As I stepped off the plane from Lima to Cusco to begin my 6 month internship, my first breath of fresh Cusqueño air was a deep one. 28 hours in transit, 2.3 miles above sea level, and 2 enormous bags can wear you down, even on your first day!
But I couldn't even begin to think about where I had just come from, because what Cucso lacks in oxygen it makes up in scenery. On my first drive home my face was pressed again the widows of our quaint Toyata Hilux camioneta looking at mountains so tall clouds concealed their tops.
I was picked up by Tim, our volunteer coordinator, and Wilson, my fellow intern. We had met several times by Skype, but it was really great to finally meet them and to be greeted so warmly. The trip from the airport to our house didn't last long. Ever few hours or so I can hear and see planes landing from our house. That's how close we are. It's pretty cool.
With eyes soon to shut, I grabbed my bags, endured the tour of the house, found my room upstairs and crashed for 2 hours. I woke up and went downstairs where I met my boss, Julia, the coordinator for operations in Peru and a very charming lady; Rubén, a quiet yet witty and enthusiastic guy with a lot of knowledge of the people; Sandro, a recent addition to our team, who is very funny and also has an informed and intelligent opinion. For a few hours Tim led a discussion about our Goals for 2011, what we did well and what we should improve on. Although I obviously couldn't participate in past logros o fallas, I was encouraged to express my opinion on future goals. We worked for the entire day and ate lunch and dinner together afterward. Although Ascend Peru has been around for some time, over the last year it has undergone a big face-lift. I was great to see our team, although very young, coming together. Just my first day has me positive about what the future holds.
Someone told me once that a way to test your comfortability level with friends or family is the ole friendly fridge rule: if you can enter into another person's home and browse their refrigerator without feeling super awkward, it's a really incredible sign. I can say that I've never felt so welcome into someone else's home, entering into someone's else life. On one hand, it's strange and difficult to do what Wilson and I are doing, traveling abroad, learning new customs, and meeting new people. But on the other hand, it's equally as hard for those already there to accept you with patience and share with you their lives. And their fridge.
It's Sunday, my third day here and I feel very excited and motivated to do the work that Ascend does. Speaking of which, check back soon for my next post: This past Saturday, my second day in Cusco, we got up at 4:30 am, and drove 2 hours away into the Sacred Valley where we collaborate with several communities. The one we visited was Qenco (pronounced Kink-co, with a glottal K sound). Right now, it's looking close to dinner time (the food is amazing!) and I'm starving! Hasta entonces. Chau!
-Trey, Ascend Alliance Intern, Spring 2011
