Hey Everyone!!

Yesterday was officially the 50th anneversary of Peace Corps! I was invited to Lima for a celebration at the Embassy and the residence of the embassador. First off, the US embassy here is the biggest embassy of all the countries. Its a fortress! 6 sories, false windows, and a 6 inch thick door that could sustain a multiple missle attack. Second, embassadors have is made! The embassador's house is a mansion. It has gardens, a pool, 3 dining rooms, and I didnt even see where the bedrooms are. There is a bathroom with a hallway of mirrors, so you can see yourself from every angle. The food was great, and the pisco sours even better. We met the embassador, the chief of staff of Peace Corps in Washington, and the second in command. It was probably the most formal event I have ever been to. We had to mingle, which is harder than it looks. Its scary taking to powerful and important people, especially when you are just a 24 year old volunteer, trying to sound sufisticated in spanish. I cant be sophisticated in my own language! I just really dont understand the point of mingling. It all feels so fake, people arent really that interested in what you have to say, and arent around long enough to have a meaningful conversation. They find out what you do, where you are from, and then off to talk to the next person. Obviously, its a work in progress for me. I'm not sure if it would be better or worse if you were the embassador. You could probably just not mingle, and talk to friend, because you are the embassador and can do what you want! Or, people would be watching your every move, judging you. Probably not the career path for me. Not to mention the foreign service exam and elimination process. Besides, the embassador doesnt do math or engineering on a daily basis!

Hope all is well!

Teigan