Welcome to Peru

Things I Have Learned So Far

1. It’s okay to say “No comprendo” … A lot.
2. A person (namely me) can function (semi)normally without sleep during a 24+ hour period.
3. The same can be said about not showering.
4. No matter how careful you are, you’re probably (most definitely) going to get sick.  

​Cusco is at a very high level of elevation. Approximately 11,152 feet above sea level. That being said, if the lack of oxygen in the air doesn’t get you, the changes in food and water likely will.
 
Have no fear! Traveling makes you, and your stomach, stronger. 

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Getting to Cusco
After returning from Europe on June 10th, I barely had time to unpack before repacking to move to Iowa. Once there, I continued to live out of my suitcase and boxes stacked in the garage.
 
I left home again on Thursday, June 30th so I could spend the night at my great aunt’s house because it is two hours closer to the airport. The next morning I had my cousin drive me to the Omaha airport at 7 AM. (I paid him in pizza.)
 
Then, a day less than three weeks after I landed in America, and 24 hours of travel later, I landed in Cusco, Peru.

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Host Family
Unlike my semester in Greece, in Cusco I’m living with a local family made up of a mother and father and two of the most adorable children I’ve ever met. 
 
The little girl is four and as cute as a button. She loves princesses and stickers, which was what I brought her as a present, coloring and playing games. Needless to say, we’re getting along swimmingly. She is also the biggest help with my Spanish language skills. She is a preschooler, and my Spanish abilities are about that of a preschooler despite Dulingo and two semesters of college Spanish, meaning that she's the perfect teacher. 

 The other child, a boy who is one year and three months old, has stolen my heart. I meant it. I’m completely taken with this little guy. He’s got big rosy cheeks and flirts with me over his supper as he purposefully spills it all over his highchair tray. My first night, I went to bed fairly early and he kept banging on my door trying to get to me.  
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​The little boy waves at me every time he or I leave the apartment, even if we’re actually going someplace together! The girl, on the other hand, always helps me pick out a sticker to wear before I’m allowed out the door. I already am sad about having to leave them in a matter of weeks.  
 
But yeah, so like, the city and school are okay too… I guess ;) 

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​Living the Dream, Again
In all honestly though, I’m so happy to be in Cusco. This city is amazing! The colors, the sights and people come together to create a wonderful place to spend the remainder of my final summer before my senior year of college.
 
So yeah, any of you that might have been wondering why my social media has been so quiet recently, there’s your answer.
 
Until next post, ciao! 

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​Coming up next: I’ll fill you in on my course schedule and the trips planned for my summer in Peru. 

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