A toast. It’s a simple gesture, yet it can mean so much. We offer toasts to good health, to celebrate important events, to honor those not with us; the list goes on. Toasting is an extremely important part of Peruvian culture. Even in a normal day, it’s custom to cheers to a drinking companions’ health. … More A Tale of Two Toasts
About a week ago, I received an invitation to an event at a nearby school. I wasn’t sure where exactly the school was, as it was in one of the 180 annexes of Olmos. I also wasn’t sure that I even knew anyone who worked at the school or attended it. While I was flattered, … More Just be there
Take a minute to think about your high school experience. Were you popular? The nerd? A jock? Did you barely participate or were you involved in every club? Whether you took advantage of the opportunities or not, you likely had the choice to play a sport, join a club, or even advance your studies. In … More Map Your World
One day in mid-February, I was musing with another volunteer and friend, Roxy, about what I wanted to do for Semana Santa—Holy Week. For Semana Santa, volunteers receive 4 free days of holiday vacation, so for the avid explorer who wants to see all of Peru, it’s a no brainer to take advantage of the … More La Ciudad Blanca
Of course the week that I finally wash my bed sheets, legitimately make my bed for the first time and declare my room 90% complete, I feel deep pangs of homesickness. It’s not the first time I’ve felt homesick, and it probably won’t be the last. As of the 24th, I have been in site … More Dealing with homesickness
Brittany McGee 