Gracias!!

South America » Peru » Arequipa
September 30th 2011

Published: September 30th 2011

Thank you thank you thank you thank you for all of the warm birthday wishes and messages! 😊

The first few days... let me start with the night I arrived. I took a shower, (because I had been traveling for 2 days) and I flipped the switch to turn on the "hot" water. About 2 minutes into the shower, after the water was semi luke warm it turned ICE ICE ICE COLD!! Annnnnddd all the lights in my room went out, oops. I would like to interject here, to my family and friends (Melissa, Andrea, and my brothers) you would not believe how quick I can take a shower when it's mountain cold water... And it's mountain cold outside! It's like camping which I LOVE, but I wasn't prepared (should of finished girl scouts). Oh well.. when in Arequipa.

Next day, at 6:00 AM I woke up with the girls (las ninas). They get ready for school, prepare breakfast, and do chores. They sang to me a very thick Spanish accented Happy Birthday in English, then en Spanish. They are too precious. They are mostly middle school to high school ages. After breakfast they went to school and I went to a meeting with the other women who work here.. I'm like a "house mom." That's the most accurate explanation I have. I'm currently "job-shadowing" these women, but since I am here on a volunteer basis, they give me a lot of freedom, and right now don't seem to have many expectations from me. I'm thinking I'll try to start my own English class once or twice a week for the girls and/or boys. There is not a lot of structure, which is ok. BUT for those of you who know me well-- I like a plan.

Last night I went to church with the kids and they sang to me at church, everyone was super nice, and interested in why I'm here. They are a very very genuinely warm people and culture. After church the girls made me a birthday cake! Like I said, they are too precious for words. Axshel, my buddy here who's 20, studies at the university, and knows a little bit of English also gave me a piece of chocolate. All that to say, it's humbling when you see people giving all they have for you to smile, feel welcome, and celebrate a good birthday. It's the epitome of the woman breaking the jar of perfume on Jesus' feet-- except I'm certainly not Jesus. Humility.

I won't lie, yesterday was great, but it was also the day that I kinda had to decompress. I was still pretty tired from my flights and homesick, and in a little bit of culture shock.

NEXT, today was great. I got out! I rode el autobus in the city of Arequipa, I ate a yummy sandwich (instead of rice), and I walked all over the place. Of course Axshel helped me because they say I don't need to wonder around the city by myself yet. I did all of this while the girls were in school. Tomorrow I'm going to the market. This should be interesting. I'll try to take and post some pictures.. but I'm trying not to stick out like a soar thumb and walking around with a pink camera doesn't help the blending process haha.

Much love to all!! Send your love to the ninos 😊

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