July 10th, 2012
I’m going to miss my friends in Vicco. But I’m
also going to love my new site. I may have only spent half a day here so far,
but all the signs are great. It’s gorgeous for starters. There are rolling
hills, snow-capped mountains in the distance, trees, fields, horses, and
children running everywhere. We’re still decently high, at 3500m or so (11,500
feet or so), and they say it gets pretty cold. But I was outside at 8pm in one
pair of pants, a single cotton t-shirt, and a cotton sweatshirt. I didn’t feel cold
at all. I’m sure it will get colder, but this is nothing compared to Vicco.
I met my host family, and they
seem wonderful. My host mom is Santa, and she seems like a really sweet lady.
Her one son is 13, and also pretty cool. He made an origami frog during lunch
today, as well as a hat to put on his dog. The poor dog, Bobby, had tortured
tolerance written all over his face. We also have a cat with a weird short face
that I’m just going to call Micchi (cat in Quechua). Later in the afternoon I
met Santa’s mom; her name is Rosa. I also met Santa’s brother who lives in
Huaraz and visits occasionally; his name is Manuel. I’m trying to make sure I
write their names so that I don’t forget.
After taking a short nap after
lunch, I met back up with Willa, the volunteer who lives in this site. I’m sort
of invading her site; she has 4 months of service left and then I’ll be her
replacement. Until then, we get to work together on stuff. Anyway, met up with
her and walked around with my host brother, Ronaldo. We eventually ended up
playing soccer on their soccer field, taking penalty kicks at each other. A
young boy joined us part way through, his name is Roberto or just Rober (with
an o like in Row). It was really fun, and I’m excited that I’ll be more active
here. I’ll definitely go hiking, walking, and playing soccer or volleyball. I
didn’t feel too tired or cold to do things.
I showed my host family some
photos of my life and family from my laptop, and we ate bread with some tea.
The tea was from cedron, which I should figure out what that is, because I
liked the tea. The bread was actually really yummy, waaaaay better than bread
in Vicco (sorry Vicco!). It will be perfect to make sandwiches. While we ate, I
tried to learn some Quechua. Apparently, “are you well?” is something that
sounds like Al-le ya-chu. You would answer that with OHmi, or something that
sounds like that. That means yes. Manam is no, but there’s another word that
you’re supposed to say with it if you want to answer negatively. Thus…I’ll just
stick with OHmi.
Tomorrow I’ll head down with
Willa (Constansa in site, because willa in quechua means fat) to Olleros, which
is our main center. I think she has meetings or something with the
school. I’m super excited for the days to come, as I learn people’s names, more
Quechua, and start work here.
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