ticket to emotional-ville

After getting back from Regional and Site based training on late Tuesday afternoon, I was smacked in the face with possible the most wide-ranged spectrum of emotions. First off, I got back in Lima after a twenty-one hour bus ride to a phone call from my best friend here, Abby, saying she had a less-than ideal site visit and she would be leaving for the states the next morning. I don’t know if I’ve talked much about Abby specifically, or about my close friends in general here on my blog, but these are some of the coolest, down to earth people I have ever met, and Abby was no exception. This might be sappy and cliché (and Abby if you’re reading this, sorry if I embarrass you) but she was my rock here. She was really sick for a good bit of training but never once complained. And when I was sick, she was the first person to bring me a 3L bottle of water, soda crackers and a bowl for me to get sick in because I was having trouble having diarrhea and throwing up at the same time while in the bathroom. I also found the two of us pretty likeminded when it came to talking about people we liked/ didn’t like, Peru in general and clothes (we have the same J. crew zip up hoodie). So nevertheless, I loved her so much and was devastated when she told me she was leaving. I won’t get into the details and her reasons but I’ll just leave it that her new host family SUCKED and lacked the type of respect that everyone is entitled too. And her dad was a (pardon my francais), an asshole. So Tuesday was the first time I cried here on the other side of the world and I took on a pretty cynical attitude about Peace Corps and Peru in general.

After Abby left, Tres de Octubre was falta uno and all of Peru 14 (that’s my training group number) was getting ready for Saturday (today!) where we would be sworn in finally as a new regiment of Peace Corps volunteers. We definitely found some time to party, and this week I really realized how close I´ve gotten to some people here. If I didn´t mention this already, today was also the day where everyone split up and left for their site for the next two years.

With regards to the ceremony, it was really pretty. Everyone that spoke did a great job and I had a new appreciation for singing the star spangled banner which I think is due to the fact that I miss home so much. All 54 of us remaining swore in, took about a million pictures, and said goodbye to people that many of us wont see for another two years after spending everyday of the past two months together. Depo (depressing), I know. Alas, the show must go on, and for all of us now, it goes on solo. I realize I have been super sketchy getting back to all of you, but that is all going to change because the amount of free time I am going to have is going to skyrocket. I also have my own cell phone with a numero that you can all call if you so choose by buying an international phone card or using skype. Im pretty sure (aka I will double check with my mom) but the area code for Peru is 51 and then my specific number is 072972896. That zero at the beginning I think is optional and I don’t think you need it but just in case. I LOVE PHONE CALLS. And now, I can put the ball in all of your courts to learn how to use skype (it’s way cheaper for you all) and, as we say in Spanish, llamame (call me).

In other news, Jeremy helped me pack my bags last night. And my pack my bags I mean he helped fold my clothes and set them aside in piles. And when I say fold my clothes I mean it was hilarious watching a three year old boy talk about how he loved folding clothes. He also told me his favorite color is pink. I don’t know about you all, but I’m sensing some definite femininity. I took a six minute video of the entire process and have proceeded to show it off to the other inhabitants of Tres de Octubre (gringos of course).

Mañana I am peacing out of Chaclacayo for good and going to good ole Tumbes. I don´t really knw how to feel. I mean, I´m excited because this is really what I came here to do, but I´m also about to pee myself because I will no longer be surrounded by people that speak English and I will be on my own figuring stuff out. It´s un poco overwhelming. I hope stuff will start to make sense once I get there. I will write another blog soon letting you know how everything is going. Wish me luck!!!

Much love.