Hola! From Mira Flores!

I made it. I am safe and sound in Mira Flores, Peru and BUSY! What a neat country. We have already seen a whole lot of it. I am writing a travelogue and yesterday I wrote 5 pages. We did SO many different things. We are not doing a whole lot of sleeping, but who needs sleep anyhow? We are working about 45 minutes away in Callao so there is a good deal of time spent in the car but this way I am seeing more of the country. Armondo drives us around, Martha hired him and has been using him for years. You would not want to drive in this city (or for all I can tell any city in this country), it is SUPER scary. The lines in the road seem to be suggestions and it is not law to stay in between lines. The turn signals do not work on the cars at all (well, I am sure they work but no one uses them unlike the horn which seems to be the way to let people know you are coming over). The sights are amazing though so I strap in and try to enjoy the adventures in the van. I am missing home already, but am so glad I came on this trip. I love everyone and will try to write again soon!

How Time Flies

HASTA LUEGO, ARIZONA!

Just two short days left!  I have come so close to my goal and remember back a few months ago when I never would have imagined this type of support possible.  I have a list (or two) of stuff "To Bring" and am packing bags.  Martha has sent many emails over the last couple weeks.  We will have workshops when we get there.  Teaching english, cooking, and crafting  are a few.  Soon, very soon I will be traveling abroad on a volunteer vacation, something I have always wanted to do.  I will miss my Jeramie, kids,  and animals but will be home soon to tend to them again.  

Hogar es el lugar de donde tus pies pueden alejarse, pero no tu corazón. 

Spanish to English Translation: Home ...where your feet may leave...But not your heart.

An article in the newspaper!  How exciting!  On Saturday our Arizona Republic printed this article about the wonderful things Martha is currently doing in Peru and the things we will be doing.  I will include a link to the website where it will be easier to read.  It is less than two weeks away.

My wonderful mother and Erica helped me this weekend and we did some fund raising.  We had a booth at the Armory in Prescott at a  Non-Profit Bazaar. We raised almost $600!  

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/2008/12/20/20081220giveback1220angels.html

E-mail from Martha in Peru

Martha is in Peru working with the shelter and waiting our arrival.  She has this small note this week:

     

   We are looking forward to seeing you soon.  I have been working all day today wrapping and tagging gifts for 60 children.  I had to find me a volunteer here, a lady (her name is Isabel) that helped me to do the shopping, (that was quite a project) and Mike, Isabel and I worked all day today wrapping the gifts.  Tomorrow will be the grocery shopping for the party that has been moved to the 18th.  We bought balls (18 soccer and basketballs), cars, beading kits, motorcycles, etc.  I brought 27 dolls from home, but I didn´t have nothing for the boys and the big girls.  We had huge packages and it was just Isabel and I and we had to walk among thousands of people for several blocks pushing our way through to find us a cab.  They closed the streets to cars in the toy wholesale area, where the vendors come from all over the country to buy the toys to resale them in their areas.  I have never been in an area like this.

Time is ticking away, the trip is SOOOO close now.  We are doing a fundraiser in Prescott this weekend Saturday to help cover more funds.  Almost there!   Already quite the experience as I never could have imagined the support I have received so far.  I have the BEST friends and family!

Meeting in Prescott 11/28/08

I attended a meeting for the trip this last week and am even more informed and excited.  The meeting was at Martha's home in Prescott (Martha is in the picture above in the baseball cap, this picture was taken at the shelter we will be working at).  I have learned that we will be working with Sister Zoila's shelter (a shelter is different from an orphanage as the children are constantly rotating through as they need help).  There are approximately 30 to 40 children there at a time and two adults to care for them.  The shelter is not government run and depends on donations of time and money to run.  We will try to make the trip memorable for the children by taking them on a field trip to the beach on one of the days.  Most days will be working on what needs to be done at the shelter.  I have taken a duffel bag home with me to take on the plane.  Per the airline each person is only allowed one extra bag at 50 pounds so we will each take a bag full of clothes and toys for the kids (and very possibly bricks as I swear this bag weighs a good 150 pounds).   I have been told to boost my immune system and "don't wear white shoes".  Yes, I asked about the white shoes and it is so I do not look too much like a tourist... I have a feeling it will not help as I will most definitely have a camera attached to my face the entire time.   

A Short Note from Mom with more detail. FUN!

"We will actually be working in Callao (it's on the map on the video) which is right by Lima and we'll be staying with Martha where she lives in Mira Flores (means Look at the Flowers!), also right by Lima.  We will see some things in Lima when we are off work - a fabulous water fountain park and probably surfing beaches.  But most of our time will not actually be in Lima - that's just where we fly in and out.  Look at your map & you see Cusco (also sometimes spelled Cuzco in English) - that is where we will fly to go to Machu Picchu - a 1 hour flight over the Andes.  It's just awesome."

Callao google map