As I ended my time in Olmos, more and more people asked me to be Madrina. I was the Madrina of students at their swearing-in ceremonies, the senior recognition ceremony and of a first haircut. Yes. A first haircut. My first host family made the almost 24-hour trek from south of Lima back to their … More First Haircut
When I arrived to site, I came at the beginning of the twice-annual celebration of the Holy Cross of Chalpon. It felt only fitting that a year and a half later I was at an all-night vigil for the same cross, like my time had in many ways come full circle. Just a few weeks before … More Up All Night
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
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
Never leave the house without a camera. That was a lesson I learned early in my now 14 months in Olmos. I would leave the house, day after day, and find myself in awe of something I saw. Whether it was a special event, like a random parade, or something very common, like the way … More Camera Ready
Brittany McGee 