CUY FOR ME: February 2011

After several false starts through December and January, rainy season has finally taken control of life as we know it here in San Miguel. Between coalition forces of rain, fog and mist, we haven’t seen sun here in weeks. While my fellow volunteers living in coastal Peru suffer the sweltering heat of another summer without air conditioning, we serranos are bundling up in three, four, sometimes five layers of clothing… and we look GOOD!

The good news: it’s been so cold and rainy that pre-carnival antics have been miraculously calm; even tween boys don’t want to brave the great outdoors to throw their balloons and buckets of water. At present count, I’ve only been hit by TWO balloons so far this year – yee haw! Of course, the carnival climax isn’t until March this year, much to my chagrin, so I am probably jinxing myself here.

The bad news: the weather has brought all ambition to a screeching halt. Kids are out of school for summer vacation, most of the town has gone to seek refuge with extended family on the coast, and those left behind have zero motivation to leave the house. Needless to say, I have found myself with a bit more time on my hands.

While I am still trying my hardest to keep projects up and running, there is only so much you can do when enthusiasm is limited. After all, Peru has taught me that projects are must successful and sustainable when you can convince locals that it was their idea to begin with. So instead of pushing against it, I have decided to embrace this slower pace of life for the month. Part of the Peace Corps experience is a cultural exchange, and I’m grabbing onto that with both hands.

My revised agenda now includes things that I have wanted to do for over a year but haven’t managed the time. Host Mom is taking me under her wing in the kitchen, teaching me the delicate art of Peruvian cuisine… including how to make ceviche. Yikes! I am finally learning how to weave from my artisans, which is also an interesting, if not completely successful, endeavor. I made friends with the local women’s group, and we have started a lecture series (with yours truly as the lecturer, of course) in which they ask to hear about topics such as personal savings plans and even environmental protection. I am also making lots of house calls these days. As the only person in town with a rain jacket, I am afforded more freedom of movement and take advantage of it with little visits and chats. This may be my favorite new rainy season ritual. Not only do I get to have intimate conversations with my neighbors, but I have found that I am always greeted with food. Win-win, really.

So maybe I’m not working 9-to-5 these days, and maybe attendance at my meetings is at an all-time low (we’re talking 20%), but I’ve found a way to fill the hours in a more fulfilling way than I ever imagined. By embracing the down time, I feel more connected to this community and its people than ever before. Even better than being “professor,” I can just be daughter, sister, neighbor and friend.