket. There were two short women who cut in line in front of me, and that annoyed me to begin with. They wouldn't move to let me pass, and I couldn't understand what they were doing. They weren't ordering food, just looking around. I thought maybe they were trying to decide if they wanted to eat there, and then they just up and left. I was happy at first. Once I got closer to the register, I noticed that my pocket felt empty. So I put my hand in my pocket and guess what? They had pick-pocketed me! They took my vera bradley pouch and 200 soles ($70 worth). I was more mad about the pouch because I really liked it. And I was mad that I couldn't even feel it! I couldn't believe it.
The third incident happened a bit closer to home with another one of our volunteers. She was walking to the colegio with two other volunteers in the bright daylight (10:30 AM), and she was putting her camera away. She had been taking pictures along the way because it was her last week here in Horizon. Someone ran right up to her and ripped her camera off her wrist band and ran. She tried running with another volunteer after him, but the other volunteer told them to stop in case he had a gun. Of course she was very upset after this. I would be too! Both of mine were not as dramatic thankfully.
I was just surprised this last incident happened so close to Horizon and in the daylight. I am trying to be more careful with my things now. I thought I was before, but I'm going to be extra careful. I'm just thankful nothing worse has happened to anyone here. I don't feel unsafe, but I just feel the need to be a little more aware of my surroundings.
This is a picture of the street that we walk down to get to the colegio:
First of all, Nestor gave me a new phone. It's called RPM, and it was nicer and cheaper than my other phone, since I could virtually call him for free and send free texts to anyone. So I loved the phone. I was going to use my personal phone that I had bought for work, and the RPM phone for personal use. But I only had the RPM phone two weeks before I lost it. I don't know whether it was from pickpocketing or my phone just fell out of my pocket. But I was leaving an area of Trujillo called Laredo to head back to La Esperanza, and I had to take multiple modes of transportation since I wanted to be cheap and only pay 2 soles home versus 15 soles. I rode one combi (which is like a van), and I'm pretty sure I still had my phone after that. I had to get off that combi at some point, so I got off and got on the micro (bus) to get home. After I got off at my house, Nestor had told me to text him to let him know I got home safely. So I searched for my phone and couldn't find it. I immediately called my phone hoping it would pop up somewhere. Nothing. Then whoever had my phone kept ending my phone call. I called continuously and finally they turned off my phone. So I called Nestor, told him what happened, and apologized profusely. I felt horrible. I was so angry with myself for losing the phone so easily. He suspended the number quickly so the thief couldn't use the phone. I have never lost a phone like that in my life. But I guess there's a first for everything.
And surprise, surprise, I was actually starting to like Sudoku! I hated that game in high school and all throughout college, but I don't know what changed, but I was liking it more. I was actually sad that I wouldn't get to play it anymore.
The second incident with me came just two weeks later. I went to one of my favorite sandwich shops in downtown Trujillo for dinner (it was only 6:30 pm!) with Nestor. The restaurant was called San Augustin Jugueria. It's a small shop and it was crowded. So people are standing close. I had my money in one pocket, and my personal phone in my other pocket. There were two short women who cut in line in front of me, and that annoyed me to begin with. They wouldn't move to let me pass, and I couldn't understand what they were doing. They weren't ordering food, just looking around. I thought maybe they were trying to decide if they wanted to eat there, and then they just up and left. I was happy at first. Once I got closer to the register, I noticed that my pocket felt empty. So I put my hand in my pocket and guess what? They had pick-pocketed me! They took my vera bradley pouch and 200 soles ($70 worth). I was more mad about the pouch because I really liked it. And I was mad that I couldn't even feel it! I couldn't believe it.
The third incident happened a bit closer to home with another one of our volunteers. She was walking to the colegio with two other volunteers in the bright daylight (10:30 AM), and she was putting her camera away. She had been taking pictures along the way because it was her last week here in Horizon. Someone ran right up to her and ripped her camera off her wrist band and ran. She tried running with another volunteer after him, but the other volunteer told them to stop in case he had a gun. Of course she was very upset after this. I would be too! Both of mine were not as dramatic thankfully.
I was just surprised this last incident happened so close to Horizon and in the daylight. I am trying to be more careful with my things now. I thought I was before, but I'm going to be extra careful. I'm just thankful nothing worse has happened to anyone here. I don't feel unsafe, but I just feel the need to be a little more aware of my surroundings.
This is a picture of the street that we walk down to get to the colegio:
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Weddings in Peru
A week and a half ago I was able to attend the wedding of one of the missionaries from my church, Alleen and her fiancee Hermes. Alleen is from the States and Hermes is from here in Peru. It was a beautiful wedding and they both looked so happy. Here is the best pic I have of the happy newly weds:
I was interested in seeing if there would be any combination of the American wedding style and the Peruvian. I have already attended a Peruvian wedding in November with Nestor. The main differences I found from the American wedding and the Peruvian wedding is that the party goes all night long. For example, the wedding ceremony started at 7 and finished at 9 pm. We arrived at the reception around 9:30 and had to wait an hour for the bride and groom to arrive. Once they arrived we gave a toast to the bride and groom and they danced. Dinner was served soon afterwards, and then the dancing began. The bride did throw the bouquet just like in the States. Nestor and I ended up leaving that party at 2 am, because we were both tired. But the party was just beginning. Because as we were leaving we could see the clowns and men on stilts with long balloons getting ready to go out. Nestor told me the reception probably wouldn't end until 6 in the morning! How crazy! What a long day for the bride and groom. Another thing different is that there are no bridesmaids or groomsmen.
In the wedding I went to on Saturday, there were bridesmaids and groomsmen. The rest of the ceremony was similar to wedding ceremonies in the States. After that we headed to the reception. The wedding was during the day so we had lunch at the reception. The reception was in a place where you would have never thought there was a beautiful garden! It was gorgeous. The reception was similar to that of the States except a majority of the music was salsa and cumbia. It was a good and pretty ceremony.
Here's a picture of Nestor and I. Nestor doesn't really like taking too many photos sadly. But he's a good sport for me. :)
We had a good time, and I know that Alleen and Hermes did too. Congrats to the happy newleyweds!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Puerto Chicama
Today being Nestor's only day off from work, we decided that this weekend we would visit a local beach called Chicama as a day trip. Yes, there is a local beach nearby called Huanchaco, but that beach is filled with rocks, so it makes it difficult to walk in the water or even on the beach. We had heard this beach had no rocks and was amazing. So we get on the bus at 9 am this morning for the two hour bus ride where we only have to pay 5.50 soles ($2.11) for one way. Very cheap!
My main purpose for coming to Chicama was to teach Nestor how to swim in the ocean. He knows how to swim. Don't worry about that. He just wasn't sure about the ocean, especially since the water moves. I ultimately want to get him to try surfing once, while I'm here. So I thought Chicama, with it's rockless beaches, would be the perfect place to start to learn how to swim in the ocean.
Upon arrival, this is our first view of the beach:
Very promising. It looks nice. The water is calm, the sand looks super soft, and there aren't many people, especially considering that today is Sunday, most people's day off. We immediately walk to the water to test it and see how cold it is. And for me, it's cold. I can't handle cold water very well, so I immediately am a bit disappointed. After this, we find a spot to lay down. Not one minute after getting comfortable, the wind blows (as it usually does at the beach). Remember how I said that the sand is super soft, meaning that it is fine? Well, this presents a problem. Every time the wind blows, sand comes with it. So I was trying to talk to Nestor once, and sand was blown in my mouth. Not what I was expecting. We tried to build a little wall to protect us from the sand, but that didn't help at all. After laying there for an hour, we decide to get in the water to rinse off and try swimming. Nestor jumps right in, but me, I struggle to overcome the coldness of the water. Every time it splashed me I would give out a little scream of surprise. After a few minutes, I got used to it more or less (although my skin was covered in goose bumps). We got out of the water and left the beach to find a bathroom to rinse off.
This is what we found upon exiting:
Seems nice right? Well, see that man sitting in the door? He charges you money as you enter. 30 centimos (12 cents) to use the bathroom without toilet paper, 50 centimos with toilet paper (19 cents), and 1 sol to take a shower (38 cents). It's not much money, I know, but still, to charge to use the bathroom? I've never heard of it.
Overall, it was a good day, and it was nice to get out of Trujillo, even if it was just for a few hours. It was nice to explore somewhere new where neither one of us had been. We both didn't know what to expect. We were disappointed that the beach wasn't as nice as we thought with all of the sand, but it was nice to be able to spend the day together.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Growth
Coming to Peru has definitely been a learning and growing experience. Before arriving, I thought I would have a hard time being away from home, my family, and my friends. But this hasn't been the case. Although I do miss home and my family and friends, this hasn't been the hardest thing about being here at all. I arrived here as volunteer of this organization and will leave the organziation as Director. Whoa. So how did I go from volunteer to Director?? I'm not sure to be honest.
The first four months I was here (August to December), I was a volunteer. Nothing more. Although in the beginning of December, Luz and Manual approached me with the idea of being the program coordinator. I knew I didn't fit some of the qualifications that they were looking for, but they preferred that I be the program coordinator since I knew the area really well, how things work here in the organization and in Peru, and that my spanish was improving so I would be able to communicate with the community. So I accepted although I was a little wary about if I was the right fit. I tried my best, although looking back there were plenty of things I could have done better. But that's always the case. Plus, I don't have experience in this and I am learning. Taking on this job has caused me to stop teaching. I do miss it, and I realize that maybe I would like to continue with it. But that's a whole different kind of post. I was program coordinator from January to February.
Now beginning in March, I have the prestigious title of Director. Haha. Now, we have a new program coordinator who is more fit for this role of program coordinator than I was. She has great experience, and although she's only been here a full week and a half, she's done an amazing job. Better than what I could have ever done. I'm learning a lot from her. We're working together to help improve the organizatoin and prevent any more problems from arising. This title comes with a lot more responsibilities, and I'm going to try to do my best. Although I still don't feel like I'm the perfect person for the job, I'm going to try my best. I want things to get better. I should be director from March until August, the date that I am to leave the organization. After August, the new program coordinator will assume the role of director and they will hire a new program coordinator.
This job has been tough for me as it has put me far out of my comfort zone than I think I would have originally thought to go. I'm still learning so much about myself, about this job, about Peru, about what God has to show me, etc. I'm learning more about my capabilities as a person and my weaknesses. Things that I thought I knew about myself have been reaffirmed. Just in general it's a learning and growing process. I hope to improve myself and help improve an organization while helping others.
Here's a picture of some the kids that we teach:
The first four months I was here (August to December), I was a volunteer. Nothing more. Although in the beginning of December, Luz and Manual approached me with the idea of being the program coordinator. I knew I didn't fit some of the qualifications that they were looking for, but they preferred that I be the program coordinator since I knew the area really well, how things work here in the organization and in Peru, and that my spanish was improving so I would be able to communicate with the community. So I accepted although I was a little wary about if I was the right fit. I tried my best, although looking back there were plenty of things I could have done better. But that's always the case. Plus, I don't have experience in this and I am learning. Taking on this job has caused me to stop teaching. I do miss it, and I realize that maybe I would like to continue with it. But that's a whole different kind of post. I was program coordinator from January to February.
Now beginning in March, I have the prestigious title of Director. Haha. Now, we have a new program coordinator who is more fit for this role of program coordinator than I was. She has great experience, and although she's only been here a full week and a half, she's done an amazing job. Better than what I could have ever done. I'm learning a lot from her. We're working together to help improve the organizatoin and prevent any more problems from arising. This title comes with a lot more responsibilities, and I'm going to try to do my best. Although I still don't feel like I'm the perfect person for the job, I'm going to try my best. I want things to get better. I should be director from March until August, the date that I am to leave the organization. After August, the new program coordinator will assume the role of director and they will hire a new program coordinator.
This job has been tough for me as it has put me far out of my comfort zone than I think I would have originally thought to go. I'm still learning so much about myself, about this job, about Peru, about what God has to show me, etc. I'm learning more about my capabilities as a person and my weaknesses. Things that I thought I knew about myself have been reaffirmed. Just in general it's a learning and growing process. I hope to improve myself and help improve an organization while helping others.
Here's a picture of some the kids that we teach:
This was taken around Christmas time. We had one of our volunteers dress up as Santa Claus and we went to a local colegio of special needs children and sang a Christmas song in English. The kids loved it.
More posts to come!
(P.S.- I have another blog at http://www.erinmcgill.tumblr.com/ that I have kept for two years, but lately I have had trouble uploading pictures, so I decided to switch blogs so I can post pictures again.)
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