The Earth + Nat

Hi y'all! I really meant to keep more up to date with this blog, but life in Huarmey was so hectic and the internet so poor that it was a constant struggle to get it up. Last night we got in the trucks for the last time, leaving Huarmey behind after completing our response phase for Peru. I am currentlu writing from the northern city of Piura, shortly before we leave for our next destination, the tiny village of Puerta Pulache. This next stage for the project is the recovery phase for this community. All the schools in the area were practically destroyed in the floods, so our job for the next 4 months is to build schools that will not only serve the community now but continue to do so for decades to come. Time to hit the road - after our 14 hour bumper bus from Huarmey it's another 2 hours into the sticks to get to Puerta Pulache. Hasta Pronto!

For all those who are wondering what I'm up to on the day to day here in Huarmey ,  here is what the volunteer lifestyle is like! 6:30am: Get your ass up! Possibly the hardest time of the day 6:30-7am: Breakfast spread of rolls , avocado , jam , porridge and coffee. Not the worst way to start though supplies are pretty limited of everything but porridge. 7-7:30am: Load up! Team leaders count out the shovels , picks , wheelbarrows and helmets and everyone piles in the back of the big trucks to go out to the sites. If you miss the truck you're on housekeeping and dishes!  7:45am: Depending on which driver you got either get out of the truck ready to work or get out of the truck and breathe the fresh air and feel glad you made it out alive 8am-11:30am: Work work work work. Sites vary between straight mud , demolition, rubble or all of the above. A portable speaker makes a site much better and lets you laugh at your mates' weird taste in music. 12pm-1pm: Lunch tim...