Aren't you proud of me?

I am now relatively confident using public transportation to get to and from school. Anywhere else and I need help, but to and from la Católica, I've got it down.

So for those of you who aren't familiar with the public transportation in Lima, I'll fill you in.

There are two people working on the micro/combi, the driver and the cobrador (the guy/sometimes a lady) who stands in the doorway to let people on and off the bus. The cobrador is the one who is actually in charge. He tells the driver when to stop and pull over or when to go. He does this with hand signals out the window and by banging on the side of the bus. The cobrador is also the one who comes and collects money for the ride and gives you a small paper ticket. Whenever the micro/combi comes to a stop, no matter where, even at a stoplight, the cobrador yells out the names of the streets that his vehicle is going to pass through. So as long as you know what main street you are near, you can find one going there and tell the cobrador when you want to get off. To do that you have to say "bajo en la esquina" (I'm getting off at the corner) or "al paradero" (at the bus stop) or in the morning when I'm going to school "bajo en la católica". I'm pretty sure that I stick out like a sore thumb on the micro. But oh well. Thats just how it goes. My ride to school can take anywhere from 45 minutes when there is minimal traffic up to an hour and a half in the evening during rush hour. My ride costs 1.50 S./ (about 50 cents), although my peruvian mom says that it is 1.40 S./. I've argued with the cobrador once when he wanted to charge me 1.60 by telling him that I always pay 1.40 and he seemed upset with me. But I didn't have to give him any more money.

Now, being from Boston, I thought I was used to crazy drivers. But oh no. I think we spend the majority of the time in between lanes. They can cross three or four lanes of traffic in a matter of seconds and come within inches of other vehicles. Also, sometimes when there isn't a traffic light at an intersection, there is a person directing traffic with a whistle.

Que vida la mía

Ever have those moments where you realize how much you enjoy life? Little times throughout the day when you find yourself smiling for no apparent reason and the feeling that you are exactly where you're supposed to be.

Well thats what I've been feeling recently. Sure things aren't easy, I'm not fully adjusted, I miss home and would kill for some American BBQ food right now, but I LOVE my life.

Here are somethings down here in LIMA that make me smile:

Passing a BBQ restaurant everyday going to and from school.

The musical group that performed on my micro the other day.

Listening to Alfredo (my host father) laugh at his own jokes.

Seeing a kid walking down the street with a handful of rats and a rat tail haircut. (I'm pretty sure the rats were fake. But still, how random is that?)

The teatro that I went to with my family on Friday night.

Shopping at the beach.

Being able to prank call the BBQ all the way from PERU.

Picarones.

Dunkin Donuts in LIMA. No joke.

All these things make me terribly happy.

"Que vida la mía" (What a life is mine)

Tengo Familia

Complete craziness is probably the best way to describe my past few days.

Friday and Saturday were filled up with orientation powerpoints, driving through Lima, eating at really great restaurants and sampling typical Peruvian food, and walking around Miraflores (one of the prettiest and nicest districts in Lima). Then on Sunday morning we met our families!! We were all in the basement of a hotel conference center and they brought all us students in and had our families stand up and call us over. I was the first one to be called over to my family. So now I am a part of the Gomez family. The parents are Ruth and Alfredo. Also at the breakfast was my brother Mario (28 years old) and his girlfriend Maira. I have another brother who lives in the house as well. His name is Yuri. Unfortunately he is currently wicked sick with a bad fever, so I haven't talked with him much. After meeting our new families I had a bit to eat and then we all left with our families. So right away my parents took me to mass (Mass, I'm not really sure if it should be capitalized). It was interesting and I was introduced by my mother as "mi hija" (my daughter) to all her friends. Ruth is so sweet and welcoming. Alfredo has a funny sense of humor, a little similar to Uncle Steve. Unfortunately, I haven't quite grasped humor yet in Spanish, so I never quite know when he's joking or being serious. But I like him anyways.

So after mass, my mother gave me the option of either going home with my parents to settle in and just hang around the house for the afternoon or to go with Mario and Maira to a beach club that Maira's family is a member at. So I was feeling a bit unsure of myself and nervous, but I went for it and decided to spend the afternoon at the club.

Its sort of like a country club type thing, there is a pool and small restaurants and a beach area at the ocean. Maira's family either rented or owns (or something) a bungalo (at least thats what she called it), like a small little apartment in the club. Unfortunately it was a bit cloudy, but we went in the pool anyways. The water was wicked warm, like a bath. My fingers got a bit wrinkly. After lounging in and near the pool we decided to get something to eat. Mario and Maira decided ordered some of their favorites for me to try. I tried some mussel dish (I know, I know. I'm being crazy adventurous aren't I?) where there was onions, the mussle, maybe peppers and lots of lime juice in the mussle shell. Its called choros a la chalaca. Here are some images from google:

Then next was ceviche. Basically the dish of Peru. Raw fish cooked in lime juice. So delicious!!

There it is. With sweet potatoes and corn. Yum!!

After the club, Maira's uncle drove us back home. We got here around 8:30 or something. I wasn't very hungry after trying all that new food so I just unpacked my room and got settled in. And also had a few conferences and lessons with my mom about how things work in the house.

Then today (Monday) was my first day of classes. I have Spanish class (I placed into the highest level, by the way) for six hours every day for the next two weeks. Oh my goodness. So much Spanish. But my professor is really great and knows how to make things interesting. I already have a small homework assignment. I need to give a presentation on Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon either on Wednesday or Thursday and then hand in a written essay about it. Its been a while since I've had homework. We'll see how it goes. So I should probably get started on that.

I'll fill you in on the whole public transportation thing later. Because to be honest, I still haven't gotten it quite figured out yet.

I'm Here!!

I can't even believe it.

It doesn't seem real.

How is it that 48 hours ago I was sleeping in my bed in cold, snowy Wenham, MA and now I am sitting in a hotel in Lima, Peru with a little color on my face and arms from the sun? (The sun is stronger here because we're closer to the equator. Which means that I'll be wearing sunscreen every day.)

So here are some pictures from before I left.

And now I would like to introduce you to a very special little friend of mine. This is Piggy. A little guy from the BBQ who decided to hitch a ride down to S. America with me. So I'm going to chronicle his journey.

Here he is at his home and then packing.

I will do my best to keep you updated on Piggy's journeys.

Now, let me catch you up.

My flight to Newark was cancelled on Wednesday night. Which led to a panic attack and three different phones going to contact Continental Airlines. Turns out they had already put me on other flights, but weren't going to tell me until I got to the airport. Anyways...I flew Boston to Houston and then Houston to Lima. Arrived in Lima around 11:30 pm. (Side note about Lima, it smells like Mexico, but a little different, more humid.) Got to the hotel a little after 1 am and was in bed around 2. Then up around 7:30 for shower, breakfast and then a bus took us all to the University where we will be studying. La Pontifícia Universidad Católica Peruana (which will be referred to as PUCP or la Católica from here on). We took our Spanish placement exam, which went well for me. We then had a coffee break, followed by a tour of campus. While I'm talking about campus I'll give you my address because I can receive mail through the international relations office.

Abigail (or Abby) Sawyer

c/o Relaciones Internacionales y CIEE

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

Av. Universitaria cuadra 18 s/n

San Miguel, Lima 32, Perú

So send me mail. Por favor.

Alright, moving on. We then had lunch at José Antonio, a cute little restaurant with a nice buffet of typical Peruvian food. Everything I had was really good. I even started out the meal with a Pisco Sour. But I didn't get through it all. It was very strong. And it being my first alcoholic beverage, I was taking it slow. After lunch we headed back to the hotel for some informational sessions, and got our cute little cell phones. I successfully managed to put money on my phone at the supermarket. We were on our own for dinner tonight and a bunch of my friends from the program and I ended up in the food court of a mall called Lacromar which overlooks the ocean. Then we headed back to the hotel and here I am. So now its bedtime.

Buenas noches.

I'm Leaving...

Wow. Today has been a crazy day with a few stressful moments. Problems with my medications and a cancelled flight were the main causes of my stress. But now everything is set. I have enough medications to last me for six months and I am once again on a flight to PERU. That was a bit of a panic moment. Silly New England winter storms.

So now its on to packing!!

P.S. I Love You

And no, I'm not talking about the movie. I'm talking about the Bath and Body Works scent that is currently on my hands. I woke up on Valentine's day to one of the people that I love the most in this world - my best friend Sarah. And she gave me a little bottle of the lotion, because she loves me. And I love her. Such a great way to wake up.

In case you didn't know, I was able to go and visit some of my best friends who go to school down in Pennsylvania this weekend. Tim and Nick are sophomores at Grove City College and Sarah is a junior at Bucknell University. This was my first time traveling domestically by myself (My first time was flying from Moscow to Kyiv. Wicked scary). I've decided that I don't really like traveling alone. It gets boring. And there is no one to watch your bags while you go to the bathroom or get a slice of pizza. You must carry them with you everywhere. Bummer. But the travels went smoothly. There was a lot of waiting. Waiting in Boston, in Newark, in Pittsburgh, and in Philadelphia. But all the waiting was totally worth it to spend some time with good friends. Especially since I won't be spending time with them for a very long time.

Some highlights from my weekend:

SourPatch Kids and Latina Magazine.

Creeking.

Pink pancakes kissed with chocolate chips.

Feeling at home at a church I've never been to.

My first dining experience at Sheetz.

Getting into a basketball game as a Bucknell student.

Campus tours given by very knowledgeable tour guides.

Realizing that I am very content with my life.

Spanish Class with Sarah.

Visiting the Grove City Outlets.

Watching the Olympics.

Coming home to clean sheets on my bed, apple pie and flowers for Valentine's Day from my Dad.

So all in all, it was a great trip. But of course bittersweet. Goodbyes are never fun. But there will be a lot of them within the next few days. So now I've got to figure out how to say goodbye to family, friends and everything familiar to me.

I leave for Peru in one week. 7 days.

I'm starting to feel a little unprepared. But tomorrow I'm going to get myself organized. Make a plan and go for it. Wish me luck.

It's getting real

3 Weeks...

22 Days...

528 hours...

And I'll be in PERU...

Crazy, isn't it?

As the countdown gets smaller and smaller it is slowly starting to feel more and more real.

I'm getting emails from the program.

I'm thinking about what I have to buy.

I have 3 different To-Do lists.

I'm thinking about what I want my mom to make me for dinners.

But what have I been doing with all this free time? Well I've been working at the BBQ. It's strange to think that I will only be working there for a few more weeks. I started working there 4 years ago. It's like a second family to me. And I'm really going to miss everyone. So many things are changing...

I'm currently watching Marie Antoinette. And I'm watching it in French. I'm not sure why, but I figured that I won't really be able to practice my French for a long time. So I'm sure that Prof. Vanborre would be très contente. I'm going to miss taking classes with her.

And of course I've been thinking a lot about Mexico. Looking at pictures on Facebook. Praying for my friends down there. And I often wake up after dreaming of Mexico. I can't wait to go back. I pray that I will be able to return in January. But who knows...this is a big year for me. A lot will happen. And I think that a lot will change. I will change. Hopefully for the better.

I want to gain a better understanding of who I am, who God created me to be and what my future holds.

I want to become fluent in Spanish.

I want to make new friends.

I want to form relationships with other students and my host family.

I want to travel.

I want to take advantage of all the opportunities that I will have.

I want to try new food.

I want to comfortable with who I am and not try to be someone else.

I want to visit Machu Picchu...again.

I want to visit my sponsorship child, Rosa.

I want all of this, and so much more.