travels

So i know I said I would be headed to the beach but for budget reasons I was unable to go, which seemed very unlucky. But that same night at 8 pm i got an invite to go with a group of dancers from my site to Ecuador to perform in the Anniversary celebrations of Yantaza. So we got into a car at 11 pm and went driving all night to the border only getting mildly lost once. At the border we had to wait like 6 hours until our transportation arrived so taking advantage of the time we went to a playground to learn the dance we would be performing that same night. We had to borrow electricity from a house in order to have the music play and within an hour we were completely exhausted sweaty smelly and sunburned because the sun is so overwhelmingly strong. Then after lunch and a little loss of hope this sweet mini bus came to our rescue and we were told that there would be 7 more hours to go in order to arrive. So in between consciousness we tried to get the dance organized and memorized and catch up on sleep. However, the windy roads in high altitude got to the majority of us and consequently, there was nausea vomiting headaches dehydration and paleness. We arrived at a gas station and in the bathroom one of the girls told me that she did not feel good and then proceeded to pass out luckily my friend caught her before she hit her head on the corner of the wall. After what seemed like forever and lots of coaxing she sat up like a possessed person confused and scared. I was also scared because I had never seen anyone wake up like that after being passed out, with some pills everyone got into better conditions. At 830 we got to the town and then were told we had to go straight to the local to perform because the event was almost up. Entering we found ourselves surrounded by beautifully dressed groups and a sold out event. Talk about nervous because we were not an actual dance group just members of various groups molded together and barely practiced the dance. The organizer shows up and says you have two songs to get changed and then you are up. Dang we stripped off our clothes and throwing of bobby pins, hats, belts, safety pins, lipstick and earrings. Boom. Listo. So we hear our name and out we go nerves but excited none the less. It went well all things considered. After the relief of completing what we came to do I enjoyed watching the other groups and getting to know the traditional dances of Ecuador which are distinct from the dances I have learned, followed by a musical performance of a 10 man group, amazing. At midnight we finally got to the hotel only to find that there was one shower with one tank of water for the 15 of us. So form the line turn on and off the faucet and limits to two minute showers. None of us could have afforded to go without a shower. 130 sleep finally. Wake up and then a little sight seeing on the way back of Loja which is apparently one of the cleanest towns in the world. The air in the city was cleaner than the air in the country where I live. Nothing of trash in the streets no visible pollution. It also has the largest clock in the world. We saw a river that was so clear you could see to the bottom of it in which ever point of the river. Pristine. Then 6 hours back to the border. Slight problems with border patrol but they did luckily let me back into Peru. Then 6 more hours upon arriving to the entrance of my town the truck got a flat tire so we had to walk the 15 minutes to get home. Exhaustion next day back to work as though nothing happened. Then there was the 50th celebration in Piura where coworkers, socios and volunteers met to present the work we realize. It was refreshing to remember what the organization is about and then hear stories of experiences and successes of all the programs. It truly is an incredible thing what we are doing here. Then pack the bags off again to Lima for the central 50th anniversary event. I met the ambassador and the first lady. Then we did a flash mob dance which was a hit. Afterwards it was nice to go out and dance some more with friends at the clubs. The next day I was off to Cajamarca for Carnival. Did some sight seeing of archeological sites and hiking to waterfalls, bathing in the hot springs, eating delicious food mostly cheese and yogurt. The central day is hours of paint fights running all through the city dancing, singing, and throwing paint and water balloons at one another. Got cleaned up and then headed out to a dance club to check out an electronic dj that was in town. Rare experience here because techno music is not popular so taking advantage stayed out dancing until 5 am. lovely and super fun. Then there was more sight seeing and the big parade which lasted over 3 hours with elaborate costumes more songs and dance. My first carnival of many. And thank goodness for vacations much needed relax and release. Then tuesday its back to the chaos of my life. I am so grateful for the every moment i get to live. hope you all feel the same about your lives if not do something to get where you want to go. Seriously considering staying a third year in a leadership position. will know more in may. loves.