Headed South For the Winter

Hello Friends and Family,
Today is the day that I am leaving for Peru. Sorry that I have now written anything sooner to say when I was leaving, but I just have not had the time. It has been a busy summer working at camp cherokee and at Oshkosh WI at the camporee. I finally got back home with two days to pack for Peru. Now, today is the day. In a few more hours I will be flying out of Syracuse to New Jersey. From there I will be going to Lima Peru (capital of Peru), and spending the night. Then I will take a short flight to Pucallpa, Peru, which is the closest jungle town. From there I will be picked up and taken the short distance to "km 38" (Touch of Love ministries). You can read more about that at their website http://www.touchofloveperu.org/. This year is going to be exciting, and I am looking forward to all the experiences. Here is a list of things that are a common occurrence down there to give you a taste of what it will be like:

VOLUNTEER ADVICE
Don’t be surprised to find a chicken foot…claws and all…floating in your soup

Kissing cheeks is a common form of greeting, not romanticism.

It’s not unusual for a flat out downpour to start with no rain clouds in sight

The term “gringo” (your new name) isn’t necessarily insulting. It is simply used to describe you generically, especially if you’re fair skinned.

Odd occurrences with toilets, if you’re observant. The water swirls backwards and most toilets don’t have seats. Just bowls.

Get to know nationwide law of thumb: TP doesn’t ever go in a toilet. For those who forget, it’s a sure-fire way to clog a sewer system.

Want to jump in the shower? There’s only one temperature: cold. That is if you’re lucky enough to have one instead of cups ´n buckets.

Roadways that don’t seem to have any order or traffic control: it’s not unlikely to find yourself face to face with a vehicle hurtling towards you, in YOUR lane. Extremely offensive driving is the rule.

An insanely cheap public transportation system: but be prepared to pack in taxis and busses like sardines unless you dish out the extra cash for private motokar transport!

Honking has many meanings: warning, greeting, anger, but no one pays it much mind. It is far too common. Drivers honk at dogs, potholes, pedestrians, and other vehicles with alarming frequency.

Vehicle inspection seems a thing of the imagination – which most vehicles would never pass if it were instated.
Routine animal cruelty – animals aren’t normally valued very highly.

Almost all dogs and even cats have mange.

Kids with big bellies aren’t overfed. They’re popping with big worms.

Vendors are certain you will buy something, and your “NO” most certainly means “I’d love to take a look.”

Sorting big crunchy bugs out of rice is a common occurrence, until you decide to just eat ´em.
Announcing you for special music in church without any pre-notice isn’t considered a problem.
You can bargain for just about everything.
Customer service is non-existent

Washing machines are portable, two-part, and have ten fingers. They are multifunctional and depending on quality, how clean your clothes will turn out.
TP is personally supplied if you go to public places.

Hugging a two-year old with all her teeth rotten out isn’t just sad. It’s commonplace.

Electricity is a luxury. Stars might be your only reliable light after sundown: apart from candles and headlamps.

Men’s urinating on city walls and street corners is normal. Not quite so for women.

Everything is reusable. Your trash is someone’s treasure.

Unheard of diseases like malaria and tuberculosis kill real people.

The diarrhea runs is literal…and at least a one-time experience every VOLUNTEER will have. What varies is the severity.

Animal entrails, pig heads, cow hooves, and gooey intestines are but a few of the delicacies found on bloody meat-tables in market. Active chopping and dismembering of carcasses goes on in the midst of it all.

Flat roofs with rebar jutting out into the sky makes it look like a building is unfinished. It’s just class.

Hospitals are all pay-before-you-receive systems. If you don’t have the cash, you don’t get the help.

You will forever be a target to the piranha crowd – those who are looking for a likely victim to steal from.
The woman’s most common change purse is her bra.

Sitting through an entire church service when you understand three words will improve!

Learn basic rules. When it breaks, fix it (never pitch it). If you don’t have it, invent it.
The police system is known to be corrupt – often operating on bribes.

There is no 911. If you have an emergency, get yourself to the hospital or die.

Life isn’t fair: don’t get used to it. Do something about it.