AMAZONAS here I come!

On Wednesday we got our site placement, and since then I've been on cloud nine! I was not expecting or hoping for the region of Amazonas, but after hearing about it I could not be more happy. I'll be heading north at the end of November :)

Amazonas is a region in northern Peru. It's half mountains (where I'll be) and half jungle. We will be the volunteers who are the farthest driving distance from Lima (Piura is technically farther, but the roads on the coast are nicer). My bus ride from Lima will take 24 hours! But we ride on "buscamas" which are buses with chairs that recline 180*. So it won't be bad. I can read, watch movies, sleep.
Anyways, I will be in the mountains of Amazonas, in the district of Luya, the annex called Chocta. Chocta has 1000 people, about 220 families. I am the only volunteer in Chocta. My closest volunteers are TJ and Austin who will live in the district capital, Luya. It will take me about 40 minutes to get there in a car, or I can hike up and down (1-2hours). Apparently on Thursdays there is a really great market in Luya where people come from all over to buy and sell. I'm looking forward to visiting on those days!

Amazonas is humid and it rains A LOT. There is a dry season most years and the rainy season is October-March. Luckily it isn't too cold. I can get away with a light rain jacket over layers. Rain boots are a must, especially considering Chocta has no paved roads! The mornings are usually sunny enough for sunglasses and T-shirts; but after 1pm, expect rain.

Because of the rain, theres lot's of vegetation and therefore a wider variety of food than other places. While I'm sure potatoes and rice will still be apart of my diet, avocadoes, mangoes, corn, and other great foods will be included! There's a large production of dairy products from our many dairy farms (yay cheese!). We also heard that real coffee is harvested there! Many volunteers like to buy raw coffee beans to roast and grind themselves.

My host family consists of a stay at home host mom, a farmer host dad, a 14 year old host sister and 5 year old host brother. My room will be furnished but I have to buy my own mattress (PC gives me money for that). I don't have many details about my house, but they have running water, plumbing, and electricity so I'm happy! When I go visit in 2 weeks I will update with photos.

Amazonas is statistically the safest Peace Corps region in Peru, as far as any reported crime goes! I was told a volunteer left her iPhone in a bar and came back to get it successfully 3 hours later. Peace Corps Volunteers in Amazonas also have a reputation of being hard workers and producing great projects. I can't wait to be a part of this amazing community!

Here's a picture of 2 current Amazonas PCVs, our Regional Coordinator, and the eight Peru 24 Volunteers who'll be joining me! 4 from Community Health and 4 from Water and Sanitation