Culture Shock

I'm experiencing reverse culture shock.

I awoke this morning, and was overwhelmed by the sense that I was out-of-place. I was in a big bed with air conditioning and a fan blowing on me, and it was too quiet. My mind immediately jumped to: I should be getting dressed and loading up the vans to ride into Villa. I thought about the time and what I would be doing in Lima at that time. Throughout the day I have looked at the clock and thought about what I would be doing, or what everyone else was doing, in Lima.

My day has been in slow motion, and I find myself savoring each thing I do, finding pleasure in the simple tasks. I am having a hard time visiting with or talking to people today. I hope that it is just because I am tired, and because I was in such social situations for 3 weeks. It is not that I do not want to see people, rather it is just the thought of talking and being social zaps my energy. Today I enjoyed quiet time.

I ventured out to Trader Joes. I went during the day while it was low on people. But even standing in the aisle looking for certain products was overwhelming, too much choice. I finally understand what my friend Laetitia (from Paris) was talking about when she talked about our super stores and how confused she felt by just the drink choices.

My first sense of culture shock occurred yesterday while transferring terminals in Newark. The bus was full, and I had to hang on to a rail while standing in the middle of the bus (you all know of my un-gracefulness...I try to avoid potential accidents at all costs). As I stood there, balancing, I faced 3 seated men. They all looked at me, but no one offered me his seat. I wore a back pack, and sat a bag between my feet. None of them had a bag. In Lima, all three of them would have stood up and offered me a seat (they stuff their buses there). Granted, I would never ride a bus in Lima; they are worse than the death cabs. But, if I did ride the bus, they would offer the seat to a mother and child, or another woman. On the bus in Newark, all I could think was, "This is America."

Driving around today, I was struck by the beauty of the abundance of green, grass and trees. We have really big yards. I was also struck by all of the big cars and trucks.

Today was laundry day. As I put clothes away, I decided I had too many clothes. It was a sudden decision, and maybe a bit irrational. I felt like I packed light, but I did not wear half the clothes I took to Peru. I lived in layers, and many of us just wore the same things over and over. So as I stared at my drawers and closet, I began pulling things out and tossing them in a pile. I do not have any cute little abuelos and abuelas (grandpas and grandmas) who would love the extra layers, but maybe I can take the clothes to Crisis Assistance.

I know you are all waiting for photos and stories. I promise they are coming and appreciate your patience as I write in the current stream of thought.

Making plans

As the days tick closer, I become a little more nervous about the unknown. While I am in Lima, I would like to travel. I definitely want to visit Machu Picchu. I have been told that it is hard to travel there in a weekend because of the length of the flight and the altitude change. People have suggested I go when my program is over, but I am leery about booking my flight home a few days after my program ends. What would I do if I left that open time to travel and then did not have a travel partner? I do not feel comfortable flying into the mountains and touring Machu Picchu alone, especially when I do not speak the language.

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/countries/latin-america/volunteer-peru/lima.aspx

This dilemma has swirled for a while now. I know I need to buy my plane tickets, but I just do not know what to do. My program manager will not begin conference calls with the group until a month before we leave, so I do not know who will be in Lima yet to try to make plans.

Just when my worries really started to mount, a light at the end of the tunnel. CCS has an inner-community blog for the volunteers. It is kind of like Facebook, but private. I contacted two guys who recently stayed in Lima for travel tips. Then I was contacted by Elise. Elise leaves for Lima in a month and will be there when I arrive. Our programs end the same day. I am so excited and relieved to find someone who will be there at the same time! She has helped me decide to fly home on the last day of my program, as she will. She plans to travel to Machu Picchu on a weekend, and I hope I will be able to join her.

New Friends

Sra. Kolarska introduced me to new friends last week. There is a little girl, M., in our first grade who is from Peru. Her family still has a business and home in Lima. I met M. and her parents last week, and they were so welcoming towards me. They have told me some things about Lima, and given me their contact information so I can visit them there this summer. There is a sense of peace just knowing the name of someone in Lima. I look forward to learning more about the family and their culture. Hopefully we can learn together.

Peru Presentation

A student in my class invited her mom to speak to us Friday. Mrs. Carrasco was born and raised in Peru, a descendant of the Incas. She lived in the jungle when she was very young (the students were very entertained by her stories of having a monkey as a pet), and then moved to Lima when she was in school.

Mrs. Carrasco taught the students about the geography, food, traditions, cities, and clothing in Peru. I very much enjoyed seeing pictures and learning about the mountain town of Couzco and the Incan ruins of Manchu Picchu. While it will be the middle of winter when I go to Peru, I would like to travel a bit after my program ends.

Mrs. Carrasco is a wonderful resource and I look forward to learning more from her as my trip draws near!

Peruvian friends

Now that I'm going to Peru, people seem to be coming out of the woodwork with stories about Peru.

Ms. Fitzpatrick, a 5th grade teacher and good friend of mine, once taught in Peru. She invited me over on Friday night to go through her books and talk about her experiences. She is just a wonderful soul and such a great resource. I feel a little more excited and ready to go this summer. Hopefully Ms. Fitz can help me as I plan for my departure!

A parent of one of my students is from Peru! She has agreed to come into our room and talk about Peru and its sister country, Chile, which is also our classroom's adopted country. We are so excited!

I love how people come together to share global connections for our students!

New Year, New Adventure

I do not make New Year's resolutions. If I do not have any expectations, then I cannot be disappointed. This year, I want to embrace adventure and whatever changes come my way.

As of January 3rd, I am officially enrolled to join Cross-Cultural Solutions in Lima, Peru! I finish this school year, file my report cards and data, clean up my room, and board a plane for South America! My program will run from June 19-July 9. I am excited, I am nervous, I am overwhelmed, I am walking with a pep in my step.

I cannot wait to immerse myself in a new culture, teach new and curious minds, learn conversational Spanish, meet diverse friends, and discover the terrain of Peru. I will use this blog to document my progress as I prepare for my adventure. Check back often, and thank you for joining me!