How to say goodbye

Two years ago, when I left for Peace Corps, I said a lot of goodbyes. It wasn't fun; leaving loved ones is always hard. But now, as I start to say my goodbyes here in Cajabamba, I'm realizing that those 2012 farewells were comparatively easy. Although I was leaving home for a long journey, I knew exactly when I'd see those people again. I also knew that I'd be able to talk to them somewhat regularly via skype or email. Being able to say "talk to you soon" or "see you later" makes a goodbye much less daunting. 

This time around, I can't say those comforting words - I have no idea when I'll next see these friends, and I know we won't be talking on the phone. The finality of these goodbyes gives them a weight that discomforts me. The reality of the situation dictates that I should be saying "goodbye" instead of "see you later," but the word doesn't match my heart's hope that I will somehow see these friends again, so I can't bring myself to say it. Each conversation is a struggle to put too many emotions into unwieldy words: "thank you," "I'll miss you," "I wish you the best," and so much more. 

Goodbye lunch with one of my community bank groups: Doña Teo, Vero, Jovita, Zoila, Doña Carmen, Nely, Zonia, and Rosa

Microbe wars

Over two years into this, and Peru still knows how to make my digestive system suffer - I'm on my second round this month of antibiotics, followed as usual by some restorative pro-biotics (a.k.a. yogurt).

And yes, pretty much all yogurt in Peru is the drinkable kind.

Javi in the USA

This past weekend, I got to experience a treat few Peace Corps Volunteers are ever lucky enough to have: my Peruvian host dad visited my home in the U.S. The only caveat? I wasn't in Seattle to witness this joy firsthand. Luckily, my wonderful family stepped up to the plate and enthusiastically hosted Javi even in my absence. Via photo, email, and phone updates, I watched from afar as Javi experienced Seattle's best: sunny summer weather, Pike Place, salmon on the grill, kayaking on Lake Union, and of course the Space Needle. It was an awesome weekend for all involved!

Watching the World Cup at home with the fam (and Soph)

Right in the thick of things at Pike Place

Space Needle tourist photo of the two dads :)

La copa mundial

It's World Cup season and I am loving it! While Peru sadly didn't make it into the tournament, that has done nothing to lessen the country's enthusiasm for this international soccer frenzy. Games are on everywhere, on every TV, all the time, and everybody is up-to-date on each match score and group standings - it's an awesome place to be! And conveniently, the final match is the day before I head to Lima for close-of-service - the flexible work schedule of a Peace Corps volunteer is pretty much the best possible job situation to have when you're trying to watch three soccer games a day. Even Bettí, my host aunt and uncle's pint-sized terrier, is all about the soccer… despite the fact that the ball is bigger than she is:

19 ways to survive the Peace Corps in Peru

Check out this video the Peru 19 volunteers made to help welcome the new (Peru 23) trainees to Peace Corps!

Cajabamba sunset

In the summer months, when there aren't any rainclouds in the way, the setting sun turns Cajabamba's mountains and roofs the color of warm gold…

View up the mountain from my house

View from my window - hills and clay-tiled roofs

100 words

As part of a Peace Corps "yearbook" each group of Peru volunteers put together, we were each asked to write a description of our service in 100 words or less. A poem seemed like a fun way of doing that, and I figured I'd share it with you here…

Meghan spent two years in rural Peru,

where there were always lots of projects to do:

Entrepreneurship and business skills classes,

community banks and gender equity for the masses.

All this work (and travel!) kept her pretty busy…

and at other times she read books 'til she was dizzy.

She had fun with her host fam and the Cajamarca crew;

the love and laughs with those folks really got her through.

It's hard to believe how time has gone by;

when you're living the dream the months truly do fly.

Her service changed some lives, but her own more than any,

and the memorable moments are innumerably many.

One final liquidation

Yesterday the last of my community banks finally liquidated for the first time. These ladies, who all belong to a friendly knitting club, did not want to do things halfway - rather than cut short their first bank-year and liquidate in December (as my other banks did), they wanted to complete one entire year of savings. It was a proud moment for each of the women, and a proud moment for me, especially to watch them manage the books and the money without any direction from me - sustainability!

Antonia, Vero, and Zonia leading the liquidation process

After we'd taken care of the business end, we had a little celebration, complete with cake, wine, and many many palabras being given. And then the ladies each put in their first monthly savings for the bank's new year of operations!