Twelve days have already flown by since my arrival to Peru. Here's how it began:
Our plane landed just after midnight on Friday, January 9. The 16 other students from Kearney and I waited in line at customs--sweating--for about an hour before we finally found our luggage and were let loose to locate our families. Mine was easy to find as my host mom, Carmen, and her son-in-law, Martín, were right up front with my name scribbled on a piece of paper. We greeted each other quickly with hugs, kisses on the cheek, and "hola's" before we bustled outside to find the car. And then I noticed the weather. It was awesome. There's nothing quite as satisfying as stepping onto a plane in bitter 10 degree weather and stepping off of a another into 75 degree breezy, perfection.
The car ride home was exhilarating. I was barely beginning to process my arrival in this new country. My new host family and I spoke in Spanish on the way. They laughed when the word "chévere" came out of my mouth. In Spanish "chévere" means "cool" or "wicked." I told them it was my favorite word and it's become a big joke amongst my entire host family. Now everyone says it regularly and then looks at me and giggles. My mom taught me the word "bacán" which is equivalent to "chévere." Which is when I knew I would get along with my host mom just fine.
When we got to their condo I met my host sister Carla who is a pre-school teacher and overall really sweet gal. It was nearly three in the morning so we went to bed shortly after they gave me a quick tour and showed me my room.
The next day I was woken up at eight and asked if I wanted to go to the beach. I knew this was one of those pivotal moments. Part of me really wanted to sleep for a few more hours and then get unpacked and organize my new room. But I also new that la playa sounded like a good time and that it would be the kind of experience I had actually come here for. So I was in. I packed a bag and we were off. My host mom and I packed into a car with Martín, his wife and my host sister Jenny, and their two adorable little niños, Fabrizio and Rafaela. We arrived at their home-near-the-beach about 45 minutes later. Here I met my host dad, Alejandro, and a whole lot more family--uncles, aunts, cousins, everyone.
I took a nap before we went to the beach. I felt really homesick and isolated. I didn't have a way to communicate with anyone as there was no wifi and I hadn't purchased a Peruvian phone yet. But I knew this was just part of the gig. I knew sometimes I was going to feel foreign and alone.
When I woke up from a two hour siesta we made our way down to San Bartolo beach. The beach itself is absolutely beautiful. Just sandy and sunny and peaceful. And bonus, there are people that walk up and down the beach selling snacks, ice-cream, beer, even beach hats. I guess this is illegal to do in the United States? But I'm not sure why because it's pretty awesome to pay one sol (0.33 cents) for a fruity popsicle while you're sun bathing. I got a chance to practice my Spanish some more and got to know my family better. I spent about an hour in the ocean and little Favrizio who is seven held my hand the whole time. He's such sweet little guy.
Thus far, my Peruvian experience was beautiful. I was situated with the most welcoming, pure-hearted family and got to spend my first day on a gorgeous beach.
Chévere...
Our plane landed just after midnight on Friday, January 9. The 16 other students from Kearney and I waited in line at customs--sweating--for about an hour before we finally found our luggage and were let loose to locate our families. Mine was easy to find as my host mom, Carmen, and her son-in-law, Martín, were right up front with my name scribbled on a piece of paper. We greeted each other quickly with hugs, kisses on the cheek, and "hola's" before we bustled outside to find the car. And then I noticed the weather. It was awesome. There's nothing quite as satisfying as stepping onto a plane in bitter 10 degree weather and stepping off of a another into 75 degree breezy, perfection.
The car ride home was exhilarating. I was barely beginning to process my arrival in this new country. My new host family and I spoke in Spanish on the way. They laughed when the word "chévere" came out of my mouth. In Spanish "chévere" means "cool" or "wicked." I told them it was my favorite word and it's become a big joke amongst my entire host family. Now everyone says it regularly and then looks at me and giggles. My mom taught me the word "bacán" which is equivalent to "chévere." Which is when I knew I would get along with my host mom just fine.
When we got to their condo I met my host sister Carla who is a pre-school teacher and overall really sweet gal. It was nearly three in the morning so we went to bed shortly after they gave me a quick tour and showed me my room.
The next day I was woken up at eight and asked if I wanted to go to the beach. I knew this was one of those pivotal moments. Part of me really wanted to sleep for a few more hours and then get unpacked and organize my new room. But I also new that la playa sounded like a good time and that it would be the kind of experience I had actually come here for. So I was in. I packed a bag and we were off. My host mom and I packed into a car with Martín, his wife and my host sister Jenny, and their two adorable little niños, Fabrizio and Rafaela. We arrived at their home-near-the-beach about 45 minutes later. Here I met my host dad, Alejandro, and a whole lot more family--uncles, aunts, cousins, everyone.
I took a nap before we went to the beach. I felt really homesick and isolated. I didn't have a way to communicate with anyone as there was no wifi and I hadn't purchased a Peruvian phone yet. But I knew this was just part of the gig. I knew sometimes I was going to feel foreign and alone.
When I woke up from a two hour siesta we made our way down to San Bartolo beach. The beach itself is absolutely beautiful. Just sandy and sunny and peaceful. And bonus, there are people that walk up and down the beach selling snacks, ice-cream, beer, even beach hats. I guess this is illegal to do in the United States? But I'm not sure why because it's pretty awesome to pay one sol (0.33 cents) for a fruity popsicle while you're sun bathing. I got a chance to practice my Spanish some more and got to know my family better. I spent about an hour in the ocean and little Favrizio who is seven held my hand the whole time. He's such sweet little guy.
Thus far, my Peruvian experience was beautiful. I was situated with the most welcoming, pure-hearted family and got to spend my first day on a gorgeous beach.
Chévere...