Day 6

There are so many things that I've been trying to remember to blog about, but right now, everything just left my brain.This whole translating everything constantly thing is exhausting. But, a lot of people here speak a little English. So, if I don't know how to say something or if I don't understand something, then We turn to English. It's a great solution. And, every time the exchangers are together, we only speak English. Because, none of us are good at Spanish right now and everyone can speak English. So, it's all good.

I've had Spanish class with the other exchangers for 4 days now, and tomorrow will be my last day. I've become friends with two guys from Germany, a guy from France, two girls from France, a guy from Belgium, a girl from Finland, a guy from Australia, all of the Peruvian Outbounds, and all of the USA and Canadian exchangers. So, lots of friends. There are more students than that, but those are only the friends I have made... so far. There are 48 exchange students in this district, so I have more to meet!

The weather in Lima is a lot colder than I expected it to be. It's around 60 degrees, but it's a humid cold and there is the air coming off of the ocean. So, it's colder and I really want to buy a coat, as I did not bring one with me thinking I wouldn't need one. The sun is non-existent in Lima during the winter because of a think think cover of fog that covers the whole city. I miss the sun already... On the plane coming into Lima, we couldn't see where we were until we were almost landing. On my side of the plane, I could see the ocean, and the other, the city. On the ocean, there were boats and I could see them by the lights. There was maybe about 7 boats out on the ocean. So, it was really pretty.

One day after Spanish class, I went out with the other students and we went to the biggest and most Western mall in Lima. We ate and then saw a movie, Mi Villano Favorito 2 (Despicable Me 2, in Spanish). The movie theaters here are so much nicer than in the US. The arm rests go up so if you go on a date to the movies, you can cuddle without the annoying armrest. Or, if you just don't want it there, you can move it! The chairs are really nice and comfortable. It's like a movie-watchers paradise. After the movie, I road back home on the bus.. for the first time. I went with Ben, Ian, Vale, and Nicolas. Vale and Nicolas are outbounds and Ian from the US and Ben is from Germany. It was my first time on the bus, and it was very very different! The coolest and funniest part was, a guy got on the bus as one stop and he had a box with him. He set it down in the middle of the aisle and sat on it. He started drumming and singing and encouraging everyone to dance and sing if they wanted. No one did, but Nicolas and Vale kept egging us three to dance. The guy caught on and asked, "Español o ingles?" (Spanish or English?). But, after he was done drumming, he pulled out a picture book and showed the bus pictures of his house and his family, saying that he needed money, and to look at his poor family, that they need help. He went around the bus with his hat in hand, looking for money. He kept asking Ian for some, and Nicolas had to tell the guy that Ian didn't have any. I was surprised at the drastic change of events, but expected it at the same time.

On the 29th of July, my second day here, I went to the Parade with Chi Chi (Sandra's friends), Sandra, and Tati (my cousin that also lives with us). It wasn't the type of parade I was expecting. There were not floats, no candy, nothing like that. It was a military parade. So, all of the branches of the Peruvian Military had squads there. They marched and it was really cool. Also, all of the law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS had squads there. After the people were done marching (2 hours after it started), the vehicles all of the squads there paraded through the streets. We left after that, but I guess after the vehicles, there were Policemen on horses, the the parade of vehicles around the President, then finally the President. There were so many people selling things, too. If you looked at them, they would rush up to you and shove whatever they were selling in your face. So, I just kept my eyes on the parade. There were so many people at the parade and I am so shot, that even when I was standing on the curb of the road, I wouldn't see. So, one of Chi Chi's friends that was there gave me a stool and I stood on that. I could actually see! The uniforms of the squads were cool and the airplanes that passed overhead were cool. Everything was really cool!

Yesterday, after Spanish class, Nouma and I went to my house and ate lunch. Then, around 3:30, we went with Ben, his mom, my mom, and Vale to my school (Claretiano). Nouma (France) and Ben (Germany) are also going to be in my school, along with my host brother Carlos. The school is really really really big. Its for primary and secondary school. So, lots of kids. I will be in the fifth grade of secondary school and will be graduating as well. Nouma is in my grade, but a different section and Ben in is fourth grade of secondary, because there was no more room in fifth. I also learned that there is a Prom trip that Fifth grade can go on and a graduation trip that fifth can go on. So, I might be able to go to them! The prom trip is always to a beach in Colombia and the graduation trip this year is to Cusco, I believe. Also, I think that Nouma and I are going to be on the Track team and the swimming team together! So, maybe I won't get too fat this year!!!

Spanish Classes have been going well, I've learned a bit of French and German in my classes as well! Granted, they aren't words that should be said out loud... I'm in the Advanced-Intermediate class and it's going pretty well. So, I'm in class 3 of 4, 4 being the best. Not too shabby, eh? Today, we had the language exam and I passed!! Everyone passed! So, I am able to stay here!

I start school the 6th of August and for the first week I am making Carlos help me. Nouma and I are just going to stick together as much as we can. We were told that the kids at school know we are coming and are excited to meet us. In other words, I'm famous. I'm that famous gringa. Gringa is slang for American. Gringa for girl and gringo for boy. My host mom told me that all the boys are going to ask for my phone number, so that's alright with me! hahaha :)

Speaking of that, I have a phone for here in Peru! It's a really really old phone, but still a phone! I was given it on the first day I was here, the 28th. So, that's exciting!

My host mom keeps saying that I am learning Spanish very very fast and I can understand more and more each day and talk more each day. But, I think that I already knew all of the vocab (thanks Mr. Helle!), I just had to get used to hearing Spanish and understanding what the people were saying. There are still a lot of times that I just have no clue what the people are saying, but I have 11 more months to improve on that!

I think my host mom want me to get fat, or she is just being motherly (probably the latter) because she keeps telling me, "Come, come, come!!!" (eat, eat, eat). And, she says that I am too small... I probably will end up gaining weight, regardless of my sports. :(

Driving. That is a whole different thing here. On a one way street, which is what most streets are here, no one obeys the lines. People drive in the middle of the line and bikes just swerve in and out of traffic. And, it is very jerky. So, scary. No one follows the traffic rules, really. Instead of stop signs, there are speed bumps. I think if there weren't speed bumps, people wouldn't slow down. But, people still drive relatively fast over the bumps. Very different from the US.

Tonight, I went to Miraflores! Miraflores is the prettiest part of Lima and is right on the Coast. I went when it was dark out, but it was still really pretty. We went to a mall, and I took pictures from the look-out balcony, then ate Pizza Hut and ice cream. After that, we went to an arcade and played a few games of air hockey. Then, we went home. I was with My mom, my brother, my two cousins, and my aunt. It was really fun and I slept on the way home. But, we took pictures! I plan on going back to Miraflores during the daytime so I can take better pictures...

It has been a great 6 days and they have really gone by fast. I love Peru so much already. But, I still need to get used to living in a city.. too much noise and people for me. But, I know that I will come to love it.

until next time!
Emily