La Ciudad de las Flores

The week of surprises and excitement. We started it off with a medical session from Jorge, one of my favorite staff members, about STIs and safe sex. He ended the session by pulling out two dildos and a bag filled with condoms, yes indeed we did have a dildo/condom related relay and yes it was as funny as it sounds. But on a more serious note, we got our site assignments on Thursday- it sorta reminded me of the whole bid day experience, what department are you going to get?? Even going in I was sure that I was going to be in La Libertad or Lambayeque….. SURPRISE I GOT JUNIN! It wasn’t what I was expecting at all but I have amazing people in my department and three of my closest friends here- so how can I complain. I am being sent to “La ciudad de las Flores” and “La Perla de los Andes”---- Tarma, Junin

A short and sweet overview of Tarma (because I’m too lazy to write a paragraph):

-Central Andean territory- 10,050 feet above sea level

-151 miles from Lima- really can’t complain, I’m really close to Lima compared to everyone else

-Weather: temperate and dry, medium annual temperature 53.6 – (MiSue and Lanier send me all my sweaters and scarves that I didn’t think I would need)

-With a population of 55,000 (my site not the entire city) it’s not surprising that I have the biggest site for Peru27. I am also the first volunteer, which is not the easiest job but I keep reminding myself that I got here for a reason and si se puede!

-Located in a fertile valley with non-polluted air (it’s gonna be real pretty)

-Civilizations from pre-Inca to Inca cultures have lived here so there are important archaeological remains

My weekly Spotlights:

Kristine- shes such a positive, feisty, ball of energy that I don’t think I would ever get tired of. She’s got spunk and a laugh that fills the room- I wish we had more time together chica

Landon- oh wise Landon, where do I start.. First off his Spanish has increased so much since we arrived- it’s shocking and inspires me to work on my Spanish daily even on the hard days. He has so many cool stories to share and such an amazing outlook on life. Cool guy all around.

Karson- at first she comes off as a little reserved but after working with her during FBT I got to see what makes her laugh and discover the things she enjoys. She also loves singing and will go through an entire Disney playlist with you.

Caron- with a love story right out of a Nicholas Sparks book and an eye for fashion (duh because that’s actually what she did before coming to Peru) She rocks wedges constantly and I hope one day I will also be able to here.

On Tuesday I will be on my way to Junin for three weeks and I’m not sure if I will be able to post so here is some of the stuff I will be doing:

-visit the Municipality and give a speech about the PC goals and what is expected of me

-discover local products at the market

-attend a local ceremony

-visit a primary and secondary school

-design a community map

Plus I live on the 6th floor so I’m going to come back with thighs of steel and a JLo booty