I made it!

AHHHHH!!!!!
I made it! We got into Cusco and went home with our host families yesterday.
All my luggage made it too. I love it here in Peru. It is so different than the USA though..

I am still adjusting to the altitude. I knew I would have some difficulty. I am not in shape, and I had some problems last year at Ghost Ranch with CRL. We are at about 11,300 feet, so it is significantly different than home. I only really got out of breath once today though, so that is pretty good. Last night my lips were a little blue. I had a headache again today, but excedrin migraine works wonders. :) We also had some Koka tea, which helped even if it didn't tast the best. I just can't get addicted, because it is illegal in the US.

Our host family is really nice. So far we have just met the host mom Monica and tonight we met the other student they are hosting, his name is Shane. The apartment is on the 8th floor of the building right in the heart of the city. The view is amazing! We can see mountains on either side and at night the lights are so neat. I need to take more pictures.

Today we took an exam in both written and oral Spanish so we can be placed in our classes at the Academia. I find myself wanting to mix in more Spanish. Our host mother is fluent in English which is nice.
Today we also went on a walking tour of Cusco; the tour was given entirely in Sapnish, and surprisingly, I caught a lot and could understand the basics and jist of what Efrain was saying. We saw so many things like La Plaza de Armas, fountains and so many other places and people. Monica took us to La Plaza last night, but it is different in day.

Peru is different than America in so many ways. I miss the clean air. Cusco is big and it is great, but I know I would not want to live in such a big city, it is too crazy and busy. I miss being able to flush toilet paper. I just had to include that one-sorry. I miss going to the tap and getting a glass of water. They are getting ready for presidential elections, and they are down to 2 candidates which is so different than our system of elections.

As far as water goes, at least bottled water is cheap. A 2.25 liter bottle costs about a dollar. I am trying to drink as much as I can so I don't get dehydrated. There are so many different types of beverages here too. All the sodas are made with real sugar, so they taste better. No Mtn. Dew though. But I do like the local beverage,  Inca Cola. It kind of tastes and smells like bubble gum and it's yellow.

Tomorrow we are going to have our first Spanish lessons in the morning, then come home for luch which is the big meal. We weren't served dinner tonight. Also, Monica and my roommate Chelsea are both vegetarians, so those spam slices are going to come in handy. Thanks, Mom. In the afternoon, we are going to a traditional market. I am excited to be able to actually get some gifts to take back for people.

Well, I should probably go to bed. I can't stop looking out the windows at el Christo Blanco and the lighted up crosses on the mountainside. I should get some sleep, since we have to be at the Academia at 8:30am. it takes about 8 minutes to walk there ans we will have a light breakfast before we go. Yesterday was a holiday and today kind of is too, so people are shooting off fireworks. OK, time to go change into my warm pajamas and snuggle under three laters of blankets. Hopefully I sleep better than last night and can breathe normally.

I will try to have out my journal next time I post so I can include a few other points.Our host family is letting us use their computer, so I will try to post as much as I can. Hasta Luego!