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October 20th: Despedida (Good-bye Party) for Peru 16
The Peru 16 group has just finished their 2 years of service, meaning that we (Peru 17) are now officially the "seniors"- we are the next group to return back to the States!
Because of our status as "seniors," we were in charge of putting together the 16ers good-bye party. I would say we did a pretty good job, but you can judge for yourself:
October 21: District-wide Artisan Fair
Organized by my Artisan Council, as part of Monsefú's anniversary (124 years since elevated to the title of "city.") I am so proud of my Artisan Council, working so well together (even with negative, jealous comments from the outside) and putting on such awesome events. They are the model for sustainable projects.
October 23rd: Vocational Fair and my Birthday Party
This was one very full day... from 6:30am until 3:00pm I was leading the first Vocational Fair in Monsefu, and from 8:00pm to 2:30am I was celebrating my 24th birthday in plenty of Peruvian style. My internet is being pretty slow so here is the direct link to view all my pictures from that day.
October 20th: Despedida (Good-bye Party) for Peru 16
The Peru 16 group has just finished their 2 years of service, meaning that we (Peru 17) are now officially the "seniors"- we are the next group to return back to the States!
Because of our status as "seniors," we were in charge of putting together the 16ers good-bye party. I would say we did a pretty good job, but you can judge for yourself:
October 21: District-wide Artisan Fair
Organized by my Artisan Council, as part of Monsefú's anniversary (124 years since elevated to the title of "city.") I am so proud of my Artisan Council, working so well together (even with negative, jealous comments from the outside) and putting on such awesome events. They are the model for sustainable projects.
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| Rosa Muga, showing her embroidered art to the panel of judges, with her son Wuilmer (another artisan) in the background. |
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| Candelaria, weaving with her waist-loom. She is illiterate but quite the firecracker. |
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| Winners in each different art, with the Secretary and Coordinator of the Artisan Council, Yolanda and Hector |
October 23rd: Vocational Fair and my Birthday Party
This was one very full day... from 6:30am until 3:00pm I was leading the first Vocational Fair in Monsefu, and from 8:00pm to 2:30am I was celebrating my 24th birthday in plenty of Peruvian style. My internet is being pretty slow so here is the direct link to view all my pictures from that day.
The Vocational Fair went as well as I could have hoped for. I had some very appreciated help from other Peace Corps Volunteers and Monsefu university-age friends, who were crucial in the part of applying vocational exams (what should you be when you grow up?) We couldn't give the results to the kids on the spot as I had hoped, but hopefully they will get their results this week and next. We had 500 high school students attend the fair, in addition to the public in general, who circled through the central park of Monsefú, visiting stands set up by 21 universities, institutes and other schools in the region, who were sharing information about what degrees they offer, what the requirements are, what it costs, etc. So between the 500 students and 21 higher ed institutions, I am happy with the participation and hope that the students got a lot out of it. I will hopefully be talking to them more when we hand in the vocational test results.
My birthday party was celebrated in full Peruvian fashion. My family contracted the most popular family-party DJ in Monsefu, so there were two industrial size speakers set up in our living room, along with his turn tables (he's a 40-something year-old man). The party started off with a typical dinner for all the guests, and then the surprise arrived-- a mariachi band, contracted by a male friend of mine from Chiclayo. Mariachi bands are not that uncommon for birthdays but it was definitely uncomfortable when the band starting calling this friend (Wilson) out by name to slow dance with me to a song about love. My artisan friends will not stop making fun of me for this awkward "romantic" gesture! The rest of the party was much more comfortable, dancing in the living room with my family and friends until 2am. It was more than I ever could have hoped for in a Peruvian birthday!
