My Peace Corps service in Arequipa



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

By aida rodriguez (190.42.76.141) on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 10:31 am: Edit Post

Soy peruana, pero he apreciado el trabajo y labor social que han realizado en Arequipa, los miembros Voluntarios del Cuerpo de Paz. Personas con mucha emoción social y gran deseo de trabajar en bien deldesarrollo de la comunidad. Con gran faiclidad se expresaron en nuestro idioma, lo cual es muy loable. Recuerdo a todos los miembros Voluntarios con gran cariño que hasta hoy los tengo presentes en mi memoria y en mi corazón al igual que mi familia, mis señores padres también los estimaron bastante siempre hemos conversado sobre ellos y ellas y se llevaron al más allá sus recuerdos e imagenes, que Dios este bendiciéndoles e iluminandoles con la luz eterna de la paz. Me siento muy apenada por su ausencia, pero tengo que ser muy fuerte. Dispensen este lapsus no puedo evitarlo, hoy no cuento con mis padres terrenalmente. Bien continuando con los amigos bien queridos del Cuerpo de Paz. Siempre hay que agradecer su nobleza en cada instante, por muchas manifestaciones que a lo largo de estos 46 años hemos tenido la oportunidad de expresarnos. Son peruano y Arequipeños de Corazón y Derecho; gracias por el apoyo reciente con motivo de la Segunda Vuelta de nuestras Elecciones Presidenciales, quisiera saber en que Mesa depositaron su Voto, y a quien eligieron, Bueno como el Voto es Secreto Universal, no insisto. Mi afectuoso saludo a los que siempre bien me recuerdan, y a los que no bueno tambien mi saludo. Gracias, muchas Gracias. Felices Fiestas Patrias, por favor mis saludos al señor Presidente. Thanks you. que bien hablo mejor dicho que bien escribo, ...

By Kathleen Schaefer (109.85.151.252) on Wednesday, December 25, 2013 - 8:43 am: Edit Post

My Peace Corps Partner and I (back then Kathleen Kelly) were the first volunteers to be stationed in Cotahuasi in mid-1963. We worked in Schools introducing the Food program. It is a real pleasure to read this description of the trip - wish I could set out again for Cotahuasi. Irene Hulick (passed away a few years ago) and I lived in the only house that had a toilet and running water. I would like to include Cotahuasi in my will. How that can be done is not sure yet.
Kathleen Schaefer