I have a Schedule!

So I am now going to my volunteer placement and Spanish class’s everyday! I am working at a day care center in a poor neighborhood in Cusco from 9-12:30 every day. The kids are ages 0-5 and full of energy! The last two days I have been working in the 5-year old classroom. Given my lack of Spanish and the children’s total lack of English communication has been quite the comedy. There are four other volunteers at my placement, but I have only work with one of them. We spend about 3/4th’s of the morning eating. When I first arrive all of the children are eating breakfast. Then there is an extended period of time where it doesn’t appear as if there is anything to do. Yesterday we went to the park (details to follow). Today we traced circles and then made paper airplanes for about and hour and a half. So, the park. Here, there is an entrance fee for the public parks. However, the park so super cool! It had little slides, and huge slides, two merry go rounds, a trampoline/bounce house, many swings… and all other typical playground amenities. It was an experience trying to cross the street with fifteen 4/5-year olds, even with four adults. I’m not actually sure I count as an adult given that I basically can’t communicate. Overall, it was pretty fun!

I had a bit of trepidation about my Spanish class, especially given that it falls in the middle of my nap time everyday and it lasts for TWO hours! I go to the volunteer headquarters from 4-6 pm. This is the highlight of my day! I am in a class with only one other student (Andrew, the guy from the plane) and my teacher, Anna Maria, is great! I started in the most basic class so I could get a better handle on my pronunciation and such. The first day we played hangman so we could practice our letters and then bingo so we could practice out numbers! This is also fantastic because I am able to ask all of my questions about Cusco! Today we talked a lot about education. What a surprise. If you’re interested, in Peru (and most of South America I think) Students go to primary school from 6/7-12, then 12/13-16. They do not have college here, just University. University is free but very very competitive. Students have to take an entrance exam, often there are only 60 or so spots with over 600-700 applicants. It seems as if there are entrance exams for specific schools (Medical, Architecture, Teaching, etc.)

Comedy of the day: I have about a 35 minute walk from my house to my placement in the morning and afternoon. Today, I was asked a number of times (maybe 6) if I wanted a “lady massage… with a happy ending”. Now, keep in mind that Cusco is a very touristy place given that it is where all tours of Machu Picchu begin from. I highly doubt that natives are being offered such... deals, and I am clearly not a native. I’ve been told that if I get a tan I will be given better deals at markets and with cabs because it won’t be as obvious that I’m not from here… I’ll keep you updated. : )

Tonight we also participated in Trivia. The rounds were titled -
1. Geography of World Cup nations
2. TV and Films
3. World Cup Nation Flags
4. Latin American film stars
5. Common Knowledge
6. Superheroes girlfriends

So if you are wondering,
1. Paraguay and Bolivia are the only 2 land-locked countries on the South American continent
2. Silence of the Lambs was the only film before 2009 to win best film best actor, and best actress in the same year.
3. Slovenia is in the world cup.
4. Requires a video clip.
5. In the game Clue, the only room that can be reached from two secret passageways
6. And Plenty O’Tool was what superheroes girlfriend? Hint- she wasn’t the only one. POSTCARD FOR THE FIRST RIGHT ANSWER! (Believe me that should be an incentive. I went to the post office today and it cost 7.20 soles to send a letter/postcard. That’s about $2.50. E-mail it is!)

Love to all!
C

Orientation and Such Things

Hello Hello. I don’t start volunteering or going to Spanish class until Wednesday so I have a bit more time on my hands and therefore time to keep you updated! Cusco is more beautiful every day. It reminded me very much of Reynosa, Mexico when we first arrived. Although, walking around this morning, I would not have made that comparison at all. Maybe the sleep deprivation was playing tricks on my mind. Cusco is in a valley so at any given moment you can look up and see civilization fading away into the mountains and hills. From a different perspective, looking out from out roof-top terrace (yeah, cool huh?), which is about four or five stories high, it appears as if the city has absolutely no organization. There are buildings perched close together, far away, precariously on the side of hills, and lights everywhere. Despite its appearance the city is actually pretty organized, grid style. The majority of the roads are cobblestone. I am actually quite surprised that I haven’t twisted my ankle in an effort to avoid being hit by a car. Pedestrians defiantly do not have the right of way here.

I had orientation this morning with lots of other people, including a big group of dental students. I found out where my volunteer placement was although the name has totally slipped my mind. One of the directors is taking me there tomorrow to introduce me to the staff and show me how to get there on my own. Then I met up with Andrew, the one from my plane, and we went with his roommates (he is living in a house with 4 other volunteers) to a travel agency to book a trip to Machu Picchu for this weekend. It is so easy to meet people! I now know people from Canada, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, England, and lots of northern states. After being up for a mere four hours, it was quite necessary that I go back to sleep. Between traveling, a late late night (there is always a reason to go out and celebrate- last night my housemates excuse was “There are new volunteers in the house!”), and the altitude (it really does mess with you), I have been quite exhausted.

Our entire house goes to pub charity on Monday and Wednesday nights. I’m not sure who owns the restaurant, The Real McCoy, but if was full of foreigners. My group teamed up with two guys from Argentina who were super nice. We didn’t place though. : ( I think a group from Australia took first.

Oh, and one last fun fact. Peru has over 3,000 native types of potatoes. So yes, we have potatoes with every meal. Sliced potatoes, grilled potatoes, cut up potatoes, fried potatoes, mashed potatoes, you name it. Also, lots and lots of beef. Yum Yum!

Post Numero Uno!

I'm safely "at home" in Peru! Here are a few little things you might want to know!

Where in the world is Carson Duffy?

I am in Cusco (there is no international spelling- it can be Cusco or Cuzco-but everything here says Cusco). On the map that's in the lower-ish, right hand corner.
Population- about 360,000
Altitude- 11,200 feet
It's day one and I already have plans in the making to visit/hike Macchu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, maybe go to Chili and Bolivia for a few days. Might as well explore right?!



I am staying in a house with 15 other volunteers, so far we represent the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Russia (I think). I am living in a room with a girl from Washington, DC and a girl from Ontario. We have a "staff" who cook all of our meals and clean up after us.. I know.. a bit ridicuous right?! Everyone here is super nice. The grace of God can certainly be seen in the kindness of strangers.

I start volunteering on Tuesday, I'm not sure what my placement is yet.. hopefully I will be able to walk!

Ok, a few other things..


The Time Difference

North Carolina – Peru = + 1 hour (Peru 8:15am , NC 9:15am)
Tennessee – Peru = the same time!
Morocco – Peru = + 5 hours (Peru 8:20 am, Morocco 1:20pm)
Argentina – Peru = + 2 hours (Peru 8:20 am, Argentina 10:20 am)

Alright, dinner time! Everyone here wants to go out for guinea pig after dinner... I haven't decided whether that or an early bed time sounds more appealing...


Love to all!