My Peace Corps service in Arequipa



Arequipa RPCVs - Share a story about your Peace Corps service in Peru.

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When did you serve? How long were you there? What was your job? Where did you live? What's the funniest thing that happened to you while you were serving? Have you been back since you left the Peace Corps? If so, how have things changed? What did you learn from your service? What do you think you accomplished? What would you have done differently? What would you tell a prospective volunteer who is going to Peru?

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By Mike Wolfson (ca-arcdca-cuda1-c1b-231.arcdca.adelphia.net - 24.54.193.231) on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 1:34 pm: Edit Post

Mike Wolfson in Arequipa -- January 31, 1966

Dear All,

I got your letter today, thanks. Don't sweat the small details about the Federation and the Central. I'm coming up to Lima on the 12th and I plan to have it out with those people. I don't have to tell you that they have screwed up things down here in Arequipa, but you had better believe that I am going to tell them. See if all of you can be around for the fireworks.

The members of our coop are also teed-off and the President is going up there next month too. During the General Assembly we are really going to let them have it with both barrels.

The Federation honchos are crazy if they think I'm going to wait for their OK before I do audits. From past experience I know that the work won't get done unless I do it myself.

I have to teach accounting in Chincha Alta for about ten days starting Feb. 16th. But I'll be back in Lima until I get the mess straightened out with the Federation.

What are your opinions about my letter to Frank Diamond? I think Aquiles would be interested in hearing what you have to say about the Federation and the Central. See you on the 12th. Mike

By Jeff Harris (d2-144.rb.gh.centurytel.net - 69.29.193.144) on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 3:31 pm: Edit Post

Mike,

My wife and I are finally returning to Peru starting 18 Dec - email or call (253-884-4697)

You were a star in our group.

Jeff

By Jim Olson (ca-arcdca-cuda1-c1b-231.arcdca.adelphia.net - 24.54.193.231) on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 10:39 pm: Edit Post

Jim Olson talks about his 1964 bus ride from Arequipa to Cotahuasi, which was REALLY isolated.

It took 24 hours to go 240 Kms...that's an average of 10 Kms/hour! Talk about bad roads!

We went over a pass in the mountains that was at 16,000 feet. Half the people in the bus
had to get out and walk the last 1/2 mile or so as the bus couldn't make it fully loaded. Macho me thought I could join the walkers, but I made it up exactly ONE of the five switchbacks that the others traversed before I had to hop back aboard.

The weather in Cotahuai was was pretty nice...and a short 45 min. jeep ride away there was a swimming pool built by the Indians. It had adobe changing rooms, concrete sides, a gravel bottom and was fed by a 20-foot high waterfall of bath-warm water. Standing under that waterfall at midnight on a cool evening with a billion stars above was about as close to heaven as I've ever been.

This is one of my favorite memories of the Peace Corps and Peru.