new blog to come

I´m alive and thriving here in Peru. I have been busy teaching English, ballet, self esteem, how to care for the environment and swimming lessons. Right now we are busy preparing for Carnaval. If anyone still reads this thing I apologize for the lack of updates. It is my goal to be better!

Fotos

Mi familia y yo. New Year´s

I am painting a world map on the wall in the high school

Mis amigitos

I live here :)

I apologize for not posting. There are so many anecdotes I want to share, I just have not had the time. Please do not worry, though...todo bien. I am the happiest I think I have ever been, and am certainly relishing being the only gringa in town. It is a really nice feeling to walk down the street and be greeted by everyone I pass. Projects and events just sort of create themselves for me. Recently I have been busy going to several primary/secondary school graduations, painting a world map, swimming in our hot water pool, and planning activities for school vacation (which begins next week). I will certainly miss everyone dearly on Christmas eve, though I must admit it is sort of a relief to be removed from the hectic hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Wishing everyone a feliz navidad and prosperous new year.

I went to the Jungle for a Week with the Graduating High School Class

A few photos from the jungle

Got my dancin shoes on

Every day I am told the rain will stop for a while, and every day it begins anew. My last 2 line entry was rather negative toward the rain. I did not mean it to be. I really like it. The valley where I live, although always beautiful, every day more resembles a bit of Paradise. I did not think it was possible for the landscape to become more green, more lush. It is. It has begun to yield terrific quantities of delicious mangos, bananas, avocados, and papayas. I am psyched.

One quick anecdote before I take off. I have begun teaching ballet classes to the 6 and 7 year old girls in town. Last week we held our first formal class in an empty room in the escuela. The girls all met at my house first, where they waited while I gathered up my music and water bottle. Unfortunately, I forgot to gather up a belt for my loose pants. About 10 minutes into class, (I think we had just finished with plies), I yanked my pants up higher on my waist and continued demonstrating the next combination of steps. To my amusement, every girl in the class (about 11 little girls) yanked up their pants as well. I chuckled to myself and continued on with the combination. Ten minutes later, as I was demonstrating another movement, I was impelled to push my glasses up on my nose. Every single girl pretended to adjust a pair of imaginary glasses. This was just weird. Turns out my host mom had had a talk with them about being attentive and following my every move during class so that they could learn to be beautiful ballerinas. Must have sunk in.

While I realize teaching ballet is not going to save my community from its poverty or develop the girls into prima-ballerinas, it has thus far been a beautiful experience. One of the focuses of Peace Corps is cross-cultural exchange, and ballet for me is what I have to offer. As dance is such an integral part of cultures across the globe, I think it is appropriate.

After our class got out that first day, the girls began to whisper amongst themselves. When I asked what was up, they timidly approached me and said ¨senorita patty, do you know how to dance huayno? We would like to teach you a Peruvian dance next time.¨ I really liked that.

(Huayno is a local folkloric dance)

Rainy Season Has Arrived Full Force

It has been raining for four days straight, day and night. The road is pure mud. I can´t run. I can´t do anything. Bah