Getting my hands dirty

As a Youth Development Volunteer, I spend most of my time in classrooms, chatting with students about leadership, the importance of volunteering, how to plan for their future, etc. It’s definitely valuable work, but there’s something about getting my hands dirty that makes me really feel like I’m working hard, doing something of greater importance. … More Getting my hands dirty

Off the beaten path

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

Thanksgiving

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

David and Johnny

As I peered into the almost full colectivo, I judged each empty seat by how comfortable I thought it would be. Normally, I’m not too picky, but I had a slight headache and my mouth was in pain after an emergency trip to the dentist to replace my permanent retainer that had half-popped-out two days … More David and Johnny