Lima, Lima, Bo-bina

Michael and me in the Plaza de Armas in Lima a few weeks ago.

I'm in Lima for a few days doing my final medical checks for Peace Corps and having a few meetings at the Peace Corps office. It's crazy there because all 113 volunteers in Bolivia were evacuated last Sunday and Monday. They've been in Lima all week trying to figure out what to do next. Apparently they have started the evacuation process by traveling to central cities about once a month for the past six months. Some thought that this would be just another consolidation, but the program in Bolivia has been indefinitely suspended pending resolving the political unrest. They kicked out the US ambassador recently so... it might be a while. In spite of the craziness for the poor folks at the office I'm there getting poked and prodded and pooping in cups.

Michael, Atari guy from Cuzco has moved to Rinconada. He is living in my old house and looking for a job. If he finds one he'll be able to stay there until I leave on Nov. 2. It has been fun to have him there. I've done everything on my own there for so long that I'm not used to having another outsider around to share it with. He seems to get it- my work, the lifestyle, etc... and he is respectful and understanding of the culture there. Even though he is Peruvian, being from a city of 9 million makes your life pretty different. So it has been refreshing, especially now that I'm just winding up my projects and going to a lot of ceremonies, to look back on everything in hindsight with fresh eyes. I'm not sure how well his job search is going. I don't imagine that it's all that promising, but I would love it if it worked out for him to be in Rinconada until I leave.

Sunday was Sept. 21, the 5th anniversary of my friend Kali's death. She was like a sister to my brothers and me and I still want to pick up the phone to call her every day. It's crazy. I went to church for a little while, just to be quiet and remember, and to send some positive energy to her son who is now 6 and is about to enter 2nd grade. Michael went with me and I know he was sitting next to me thinking more about the myriad of issues from his own life but it was still really supportive to have him there.

Finishing up with Lazarus

It's decided. My last day in Rinconada Llicuar will be November 2. I can't believe it's almost over. It's like I'm trying to speed up and slow down at the same time. I have an impressive to-do list to make happen before I leave, like finish the 2 murals that I'm painting and write about 10 reports to Peace Corps, and find a place for the new volunteer to live but, I mostly just want to hang out with my host family.

I also met this really cool guy when I was in Cuzco in May and I think he's going to be moving to Rinconada next Saturday. The plan is that he move into my old house and stay until I leave, so for about 6 weeks, which seems crazy, but feels right. I have a feeling it will cause quite a stir in town but, he's Peruvian and for 2 years now everyone has been asking me when I will marry a Peruvian so, I think that they'll be excited.

Next weekend is the fiesta for the patron saint of Llicuar, San Lazaro. There will be fireworks, dance expositions, these Peruvian horses called caballos de pazo,and my personal favorite cumbia bands playing until like 6 AM. There is also a procession in which they carry a statue of the saint around town and stop and different houses to pray.

I like that I'm leaving with Lazarus, coming back from the dead. I certainly wasn't dead before Peace Corps, but I do feel renewed. It's like having new lenses in my glasses, a new perspective.