So, i'm in Lima and survived my 22 hr bus journey. I hear people travel to India and stay in Ashrams so as to test themselves by sitting still or remaining silent for extended periods of time...meditation...I'm telling you, you do not need to go to India to experience this, just take a bus journey that is FAAAAR TOOO LOOONG!!!!!!! I did it though...ok, so maybe being able to fidget makes it less comparable to an Ashram but hey ho, nonetheless, 22 hrs is a long time. Its a good job i've always been at sleeping!
So, upon arriving in Lima I am greeted by Burger King, Macdonalds, Starbucks, KFC and Pizza Hut. Now, its OK - I'm not gonna go all anti-capitalist on you but I will ask gently if these guys feel that perhaps before they open in a 3rd world country they consider what may be done for those citizens without sanitation? Obviously I'm not in Pisco anymore so sanitation is not an issue and yes, I indulged in a Burger King...shame shame shame on me....it was delicious
I can't tell you much more about Lima at the moment as so far I have managed to walk around Mira Flores (which by all accounts is lovely, lots of shopping if there was excess cash to spend and aforementioned eating establishments) Tonight I am hoping to meet with a local friend I met in Arequipa so i've no doubt she will show me around.
I am definitely ready to go home now although unfortunately my Sepembert bed has fallen through as my wonderful friend has got a fandabadoozy new job in Philly and is moving out on August 26th. I'm not worried as the universe has a habit of sorting things out but I will miss her terribly! To be honest, and she knows this, I would LOVE to take over her apartment though my bank account will scream NO WAY if I so much as even think about the possibility at the moment... It is the perfect place but it all depends on the job situation and how quickly that might happen. As far as i'm concerned i'd start Monday if I could!
Whatever happens next, I guess this is the end of this chapter and therefore the official end of this blog! Those of you who are interested and privilege enough to have access will be pleased to hear that I'll probably go back to using my facebook blog to keep you all up to speed on my personal life. In the meantime I hope you all enjoyed reading and thanks Peru, Its been an extremely enlightening experience for me and whilst I can't say I have enjoyed every second, I can say that right now I am happy and excited about my future and I couldn't have said that before I left. I have finally learnt that there is no room for fear or despair - just hope and faith that whatever happens does so because it is meant to.
To all my friends, please remind me of that fact if I ever forget in the future!!! LOVE LOVE and MORE LOVE xxx
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About Me
- Joy Stefanicki
- A girl who is passionate about everything she does and who is a little surprised but also excited about where she finds herself today
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Work, Rest and Machu Pichu..
I love Cusco. What a great city. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL with its winding streets and amazing architecture all nestled right in the heart of the mountains. The unweilding Andean backdrop is a permanent reminder of how amazing and awe-inspiring the physical world can be and a gentle reminder how we human beans are just another ´species´ (not sure if thats the word I want there but can´t think of a more appropriate one at the moment) going about our business. We may be íntelligent´and we may often get caught up in life as we know it but truly, we are all at the mercy of nature. It is easy to understand the Inca´s dedication to the mountains and their belief that these were more than just the gateway to God but were in fact THE Gods....It certainly makes more sense than the worship of some illusive being laying down rules from beyond or the sad reality that today´s youth would find Simon Cowell or Victoria Beckham more inspiring...OK, so I shouldn´t just say today´s youth as I too am a shamefull follower of the Church of Simon but nonetheless...Cusco is another place that helps me keep everything in perspective.
Being 3,500 feet above water I have suffered personally at the hands ofthe ´Gods´. During my first few days I suffered with altitude sickness with a permanent headache. I felt as though I had the world´s worst hangover despite not having touched a drop. I have since recovered and now know useful facts like not to try and enjoy a fag whilst walking uphill as breathing can become an issue. When night falls in Cusco the lights give the city a magical glow and nightclub doors fly open. I ventured out to say goodbye to some Equadorian friends recently and have now also learnt that at height, one beer has the effect of 3. This is very good news actually because I am still unemployed and truly skint so less fags and beer definitely makes economic sense.
So, suffice it to say I am a fan of Cusco and it is unlikely I will head anywhere else other than Lima before I head home. That is home to NYC where I am now becoming accutely aware that I need to get a job fast and better than that - I am truly excited at the prospect. Whilst volunteering and unexpectedly travelling a little in Peru travelling and has been great fun and exactly what I needed during my mini quarter life crisis; it is not a sad truth that perhaps I am a little more mature than the average traveller. My aforementioned Equadorian friends were 20 and 21 years old. Very grown up for their ages with regard quality of conversation however, they had the stamina of a Cocoa Leaf going out every night after dinner while I indulged in early nights with a good book after the feed. The true dawning came when facebook was mentioned and they were truly surprised I had an account with one of them saying, ¨you have facebook and you´re 30!?!"
The last time I travelled I would visit a different place every 3 days and be out late every night and up early every morning. I couln´t care less if there was hot water or that my clothes were permanently dirty. I was excited to meet a million new people every day. This time, I love it but I have less energy for the partying and am much more inclined to enjoy one night out a week interspersed with nights wondering around the city, dinner out with good converstion or an early night! I also make sure I find a way to get my washing done at least once a week and am happy to meet one or two interesting people rather than finding a hoard of free spirits to bound around with!
I am ready to head back later this month and am very much looking forward to having a routine again and using my brain (yep, I have one!) I am very optimistic and excited to get back into the swing of things and am ready to take whatever gets thrown my way. Yes, I know I am going to be homeless for a little while and that it won´t be easy financially but thankfully I have great bunch of friends with very comfortable floors, and know for sure that are just minor details to enjoy until I am once more gainfuly employed in the industry I love. I almost forgot that for a while but another great thing about this trip is that I now remember how much I loved it.
Last week I spent a day quad-biking up in the mountains which was truly fantastic fun with spectacular views and all that goes with it but I didn´t expect to be telling you that I would enjoy it more than Machu Pichu which I had the privilege of experiencing the day before yesterday. Now, all I can say is that it is amazing, truly awe inspiring to see and a fantastically magical story that is perfect to occupy any mind with an active imagination - what was the true purpose of that place?! But, I have to say that the experience was ruined for me - I was expecting a touristic nightmare but the place just felt vile...truly polluted not just by the tourists but by the locals manipulating the tourists in that way that just leaves you feeling very guilty and a little bit sick. I was surprised at the extremity of it all. Don´t get me wrong, we made the most of it and had fun but to say I was able to gain anything spiritual or inspiring from being there would be a lie. It is sad for me to say that and I have no regrets about going - you have to - dont you?
OK , that was longer than expected so hope you got through it and enjoyed! Am off to find a Shaman and see if I can get my CoCoa leaves read... how funny! :)
Being 3,500 feet above water I have suffered personally at the hands ofthe ´Gods´. During my first few days I suffered with altitude sickness with a permanent headache. I felt as though I had the world´s worst hangover despite not having touched a drop. I have since recovered and now know useful facts like not to try and enjoy a fag whilst walking uphill as breathing can become an issue. When night falls in Cusco the lights give the city a magical glow and nightclub doors fly open. I ventured out to say goodbye to some Equadorian friends recently and have now also learnt that at height, one beer has the effect of 3. This is very good news actually because I am still unemployed and truly skint so less fags and beer definitely makes economic sense.
So, suffice it to say I am a fan of Cusco and it is unlikely I will head anywhere else other than Lima before I head home. That is home to NYC where I am now becoming accutely aware that I need to get a job fast and better than that - I am truly excited at the prospect. Whilst volunteering and unexpectedly travelling a little in Peru travelling and has been great fun and exactly what I needed during my mini quarter life crisis; it is not a sad truth that perhaps I am a little more mature than the average traveller. My aforementioned Equadorian friends were 20 and 21 years old. Very grown up for their ages with regard quality of conversation however, they had the stamina of a Cocoa Leaf going out every night after dinner while I indulged in early nights with a good book after the feed. The true dawning came when facebook was mentioned and they were truly surprised I had an account with one of them saying, ¨you have facebook and you´re 30!?!"
The last time I travelled I would visit a different place every 3 days and be out late every night and up early every morning. I couln´t care less if there was hot water or that my clothes were permanently dirty. I was excited to meet a million new people every day. This time, I love it but I have less energy for the partying and am much more inclined to enjoy one night out a week interspersed with nights wondering around the city, dinner out with good converstion or an early night! I also make sure I find a way to get my washing done at least once a week and am happy to meet one or two interesting people rather than finding a hoard of free spirits to bound around with!
I am ready to head back later this month and am very much looking forward to having a routine again and using my brain (yep, I have one!) I am very optimistic and excited to get back into the swing of things and am ready to take whatever gets thrown my way. Yes, I know I am going to be homeless for a little while and that it won´t be easy financially but thankfully I have great bunch of friends with very comfortable floors, and know for sure that are just minor details to enjoy until I am once more gainfuly employed in the industry I love. I almost forgot that for a while but another great thing about this trip is that I now remember how much I loved it.
Last week I spent a day quad-biking up in the mountains which was truly fantastic fun with spectacular views and all that goes with it but I didn´t expect to be telling you that I would enjoy it more than Machu Pichu which I had the privilege of experiencing the day before yesterday. Now, all I can say is that it is amazing, truly awe inspiring to see and a fantastically magical story that is perfect to occupy any mind with an active imagination - what was the true purpose of that place?! But, I have to say that the experience was ruined for me - I was expecting a touristic nightmare but the place just felt vile...truly polluted not just by the tourists but by the locals manipulating the tourists in that way that just leaves you feeling very guilty and a little bit sick. I was surprised at the extremity of it all. Don´t get me wrong, we made the most of it and had fun but to say I was able to gain anything spiritual or inspiring from being there would be a lie. It is sad for me to say that and I have no regrets about going - you have to - dont you?
OK , that was longer than expected so hope you got through it and enjoyed! Am off to find a Shaman and see if I can get my CoCoa leaves read... how funny! :)
Monday, August 11, 2008
An End Has A Start
So peeps, the volunteering is over! After 6 weeks of challenging emotional strain, eye opening experiences and satisfying hard graft I decided that it was time to move on. Basically, I woke up with just under two weeks left of my trip and decided that I deserve some time to see a little of Peru now i´m here and also, some time to myself to take stock and process all I have learnt - not just in the last month or so but in the last 9 months since I left the UK.
My last week in Pisco was the one of the best for me. I worked with a pretty inspiring individual on putting together a playground for local kids and met a girl who was only around for a week but with whom I really connected and we had some great 'life' chats etc. I said my goodbyes and had a fun filled night with a few people I really grew to love before I left which was the perfect ending.
If I was to ask myslef what overriding lessons I learnt in Pisco, the answers would not be what I would have expected before arriving. I have learnt alot about myself. I am not afraid of getting my hands dirty and have more patience than I thought I had. I´m a little more insecure than I would like but even more determined than I realised. I´ve learn to take every day as it comes and have a little more faith in the universe and its intentions or me.
I am impressed by many of the volunteers who have managed to stay in Pisco for an extended length of time despite the cabin fever and frustrations - though you know what? anyone who tries to say thet they are trule altruistic, that there isn´t something in it for them are not being true to themselves. I think we would all have to admit, even if it is just that it makes us feel good - there is definitely something in it for us!
I will admit without shame that having lost my job meant that I needed some self indulgent time to get things in prspective and I was able to take that time and do good simultaneously. It has been amazing to be able to make a difference and I am so grateful for the opportunity to really think about my life!
People who know me well will not be surprised to hear that whilst I have gained a massive ammount of persective I have already got my false nails back on ;) and am delighted that it will be a while before I have to take a cold shower or shovel dirt or carry cement buckets! I am truly grateful that my life takes the form it does and understand more than ever that it takes all sorts. I was always grateful but before this experience I felt I was never doing enough, there was some weird guilt when I saw sufferring in the news or on the TV. Somehow, at times, I didn´t deserve my good fortune because I wasn´t hands on or doing enough good - now its different - my idealistic notion that being on the ground makes more of a difference or that people on the ground are better people than those uf us doing what we can from home has been knocked sideways. Everyone needs to do thier bit, you cannot have success on the ground without support from those at home...the main thing is that we as individulas take responsibility for ourselves and do SOMETHING! Losing my job and having some bad luck was not some form of punishment for living the high life or wanting more. It was and is simply part of my life journey.
This has definitely been one of the most valuable and rewarding experiences of my life. I reccommend it to anyone. And, as for the Peruvian people, we in the western world can learn so much from their value and respect for family time, for their ability to remain optimistic in the toughest of circustances and their welcoming and generally kind nature. I have been impressed and humbled.
So, now I get to spend a couple of weeks enjoying the rest of the country. I just arrived in Cusco and so far I love it (though the 16 hr bus ride was quite frankly nasty - thats what I get for buying the cheapest ticket!!) I have no idea whether I will go straight from here to Lima for my flight back to NY or if I´ll fit in somewhere else exciting but I will keep you posted...
LOVE TO ALL and, yes, I´m very excited about finding the right job and getting back to work though I cannot promise there won´t be exciting trips in my future. Finally I see that my life is my own and that I can have both...I just need to keep things in persepective!
My last week in Pisco was the one of the best for me. I worked with a pretty inspiring individual on putting together a playground for local kids and met a girl who was only around for a week but with whom I really connected and we had some great 'life' chats etc. I said my goodbyes and had a fun filled night with a few people I really grew to love before I left which was the perfect ending.
If I was to ask myslef what overriding lessons I learnt in Pisco, the answers would not be what I would have expected before arriving. I have learnt alot about myself. I am not afraid of getting my hands dirty and have more patience than I thought I had. I´m a little more insecure than I would like but even more determined than I realised. I´ve learn to take every day as it comes and have a little more faith in the universe and its intentions or me.
I am impressed by many of the volunteers who have managed to stay in Pisco for an extended length of time despite the cabin fever and frustrations - though you know what? anyone who tries to say thet they are trule altruistic, that there isn´t something in it for them are not being true to themselves. I think we would all have to admit, even if it is just that it makes us feel good - there is definitely something in it for us!
I will admit without shame that having lost my job meant that I needed some self indulgent time to get things in prspective and I was able to take that time and do good simultaneously. It has been amazing to be able to make a difference and I am so grateful for the opportunity to really think about my life!
People who know me well will not be surprised to hear that whilst I have gained a massive ammount of persective I have already got my false nails back on ;) and am delighted that it will be a while before I have to take a cold shower or shovel dirt or carry cement buckets! I am truly grateful that my life takes the form it does and understand more than ever that it takes all sorts. I was always grateful but before this experience I felt I was never doing enough, there was some weird guilt when I saw sufferring in the news or on the TV. Somehow, at times, I didn´t deserve my good fortune because I wasn´t hands on or doing enough good - now its different - my idealistic notion that being on the ground makes more of a difference or that people on the ground are better people than those uf us doing what we can from home has been knocked sideways. Everyone needs to do thier bit, you cannot have success on the ground without support from those at home...the main thing is that we as individulas take responsibility for ourselves and do SOMETHING! Losing my job and having some bad luck was not some form of punishment for living the high life or wanting more. It was and is simply part of my life journey.
This has definitely been one of the most valuable and rewarding experiences of my life. I reccommend it to anyone. And, as for the Peruvian people, we in the western world can learn so much from their value and respect for family time, for their ability to remain optimistic in the toughest of circustances and their welcoming and generally kind nature. I have been impressed and humbled.
So, now I get to spend a couple of weeks enjoying the rest of the country. I just arrived in Cusco and so far I love it (though the 16 hr bus ride was quite frankly nasty - thats what I get for buying the cheapest ticket!!) I have no idea whether I will go straight from here to Lima for my flight back to NY or if I´ll fit in somewhere else exciting but I will keep you posted...
LOVE TO ALL and, yes, I´m very excited about finding the right job and getting back to work though I cannot promise there won´t be exciting trips in my future. Finally I see that my life is my own and that I can have both...I just need to keep things in persepective!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Arequipa: Mummy's V Dead bodies
Well, i've just spent a few days in Arequipa and I had a blast. The place is lovely, amazing to see such a wealthy Peruvian city, a stark contrast to Pisco but if i'm honest, a welcome break. I find that I need to get out and catch my breath every couple of weeks as Pisco is a place that drains your energy and emotions. It's also pretty dangerous and its easy to forget that when you're here every day mulling about your business. Recently, one of our volunteers got mugged by a group of 12 year old boys that took her hat and sunglasses. A reminder for us all to be careful.
It is frustrating and when things like that happen you do get conversations about gratefullness cropping up - it serves to remind us, I think, that people are the same wherever you go. There is good and bad in everyone and in places like this, I guess sometimes its easier for people to take the less karmic route.
I can say honestly that I have found peruvians to be a very freindly bunch. I've made a couple of friends from Lima and the people in Pisco are generally so appreciative of what we are doing. There is an Inter Cambio (evening exchange) planned soon where we are going to hear first hand some of the Erathquake stories from local kids and people we are working with. I'm really looking forward to this as I've heard a few but its difficult with my limited Spanish and understandably people don't always like remembering the bad times.
Anyway - so, Araquipa was great fun. I went White Water Rafting one day and yes, of course I fell out. What else did you expect?! The water was bloody freezing I can tell you and I really wished I had proper wetsuit type gear on when I had to be dragged back to the boat on the back of a canoe!! It was great fun and if I wasn't concentrating so hard on not falling in again i'm sure I could tell you just how amazing the views were too! Nestled in the Andes, it was lush.
I also went to a museum about the Inca's and their child sacrifices. One of the Children (14 in total) that were sacrificed was found at the summit of Misti, the Volcano that surrounds Arequipa. She was Juanita, a 14 year old girl who would have been born for the privelege of receiving a blow to the back of the head after a journey of months to the top of a mountain. I learnt that the Inca's sacrificed the children to the mountain as they believed the mountains were Gods and any natural disasters that may have occured did so because they were punishing the people. I also learnt that Ducks were a very important animal to the Inca people...not sure why but, the guide said the word 'Ducks' with such emphasis he ensured this fact stayed with me. I'm convinced he emphasised the word so just to make sure he didn't make any mistake in pronunciation...the word Duck came up a lot during that tour... It ended with a viewing of Juanita. I can tell you that she was not a mummy, and the reason is this - check this out - her organs are still restored inside her. Yep. Still there..Lungs, heart, liver.... Mummy's on the other hand have their organs removed before death, or rather before preservation! What can I say? Now, seeing the 550 year old carcus of a 12 year old girl was, though i'm ashamed to say it, disturbing but strangely fascinating. She was TINY (I guess the Inca's aren't known for their size) and had a full haid of hair all curled up in the foetal position....eerie but yet I couldn't take my eyes of her.
So, i've been back in Pisco a couple of days after taking the 12 hour journey back by night bus (this would have been fine although the constant spanish 'music' was just slightly irritating) and I spent yesterday and today finishng a few peices of welding and and painting various parts of a playground we are building and then stocking up on loo roll, tea bags sugar etc for the house.
Its the weekend now and one of the girls i've become quite good friends with is leaving so there will be a few drinks tonight and then I plan on finally visiting the Balliasta Islands on Sunday.
I would be lookng forward to work on Monday although last thing yesterday I discovered a terrible truth...you know the crazy dog we discussed? The one called Fulffy that shares the yard with us, well, its gone and wee'd in the welding mask. I kid you not....
Big love and update you more soon
Joyousxxxx
It is frustrating and when things like that happen you do get conversations about gratefullness cropping up - it serves to remind us, I think, that people are the same wherever you go. There is good and bad in everyone and in places like this, I guess sometimes its easier for people to take the less karmic route.
I can say honestly that I have found peruvians to be a very freindly bunch. I've made a couple of friends from Lima and the people in Pisco are generally so appreciative of what we are doing. There is an Inter Cambio (evening exchange) planned soon where we are going to hear first hand some of the Erathquake stories from local kids and people we are working with. I'm really looking forward to this as I've heard a few but its difficult with my limited Spanish and understandably people don't always like remembering the bad times.
Anyway - so, Araquipa was great fun. I went White Water Rafting one day and yes, of course I fell out. What else did you expect?! The water was bloody freezing I can tell you and I really wished I had proper wetsuit type gear on when I had to be dragged back to the boat on the back of a canoe!! It was great fun and if I wasn't concentrating so hard on not falling in again i'm sure I could tell you just how amazing the views were too! Nestled in the Andes, it was lush.
I also went to a museum about the Inca's and their child sacrifices. One of the Children (14 in total) that were sacrificed was found at the summit of Misti, the Volcano that surrounds Arequipa. She was Juanita, a 14 year old girl who would have been born for the privelege of receiving a blow to the back of the head after a journey of months to the top of a mountain. I learnt that the Inca's sacrificed the children to the mountain as they believed the mountains were Gods and any natural disasters that may have occured did so because they were punishing the people. I also learnt that Ducks were a very important animal to the Inca people...not sure why but, the guide said the word 'Ducks' with such emphasis he ensured this fact stayed with me. I'm convinced he emphasised the word so just to make sure he didn't make any mistake in pronunciation...the word Duck came up a lot during that tour... It ended with a viewing of Juanita. I can tell you that she was not a mummy, and the reason is this - check this out - her organs are still restored inside her. Yep. Still there..Lungs, heart, liver.... Mummy's on the other hand have their organs removed before death, or rather before preservation! What can I say? Now, seeing the 550 year old carcus of a 12 year old girl was, though i'm ashamed to say it, disturbing but strangely fascinating. She was TINY (I guess the Inca's aren't known for their size) and had a full haid of hair all curled up in the foetal position....eerie but yet I couldn't take my eyes of her.
So, i've been back in Pisco a couple of days after taking the 12 hour journey back by night bus (this would have been fine although the constant spanish 'music' was just slightly irritating) and I spent yesterday and today finishng a few peices of welding and and painting various parts of a playground we are building and then stocking up on loo roll, tea bags sugar etc for the house.
Its the weekend now and one of the girls i've become quite good friends with is leaving so there will be a few drinks tonight and then I plan on finally visiting the Balliasta Islands on Sunday.
I would be lookng forward to work on Monday although last thing yesterday I discovered a terrible truth...you know the crazy dog we discussed? The one called Fulffy that shares the yard with us, well, its gone and wee'd in the welding mask. I kid you not....
Big love and update you more soon
Joyousxxxx
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Flashdance and the crazy dog...
So, I've decided instead of changing my flights to come back at the start of September I am going to come back as originally planned but i'm going to take a brief volunteering interlude and head to Araquipa this Saturday afternoon - just until Thursday. I'll be taking three days off work but it means I'll have time to see Machu Pichu and Lima at the end of the projects and that I get to see Araquipa too. Perfecto! I'm tagging along with a couple of guys met here as they're heading that way - both Brits and people I'll be sorry to see go so it will be nice to hang out with them for a while.
They're actually off to Nascar tonight (i'm gonna meet them in Ica) but i've skipped that part of the trip because...wait for it....yes, you've all seen the movie...(cue music) "first when there's nothing, but a slow burning dream..."(end music) I am a welder. A spot welder or arc welder to be precise. Yes, it's official. I've dabbled with brick laying, pouring cement, carrying buckets and painting murals but the thing I love most so far, is welding. Since yesterday I have been in the yard making steel rebar cages and I am a dab hand with the welder. There are a few cages that need to be completed by Sat afternoon so i'm staying put until then. Its great, I get to hang in the yard with Jack Penate and Anthony Keadis as I merrily weld and build cages all day long imagining I look as sexy as Jennifer whatsername from the movie (though there is no chance considering compulsory Peru carb overload) . Surprisingly enjoyable work but don't worry, not a planned career move!
Today was particularly interesting because Fluffy, the crazy yard guard dog that bites most people and appears to have red eyes, came off his two metre lead and escaped while I was alone with Gary Lightbody. This resulted in me chasing the crazy mutt half way round Pisco before I managed to grab him...I shouted at a few people to help catch him while I was running but when they realised a) he has red eyes and b) he was taking a poo whilst running from me they declined to help...how rude!! Anyway, order was restored and I will be keeping a closer eye on him in the future. I miss Yofi!!!!
So, what else can I tell you apart from that randomly I realised yesterday, finally, that all this worrying about my career and next job is fruitless. Everyone has been saying this to me for a very long time but yesterday I just realised I was soooo tired of worrying and that I need to stop looking for answers as they will come. I LOVE my job in PR and I want to have that career in the States that I set out 7 months ago to have but you know what? What's meant to happen will do and I just have to let destiny play itself out. I slept better than I have in weeks and I know the right job will come up when its meant to wherever its meant to and all I have to do is listen to my heart and avoid bankrupcy...oh, and enjoy the moment. So, I am. :)
LOVE YOU ALL, speak soon
Joyx
p.s. Mum and Dad, just fyi, - Anthony Keadis, Gary Lightbody and Jack Penate are all musicians - they were with me on my ipod ;) Love you xxx
They're actually off to Nascar tonight (i'm gonna meet them in Ica) but i've skipped that part of the trip because...wait for it....yes, you've all seen the movie...(cue music) "first when there's nothing, but a slow burning dream..."(end music) I am a welder. A spot welder or arc welder to be precise. Yes, it's official. I've dabbled with brick laying, pouring cement, carrying buckets and painting murals but the thing I love most so far, is welding. Since yesterday I have been in the yard making steel rebar cages and I am a dab hand with the welder. There are a few cages that need to be completed by Sat afternoon so i'm staying put until then. Its great, I get to hang in the yard with Jack Penate and Anthony Keadis as I merrily weld and build cages all day long imagining I look as sexy as Jennifer whatsername from the movie (though there is no chance considering compulsory Peru carb overload) . Surprisingly enjoyable work but don't worry, not a planned career move!
Today was particularly interesting because Fluffy, the crazy yard guard dog that bites most people and appears to have red eyes, came off his two metre lead and escaped while I was alone with Gary Lightbody. This resulted in me chasing the crazy mutt half way round Pisco before I managed to grab him...I shouted at a few people to help catch him while I was running but when they realised a) he has red eyes and b) he was taking a poo whilst running from me they declined to help...how rude!! Anyway, order was restored and I will be keeping a closer eye on him in the future. I miss Yofi!!!!
So, what else can I tell you apart from that randomly I realised yesterday, finally, that all this worrying about my career and next job is fruitless. Everyone has been saying this to me for a very long time but yesterday I just realised I was soooo tired of worrying and that I need to stop looking for answers as they will come. I LOVE my job in PR and I want to have that career in the States that I set out 7 months ago to have but you know what? What's meant to happen will do and I just have to let destiny play itself out. I slept better than I have in weeks and I know the right job will come up when its meant to wherever its meant to and all I have to do is listen to my heart and avoid bankrupcy...oh, and enjoy the moment. So, I am. :)
LOVE YOU ALL, speak soon
Joyx
p.s. Mum and Dad, just fyi, - Anthony Keadis, Gary Lightbody and Jack Penate are all musicians - they were with me on my ipod ;) Love you xxx
Monday, July 21, 2008
A Promotion?!
After a thoroughly enjoyable weekend playing baseball with the local kids, going to a fundrasier BBQ (of sorts) at a local house on Sat night and then going out for Peruvian Pizza sunday night I am now struck with a nasty cold so get to enjoy today off work. I´ve been to the chemist to get some cough mixture, finished my book - The Alchemist (which I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed despite having read it and not appreciating it at all about 4 years ago) and am now very much looking forward to an early night so I can get back to work tomorrow.
I´ve also been really lucky and moved to a room on my own upstairs at Centre Camp. The room is a real Brucie Bonus as it has its own bathroom and a much more comfortable bed than I was tolerating before. I am however now responsible for a few things around the house like making sure cleaning gets done, greeting new volunteers, keeping the water filtered yada yada. Its all good I really don´t mind any of the extra resonsibility in fact it makes me a feel more useful to the community. I guess we could call it a promotion! I am however worried about the fact that a new job for me is going to be collecting the bread and eggs BEFORE breakfast in the morning and anyone who knows me knows about me and the mornings :)
I meant to go up to San Andreas this Sunday (about a 2 min tuc tuc ride from us) to play with the kids I met the other day through another volunteer called Andrea. She is a Canadian girl who was out here with her church specifically to play with local kids. She was going home so I said i´d go meet them. I don´t do the church bit but its nice to hang out with the little ones. They are so appreciative of the attention and just hang off you most of the time. I didn´t make it this Sunday but I´m def gonna go again next time I get a chance the kids absolutely love it and I can play chase or tag and spinny´s with the best of them.
Well, I´m still thinking about my options. Unfortunatley a keen NY employer hasn´t yet banged on my door but I´m gonna do some emailing next week. I´m thinking of MAYBE staying in South America for an extra couple of weeks as I think otherwise i´ll end up missing Machu Pichu and it would be nice to do a little bit of travelling once the volunteering is done. I mean, its not like I have anything specific to get back for - though I do so look forward to working again in due course. Hopefully it will be easy to change my flight...we´ll see.
Someone was telling me they are crying out for teachers in NY and someone else was telling me that Central America is a great place to visit...who knows what my destiny has in store for me? I do know that it is very rewarding being here but also part of a very personal journey i´ve been on since I left the UK in November. I´m learning so much about myself having taken myself out of my comfort zone and though its hard it really is worth every second.
Thinking of heading up to Chincha for the latter part of this week to work on a school project we are doing with a Spanish NGO there. I was gonna go today but feel too grotty...Also, one of my mates here is leaving Weds so I wanna be around to see him off.
Ok- one other quick question: What was that game we played as kids (probably just the girls) with a loooong peice of elastic that we had at our ankles and then we´d jump from one side to the other?! As we got better the elastic would be moved higher....I thought i´d teach the local kids for my Inter Cambio but I can´t quite remember it!! Anyone know what I mean!??
Love to you all, big hugs
Joyxx
I´ve also been really lucky and moved to a room on my own upstairs at Centre Camp. The room is a real Brucie Bonus as it has its own bathroom and a much more comfortable bed than I was tolerating before. I am however now responsible for a few things around the house like making sure cleaning gets done, greeting new volunteers, keeping the water filtered yada yada. Its all good I really don´t mind any of the extra resonsibility in fact it makes me a feel more useful to the community. I guess we could call it a promotion! I am however worried about the fact that a new job for me is going to be collecting the bread and eggs BEFORE breakfast in the morning and anyone who knows me knows about me and the mornings :)
I meant to go up to San Andreas this Sunday (about a 2 min tuc tuc ride from us) to play with the kids I met the other day through another volunteer called Andrea. She is a Canadian girl who was out here with her church specifically to play with local kids. She was going home so I said i´d go meet them. I don´t do the church bit but its nice to hang out with the little ones. They are so appreciative of the attention and just hang off you most of the time. I didn´t make it this Sunday but I´m def gonna go again next time I get a chance the kids absolutely love it and I can play chase or tag and spinny´s with the best of them.
Well, I´m still thinking about my options. Unfortunatley a keen NY employer hasn´t yet banged on my door but I´m gonna do some emailing next week. I´m thinking of MAYBE staying in South America for an extra couple of weeks as I think otherwise i´ll end up missing Machu Pichu and it would be nice to do a little bit of travelling once the volunteering is done. I mean, its not like I have anything specific to get back for - though I do so look forward to working again in due course. Hopefully it will be easy to change my flight...we´ll see.
Someone was telling me they are crying out for teachers in NY and someone else was telling me that Central America is a great place to visit...who knows what my destiny has in store for me? I do know that it is very rewarding being here but also part of a very personal journey i´ve been on since I left the UK in November. I´m learning so much about myself having taken myself out of my comfort zone and though its hard it really is worth every second.
Thinking of heading up to Chincha for the latter part of this week to work on a school project we are doing with a Spanish NGO there. I was gonna go today but feel too grotty...Also, one of my mates here is leaving Weds so I wanna be around to see him off.
Ok- one other quick question: What was that game we played as kids (probably just the girls) with a loooong peice of elastic that we had at our ankles and then we´d jump from one side to the other?! As we got better the elastic would be moved higher....I thought i´d teach the local kids for my Inter Cambio but I can´t quite remember it!! Anyone know what I mean!??
Love to you all, big hugs
Joyxx
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Refrehed and hitting a home-run
Well, what an amazing weekend in Huacachina (now i´ve been there I don´t need to keep calling is WankaChanka!) I had a room on my own with proper shower and took stock and relaxed. it was great. The town is about an hour and a half away from Pisco and is tiny. It is built around a natural lagoon and is nestled in sand mountains. True tranquility and just what I needed. I did pretty much nothing accept eat gringo food (the whole place is basicaly run for backpackers so it caters very well for the westener!) and sleep. Though I did do an afternoon sandboarding and sand bggying. AMAZING FUN and, I wasn´t as useles as I expected at the sandboarding even though I was doing it in a mini-skirt (everything else, literally, was in the wash!!) I wiped out once but it is just sooo much fun - apart from walking back up he sandmountain...thats harder than shovelling I tell you!
A couple of the friends I had made here were leaving from Huacachina so it was sad to see them go but I got back on Sunday night with renewed energy and had my best day here yet on Monday.
I spent the day working at one of the school projects and basically carried water buckets all day and tied Rebar (which I can now tell you is reinforcement iron bar that gets wired together to form the foundations which will eventually have cement poured in them). It was nice working on one of the longer term projects sometimes as I felt a part of the bigger picture and its such a large scale project that you really witness the diference being here is makiing long term. We are working on this school in conjunction with another NGO. They are fundingthe senior school, we have and are funding the primary school and we are also supplying manpower for the construction of both. Currently the 200 or so students are at school in a temprary building with bamboo walls as the original school was desimated in the Quake. The area we are building in is an area where a new community has developed naturally, mainly of families that had lived down by the beach. The land is anti siezmic (spelling anyone?!) and low Tsunami risk. There was a small Tsunami here after the quake too.
Anyway that evening we had Inter Cambio (which means Exchange). Inter cambio happens every evening in some capacity. Twice a week the Spanish speakers amongst us teach English to local children. Then other days there are Salsa Lessons, or cultural exchanges where a colunteer basically chooses something to tell the locals and other volunters about, So far, i´ve only managed to help teach the song Heads, Shouldrs Knees and Toes as my Spanish is dire but yesterday we did baseball and endedup playing the street with local kids til about 10pm. It was SOOOO fun and ye, i made a homerun. Noce. I also made two new boyfriends, Marciello and Franko, they are about 6 years old. It was fabulous! So nice to spend time with the locals.
So, thats it really - the only thing I ask of you this time is anyideas for an inter Cambio??!! I´d like tohost one but can´t think of anything to teach! Some people have juggled and stuff but i just can´t think of anything. It was suggested that the Israeli´s amongst us did weapon´s training but we all decided it was a bad idea! ha ha!! Anyway - any ideas please post a comment!
LOVE TO YOU ALL
p.s. Pip, can you email me? need your email address
p.p.s My nails lasted two weeks!! I succumbed and re-did them in WankaChanka though...
p.p.s.s Loving the Radio out here....favourite track to shovel too? Eye of the Tiger without a doubt xx
A couple of the friends I had made here were leaving from Huacachina so it was sad to see them go but I got back on Sunday night with renewed energy and had my best day here yet on Monday.
I spent the day working at one of the school projects and basically carried water buckets all day and tied Rebar (which I can now tell you is reinforcement iron bar that gets wired together to form the foundations which will eventually have cement poured in them). It was nice working on one of the longer term projects sometimes as I felt a part of the bigger picture and its such a large scale project that you really witness the diference being here is makiing long term. We are working on this school in conjunction with another NGO. They are fundingthe senior school, we have and are funding the primary school and we are also supplying manpower for the construction of both. Currently the 200 or so students are at school in a temprary building with bamboo walls as the original school was desimated in the Quake. The area we are building in is an area where a new community has developed naturally, mainly of families that had lived down by the beach. The land is anti siezmic (spelling anyone?!) and low Tsunami risk. There was a small Tsunami here after the quake too.
Anyway that evening we had Inter Cambio (which means Exchange). Inter cambio happens every evening in some capacity. Twice a week the Spanish speakers amongst us teach English to local children. Then other days there are Salsa Lessons, or cultural exchanges where a colunteer basically chooses something to tell the locals and other volunters about, So far, i´ve only managed to help teach the song Heads, Shouldrs Knees and Toes as my Spanish is dire but yesterday we did baseball and endedup playing the street with local kids til about 10pm. It was SOOOO fun and ye, i made a homerun. Noce. I also made two new boyfriends, Marciello and Franko, they are about 6 years old. It was fabulous! So nice to spend time with the locals.
So, thats it really - the only thing I ask of you this time is anyideas for an inter Cambio??!! I´d like tohost one but can´t think of anything to teach! Some people have juggled and stuff but i just can´t think of anything. It was suggested that the Israeli´s amongst us did weapon´s training but we all decided it was a bad idea! ha ha!! Anyway - any ideas please post a comment!
LOVE TO YOU ALL
p.s. Pip, can you email me? need your email address
p.p.s My nails lasted two weeks!! I succumbed and re-did them in WankaChanka though...
p.p.s.s Loving the Radio out here....favourite track to shovel too? Eye of the Tiger without a doubt xx
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