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All volunteers have “Yep, I’m definitely in the Peace Corps” moments.  Some aren’t much fun, like when you find yourself being tested for amoebic dysentery or praying that you have electricity tonight.  On the other hand, some of these moments are great.  The past two days have been a slew of “Yep, I’m in the Peace Corps” moments – don’t worry, no more amoebas, these have all been pleasant times.
1.    Last time I went to the capital, my aunt gave me money to buy my 9 year old cousin a guitar like mine.  Today she shows up at my house with her guitar and tells me that she knows a guy that might give lessons (for her, I clearly don’t need lessons)…did I want to go along with her?  So we walk through town, guitars strapped to our backs, people asking where the fiesta is, and wind up at this little wood shack with two middle aged men.  We sit down and take out our guitars without saying a word.  They start teaching my cousin a few chords, and demand that I play something.  I played…”ohhh rubia sabe rubia sabe!”  I tell them that I want to learn a bachata, which everyone gets a kick out of.  One guy teaches me in about 10 minutes, and everyone is impressed and amused that the white girl can play a bachata.  As I’m packing up to leave, they plead with me to stay just 5 more minutes.  I figured they had called a friend to come look at the Americana sitting in their yard (it happened earlier in the jam session and is a common occurrence); these guys were nice enough that I decided I would stay to be gawked at for a little to make them happy.  A third old man showed up, not to stare (that’s a first), but rather to play a group bachata with all of us.  I played the backup that I had just learned and the guys played their parts and sang.  It was beautiful and hilarious.  We were all laughing.  Not the typical awkward laugh that fills my days here, but the hearty from the gut, can’t control it, feels great, laugh.  Oh and did I mention, these are the carpenters who are building my bed frame for me.  Perhaps if I join their band, I can swing a sweet deal, because I need a front door, too, and rubia is running low on pesos.
2.    Yesterday afternoon I went to the river with some family.  We splashed around, and had a nice time, as I ignored the silent alarm in the back of my mind reminding me that cholera had indeed entered the country and “bathing” in rivers was a huge no-no.  Oh well, so far so good.  Anyways, on our way home, walking down the dirt road, a cow comes barreling out of the trees straight for us.  I start making random noises and running, unsure of quite what to do as I see two more cows come barreling out of the same opening in the trees.  The cows were just as unsure of what to do…which wasn’t comforting at all, considering they probably weigh 10x as much as I do.  Then two horses appear with guys and whips…”oh good, these cows are indeed being led somewhere, phew.”  But when I say guys, I mean two 6 year old boys atop these horses, who are laughing hysterically at the fear stricken group.  This actually isn’t the first time I’ve come close to being trampled by cows, but let’s not dwell on the past.
Two moments, one full of laughter and happiness, the other full of fear (followed by laughter), but both left me thinking that I live such a sweet life here.