MY SITE IS AWESOME! So, for the next two years I will be living in the Andes mountains of Cajamarca in a small town called Contumaza. It is located very close to where I did my FBT training (see map below.) The town has 9,000 people in the city and 8,000 more in the surrouding mountain houses. I am working with a few different organizations including 2 artisan groups, a milk product asociation, the municipality and an apple growing organization. In addition, I am replacing an environment volunteer who is helping create 'cocinas mejoradas' around the town (a gas-free stove cooking solution). My counterpart is absolutly incredible and has takin me in as apart of her family. She will be working with me through everything and is very excited! I couldn't be happier with my site, and I am finally ready for my new life to begin. There are two volunteers at my site right now, both leaving in November of this year. Both volunteers are awesome, and I feel they will be a great help to me in aclimating to this new way of life. I have cell phone coverage, and extremely slow internet at site, so I will be able to keep in touch..for the most part. I am a fortunate volunteer, I even have a toliet!! Many are very jealous. I can't wait to tell you more about what it is like! This Friday we officially become Peace Corps Volunteers! Can't believe how fast this time has flown by. Saturday I am off to Contumaza! (23 hours of traveling from Lima...) Oh, did I mention that I am in the middle of nowhere?! Oh yes, its about 5-6hrs from the Capital City of the Dept. of Cajamarca and about 3-4 hrs from the closest volunteer aside from those at my site who are leaving soon! Talk about independence. Anyways, I will show pics when I can! Love you all and I will try to post pics when I can!
So this is where I live!!!!! woot woot! isnt it amazing?! I am such a spoiled peace corps volunteer...I have everything: cell phone service, somewhat paved roads, 9,000ppl, a discoteca, real toleits that sometimes flush, and even hot water! is this the peace corps? Anyway, my counterpart's family is amazing, here is a pic of them:
Oh, and did I mention, the sunsets are alright:
Life is good. Really Good.
