Operation Gatito

Operation Gatito

There are three things people know about me here in Peru:
1. I’m white
2. I like to play Volleyball
3. I love cats. Cats love me. I am the cat whisperer.

Now you’d think with a country, like Peru, where Bob Barker’s advice to “spade and neuter” ones animals has not yet reached the masses, there would be a plethora of animals running wild…especially kittens.

But no.

Annie has yet to find a kitten of her own. But it’s not without trying.

I’m sure those of you who have been in contact with me know that there have been a few close calls, but no whiskers…

Attempt #1: My Aunt down in Bambamarca has this beautiful, orange, fluffy cat, which of course, had a few kittens. I used to go down and visit them when I first got to my site, so I thought now was my chance to finally get a kitten of my own. Being a bit timid, I politely asked “So, what are you going to do with the kittens?” and they said “Give them away”. Perfect, I thought. “Well then, would you mind giving me one?” “Sure!”

So from that conversation, I thought I would be getting a kitten very soon enough…but turns out the kittens got into some rat poison and died. No kittens for Annie.

Attempt #2: The old volunteer’s family had me over for rabbit (one that I helped kill) and I saw that they had a pregnant cat. This time I thought I would be a bit more bold with my questioning. “I see your cat is pregnant.” “Yes.” “I want one of your kittens.” “Okay.”

Now I thought that meant we were in agreement. I wanted a cat and they were going to give me one.  Everyone is in agreement. Right!? Wrong.

After a few weeks of being away, I go back to the house, and what did I find?! NOTHING! They had given all the kittens away already, even after I had reminded all the children at school about my future kitten. “How’s my kitten?” “What should I name it?” etc, etc, etc.

Attempt #3: Back to my Aunt’s house I go. I heard through the family grapevine that my Aunt had more kittens. Enough with the politeness crap, give me a damn kitten already!

So I go down to Bambamarca and run into my Aunt. After saying a brief hello, I jumped into questioning about the kittens. “So I hear you have kittens.” “Yes, we do.” “You are going to give me one.” “Okay, come to the house.” Finally, I thought, about damn time.

It just so happens that I couldn’t go to her house right away because I was on my way to a wedding. But the next day, after a good long rest, I stopped by her house. We need the nice formalities and as usual she gave me a seat to rest. I made small talk for a bit and then she stepped out the door.

I was getting a bit curious because I hadn’t heard or seen the kittens, so I go snooping around. She happened to have other guests at the time, so we struck up a conversation as I snatched the momma cat and started petting it. “You sure do like cats don’t you,” said the guests. “Yes, actually I want a kitten of my own.” “Oh, there were two kittens here just the other day, but they gave them away last night”. Last night?!?! LAST NIGHT!!! GAH!

I put down my plate of food, said my curt goodbyes, and got out of there. I just couldn’t believe it. What do people not understand when I say I want a kitten?! For goodness sakes.

So as you can see, it’s been a bit difficult for me to find a kitten, and now I’ve enlisted the help of my friends. My friend in Chota is doing house visits and she is now adding “Do you have a female cat? And if so, can I have a kitten? Preferably orange?” Enserio.

She wants me to bet who will find me a kitten quicker, her or me. My bet is on her.

Happy 1 year Anniverary!

Today marks my year year away from home living in another country. Looking forward to more adventures to come!

One down, One to go

First Day of Peace Corps: September 9th, 2009
First Day in Peru: September 11th, 2010
First Day as a volunteer: November 22nd, 2010
First Day in site: November 25th, 2010
Number of books read: 17 (Still working on 2…)
TV Show seasons watched: 20 (Wow…not sure if that is impressive or sad)
Record for number of people stuffed in the back of a truck (with me included): 16
Number of weddings attended: 2
Number of births witnessed: 1
Number of funeral processions: 2
Number of birthdays in Peru: 1 (Tumbes on the beach baby!)
Lost/Stolen possessions: 1 phone (fault of Peace Corps); Wallet including all of my credit cards (Totally my fault)
Places I've visited in Peru: Lima (3), Trujillo (With the rents), Piura (2), Junin/Pasco Jungle (Semana Santa), Pacasmayo, Chota (too many to count…)
Places I still want to visit in Peru: Macchu Picchu, Iquitos/Tarapoto, Ancash, Mancora, Ica
The strangest thing a Peruvian has said to me: Peruvians are better lovers (A guys reason for why Peruvians get pregnant so early…My reply? No, you just don’t know how to use protection) AND I want to cut your eyes out
The most common question I get: Te acostumbras? (Literally: Are you accustomed?)
Craziest health problem: My occasional morning sickness and athletes food that has migrated to my hands (yuk!)
Favorite Peruvian Food: Canchita (Toasted Corn/Popcorn), Cuy (Guinea Pig), Humitas and Tamales (Ground and cooked corn in a corn husk), Tortillas (egg mixed with flour and fried)
Least Favorite Peruvian Food: Mote (bland, cooked corn), Pig skin
New skills I have acquired: Not showering, Growing vegetables
Coolest thing I've learned: How to poop in a latrine
Most useful thing I brought from the states: Travel Pillow, long johns
Least useful thing I brought from the states: Ipod sterio/alarm clock (My phone works just fine)
Favorite thing bought in Peru: My real mattress (not foam, not straw, 100% delicious comfort), and my campo cardigan :-)
Favorite pastimes in site: Watering my garden and reading, playing volleyball
Person I talk to the most from the states: The 'rents
Person I talk to the most in Peru: Barbara (She's my "site" mate)
Person I talk to the most in site: My host mom, Adela
Favorite thing about site: Watching the stars at night and living off the land
Least favorite thing about site: Lack of internet, good phone service, reliable transportation
First thing you do in your capital: Cremeria…Ice Cream and yogurt! MMmmm
Projects started: 7
Projects still going on: 5
Number of Sessiones Demonstrativas given in the community: 7
Most beloved show on DVD: True Blood (Hands down.), Gossip Girl (a close second)
Favorite book read: Three Cups of Tea
Guilty Pleasure: A spoonful of Peanut Butter mixed with Nutella, Starbucks french-pressed coffee
Thing I miss most about the states: Good internet, Starbucks, grocery food shopping, convenience, open mindedness, hot water, indoor heating, cooking for myself, deep conversations, microbrews, dance parties…the list goes on…
Biggest language blunder: "Vamos a pelear el conejo" (We are going to fight the rabbit) What I meant to say was "pelar" (skin) the rabbit...
Strangest thing in the eyes of Peruvians: How I'm am 25 and am neither married nor a mother
Your Oh-My-God-I'm-About-To-Die moment: On our way to the german jungle, driving on the muddy roads and thinking we are going to fall off the cliff into the raging river awaiting below us...Even so much as having to get out of the car because they didn't want to throw the weight off (my butt was clenced the whole trip...)
Your Oh-My-God-I-Want-To-Die moment: That time I ate Ceviche from the Sierra. Big mistake. Big, big mistake.
The most important thing I've learned: I love America more than ever now and think it's the best country on earth! How no matter the living conditions, I can adjust to anything. Also, I've learned how to be a meaner, pushier person, which for me, is a good thing.
Bad habits accrued: Not showering, picking nose, throwing food on the ground, arriving late to meetings…uh, what else….
Most interesting thing I've done: Killed and eaten a rabbit….and liked it!
Greatest accomplishment: I've had the biggest impact to those closest around me: 1. My family now has a vegetable at every meal and a smoke free kitchen thank to their new cocina mejorada 2. My counterpart has started carrying a water bottle around, just like me :-)
Most regrettable moment: Not standing up enough for myself in the health post
Thing you like most about Peru: The generosity of the people even though they don't have much and the laughter and happiness of the people
Thing you like the least about Peru: They don't know much about the rest of the world
Favorite Song: "Brand New Day" Joshua Radin and "Tik Tok" Ke$ha
Favorite Movie(s): Twilight Series
New Obsession: Anything and everything related to vampires
Favorite celebration: Carnaval! Bring on the water balloons and paint...
What keeps you sane in site: My phone (even if it is useless most of the time), my limitless stack of TV seasons, my awesome bed