Hey everyone!

School is out!! The students are on vacation, and I cn finally relax a little, finish paperwork that has been long forgotten, and prepare for the next school year. The schools, in one month of recycling, sold the recycling, and recieved 30 to 100 soles, depending on the school. If they keep it up, they could earn 800 soles in a school year! They were obviously excited about this. On a whole, the district school system, in one month, made 400 soles. Considering the average family income for one day of labor is 30 soles, this is a big chunk of money. some schools are saving the money for next year, some used their money for the end of the year celebration. Either way, the parents dont have to chip in that amount of money. Well done students!

Well, its that time of year again. Chrismas. And I am spending another sad chirstmas here in Peru. Yes, its sad. I really just want to be with my family, in the snow, opening presents, decorating the tree, listenig to carols, drinking hot chocolate, even shovelling the driveway, which I cant do any of the above in the desert of Ica. Most volunteers down here describe their first christmas as being forced to drink pisco until half their host family is passed out drunk until 4 am christmas eve, then going to their room, slightly drunk, and crying until christmas morning, where everyone treats it like a normal day. No one opens presents, they all go their seperate ways, and no quality family time. So now you can see why its less than pleasant. What is worse about this year, is that I know what to expect, and my peace corps friends have all left me to relax in the states!! At least my family is coming only days after christmas, but I still cant help but feel the loss of another opportunity to truely appreciate christmas and the family I have. Especially when, as the entire family, our years are limited. So yes, not only do moms want the whole family together, but, secretly, their children too.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Teigan