Organos, Peru Morning Trip By Motto

I went to Organos, Peru this morning to check in with the school and as we were coming into town the motto passed this same older man that I have seen before walking down the road. He was once again pulling his little cart like thing with empty water bottles. He was heading to Organos to get water, which he would then take back home walking down the road.

Then when we were leaving the school we passed by an even older man pushing a wheel barrel. He had been at the dump across from the school when we got there and he had picked up a plastic crate and some old wood stakes. His feet shuffled as he walked pushing this wheel barrrel with the items he was taking home.

My motto driver then took me to the bank to exchange some money and as I stood in line waiting for my turn I was thinking about these two men. I got embarrassed to walk in there and pull out US dollors to exchange. I left and had the motto driver take into Mancora to do it. There are so many in need and I have to figure out how to raise money to help...... EJ

Letter To Self ~

Do you ever reflect on your life and wonder who you are?  I have been doing this today, I think you have been living in South America now for 2 years. I came down in August 2012 first to Cuenca, Ecuador.  I volunteered at a school assisting with English.  I love my children and I do not think they learned much about English but the thing they did take away was learning to take care of others.  Really what more could have wanted to leave behind than the gift of caring.

You can have a conversation in Spanish and it seems very natural.  You are so comfortable and happy here in South America.  What will you do when you go back to that other life?  How will you function there?  The money is running out so if the textile business does not work out you will have to go back.  You do not even have a resume anymore.  You have cut ties to family which that is not a bad thing but you are alone.   So you wonder what you are doing and who have you become on this journey.

Yes there is the work for the children and I trust the universe to guide my way as always.  But sometimes you do think about things like this, how can you not.  I walk through Mancora, Peru and people smile and wave and say hola.  I have been here for 3 weeks now with one week left and then it is on to Trujillo, Peru.  I wonder who I am and where did this life and this person come from........ sometimes I wonder if I am really alive or if this is another time and place all together.   EJ

Bumps in the road ~

Life is full of bumps in the road... literally. I went into town in Mancora, Peru this morning and got out of the motto taxi, walked about a minute and my shoe discovered a space between the tiles and down I went. I fell on the same arm I always do, my left. I went down to a bodega where I had bought my bag and bought some flips straight away. The other shoes will never be worn again. I went ahead to go get something to eat anyway, I mean what are you going to do at that point. I had already been introduced to the sidewalk. 
 

When I finished eating I felt like crying because my arm was hurting very bad. So I went to the motto stand and got a taxi to go to the clinica and I saw the first doctor I have seen in South America. The visit was less than $20 US, I got the first shot that I have had in many many years, but how to argue in spanish when your spanish is only passable.... The taxi driver waited for me and took me after to the farmacia to get the antiinflamatorio creama and pills. He also took me to the store to get some rum... I figured that would be needed later. He brought me back to where I am staying and was very gentle on the road bringing me back.

I paid him very well... his face when I handed him the money was one of confusion, he asked if it was for him and I said yes. He gave me some more advise on how to take care of my arm and it was said with love. We hugged and kissed on the cheek and I am sure I will see him in town. He was worried that I had been robbed but I told him no I was alone and fell.  Another loving amazing experience with a total stranger in South America.

So I am back and drinking a cerveza, my arm is already feeling better from the shot and I am supposed to go back and get another tomorrow. We will see.... EJ

 

Dear Mom, (email)

"Mom, you have no idea what I am doing down here and you do not care. I have been in South America almost 2 years now. Everytime you write there is one or two sentences that has to do with me, example " Good Morning, what is your locale? Hope your trip to Peru will closely imitate your visit in Ecuador" I am not on a visit I am doing things here. Please send no more emails to me, thank you......."

I am her only daughter and she has no idea what I am doing or even where I am at in South America.  She makes it sound like I am on some expensive holiday.  Mean while my heart is breaking for those struggling here in South America and all I can do is share my heart with them and try to help.  This is the daughter my mother does not know at all and does not care to.  On facebook I am Ecuador Journey and my page for the children is https://www.facebook.com/#!/EcuadorJourneyChildren 

Shelia