The first question everybody asks me these days: Are you ready?
I was in the car for 4 hours yesterday; a lot of think time. And I realized that yes, I am ready. As ready as I can be. CCS sent me a slideshow last week showing pictures of the area and home where I will stay. It also showed pictures of the children in the school where I will most likely be placed. Seeing photos finally makes it real. I cannot wait to sit in the inner courtyard and write.
I was able to share the photos with my parents, which I think makes them a bit more comfortable with the whole trip idea. My mother spent the day helping me shop today. I was able to get tee shirts and chino type pants that I can wear a few times before washing. I also found a hat for traveling and hiking. Found a pair of flip flops for $3...shower shoes! (I kind of feel like I am preparing for summer camp!)
All I need is a power adapter, and I think I am ready! I think. Can you ever be ready?
Friday, May 27, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Reality sets in...
I leave in 29 days...
We had one of our last Spanish class meetings this week. It was after a full day of testing, so my mind was a bit muddled. At the end of class, Senora said my Spanish was not as good as it was in the beginning; I had to work more! The sham is up. I think she finally figured out that my pronunciation is a bit off...tongue gets in the way, you know? Ha! I have always known my pronunciation and my "quick" reflexes for finding the correct words are a bit challenged. I continue to practice. I wonder if Customs in the Lima airport would look at me funny if I pulled out my ring of flash cards to communicate?
On a side note, Cajun Canvas sent out their newsletter by email, and they have my night listed as "Save the Date"! That means every one in their customer base will see it! I am so excited to paint the Sunset Lighthouse. It will be a fun night, a nice celebration for the end of the school year, and a night of relaxation before I leave. I hope you can join us on June 11!
We had one of our last Spanish class meetings this week. It was after a full day of testing, so my mind was a bit muddled. At the end of class, Senora said my Spanish was not as good as it was in the beginning; I had to work more! The sham is up. I think she finally figured out that my pronunciation is a bit off...tongue gets in the way, you know? Ha! I have always known my pronunciation and my "quick" reflexes for finding the correct words are a bit challenged. I continue to practice. I wonder if Customs in the Lima airport would look at me funny if I pulled out my ring of flash cards to communicate?
On a side note, Cajun Canvas sent out their newsletter by email, and they have my night listed as "Save the Date"! That means every one in their customer base will see it! I am so excited to paint the Sunset Lighthouse. It will be a fun night, a nice celebration for the end of the school year, and a night of relaxation before I leave. I hope you can join us on June 11!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Painting for Peru!
I have scheduled one more fundraiser, and I think it will fund the rest of my trip! How amazing would it be to say I was able to fundraise 100% of the Cross-Cultural Solutions program fee?
My sister-in-law took me to a Canvas store over spring break. For 3 hours, we received artist instruction, while dancing and singing along to fun music, and chatting with other new artists. I had so much fun painting my Japanese Cherry Blossom Tree that I started looking in Charlotte.
I found Cajun Canvas, and they have agreed to dedicate their June 11th class to my CCS program. Anyone can paint! The class is $35, and everyone will walk out with their own 16x19 canvas painting at the end of the night!
My sister-in-law took me to a Canvas store over spring break. For 3 hours, we received artist instruction, while dancing and singing along to fun music, and chatting with other new artists. I had so much fun painting my Japanese Cherry Blossom Tree that I started looking in Charlotte.
I found Cajun Canvas, and they have agreed to dedicate their June 11th class to my CCS program. Anyone can paint! The class is $35, and everyone will walk out with their own 16x19 canvas painting at the end of the night!
Flights
It's official. I bought my flight tickets last week! I leave Charlotte on June 19th, and arrive in Lima that night. I leave Lima at 10pm on July 9th, and arrive back in Charlotte on the 10th. Fortunately, we are in the same time zone, so hopefully I will not have too much jet-lag.
June is Peru's winter, and while we experience the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year at the end of June, Lima will be celebrating Winter Solstice and the sun will go down early. I guess that means more sleep for me! Lima's climate stays consistent year round, so it should be in the 60s. I have been told I will be safe with a light jacket and sweatshirt or sweater. I hope to pack lightly.
June is Peru's winter, and while we experience the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year at the end of June, Lima will be celebrating Winter Solstice and the sun will go down early. I guess that means more sleep for me! Lima's climate stays consistent year round, so it should be in the 60s. I have been told I will be safe with a light jacket and sweatshirt or sweater. I hope to pack lightly.
42 days and counting...
Peru is right around the corner! I am super excited, but becoming more nervous too. I feel like there is so much to do to prepare, yet I do not know what to do. Finishing the school year always takes extra time, and I feel like that is my immediate focus.
I want to learn more Spanish. The fears are mounting: what if I do not know enough Spanish? What if people cannot understand me? The unknown was what prompted me to take this trip. I want to be uncomfortable to become comfortable. I want to know what my students and their families feel daily. But being uncomfortable is, well, uncomfortable!
My parents sent me a pocket digital translator. My father's clients recommend it. I'm looking forward to playing with it and seeing how it can help me with what I already know.
I want to learn more Spanish. The fears are mounting: what if I do not know enough Spanish? What if people cannot understand me? The unknown was what prompted me to take this trip. I want to be uncomfortable to become comfortable. I want to know what my students and their families feel daily. But being uncomfortable is, well, uncomfortable!
My parents sent me a pocket digital translator. My father's clients recommend it. I'm looking forward to playing with it and seeing how it can help me with what I already know.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Peruvian Food
There is a Peruvian restaurant near my school, and another one in Charlotte, called Genaro's Rotisserie & Grille. Everything is cooked to order and looks amazing. I decided I needed to try some foods to learn about what I will eat in Peru this summer.
The owner, Duilio, met me and explained the menu, and then personally cooked my order. Now, if I had thought ahead, I would have taken pictures of all of the food to share with you before snarfing it. Sorry! I'll take pictures next time. (And yes, there will be a next time.)
I tried Potatoes a la Huancaina (Papa a la Huanchain). It is a dish served in the Highlands, and is potatoes with yellow pepper, lots of cheese (everything is better with cheese!), olives, and boiled eggs. It is served cold, and the potatoes, olives, and eggs swim in the creamy (and spicy) sauce. It was like a really soupy potato salad, and very good.
I also tried Stuffed Shrimp Avocado (Palata Rellena de Camarones). It was the best shrimp salad I have ever tasted served in an avocado half. The shrimp salad was creamy, but packed with chunks of vegetables. I would definitely eat it again.
Of course, the visit would not be complete without fried plantains and dessert. Plantains are like bananas but smaller, and cooked like potato wedges. These plantains were soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. They can be addictive.
For dessert, I ordered my favorite standby: Tres Leches Cake. The cake was soaking in milk, so moist and flavorful. It had a marshmallow type frosting, which normally I would not prefer, but worked really well.
So, I guess this foodie experience tells me that I will not go hungry while I am in Peru! I am excited to try new things, and eat all of the seafood. I intend to go back to Genaro's to try more things on the menu!
The owner, Duilio, met me and explained the menu, and then personally cooked my order. Now, if I had thought ahead, I would have taken pictures of all of the food to share with you before snarfing it. Sorry! I'll take pictures next time. (And yes, there will be a next time.)
I tried Potatoes a la Huancaina (Papa a la Huanchain). It is a dish served in the Highlands, and is potatoes with yellow pepper, lots of cheese (everything is better with cheese!), olives, and boiled eggs. It is served cold, and the potatoes, olives, and eggs swim in the creamy (and spicy) sauce. It was like a really soupy potato salad, and very good.
I also tried Stuffed Shrimp Avocado (Palata Rellena de Camarones). It was the best shrimp salad I have ever tasted served in an avocado half. The shrimp salad was creamy, but packed with chunks of vegetables. I would definitely eat it again.
Of course, the visit would not be complete without fried plantains and dessert. Plantains are like bananas but smaller, and cooked like potato wedges. These plantains were soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. They can be addictive.
For dessert, I ordered my favorite standby: Tres Leches Cake. The cake was soaking in milk, so moist and flavorful. It had a marshmallow type frosting, which normally I would not prefer, but worked really well.
So, I guess this foodie experience tells me that I will not go hungry while I am in Peru! I am excited to try new things, and eat all of the seafood. I intend to go back to Genaro's to try more things on the menu!
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