New JVs!

JVC runs its international like a bakery runs its poolish – there's always some new and some old. In JVC that means that every year old volunteers leave and new volunteers arrive. It keeps the community constantly refreshed, but maintains a connection between generations of JVs. It's a great system for all sorts of reasons, but I'm not going to go on about them here because I'm really just excited about the latest result of that poolish-like system – the new JVs arrived!

Rachel and Lauren* arrived to the Cusco airport around 6 on Saturday morning. Erin and I got up at 4:30 to make sure we'd arrive on time to receive them. We had a funny time talking with our taxi driver while we waited. He clearly felt awkward and nervous about picking people up from the airport. We did feel bad that he felt awkward, but it was very early in the morning and therefore difficult to provide engaging conversation. He filled some of the awkward silence with random observations.

“That guy is drinking mineral water.” I couldn't see the guy, but I trust he was.

A little while later some people started smoking nearby. “Those people are smoking to keep warm.”

We agreed.

“Smoking is very unhealthy, no? They're probably addicted to it. And on top of smoking, some people drink coffee too!”

“Mmmm,” I said, trying to sound interested and scandalized at the thought of people drinking coffee as I sipped the last drops of coffee from my thermos.

He also told us about some old Peruvian airlines that had “beautiful planes” (though he's never flown). Unfortunately the beautiful planes crashed too much, so the companies went out of business.

Much to our driver's relief – and our excitement - Rachel and Lauren finally arrived. We loaded their stuff into the drunk, climbed in to the car (I got front seat, which meant the luxury of a seat belt) and were back in Andahuaylillas by 7:15.

We had a big welcome breakfast with all 7 JVs (can you name them all? The answer is below**). I had to work (last Saturday of classes!) and Rachel and Lauren had to sleep after 24 hours of travel.

Sunday Erin and I took them around town pointing out various important places like the school, the chancho we feed LINK, the two oven we use, the fancy store (because it has an awning), the corner store, and our friends libreria (which technically means bookstore but is more like a craft/gift store).

It's an exciting time of changes. For Rachel and Lauren, the JVC experience is just beginning. For Erin and me, it's time to grow into the role of 2^nd years. That means a few weeks of being like the older siblings, introducing them to our friends, showing them where everything is, helping them get used to the realities of JV life in Andahuaylillas. The arrival of new JVs means that this year is ending and a new one it beginning. It means a new community dynamic, new work placements, and it also means that Erin and I get to be the ones that people around town know and recognize. For right now, it also means our house is full to bursting with 8 residents But that will change next week when some old hands fly back home.

I've been told being a 2^nd year is way more fun than being a first year. I'm excited to find out if that's true.

*Remember these names, I'll be living with them for the next year so they'll come up a lot.

**Theresa, Victoria, Jacqueline, Benjamin, Erin, Rachel, Lauren