Ode to Erin

When I first got my site assignment  last July I remember feeling a twinge of disappointment while looking around at my 8 department mates; during the previous weeks of training I had only connected with Betty and the others I didn't really know at all or rather I hadn't bothered to get to know them. Now that I am over a year in site I can say with pride that Lambayeque has had and currently has the best volunteers living there, these people are my soul mates, every one so dedicated to their projects, inspiring, beautifully spirited people who I will hold in my heart forever. Unfortunately I've had to say goodbye to those who have finished their 2 years of service and 2 from my group who have left due to health reasons, love you long time Casey and Sam; and with a heavy heart I said goodbye to Erin Chapman last night.

Site Assignment Day

 I don't have enough time nor are there sufficient words to describe how much I will miss Erin. In the past year she has inexplicably become a huge part of my life, we exchanged phone calls at least once a day, messaged each other on g-chat exchanging GIFs, and spent a copious amount of time eating McDonald's together in our capitol city of Chiclayo. Erin, this is my ode to you, (Buzzfeed syle) since pictures can say 1000 words I will share my favorite memories/things/experiences together to portray how much I will miss you dear.

These are in no particular order....



10. The night we saw a Beatles cover band

9. The day we went to Puerto Eten to find penguins and our adventure towards the penguins turned out better than actually seeing them

8. Discovering ribs in Chiclayo and eating them several times since then

7. Llanganuco...'nuff said

06. Chaparri...also discovering you can find more than one guapo in one place

5. Flash mob "Ganam Style" -16er Despidida

4. Dealing with this guy-also...unrelated... the several times we posed in pictures like Peruvians and danced all night

3. 17er Despidida-I just loved our outfits

2. Valentine's Day!!!! Loved being able to help your dream boat plan a special day for you 

ceviche on the beach-ay

1. Staycations in Chiclayo/Girls night

Erin, my love, my soulmate, I will miss you so much and I can't wait to hear about your next adventures. Besos y Abrazos.

P.S. I am headed Iquitos (the jungle) to participate in a 3 day raft race on the Amazon River next weekend and I couldn't be more excited. As I mentioned in my last post my friend Honor is coming to visit next month and we will be trekking to Machu Pichu. As a volunteer we get paid a monthly stipend and if I had more time, I would just be saving month to month for these trips but alas these trips are back to back and therefore find myself between a rock and a hard place and am just a tad short on money. If just 20 people sent me $10 I would have more than enough to cover my expenses, I wouldn't be asking for money if it wasn't a last resort. The littlest bit will help!!! If you'd like to help, you can send my mom a check/cash and she can deposit it to my bank account. Her address is: 

2901 Maple Street

West Des Moines, IA 50265

Thanks all.  xoxo