A Season of Changes

For those of you who have followed my blog since I started it in November of 2008—first, thank you so much for your support! But second, do you remember why I started this blog? I was heading to a posting in the Peace Corps, somewhere in Africa, but then got detoured here in Perú--and what a blessing it’s been! You may also recall that this was a 27 month commitment? Well, unbelievably, the commitment will be completed at the end of this month. It’s flown by for me and now I’m at a crossroads—what to do next? Well, once again I’m blessed. I’ve heard stories of many PC volunteers, who at the end of their commitment are simply not ready to leave. But, alas, they have no choice as they must move on. Well, I can tell you that I’m not ready to leave here yet either. I feel like I’m just now coming into my own with all the programs which we’ve managing. Also, the language barrier (which is still there but much improved) has slowed me down. However, more and more I can conduct meetings and get things done in Spanish plus write and read items which come across my desk. I love the climate, the lifestyle, the people, the music, the jungle, the beer—ah! How can I leave just yet? Well, I’m not as I’ve signed on for another year and told my boss I’ll take it a year at a time but with more time off to travel. So, before things start for 2012, I will be coming back to the States for a three month visit. I do hope to see as many of you as possible when I’m in Michigan from September through November. But if not, remember Iquitos is not that far away, my home is open, my couch is free, my beer is cold and the Amazon Rainforest of Perú beckons!

In my time here, I’ve gotten accustomed to the sort of insanity that is Iquitos. I no longer look at it will fresh eyes and I take the strangest sights as just another day here. Sometimes I think nothing really changes but in the last three years, I think a lot has. There are more “regular” stores and restaurants with more to come (this is a little difficult to explain but if you ever come here you’ll understand the remark). The Internet connection here keeps getting better although by Western standards is more like dial up—but I’m thankful for any connection at all. However, I still see plenty of naked locals walking down the street, kids doing their business in the nearest gutter, live pigs and chickens being carried around for sale and motorcars bearing the weight and size of unimaginable loads of cargo. The latest, and maybe most exciting thing going on here is the whole city of Iquitos and surrounding suburbs are getting sewers! That’s right, every single home and business is going to be hooked up to a waste disposal treatment plant which will be built in the Port of Nanay. So, now every street---most of which are paved—is being dug up and sewer lines laid. How long this will all take is anyone’s guess and it makes for some very tricky detours. But in the end, Iquitos will finally step into the 21^st Century and no longer be dumping its waste into the Amazon River. Do you realize how many small towns and large cities around the world still dump all their raw sewage directly into nearby lakes, streams and oceans? The majority! This will be a real feather in the cap of Iquitos, smack in the middle of the rainforest to finally become a bit more “environmentally correct”. A group of Chinese investors are making this possible. Not sure what their motivation is but hopefully it’s win-win for all. As for Belen and other floating houses on the river—well that’s a story for another day, as my photo shows!

Well, Peru has a new president—Señor Ollanta Humala. It’s been a neck and neck race and in the end, a very close call with his competitor, Kieko Fujimori. Humala has ties to Hugo Chavez from Venezuela and he’s an ex-military guy who leans quite far left with lots of populist promises. He’s not the choice of anyone with a business or major investments in Perú. The day after the elections the Peruvian stock market dropped 12.5%....hmmm…we shall see! But the good thing is the whole process was done in a very democratic way. Everyone votes (it’s mandatory) so everyone has their say. The campaign was run over the last few months with political ads and marches—all very peacefully—and in the end, the vote outcome was accepted, the peaceful transfer of power will take place later this summer, and life will go on. I’m very proud to see Perú continue forward into the future with as little fuss and muss as possible, using solid democratic principles. I’m happy to be here during this process—seeing the people of this emerging nation handle themselves in such a mature and thoughtful way is a rare opportunity.