Cold and high and utterly amazing: constantly watching the dematerialization of the unknown

Today was my first day going up to the indigenous village school of Irquasiki. I feared perhaps the journey wouldn´t materialize for today, because of the incredible amount of heaving and barfing I was doing yesterday, but, luckily, I recovered in the nick of time.

It was amazing to actually see the children and the community which I had so often thought of before as actual and physical today. High up in the Andes mountains, it is hot in the sun and suddenly strikingly cold every afternoon, as the clouds drift in, making it impossible to see anything, and the mothers begin to dole out hot meals to the bouncing children. I can see that I am at risk of getting my heart broken here--6 weeks is seeming less and less like the long time I thought it would, and there are so many smiling faces to get to know better. Before I could introduce myself, children hopped into my arms, asking me to play. They are fearless, climbing tresses and bounding down the dirt roads without regard, becuase it is all they know every day. Most looked at least 3-4 years younger than they said they were, and I am told that this is due to malnourishment. Once, the indigenous mountain people here are said to have been prosperous. Now, it seems that the encroachment of global market economies have left most high and dry.

I feel so lucky to be here meeting everyone and learning invaluable lessons already. Tomorrow morning, I and a few other volunteers leave early to spend the weekend at the coast, where we will be able to swim and enjoy ourselves before returning for one more week of Spanish lessons.

The unknown seems suddenly and irresistably comforting here, where my isloation is quickly distintegrating into joy.