Wow it's been 3 months in Chocta!!! Someone said these first three months will drag on because it's the period of learning and observing before the work actually starts. They were wrong. These months flew by! And this past week I found myself again, back at the training center in Lima, back with the other health volunteers. We have this training to reflect on what we learned about our communities over the past 3 months and get ready for our next steps.
It was a strange, great, fast week.
Strange to be back in a big city that honestly is like being
back in the States. It felt like most people spoke English and there was plenty
of Starbucks, traffic, and sushi. I ate so well, I’d forgotten the great and
varied food Lima has to offer. Living with my old host family was strange but
not as awkward as I’d expected. They were nice and it was cool to see how my
Spanish improved in 3 months!
Great to be with the other volunteers, catch up on their
lives, and hear their crazy stories. It’s never nice to hear about struggles of
other people, but in this case it was good to hear that we are all facing
similar difficulties in our perspective sites. It was also great to see the
health program staff again. They’re really awesome people who I look up to a
lot for their passion for this development work. And knowing they’re here for
us for whatever we need is a huge comfort.
Fast went the week! Before I knew it I was back in the
campo. My first culture shock back into reality when I came back to Amazonas
was the combi ride. The driver sent me to the back of the bus to the last
available seat that wasn’t even meant to be a seat. There was a tiny slit of
space between two seats so the put a wooden stool there to squeeze passengers
into every space possible! My butt definitely did not fit in that sliver of a
space so I was sitting on one butt cheek, my other one pretty much on the man
next to me, nice and cozy. Not to mention I’d forgotten that musty smell of
campo folk. I was harumphing and puffing about how life sucks when the lady
next to me takes off her shawl thingy and offers it to me to sit on so I’d have
a more comfy seat! So yeah, I’m back to crowded smelly transportation, but I’m
also back to incredibly friendly selfless people!
I’ll take it :)
Lexie,just caught up on your blog, very,very interesting, I envy you, it sounds like you are really having a wonderful experience. Not only are you learning you are able to see and share that beautiful experience with your family here and with your "family" there. I know that sometimes things seem a little stressed but just remember so many people would love to be in your place. Love you G.
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