I'm Upside Down Again

Wow, many adventures, in many different forms.
I had an amazing road trip with Sabrina- checking out the beautiful and truly majestic sites in California. Our time in Big Sur, Yosemite, Muir Woods and Pt. Reyes was magical. Oh, and there was loads of good food and many laughs.
I was in Santa Cruz just long enough to squeeze everything in my backpack and have one more meal on the farm.
My trip started right with a night at Pigeon Point Hostel and a hot tub overlooking the crashing surf of the pacific ocean under a lighthouse on a perfectly foggy moonlit night with my friend Aaron. I then flew to Puerto Vallarta and was in Yelapa the next day. I met Chrissi and Patrick and jumped into helping set up the retreat. As it's Mexico, everything tends to work on a slightly different time schedule than those from the States are accustomed to, but getting into that swing is the best way to make everything flow properly.
Overall the retreat was a success and a wonderful learning opportunity for all involved. There were small magic moments that helped tie the educational pieces together for a very fun week: -The phosphorescence glowing in the water as we walked home along the beach as if reflecting the starry sky above -learning more of the peace, calm and traditional methods of the Huichol people -seeing 5 scorpions and escaping unscathed -live music and good spirits enjoying the Mexican evenings -and maybe most magical of all was participating in the creation and ceremony of a traditional Temazcal sweat lodge. On that final note I was able to dash off to catch the morning ponga back to PV with a calm heart and excitement for the journey to come.
I left Yelapa Saturday morning and arrived 11 motorized modes of transport later in Cajamarca, Peru to meet my dear friend Nora on Monday morning. I had spent a quick night in Costa Rica and arrived to Lima complete with a police escort. As my taxi driver, Guido, was weaving his way through the streets of Lima there were Police on moto y en carro guiding us with sirens blazing- creating a path for us through the bustle of traffic. I soon realized our taxi was being pushed off the road as well- but no matter that the escort wasn't for me but for all the dignitaries that were visiting for the APEC summit that was finishing up as I arrived. I can pretend that all the hoopla was for me. Bush had departed the day before, thank goodness- but I heard word of all the Sultans, Presidents and Ministers (and money) that had been in the city during the week. I spent that night in Lima with my new friend Esperanza (who is a friend of Nora's dad whom she has never met). The initial plan of taking an overnight bus to Cajamarca had been frantically changed to an early morning flight the next day after I heard that the bridge to her site was blown up by protesters and though "taking the bus was still an option" it would have meant getting off the bus, crossing the river with my luggage on my head and finding a car to bring me the rest of the journey. I thought spending a few more soles on airfare was maybe a justifiable option in this case.
And since being in Cajamarca I've dove straight into Peruvian life and am loving it. I helped Nora cook lunch for some of her teachers as soon as I got off the plane and entertained myself while they finished final reports and papers. I met and toured the night scene with her boyfriend Hugo and walked to the campo to meet one of her women's groups to purchase some weavings she'll take back to the states. These women, though illiterate, create the most beautiful art and live in the most tranquilo setting amidst gardens, pastures and flowers. As it's springtime here on the other side, life is being reborn all around. There were baby chicks, lambs, cows, kittens and the favorite part of my day- holding the pigs that had only been born the day before and wanting to take the little runt (that was half the size of the others) and stuff him into my pocket and home with me. The little boy at the house promised me he'd take care of the little guy. It's the small day to day details that made up my Peace Corps life that I'm getting used to again. The smells, noise and uncertainty, that also bring adventure and excitement. I'm constantly fascinated by new cultures and ways of life. I know I will enjoy my next few months here- hanging upside down- heading, once again, into summer time.
Nora and I and her friend Meche head to Huaraz on Saturday. A place full of beautiful mountains, lakes and hiking opportunities.
Stay tuned...

See you down south!