Happiness and Frustration

Since my arrival to Cusco, I have really been having a lot of fun. This past week was no different. I got a chance to go to Inti Raymi which is Quechua for festival of the sun god. I have been to many similar festivals and celebrations in the past, some of which are ok, but I was actually really impressed by this one. Just like in old times they, in this case people imitating old Incans, had a long procession from Coricancha, palace of the sun, to a mountain top where a llama was sacrificed. When holding up the hart of the llama to the sun, if it continued to beat for some time, it would be a good year; the heart stopping suddenly was a bad omen. Viewing this procession, I really felt like I got a sense of what it was like to live in Incan times.

King of the Incas being carried through the streets

In addition to this, I had a lot of fun this past week with the other volunteers in my organization as it was their last week in Cusco. While it was sad to see my American friends leave on Saturday, I was excited for the arrival of my Spanish teacher, Tati, from U of M on Sunday along with 14 girls from U of M. It really couldn't have been better timing! Seeing a familiar face after all this time and getting to hang out with people from back home was really comforting for me.

All of this has not changed my incredible frustration with my volunteer work. I came to Cusco working with the organization Peru 109. I knew I would work with this organization for only a short time as they had small scale projects in the city of Cusco and I am more interested in working on larger sustainable development projects in rural areas. Until now I have served as tech support for an organization helping disabled citizens in the area, served as a big brother for kids living with their mothers in an abused women’s shelter, and also helped construct a garden/shelter in the same location to give the women something to put time into and also help the organization reduce food costs.

All of this has been fine, but at the same time I have been searching for new work. I have spent a couple of hours almost every day searching online, talking with locals, or travelling to almost a dozen volunteer organizations searching for a new project. Some of the projects didn't interest me, some organizations want nearly $2000 per month in order for me to volunteer which I think is outrageous, but what really grinds my gears are the organizations or people who have simply rejected my offer to work with them free of charge!

Thus far, there have been two such organizations, both doing projects like installing irrigation systems in rural villages, or stoves with chimneys to reduce smoke in houses. The first organization did not want my help for this work because "I had no skills to offer." Being the lowly electrical engineer that I am, I can see the concern of this organization that it might be difficult for me to learn how to dig a ditch, mix cement, or cut a piece of wood! They were looking for only professionals in civil engineering, carpentry, or other such fields.

Finally, my last hope...a little over a week ago I had a meeting with the director of the Association for Community Integration. I was really excited to work with this organization. The director, Juan told me that he would go to a rural village he has worked with, talk with the "president" of the village and I would then start a project. After passing the past week and a half working on small projects around Cusco waiting for this new work to start, I met with Juan again today. He told me, disappointingly, this rural village, which doesn't have light, electricity, or running water dose not want the help of a foreigner! They have recently been having small trouble in the area with, from what I understood, the government closing off roads to their village and some other things. Now the president of this village is not very trusting and does not want outside help at the moment! I don't fully understand the situation, but I know I am very frustrated by it.

Now, my search continues. Juan will talk with another village president in another 10 days. Until then, I will continue searching, continue talking, continue hoping for my one break to have the "opportunity" to help in Peru.

Until next time, keep livin' the dream!