My Replacement

Unbeknownst to me, while I was away, my room had been subleased for perhaps the entire week. After my 8 hour overnight bus ride and a taxi ride from Lima, all I wanted for Sunday was to come home, change my clothes, and rest. This plan was overthrown the moment my intruder was discovered. It happened at about 11:30am. While trying to extract some trousers from my clothes shelf, I found him...or her, not sure. My first glimpse was the arm... then the tail. I freaked. I screamed. I ran for Arturo. He's 5. My screaming and jumping scared him. I had to go for Efraín. Within moments, it was all over. There was shouting, banging, and before I knew it, there were guts all over my floor. The verdict: a scorpion. When I stepped out for the week, he crawled in. 

My host sister tried to stop Efraín from killing it, which I didn't understand. Later, I learned that when you find a scorpion, it's a sign that fortune is in your fortune. But if you kill it, you will lose fortune. Hmm. Technically, I didn't kill it... 

I have been a paranoid mess all week. My clothes, shoes, and any other earthly possession is shaken profusely before it's use. I hope these creatures don't settle in packs. There is so much I have to learn. What I've gathered from the locals is that scorpions are kind of like the mice of South America, sort of. But they sting. And hide in your clothes. Crap. I get the willies just writing this. Any advice is welcome. Any comments that would spark cringing and worrying are strictly prohibited. 

Just another piece of the adventure. Thank God for brave little boys. 

Dr. Meer Would Be So Proud

On the third day of Field Based Training, I somehow landed in a project that hits close to home--- dental hygiene. 

Those of you who know me well may be familiar with the 12 or so cavities I had filled and the 4 root canals I've had within the past 2 years. I think it was 12 cavities... maybe 14. After awhile, you just lose count. Anyway, I saw my dentist perhaps more than I saw my own siblings last year. This kind of situation makes one care about what's going on with the pearly whites. For example, I came to Peru with at least $100 worth of prescription toothpaste, 6 toothbrushes (one that I carry in my backpack at all times), and plenty of floss. Since being here, I've sought out mouthwash with fluoride, I've hit up the medical officers for free floss, and I've convinced Joe to send me more floss and my retainer. I care about dental health... a whole lot. In case you weren't around for the rough dental days, or don't remember, here's a little flashback- 

The Hotness. 

So it is no wonder that teaching kids to brush their teeth was something that I loved. It was one of those things that you don't realize is awesome until it's happening. On Monday night our whole group was asked to choose a topic to discuss with the kids the following day: toothbrushing, hand washing, self esteem, or the environment. Of my group of three that I worked with last week, I was the only one there to choose for us from these topics. Making a split decision so that we didn't end up with environment, I shouted "toothbrushing!" I don't know why I didn't want to teach environment stuff that day, or what pushed me toward dental cleanliness, but it was the right choice. 

Tuesday morning on our way to Tumpa, the site of this activity, I made a last minute list of words I thought I might need. After interrogating a few native/ experienced speakers, I was ready. I wish I could have captured the looks on the faces of those innocent people I frantically approached sputtering, "how do you say 'gums?' 'Bristles?' 'Germs?'" Sigh. One of these days, I will stop being such a Gringa. 

The next thing I knew I was hiking about a mile away from the rest of our group with my 2 counterparts and our host Veronica, the current volunteer in Tumpa who was helping us with this session. We quickly learned that we were going to a 2 room classroom up the mountain. The classroom we would work with was for children ages 6-11. 

Flash forward about 15 minutes and I'm standing in front of a room full of kids desperately trying to explain, in Spanish of course, the concept of cavities. my method of choice was drawing a "plaque monster" on the chalkboard. I think I failed in my mission. My "plaque monster" looked like an amoeba with feet. The idea of germs digging holes in their teeth seemed to go over a little better, but maybe by then they just learned that nodding would make the Gringa stop talking. Who knows?... 

In the midst of my failed attempt to relay the gravity of this issue, I was carried back to the days of my youth in curiosity of how I first learned this stuff. Soon, I was drifting off into a memory of a poorly animated cartoon and a giant toothbrush. For the past week, I've been wondering about what's on YouTube in terms of cartoon educational tooth videos in Spanish and how I can get my hands on a giant toothbrush. If you have any suggestions, let me know. I could use some resources on this one.

Following my sophisticated lecture was the fun part of the day: toothbrushing! The health post gave us toothbrushes/ paste to give the kids so we split them up in groups and taught each one of them how it was done. To my surprise, most of them had no idea how to hold a toothbrush or what to do first. They caught on quickly and did great. I will not soon forget the looks on their faces when they felt a toothbrush in their mouths for the first time. We showed them their teeth in mirrors during and after the brushing, and you could see the curiosity in their eyes. Later, most of them admitted that they had never done this before. After I had decided that they would all be too shy to ask questions, this adorable little girl approached me and asked in a near whisper how to best care for her teeth from now on. I was touched. She got an ear full of suggestions on what to do. By the time I was done with her, we accumulated an entire crowd of her friends. This time instead of just nodding, they listened intently and asked more questions. It was great. The next morning I woke up wondering how many of them had brushed their teeth the night before or that morning. If the answer was even one, I'd be tickled. 

Now I just need to somehow acquire some tooth videos, or a tooth suit to wear, or some sort of captivating props to improve my next session. The informative piece of the talk needs some work. Overall though, I feel good about this one. Just doing a little bit of life changing... just another day at the office. lol 

Fun Facts: Week 6

Announcement: I have a new niece!!! Hooray :) That puts me up to 6! 

Random Fact: I ate guinea pig.

Up next: Site assignments are on August 3rd. My home for the next 2 years will be known in little more than 1 week. Can't come soon enough. I just want to know... Stay tuned. 

Field Based Training in Ancash

Sorry for the blog neglect last week. I was without internet, as I was in the beautiful department of Ancash. Here you have all that you were missing last week :)

Day by day recap-

Sunday: Arrive in Huaraz (Capital City) at 6:30am. Breakfast of delicious crepes at this adorable cafe own by a lovely couple from California. 

Lose bank card. Spend the rest of the day cursing at myself for forgetting my new pin number and feeding my card to the ATM. 

Monday: Teach English: success. My group of 3 for this project used a game from my high school Spanish class where the students swat words on the marker board with a fly swatter to practice new vocab words. The teacher liked this activity so much that she asked for our fly swatters so that they could repeat this game. Win! Learned a lot with this lesson and felt a lot more comfortable managing a classroom. 

English Lesson. I bribe with candy. 

Eat Guinea Pig: Sort of a success. I did it. Even with the little paw attached, caught outstretched in it's final plea for salvation. I watched these little guys get 'plucked,' gutted, and prepared. Tastes like chicken. Will not be a repeat 'treat.' 

Cuy, aka guinea pig

Meet the world's fastest kid: Done. His name was Alexis. I stumbled upon him in an afternoon of games for neighborhood kids in Jangas. Every time I had the pleasure of being chosen to tag, chase, or capture another human I chose him. Eventually I wore him down and caught him, it took some work though. Later he told me he runs with his dad in the mornings when he's not helping his mom in the kitchen and he has a 2 week old little sister. My favorite friend of the day. I like kids who facilitate my multi-tasking of running and working at the same time. I need to squeeze in a good run whenever I can here. 

Tuesday: Teach children how to brush their teeth for the first time ever: Done. Will write a full entry on this later. One of the coolest things I've done here so far. 

Swim in a thermal bath: Check. The water looked weird, but felt great. As described by Matt, it was like falling into the pool in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory...

Thermal Baths

Wednesday: Trust falls and a quick volleyball tourney with local youth: Yes. The boys of that school even taught me how to head but a soccer ball. Big win! 

Thursday: Reproductive health/ pregnancy prevention session with teenagers: success. Afternoon session with parents of a different town about self esteem, sex, HIV/ AIDS, teen pregnancy, etc: big win. I got a chance to dig out my acting skills from days past for these sessions. It was great to see both the kids and the parents so engaged in these sessions. We also made cookies for lunch to practice altitude cooking. Good day. 

My team for the week.

Friday: Glacial lake visit: huge win. The rest of the day: huge fail. Friday and Saturday I was out with a bacterial infection. My itinerary was as follows: sleep, bathroom, gatorade, bathroom, sleep, repeat. Thank God for antibiotics. I went to the glacial lakes in the morning, which was an amazing experience. Crystal blue water, gorgeous mountain viewing, pure group bonding time ;) I was glad I went, but ended up spending a large chunk of our time there in the combi resting. After a windy and nauseous 2 hour descent from the lakes to our next site, I headed back to the hostel where I spent the remainder of the day. 

Shot from the glacial lakes. Photo credit: Katy Halasz

Saturday: Breakfast: fail. Half a bagel proved too difficult to eat. Went to the bank for a new card, retired to the hostel for the rest of the day. When evening came I treated myself to some Ramen, which was amazing by the way, then boarded the bus back to Lima after bidding farewell to the beautiful mountains of Ancash. 

Great times were had, good things were learned, and I hope to return with anyone who wants to visit me! 

New Friends! 

Just another day at the office :)

It Happened in Week 4

I had avoided any sort of US food cravings for 1 month. Then one day, while minding my own business, it snuck up and attacked. It was week 4. I was on a combi. Like a ton of bricks, it hit me. CHEESE CURDS. I had to have them. Fresh, salty, pure, naked curds. That's what I wanted. The beautiful little orange ones that are so fresh the bag is still warm. The kind of delicious Wisconsin treat that loves you so much it squeaks. Why oh why was this happening to me? Why couldn't I crave Lays potato chips or Snickers or something else that I could find at the local Plaza Vea? Or even a standard snack like M&M's or something that can be sent? Why must it be the most unattainable food of the Southern Hemisphere? Eff. 

Since that wretched day, I have thought of nothing but cheese. Cheese curds. Cheese spread. String cheese. Breaded cheese curds. Cheese wheels. Cheese crumbles. Cheese wedges. The bountiful Brie my kitchen used to greet me with after work. The shredded cheese I would steal from Joe's fridge when he wasn't around. The cheese that Bill gets fresh for family events, then slices so thinly that it crumbles in your mouth. All I want is Wisconsin cheese. Or foreign cheese. Or aged cheese. Maybe I should request a cow for my site. Or a goat. A visit home next summer just got another item on the "do it" list inside my head... Cheese. 

ANCASH

Highlights- Warm showers, wool socks, mountains, awesome projects with great people, glacial lakes, copious amounts of ice cream, practical experience, thermal baths, so much more. 

Not highlights- ATM eating my bank card, falling victim to a wretched bacterial infection, knowing that I probably won't get to live in Ancash. 

Full recap coming soon! 

Fun Facts: Week 5

Good: Lunch with the Yanacoto gang for Kimberly's birthday. Awesome brownies, courtesy of the birthday girl. Hike to the hieroglyphics and around the mountains of Yanacoto. A cell phone! Peru victory in the Copa America. Harry Potter 7 part 2 in Lima after some Pizza Hut. Preparation for a week long trip to Ancash... 

Bad: Diarrhea Round 2 

Unexpected: Free day off of training Wednesday due to a transportation strike. An appreciated break. 

Shot from our hike. This is where I live :)