So, the apartment I'm staying in is infested with cockroaches. Blah. It's been a battle since day one. I've had to keep my suitcases closed at all times and all food goes in the fridge, even cereal and cookies. I sleep with my earbuds in my ears so they won't crawl in them, even if I'm not listening to my Ipod. I've gone through two and a half cans of bug spray. But finally last night, Alisa, a volunteer who came to Iquique four years ago and never left, told me of this "special powder." She and her boyfriend gave me a small bag and an old toothbrush and told me to sort of flick the toothbrush so a cloud of powder lands on the back of the roach. Don't kill the roach, they told me, but let the roach then take it back to their friends. So imagine if you will, me, armed with a toothbrush and a bag of white powder, with a determined look on my face, ready to hunt. Before last night, I didn't want to see them. Oh but now, I wanted them all to come out. This battle has reached a new level since one of them came into bed with me a couple nights ago. So I "powdered" a bunch of them last night. And went to sleep peacefully. This morning I woke up thinking I'd see maybe one or two, but not one single cockroach was in sight! Amazing. Now this evening I've seen a couple and they've been "powdered" already, but in general, there is a great decline in the population of cockroaches in this apartment. Hmmm...I hope my new apartment doesn't have any.
Speaking of new apartment, I hopefully will be going to look at one on Friday. If not this one, there are a few other possibilities.
Today, I painted at Second Methodist Church. That's where I went to church on Sunday and where the CEREIMI project is held. Nina and I painted and Jack, Walt and the Pastor worked on welding and other things. I like this dry heat WAY better than the humidity I'm accustomed to. In fact I'm rather enjoying the weather. But painting IN the sun, was exhausting. I was very good (*ahem* MOM) and kept sunblock on and only got a little pink on my face.
Oh, I don't think I've told y'all much details about what I'm going to be doing. Before I came, I had been given descriptions of three possibilities, but now I have a definite which is doing programming for the CEREIMI project. The kids go to the project after school and have lunch. I will be coordinating the activities they do after lunch and how many volunteers will be needed, etc. Probably arts and crafts type stuff, as space is limited. I'm waiting for the person who has the key to the closet where the supplies are, to return from vacation. A bunch of stuff has been donated and I'll go through it and see what I can come up with. The kids here are not in school b/c it's their summer. So the project doesn't start back up until March, and then it goes until December. I'm excited but very nervous too.
My Spanish is getting a little better. I'm afraid I'm going to lose my Portuguese though. I had my first class yesterday and I have my second class tomorrow.
That's all for now folks. I'll write more soon.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Pachica and more
Today I went with a couple of Gringos and a Chilean to pick up a table saw in Pichica, which is about a couple hours away, through the desert and in a canyon, in the middle of nowhere, or so it seemed to a city girl. We had to drive through a creek or two to get there. There is an Agricultural School there, part of EMANA called Instituto Agricola Kusayapu. EMANA is the project that I'm working under. It was a beautiful drive. The desert doesn't have vegetation in many areas, unlike in the U.S. and Mexico. And all along the way, we'd see stacked stones, which is a way for people to ask the spirits permission to pass. Also saw dust whirlwinds. At the agricultural school, there were rabbits, goats, pigs, alpaca, gardens, a workshop, and probably more that I didn't see. It's closed right now, to be opened in 2009, but it is still being maintained, etc. One of the past students was one of the guys who was working customs at the airport when I came in. He was the one who asked me if I had brought any plants or food into Chile.
These pictures are on the way to Pichica:
Going into the canyon:
The river we drove through:
Geoglyph call "the Atacama Giant:"
Two Gringos, Nina and Jack from Illinois have been coming to Iquique for sixteen years on work teams. They have a strong relationship with some of the Chileans. They've been here since December and will be here until March. They are going to start on the church windows tomorrow. Nina made lasagna and salad this evening that was absolutely delicious. Another Gringo, Walt, from Tuscaloosa, has been here for awhile too, four months I think. He's considering going home to do some training with Volunteer In Missions and then returning to do some work in Pachica. People seem to come here and fall in love with Iquique. I think it's awesome that these Gringos have such wonderful relationships with people here and vice versa. Gringos come and do some construction, but it's not just a one time thing. Over time, they've become like family to the Chileans and vice versa. Some of the Chileans have been to the states to visit too.
I felt my first tremor today. It felt like a truck going by, in fact I wouldn't have noticed if someone hadn't pointed it out. I'm told they happen everyday, but if you are moving around, you don't really notice. I'm in earthquake territory. Yikes.
Well that's all for now.
These pictures are on the way to Pichica:
Going into the canyon:
The river we drove through:
Geoglyph call "the Atacama Giant:"
Two Gringos, Nina and Jack from Illinois have been coming to Iquique for sixteen years on work teams. They have a strong relationship with some of the Chileans. They've been here since December and will be here until March. They are going to start on the church windows tomorrow. Nina made lasagna and salad this evening that was absolutely delicious. Another Gringo, Walt, from Tuscaloosa, has been here for awhile too, four months I think. He's considering going home to do some training with Volunteer In Missions and then returning to do some work in Pachica. People seem to come here and fall in love with Iquique. I think it's awesome that these Gringos have such wonderful relationships with people here and vice versa. Gringos come and do some construction, but it's not just a one time thing. Over time, they've become like family to the Chileans and vice versa. Some of the Chileans have been to the states to visit too.
I felt my first tremor today. It felt like a truck going by, in fact I wouldn't have noticed if someone hadn't pointed it out. I'm told they happen everyday, but if you are moving around, you don't really notice. I'm in earthquake territory. Yikes.
Well that's all for now.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Venturing out...
So today I ventured out alone. I decided that I've had enough of my lovely friends, Las Cucarachas, so I walked to Hiper Lider and got some Bug spray as well as a few other things. Hiper Lider is like a Super Walmart, but not. Before I went out, some university students were going door to door educating people on health (I think). A reminder of how crappy my Spanish is. Everything I try to say comes out in Portuguese and I get flustered. I've decided it's easier to tell people that I don't speak Spanish, but that would be a cop out and then how would I learn. I got to thinking about something that I've thought about many times before when I've been in other countries, which is, how much more patient people are here of my horrible speaking and comprehension skills than Americans are in the reverse situation. How easy it is to get flustered! If only all English-speaking Americans could experience this and then perhaps have some compassion for those who don't speak English or those who pretend that they don't. No wonder they pretend that.
It's all good though b/c I start language lessons next week and I haven't even been around Chileans socially yet-that's when I'll improve. It is only my second full day.
It's all good though b/c I start language lessons next week and I haven't even been around Chileans socially yet-that's when I'll improve. It is only my second full day.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Arriving in Iquique
The trip to Iquique was long. It started in DC at National Airport. My mom, Grandparents, and cousin Kathy came to see me off. As I was saying goodbye to go through security, the tears came. I can't believe I'm not going to see them for a year! Wow.
The first part of my trip was to Miami. The lady who sat next to me is a lawyer working for a security company-something to do a security device against drug trafficking. Very interesting. I slept most of the way to Miami. Then once I got there I had a six hour layover. I ate and found a place to hang out and thought that it was going to be forever that I'd be waiting but it wasn't b/c this lady from Atlanta sat down in front of me and we started talking. And talking and talking. And then the couple sitting next to us who are from LA joined in. And before I knew it, it was time to go to the gate.
The flight from Miami to La Paz was long but I was able to sleep most of the time. Before I went to sleep though, the people next to me Jimena and her mother-I forget her name. Jimena was about my age. They were returning to La Paz from Arlington, VA where they were visiting her brother. Jimena's mother didn't speak English so when she found out I was going to be spending a year in Iquique she insisted that I speak Spanish to practice. They were so nice, Jimena reminded me of my Brazilian friend, Aline. They gave me their phone numbers and told me that I should go to La Paz and visit them for a weekend. I just might do that!
The only part of the traveling that was not good, was my time in La Paz airport. I had about a five hour layover, and I had altitude sickness. I couldn't breathe, my lungs actually hurt, I was light-headed and I felt like I had the flu. I wanted to sleep and I kept dozing off and almost falling out of my chair, but when I tried to walk around to wake myself up, I felt like I was going to pass out. When I tried to take deeper breaths of air, I started seeing black spots as if I were hyperventilating. I remembered hearing that coca leaves help with altitude sickness and wished I had some. So I got an espresso and ate some lemon cookies from the plane instead. The espresso was only $1! And it was three times the amount of the usual size from Starbucks. After that, I felt a little better, but still horrible. So finally it was time to go to the boarding area. I looked around and saw lots of Australians and Germans as well as Chileans. Two Australians that I talked to were on there way back to Australia from Bolivia and Peru and gave me a good company to go through if I go to Machu Pichu. It was a little easier to stay awake in this area because there were kids running around me making lots of noise. We finally boarded and I slept most of the way to Iquique. When I woke up, my altitude sickness was mostly gone.
When I arrived at Iquique, I panicked b/c I realized I had left Becky's address at home. But the immigration dude didn't seem to care that I had left the address blank and I got through with no problem. I didn't have to pay anything, not even an entrance fee. I had finally arrived in Iquique! The Atacama desert was the first thing I saw and it was amazing! It's like mountains, but it's sand. I'll post pics eventually. Becky met me after I went through security and took me to where I'll be staying until I get my own apartment. So I'm currently staying at British Methodist missionaries' apartment while they are out of the country. On the way, we drove by the ocean and once we got into Iquique (the airport is out a little), she showed me where her apartment is and pointed out a few other places that I will probably have to learn again.
After a quick bath, Becky took me to the mall and the grocery store. The grocery store is within walking distance but also as a taxi service if you have to much groceries to carry and don't have a car. It's like a Super Walmart, but it's not Walmart thank goodness. They sell all kinds of things. The mall has a food court and we had lunch there. It was yummy Chilean food. They had my favorite salad that my Chilean friend Victor used to always make!
Today, my second day in Iquique, I slept in pretty late b/c I was so exhausted from traveling. Then, Becky picked me up and took me to the EMANA office and to a market near the center of town. Then we drove to Zofri, a duty-free trade zone where there is a big mall. We ate lunch and she picked up a few things. She also told me about the taxis and buses and other things. Tomorrow, I think I'm going to be venturing out on my own to explore and pick up a few things that I need. Here's a few pictures of the view from my apartment:
The Atacama Desert:
The first part of my trip was to Miami. The lady who sat next to me is a lawyer working for a security company-something to do a security device against drug trafficking. Very interesting. I slept most of the way to Miami. Then once I got there I had a six hour layover. I ate and found a place to hang out and thought that it was going to be forever that I'd be waiting but it wasn't b/c this lady from Atlanta sat down in front of me and we started talking. And talking and talking. And then the couple sitting next to us who are from LA joined in. And before I knew it, it was time to go to the gate.
The flight from Miami to La Paz was long but I was able to sleep most of the time. Before I went to sleep though, the people next to me Jimena and her mother-I forget her name. Jimena was about my age. They were returning to La Paz from Arlington, VA where they were visiting her brother. Jimena's mother didn't speak English so when she found out I was going to be spending a year in Iquique she insisted that I speak Spanish to practice. They were so nice, Jimena reminded me of my Brazilian friend, Aline. They gave me their phone numbers and told me that I should go to La Paz and visit them for a weekend. I just might do that!
The only part of the traveling that was not good, was my time in La Paz airport. I had about a five hour layover, and I had altitude sickness. I couldn't breathe, my lungs actually hurt, I was light-headed and I felt like I had the flu. I wanted to sleep and I kept dozing off and almost falling out of my chair, but when I tried to walk around to wake myself up, I felt like I was going to pass out. When I tried to take deeper breaths of air, I started seeing black spots as if I were hyperventilating. I remembered hearing that coca leaves help with altitude sickness and wished I had some. So I got an espresso and ate some lemon cookies from the plane instead. The espresso was only $1! And it was three times the amount of the usual size from Starbucks. After that, I felt a little better, but still horrible. So finally it was time to go to the boarding area. I looked around and saw lots of Australians and Germans as well as Chileans. Two Australians that I talked to were on there way back to Australia from Bolivia and Peru and gave me a good company to go through if I go to Machu Pichu. It was a little easier to stay awake in this area because there were kids running around me making lots of noise. We finally boarded and I slept most of the way to Iquique. When I woke up, my altitude sickness was mostly gone.
When I arrived at Iquique, I panicked b/c I realized I had left Becky's address at home. But the immigration dude didn't seem to care that I had left the address blank and I got through with no problem. I didn't have to pay anything, not even an entrance fee. I had finally arrived in Iquique! The Atacama desert was the first thing I saw and it was amazing! It's like mountains, but it's sand. I'll post pics eventually. Becky met me after I went through security and took me to where I'll be staying until I get my own apartment. So I'm currently staying at British Methodist missionaries' apartment while they are out of the country. On the way, we drove by the ocean and once we got into Iquique (the airport is out a little), she showed me where her apartment is and pointed out a few other places that I will probably have to learn again.
After a quick bath, Becky took me to the mall and the grocery store. The grocery store is within walking distance but also as a taxi service if you have to much groceries to carry and don't have a car. It's like a Super Walmart, but it's not Walmart thank goodness. They sell all kinds of things. The mall has a food court and we had lunch there. It was yummy Chilean food. They had my favorite salad that my Chilean friend Victor used to always make!
Today, my second day in Iquique, I slept in pretty late b/c I was so exhausted from traveling. Then, Becky picked me up and took me to the EMANA office and to a market near the center of town. Then we drove to Zofri, a duty-free trade zone where there is a big mall. We ate lunch and she picked up a few things. She also told me about the taxis and buses and other things. Tomorrow, I think I'm going to be venturing out on my own to explore and pick up a few things that I need. Here's a few pictures of the view from my apartment:
The Atacama Desert:
Thursday, January 17, 2008
"you guys"
So, on Tuesday, I was hanging out with who I lovingly refer to the "DC ladies," Katy, Rebecca, and Jamie. They are three of my fellow YAMs (Young Adult Missionary) in the US-2 program. (Which means they will be in the US for 2 years-their placements are in DC) I noticed myself saying "you guys" this and "you guys that." I've always used this phrase no matter if I'm talking to males or females. Why is that? Is it a regional thing or is it just me? I cringe inside whenever I say it, I always have. But I don't seem to be able to stop myself from saying it. Not that it's some nasty phrase or curse word, but why would I say "you guys" to three ladies? Hmmm...I guess this is something I'll have to work on. Maybe speaking Spanish for a year will cure me of it.
BTW, technicalities have been worked out and I'm definitely leaving on Tuesday.
BTW, technicalities have been worked out and I'm definitely leaving on Tuesday.
Monday, January 14, 2008
UPDATE!!!
Hello friends,
As most of you know, I have been preparing and waiting for my visa for four months to go to Brazil through the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. It has been a time of frustration, but of intense growth as well. I've been able to spend time with friends and family and I've learned how to live in the present and I've learned a great deal of patience.
Last week, a decision was made that if my visa didn't arrive by Friday, I was going to cancel the process and go to another country. Well, it didn't arrive. Although I felt peace about the decision to cancel while it was just an idea, it was a really emotional ordeal when it actually happened. I'd been preparing mentally and spiritually to go to Brazil, where I have friends and am familiar with the project. I'd been studying Portuguese and buying things according to Brazilian culture and climate. My heart is in Brazil. For those of you who know me well, you know how true this is. All of a sudden, on Friday afternoon, all of that was gone. It was devastating.
But also on Friday, my supervisor at GBGM told me that they were considering putting me in Chile, in a place called Iquique. It's almost directly west of Nova Almeida on the map, on the Pacific coast. Follow the 20 degree latitude line across from Vitoria, Brazil, and you will find Iquique, Chile. A placement was proposed to me on Friday as well, and I was given the weekend for discernment.
Today is Monday and I've decided that yes, I'm going to Iquique, Chile. I will be leaving very soon, as long as a few technicalities are worked out: January 22nd! I will be flying out of National in DC to Miami, then La Paz, Bolivia, then Iquique. I will be going on a tourist visa and going into Peru and back every 90 days to renew the visa. Iquique is very dry, only getting one and a half inches of rain every 12 years. It's next to the Atacama desert and the Pacific Ocean. I'm told that it's a city of 250 to 300,000 people.
I will be working under Becky Harrell. Her Mission Biography is at: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/missionaries/biographies/index.cfm?action=details&id=1134
I'll have the option of three programs. I'll be able to spend time with each and decide which I would like to focus on. The first is called "Serenity." It's an after-school tutoring and lunch program. The second is EMANA. I would be a liaison between U.S. medical teams and the communities. And the third one is called CAF and it's a family violence center.
So, although I am heartbroken, I am excited too. I feel a peace but I'm definitely not done with Brazil, so there must be a good reason for me to have this experience in Chile at this point in my life.
Thank you for prayers and support.
As most of you know, I have been preparing and waiting for my visa for four months to go to Brazil through the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. It has been a time of frustration, but of intense growth as well. I've been able to spend time with friends and family and I've learned how to live in the present and I've learned a great deal of patience.
Last week, a decision was made that if my visa didn't arrive by Friday, I was going to cancel the process and go to another country. Well, it didn't arrive. Although I felt peace about the decision to cancel while it was just an idea, it was a really emotional ordeal when it actually happened. I'd been preparing mentally and spiritually to go to Brazil, where I have friends and am familiar with the project. I'd been studying Portuguese and buying things according to Brazilian culture and climate. My heart is in Brazil. For those of you who know me well, you know how true this is. All of a sudden, on Friday afternoon, all of that was gone. It was devastating.
But also on Friday, my supervisor at GBGM told me that they were considering putting me in Chile, in a place called Iquique. It's almost directly west of Nova Almeida on the map, on the Pacific coast. Follow the 20 degree latitude line across from Vitoria, Brazil, and you will find Iquique, Chile. A placement was proposed to me on Friday as well, and I was given the weekend for discernment.
Today is Monday and I've decided that yes, I'm going to Iquique, Chile. I will be leaving very soon, as long as a few technicalities are worked out: January 22nd! I will be flying out of National in DC to Miami, then La Paz, Bolivia, then Iquique. I will be going on a tourist visa and going into Peru and back every 90 days to renew the visa. Iquique is very dry, only getting one and a half inches of rain every 12 years. It's next to the Atacama desert and the Pacific Ocean. I'm told that it's a city of 250 to 300,000 people.
I will be working under Becky Harrell. Her Mission Biography is at: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/missionaries/biographies/index.cfm?action=details&id=1134
I'll have the option of three programs. I'll be able to spend time with each and decide which I would like to focus on. The first is called "Serenity." It's an after-school tutoring and lunch program. The second is EMANA. I would be a liaison between U.S. medical teams and the communities. And the third one is called CAF and it's a family violence center.
So, although I am heartbroken, I am excited too. I feel a peace but I'm definitely not done with Brazil, so there must be a good reason for me to have this experience in Chile at this point in my life.
Thank you for prayers and support.
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