Bamba

I had the opportunity to spend some time in the city of Cajabamba. I went with a few artisans to visit the town in the time of their "town fiesta". Our main purpose was to attend and participate in the ferria (artisan showcase)

The town and the experience was beautiful.
setting up for the ferria... one of their gigantic ollas won them 100 soles in a competition


at one point in the day I found myself helping a cumbia band set up an electric drumset, and help the bassist perfect a bass line (they were to play later at the ferria)


I posed for this picture with the plans of lying to my family.. telling them that I learned how to paint traditional Cajamarca(n) art...

The president of the association's son and I...
We spent some time going around from store to store acting like I couldn't speak a word of Spanish... Jose acted as if he understood my every wood in English... he translated, and we left each store craaaacking up. By far the most fun thing I've ever done with my Spanish skills

After a few weeks

Hey everyone...

I hope this entry finds you all well.

It's been nearly 5 weeks since I've arrived to my final site in Cajamarca, where I'll be the duration of the two years. The Peace Corps wasn't lying when they said the transition to our new sites isn't and easy one. I've definitely had my share of difficult days... days in which my mind has ceased to function in Spanish, and days where I've felt I can't express a word of my thoughts and feelings... I've also battled the common thoughts of feeling useless in site - not really sure of purpose/ability to be a successful volunteer...

...but the whole 5 weeks have not been a complete downer - I expected these difficulties, and saw them coming... I guess I just realized that theres really no way to prepare for them, all you can do is endure... so thats what I've been doing--- being patient... patient with myself, my spanish, my abilities, my site, my future projects.

I wish I could give a clear description of what a solid day is like in site - but at this point, that seems impossible... the only real constant is a my 4 year old brother knocking on my door at 7:45 every morning yelling "Jaymeez !!! A DESAYUNAR (james its time to eat some dang good breakfast)"

his names Frank, and his youthfull/joyfull voice is hilarious to wake up to every morning

I've been hangin out quite a bit with my ceramicists... I've found them to be most like my "family" in site. I've had quite a few opportunities to work side by side with the Pops, who's also the president of the association. Slowly, but surely, I'm learning more about the association and how it functions. The family is reeeediculously artistic. I'm amazed at the pictures/sculptures that the kids can produce. They're also amazing Spanish teachers for me... always correcting me when I make my many mistakes.

I've been eating like a king. No joke. I'm positive that I live with the best cook in my town.

Word quickly spread around my town of 1000 people that I play the guitar. I sat down and played for a group of teachers while they were "passing the vaso" and the next day - it seemed the whole town was either asking me to play for them, or looking at me-playing the air guitar-and shaking their head in a way that suggests they want me to play for them. haha, non the less, ive been playing quite a bit of guitar... and spending alot of time teaching some youth around my site. Its crazy, theirs a surplus of broke down/old/untuned/sometimes stringless guitars in my site, but no one that plays well. It looks like I'll be doing alot more teaching than I thought.

It's really cool to have two volunteers fairly nearby. Every once in a while, we get the chance to get together, relax, speak English, and share experiences. One of the first weeks in site we even got the chance to take a RUUUUGGED 7 hour hike to a gigantic rock called Piedra Caballera - we brought and ate lentil burgers under the massive piece of earth...I've got a balcony-look!

In wrap up --- I'm doing well. Patience is one of the most important things I've been learning thus far (as well as the use of the verb Haber) Day by day I'm learning more about how my community functions, and slowly but surely realizing that I can be a big help for my town. Relationships are building and friendships are surfacing. More hard days are sure to come, but with each day comes more experience that will build character and strength needed in the next two years. I am most definitely integrating into the community and culture.. the next two pictures prove it -

these are Yanks - farmers wear these to work in their chacras - each pair lasts nearly 87 years

these are what all the cool kids wear while playing soccer on the small concrete courts
shoes don't come much more stylish

Theres so much more I wish I could fill you all in about my site - what I can't describe perfectly in words, pictures will do. I'm posting a new album as we speak, check out that link on the left side of the page. I'll be better about blogging from now on. I miss you all and appreciate all the support and prayers. Email me and let me know whats goin on in your life! I'm interested!
Much love -
James

Ryan's Playground

Recently Nick Rendleman had the opportunity to travel to Africa and live out a bit of the dream that Ryan carried...

Here is the plaque that will rest alongside a playground that has been constructed of Ryan and his beautiful life and passion for Africa...

Ryan’s Playground

“Live for His Life”

What a wonderful seed planted in me
the twenty-ninth of April, one terrible Spring…

When my brother was taken in billows of smoke,
and his spirit ascended leaving me broken.

He was parked on the road, traffic at halt;
when a semi-truck hit him smashing his car.

The sound was deafening, like and earthquake occurred.
The sight was so haunting, and who could endure?

His homework was scattered all over the grass;
his camera was thrown under the dashboard.

His bookbag was ripped, torn and ruined;
his Bible was stained with the stench of car fluid.

Then the news came; it pierced like a knife,
and everything changed in a moment of time.

All of my heart and all of my mind,
could not seem to grasp the Lord’s reason why.

Could not God have stopped it? Could he not escape?
Did God really plan it— ordaining his days?

But then something happened which I did not expect.
His legacy was sown and grew rather quick!

For the love which he had and his beautiful heart,
behind the eye of his camera which captured such art

And his passion for people, to live overseas,
to go to Uganda, took root in me.

Although he’s in Heaven and his time here is finished,
if you follow Jesus, we can carry his vision.

So on this day of dedication as I stand here and cry,
remember my brother; live for his life.

Ryan M. Rendleman
August 8th, 1985 – April 29th, 2008

new address

PCV James Ofczarzak
Cuerpo de Paz/Peru
Casilla Postal No. 100
SERPOST Cajamarca
Cajamarca, Peru
South America

first week down

I just completed my first week in site... just wanted to stop in real quick and let you know that Im doin alright! Surviving! though i havnt yet found a permanent host family... im getting along fine, despite a few minor bumps in the road that were sure to come. Once I get more adjusted Ill gladly fill you all in on whats been going on in site...

and I´m off

Today I am headed to my site 1.5 hours outside of beautiful Cajamarca City. I leave a mind full of worries and wonders, but a heart overflowing with faith and confidence...

the words from Deuteronomy ring crisp and clear...
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." 31:6

Graduation!

Tomorrow is the day that my official title evolves from a Aspirante... to a Volunteer!

This week has been pretty relaxed. We have just been wrapping up our medical, technical and language sessions and setting our eyes on the big move to our sites. In a few hours our host families will arrive at the training center for our Host Family Celebration... were going to have a bit of fun and eat some major cake...
Most volunteers plan on using the rest of the day to pack their things (which seems like a nearly impossible task) and we will head over to our buddy Ryans to have a little going away celebration.

Tomorrow, after graduation, we head to Lima where we will have one last night together as Peru 11 before we head to our cites for GOOD. Ill be traveling to Cajamarca on Sat. and will arrive at my final site on Sun. or Mon. We are finally getting equiped with our own cell phones tomorrow! Ill be sure to get it to those of you who want to give me a hollar! Also... I dont have my new mailing address just yet, but once I get a P.O. box settled, Ill send it your way!
Much love to you all! thanks for coming along on my trip! See you in Cajamarca
James