I've sat down at my computer several times, but just haven't had time to write a proper email with mom coming, class coming to an end..there has been so much to do! It´s hard to believe that I only have 2 more week (as of yesterday) here in Lima Perú. I super excited to return home to the states to spend the holidays with family. As of today, I´ll be in Ocean Reef from 18 to the 28/29 with Grandma and Grandpa and then will spending the New Year until the 3rd in Delray Beach with Nana, Jim, Dad, Tim, Katie, and Sarah. However, at the same time I´m going to miss so much here. Last week my Spanish professor asked us what we are going to miss most abou Perú, and I had a whole list going: my program friends, the life of "tranquilidad" living with less stress, the time (and how I can arrive anywhere 5 minute late and it doesn´t matter), my Peruvian friends, traveling to different regions/cities during the weekends, the food (Mari´s food - Martin´s family´s cook), and Carmen (my Peruvian mother).
Mom arrived on the November 19th and left on the 26th. We stayed in "la casa de Eli" a house of a Peruvian lady that lives nearby. Communication between all of us was a bit difficult because Eli didn't speak any English, but in all truth, I liked it because I weas able to show my mom my "new skills!" Mom, Martin, and I went to Centro de Lima on Thursday, where we visited 2 museums (a Catholic church with an old burial site beneath as well as a "torture" museum). We also went to "Cerro San Cristobal", to the top of the mountain to see the entire (or what appear like the entire city) of Lima. The ride up was a bit scary; roads here have different regulations than in the US. The slope was super steep, and it appeared that we were going to fall off the side of the mountain in a crowded cobie!
On Friday we got up early and went to the airport for our flight to Cusco; there were come complication with the tickets.. we ended up having to buy the 2 (really expensive) tickets at the counter. When we got to Cusco, mom was feeling a bit sick from the altitude so we took it easy and relaxed in our hotel "Casa Andina". Later we went exploring around the main plaza "Plaza de Armas", and we met a 15 year old boy. He was trying to sell us postcards and in the mean time helped us find necessary turist information. I talked to him a while, about his experiences, and learned so much about the Cuscanian life. What I found most interesting was that he paid his school tuition with the money he earns.
On Saturday we took the train to Aguas Caliente, the small pueblo located at the base montains of Machu Picchu. Upon arriving, we took a bus up the mountain and entered Machu Picchu. It was "breath taking, beaaautiful, fantastic, amazing, gorgeous, words cannot describe the beauty". It was so peaceful and full of such good energy. We hiked to the top of Huaya Picchu and got to see the entire valley. When we returned I met another guy "Juan Carlos"that was selling postcards.. I guess its the thing to do there!
The next day Juan Carlos, Mom and I took a hike and visited a waterfall. Again it was beautiful, we hiked the railroad tracks a while and then started assending. The hike was sooo hard - again straight up. We climbed and climbed and climbed and in the end Juan Carlos had to hold my hand and pull me up it..We returned to Cusco a day later and on Monday went on a tour of the Sacred Valley. We saw several ruins, indigenious people, the process of making yarn, the countryside, turists, and markets. We returned to Lima on Tuesday and did a small tour of Miraflores, Larcomar, Barranco, Pueblo Libre in an afternoon.
For Thanksgiving on Thursday, my program had a huge (traditional) dinner. It was lovely, everyone was there, there was soo much food, and it was so much fun! I prepared the green bean casserole, the mash potatoes, and a pumpkin cake (with help from mom who brought some essential ingredients from the states). The girls spent all day in the kitchen preparing pies, salads; we had everything except for the cranberry sause..which someone ended up losing?
This past week, I've done the most work I've done all semester. On Friday I had a history presentation and paper due about the consequences of the terrorism that occurred 20 years ago in Perú. It really challenged my reading, writing, and speaking skills. Furthermore, I had my history test this Tuesday on the "conquest del peru". And now, all I have left is to write an anthro paper that is due next week.
Two weeks left in El Peru; I am going to live it up and make the most of every single day!
