Hey Everyone!

Hope you are well in the states. Peru 14, my group in Peace Corps, held its Close of Service Conference, our last opportunity to be all together. Most of these people, probably 30 of the 50 of us who finished our service, I will never see again. 20 of which I will see less frequently in the states, but hopefully keep in contact via internet and phone calls. (The picture is of Peru 14 who completed service) The Conference itself was not as sad and nostalgic as I thought it would be, and more technical/boring. Powerpoint after powerpoint about things we need to complete before leaving the country. It also was more stressful than I was expecting. Most of my anxiety came from saying goodbye to people in my site, which can range from dinners to peruvian parties to small gifts. Since I'm not the biggest fan of large peruvian parties (everyone gets so drunk, I have to take care of people and greet and say goodbye to all of them, feed that, buy the booze, and give them a gift), I'll be going with the small lunches with community partners, family, and friends. I dont mind making them an american lunch. I also plan to make beer bottle opener with my face on it so people will remember me. Which is totally acceptable here in peru. I have a mug with a picture of a 10 year old boy in a suit, not smiling, that says "first comunion" on it. Peruvians love there small gifts. I also have key chains and picture frames with other people's faces on it. So a bottle opener with my face it very acceptable.

Just one more thing that I have to do before leaving!

Happy Travels!

Teigan