Introduction of Floor Project in Primavera and Surfing!
This morning we had an early day that started at 6 a.m. When we were all dressed and made sure we applied our sun block, we headed to breakfast at 7 a.m. For breakfast we had a delicious, freshly made mango juice with scrambled eggs and small rolls of bread with butter and jam. At about 8:30 we met up with Dave and other members from WAVES and got an orientations and walking tour of Lobitos.
As we walked through Lobitos, we entered Primavera which is where we will be doing our floor projects. We will be transforming dirt floor into cement floors. This is something that can really improve the lives of the families we met today and would just make a difference in their lives and that is what we are aiming for. When we first arrived in Primavera, I could hardly believe the conditions these families were living in, it was very devastating but also very eye opening and an experience that will show you to be grateful for the things and resources we so easily take for granted that other families around the wind are striving so badly to receive. I’m really looking forward to this project and just giving back to the community.
After a visit with the families we split ups into small groups to go to lunch. To get to the restaurants we rode moto-taxis which are small three-wheeled carts that fit three people. My group had lunch at Natalie’s and had a beef soup with potatoes, broccoli and other vegetables as an appetizer as our main dish, we had a small salad with chicken and French fries – this was really good and made me feel really at home.
When lunch was over, we walked back to our hotel to have our siesta time which is just free time to rest because the hottest hours here in Peru are 12 to 1 p.m.
At 3 p.m., when our siesta time was over, it was time for our first surfing lessons. Four WAVES surfing instructors helped us out with surf vocabulary in Spanish and showed us how to get on the surf board and stand up on it. When we got out there a lot of us were really good at it after a few tries, but I have to say the boys took this one from us. Justus’ Peruvian blood came out and he looked like a natural and Mackenzie, Nik and Ramzy were also part Peruvian for the day. We had so much fun and everyone really enjoyed themselves. We also received such constructive criticism from each other as well as the WAVES workers, we were each other’s cheerleaders and supported each other.
It was really cool to try something so new and different from anything you’d normally do in New York. So, even though I wasn’t successful with surfing as the boys, I also felt a part of the Peruvian community just for participating and being a part of this new experience we all shared together.
