Patience

What an adventure these past 6 days have been. I am already in love with this country and the people here. Maybe I'm just in the honeymoon stage but so far my experiences have been tremendous. However, learning a new language can be frustrating. There are days where you feel like you could talk for hours, and there are others that you can't even conjugate a verb in the present tense. I've realized this all for the hundredth time in the past couple of days that I've spent in Peru.

Walking out of the airport and leaving with my host mama was so welcoming, yet so stressful. It's like there's a switch in your brain that you have to flip from English to Spanish, and when I met my host family my switch was definitely not flipped. Most of the car ride consisted of my host family saying something to me, and me responding with a simple "sí". I remember being so overwhelmed on the drive home, not only from my lack of ability to speak, but also from the awful driving here. I was certain I was doomed.

The following days were long (but much better than my first), consisting of a trip to the mall and school orientation. The mall here is hu-mon-gous. I worked two jobs last semester for a reason, right? A three-story Forever 21, hundreds of shops and a line of food trucks were just a few of the amazing things included in el Jockey (soft J) Plaza.

School orientation was on Friday and we were welcomed to our BEAUTIFUL campus. There's a man made river running through the middle, everything is modern and it's extremely secure. After a couple of meetings, we had lunch in a room that I swear was designed by Chip and Joanna Gaines.

After orientation, I left with Mariah and her host family to go to the beach. On the way there, Mariah and I shared several looks of terror, for the driving here is that of a 12 year old. high. on cocaine. I don't even know how to explain it. It's just bad.

Once we arrived (all in one piece), we were welcomed to a nice little beach house and we immediately took a nap. Lots of traveling and not a lot of sleep called for two tired gringas. The beach was relaxing, and the people were great. We tried ceviche, a traditional Peruvian dish consisting of raw fish marinated/cooked using lime juice, and served in an oniony sauce. Not being a big fan of fish, I was surprised to find that I liked it! We also tried a Peruvian original: the pisco sour. Aside from the food and new vocabulary words, the most powerful lesson of the weekend was that I am definitely a caucasian female that hasn't seen the sun since August. This whole week I've been told over and over from strangers, my host family, and others that I need to wear sunscreen, as if 1) I wasn't wearing any, or 2) I didn't already know this.

Classes started this Monday, and so far so good. I have class for 3 hours a day, Monday through Thursday. I'm also taking an online class, but I have so much free time that sometimes I don't know what to do with myself. I have been debating whether I should check out a CrossFit gym here because it's so far away, but I've decided Monday I am going to go check it out. There's only so many bodyweight movements that I can do on the roof. Speaking of the roof, it's a place I really like to be here. It's flat and gives me a great view of the mountains, it's also where I do my laundry.

Throughout the week I've practiced more Spanish than I have in my whole life, and today as a write this I feel like my switch has been flipped. I've started thinking more in Spanish and am understanding more and more as time goes on. Although sometimes it's frustrating, I'm learning little by little that it takes effort and time for good things to get better.

This past week has been a lesson when it comes to the significance of patience. From the language aspect, I know that as time goes on it will get easier and easier to speak and understand what's going on. From the sun aspect, I know that a good base tan is a gradual thing and to be very persistent about wearing sunscreen. And from the aspect of everyday life, I'm constantly reminding myself that good things take time. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.

All of the chicas (and Steve) on campus!

 Just a pretty green wall found on our campus

 San Bartolo Beach

 Ceviche

 Pisco Sour, I love you. 

 :(

 A curvy sidewalk we take to school. I just love the way it looks!

Food trucks at Jockey Plaza