Before I left for Peru in 2014, I stubbornly declared to my parents, and anyone who asked, that I would go the entire 27 months of Peace Corps service without returning to the States to visit. I wanted to immerse myself in the Peruvian culture, integrate completely into my town, and accrue my 2 vacation … More Seeing Things Differently
The loud ringer on my Nokia brick phone echoed throughout my room. I let the catchy, yet annoying song finish as I rinsed the conditioner out of my hair. It was too early to be anyone important. As soon as the ringer stopped, indicating the call had gone to voicemail, my phone began ringing again. It … More Appendicitis in Peru
There was no Pomp and Circumstance playing. There were no caps nor gowns. The stage wasn’t even decorated, and the only props were a table, with a repurposed banner from another event as a table cloth, and chairs. It was the first time, at least in anyone’s memory, that the secondary school Julio Ponce Antuñez … More Graduation
One of the most incredible, amazing aspects of living in rural Peru is that if I walk 20 minutes in any direction, I find myself surrounded by nature. If I walk a little bit further, I stumble upon hidden oases, historical landmarks, and cultural treasures. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Motupe, the next … More Off the beaten path
The northern hemisphere’s Fall is my favorite season. Football, friends, family. Halloween, Thanksgiving. Cooler weather. Light sweaters and scarves. Boots. The list goes on and on. As September approached, I prepared myself for the inevitable homesickness I’d feel. My first Fall in Peru was tough, for a variety of reasons. This year, I handled the … More Thanksgiving
Brittany McGee 