Rock History

It was overcast and slightly breezy outside as Cesar navigated his rickety, old truck down the dirt road. I sat in the front passenger seat while a few other volunteers rode in the bed. We stopped at several houses along the way, hollering at children until adults came to answer our questions. “Where are the … More Rock History

Beauty Queens

As Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita” played, I grooved in my chair, patiently waiting, wondering how many more times the song would repeat before the night’s festivities began. It was slightly after 8 on a week night in the middle of October, and I was sitting front and center of the stage plus makeshift runway that … More Beauty Queens

Marching On

The sun was radiating despite it being July 24th and the middle of the Southern Hemisphere’s winter. The teachers from Julio Ponce and I took refuge in the limited shade provided by the church’s concrete fence. We talked, joked and waited impatiently for the day’s events to begin. Much of the town had gathered for … More Marching On

A Peruvian Funeral

As I stood in the shade, talking to my site mate’s host sister, I asked her about Peruvian customs related to death, funerals, etc. I was astonished that the funeral was happening so quickly. I told her that in the States, we usually wait a few days, sometimes a week. I couldn’t think of an … More A Peruvian Funeral