So, it´s been close to three weeks since I first arrived at site, and while my work may not be what I personally want it to be at the moment, the one aspect of my life here for which I am incredibly grateful is my host family. I feel completely at home with them, and feel free to be myself and be honest, which is such a unexpectadly nice scenario for me. For example, while Peruvians on the whole do not like vegetable (especially without oil), my family makes me a salad every day at lunch and steams a heaping plateful of veggies for me every night at dinner because they recognize that I like them and that I feel healthier with such food in my diet. Tonight, the whole family ate steamed veggies and fresh spinach at dinner, as they have been watching me and want to be healthier too. We also had quit the interesting conversation at dinner tonight; somehow (I can not even begin to recall the instigator) turned to opinions on abortions, homosexuality civil rights of homosexuals, back to abortion, teen pregnancy and manners of birth control…Not gonna lie, this is definitely no the type of conversation that I pictured myself having around the dinner table in the machismo society of Peru…But it was great! It was fun to openly discuss my thoughts and the American laws on these matters with my family–my father, as it turns out, is far less machismo than my mother. While the conversation was a bit heated at times, no one begrudged anyone the right to speak his/her mind, and it was an intellectually stimulating and interesting cultural exchanging conversation…
After the conversation ended peacefully, we all got up, cleaned up the table, then my host parents and I hung the curtains that my host mom sewed for me in my bedroom. I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful host family. I realize that while my work in the community may not be where I want to be right now, at least I have a comfortable, welcoming home to return to at the day´s end. The work can very easily improve and evolve, but I recognize that having a good home base will be the starting point for such changes for me. So, here´s looking forward to future changes in my work with thanks for a solid home life!
So very true Claire and I am soooo happy that your host family treats you so well and with such respect. Keep plugging away at your work and it will get better.
Love you,
Dad
Human Nature is an amazing thing. I truly believe that people are good when treated well and trust is earned, but quickly earned by folks who’ve never experienced anything but for the most part. It’s wonderful that your host family are such folks and want to get to know you, for who you are as well as our cultures. I’m so happy that you have such a family who accept you, embrace you, and want very much for you to feel part of them. In time I believe the differences you’ll make in your work there will be of similar satisfaction. Be yourself Claire, you have so very very much to give by simply being who you genuinely are and accepting them for who they are – I look forward to hearing more from you. Love you, A. Beth
WOW, you are so blessed to have such a supportive family to come home to, I am so happy for you. Continue to have conversations and cultural exchanges, it can only help to improve understanding with all. I love ya!
That’s so great that they are so…great (for lack of a better word). What do the curtains that your host mother made for you look like? It’s so cool that she made them for you!
It’s too bad that you aren’t working on what you would like to be right now, but I’m sure that you will be soon.
Hope you’re having fun,
Caitlin
Caitlin- The curtains are very entertaining! They are a large lizard print and are teal, yellow, and black in color. They absolutely do not match anything in my room, but they’re fun and it was so sweet of her…she sewed them with an old peddle singer machine and even put in pleats for decoration and loops to hang it on the rod…my host family pretty much rocks!